The gardening season is up and running and if you’ve got questions, turn to Ask an Expert, an online question-and-answer tool from Oregon State University’s Extension Service. OSU Extension faculty and Master Gardeners reply to queries within two business days, usually less. To ask a question, simply go to the OSU Extension website, type it in and include the county where you live. Here are some questions asked by other gardeners. What’s yours?
Q: In several publications the term “water-wise” is used along with “drought tolerant” to describe some natives. Here is a link to a publication as an example. For our typically hot Willamette Valley summers would this mean watering once a week or more frequently. Some plants don’t want watering (or little) during the summer months such as the red currant but I’m worried to not water at all. I’m putting in a drip irrigation system and try to work out schedules and how much to give which plants. For non-natives that like the Mediterranean climate such as lavender and rosemary, would the same watering schedule apply? – Benton County
A: The article you cite was written by one of OSU’s pre-eminent experts on the interrelationship between horticulture and water efficiency, so I am uncertain whether I can expand much on Professor McMahan’s words. But these concepts really can be categorized into three areas: plant choice (what), plant environment (where), and watering techniques (how).
As McMahan points out, the use of native plants in the landscape means that those plants have, throughout thousands of years, become accustomed to our region’s soils, water supplies and temperatures. The current challenge, in light of climate change, is to observe which species will be able to adapt to less water and higher temperatures. Those non-native plants such as lavender, which are; (1) native to Mediterranean areas and (2) are not invasive, can be incorporated into the landscape without a risk to those native plants that can adapt. You can go the entire summer and never water lavender and rosemary – once they are established in the soil, which typically takes a year.
The second consideration is where you plant them initially. Assuming the species is not a flowering one (which typically require some hours of direct sunlight), situating your plants in shade or part-shade means that the soil will stay cool and moist longer, an environment that requires less supplemental watering. Those areas will not be on the same schedule as for plants in full-sun, well-draining, hot spaces.
The third part of the equation is to measure whether the plant roots are already surrounded by enough water so the roots do not dry out, but only for species needing supplemental irrigation. This can be accomplished by an inexpensive water meter, much like a thermometer, that can tell you the amount of soil water. Some prior knowledge of the plant is required, which can supplement and enhance your planting species with similar water (and sunlight) needs close together so you don’t waste water on those species requiring less – or none.
Your drip system might be superfluous for many species, so why plant plants near it for no necessity? And, as the referenced article points out, when you water (when cooler and less evaporation) and how you water (in ground and soaker being the least wasteful) will have a long-term impact on your environment specifically, and our region’s water scarcity issues very soon.
You might find some specifics about species selection and water in this WSU publication
You might find this recorded webinar informative for your purposes: Growing Oregon Gardeners: Level Up Series | OSU Extension Service (oregonstate.edu) And this is the presentation used in the webinar with more aspects and information on the topic: Szonntag_Waterwise_2021.pdf | Powered by Box – Kris LaMar, OSU Extension Master Gardener
Q: Today someone asked about disposing of diluted Roundup. If I am correct Roundup, is an herbicide. It is used to kill unwanted plants, i.e., weeds and such. The “expert’s” entire answer was about pesticides. I believe pesticides apply to unwanted bugs and other non-plant life. They are trying to use your garden as a smorgasbord. Maybe it’s just me but should the expert answer the question? Otherwise, their “expertness” may be a little suspect. – Marion County
A: The Expert is correct. Roundup is an herbicide and as such is a pesticide. In the U.S., pesticides are regulated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency under, among other legislation, the 1947 Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), which defines a pesticide as “...any substance or mixture of substances intended for preventing, destroying, repelling or mitigating any pest. Pests can be insects, mice and other animals, unwanted plants (weeds), fungi, or microorganisms like bacteria and viruses. Under U.S. law, a pesticide is also any substance or mixture of substances intended for use as a plant regulator, defoliant or desiccant”.
You can find out more about pesticides and their regulation at the Prevention. There is also a wealth of information about pesticides at the National Pesticide Information Center website. – Neil Bell, OSU Extension horticulturist
Is this an oak tree start?OSU Extension Service
Q: I would appreciate if someone could identify this plant. Is it an oak tree? And if so, what variety? It just came up in the past few weeks and is about 3 to 4 inches tall.
A: These leaves look like an English oak but the first leaves are often not definitive. However, the way it is growing you should be able to tell soon. If you want to keep it look for about 6 to 18 inches or more growth this year and about 2 feet every year after that. Or, if you just want to know if it is an oak, you could dig it up. There should be an acorn on the end. The shape of the acorn can also tell you what type of oak tree you have.
I dug up a couple of sprigs like yours earlier this year and potted them. They are about 10 inches tall now. The new leaves come out like the ones in your picture and then round off a bit looking like an English oak.
I am attaching a link from Oregon State with pictures of many oak trees and the leaves for you to look at as your tree grows. I think this will help you decide what type of oak this is. – Sheryl Casteen, OSU Extension Master Gardener
Are stink bugs good or bad in the garden? (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File)AP
Q: When I lived in Florida I happened upon a wonderful laminated sheet with beneficial insects and bugs on one side and problematic insects and bugs in the other. Do you know of such a thing for this area? I live in Clackamas County.
A: Here is a list of the most common garden pests with links to an Oregon State University publication for additional information. Here is another list of bugs that can help your garden. – Jack Shorr, OSU Extension Master Gardener
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