Author: Central Gorge Master Gardeners
-
CGMGA Spotlight: Holly Coccoli
By Donna Des Rochers “Bugs, figs and garlic” are three reasons retired biologist Holly Coccoli joined CGMGA this year. Her reasons also included finding new volunteer opportunities and wanting to learn how to grow healthy plants in general. Holly has always enjoyed her small, in-town and shady yard that is primarily landscaped with native plants.…
-
Thyme For Herbs
Anne Gehrig, OSU Hood River County Extension Central Gorge Master Gardener Volunteer Whether medicinal, culinary, or decorative, herbs deserve a place in the garden. Photo by author. Herbs are the workhorse of the plant world. They attract pollinators, brighten the landscape, enhance culinary creations, and offer balm to body and soul. Here’s some “sage” advice…
-
Regenerative agriculture starts at home
By Jennifer Monroe If you’re like so many of us in America, you may find yourself mowing your lawn regularly at this time of year. You may well love your lawn, and I may not convince you otherwise. But what if it could be so much more? What if it could become a space that…
-
Digging In: Why Gardening with Kids Is Worth the Mess
Kelsey Soltysiak, OSU Hood River County Extension Central Gorge Master Gardener Volunteer I want to make a case: gardening is one of the best activities for children and adults to enjoy together. But before I forget—go ahead and add the Poison Control hotline to your phone contacts (1-800-222-1222). Trust me. More on that in a…
-
CGMGA Spotlight: Marcy Hasegawa
By Kellie Oosterbaan Today I had the pleasure of interviewing Master Gardener Marcy Hasegawa while learning a bit about Hood River history. Born and raised in Hood River, Marcy’s roots in the valley run deep. Marcy’s family owned and operated an orchard and thus her earliest childhood memories were “always outside.” Marcy’s mother worked hard…
-
Hardwood Propagation
by Jim Black, Hood River County Master Gardener Volunteer Prices for about everything have skyrocketed this year, and the cost of nursery plants is no exception. But with a bit of planning while learning some basic plant propagation techniques, you can avoid increasing your plant budget without sacrificing your new-year garden plans. March is a…
-
Easy shrubs for the home landscape
By Margo Dameier, OSU Hood River County Extension Central Gorge Master Gardener Volunteer Oregon Sunshine,Eriophyllum lanatum, greets visitors to the Native Garden on the OSU Hood River County Extension grounds. All are welcome to visit this space that’s a part of the Learning Garden. Bright blooms will be seen this spring! It was about this…
-
Tucking in your garden to awaken next Spring
By OraLee Branch, OSU Hood River County Extension Central Gorge Master Gardener Volunteer A rose bush winter-pruned, surrounded by clean burlap Photo by OraLee Branch As the vibrant colors of autumn fade and the crisp chill of late fall settles over the Columbia Gorge, our gardens begin their long winter slumber. For us gardeners, this…
-
Winter gardening in the Columbia River Gorge
By Sarah Smeby, OSU Hood River County Extension Central Gorge Master Gardener Volunteer Photo by Nick Fewings on Unsplash Many gardeners button up their vegetable gardens in the fall, and turn their attention to some other activity until those warmer months arrive with the promise of another season! You may be someone who exhales in…
-
Gardening for a Changing Climate
By Jen Munroe, OSU Hood River County Extension Central Gorge Master Gardener volunteer You have likely noticed changes outside, and I don’t just mean the generally cooler weather as we move from autumn toward winter. Such regular seasonal change is something that is reassuringly familiar, whether or not you welcome the chill that is to…