News for the Horticulture Department
The Purple Tomato FAQ
Learn more about this promising release from Oregon State University Department of Horticulture Plant Breeder Jim Myers.
Six Exotic Vegetables For Oregon Gardeners To Try
Bring a taste of South America, Europe or Asia to your garden this year by adding a diverse array of exotic vegetables.
A varied collection of plants can also reduce the potential for pests and diseases in a garden, said Jim Myers, a vegetable breeder with the Oregon State University Extension Service.
“There’s a lot of natural, biological control that goes on in a garden that we’re not even aware of when we have biodiversity,” Myers said.
Wish Oregon strawberry season was longer?
Oregon strawberries — everyone gets excited when they come into season because they are so fragrant and have amazing flavor.
Those in the know say we are in for an early harvest thanks to the warm spring weather we experienced. But, alas, the season is short. It generally lasts through the month of June. But Oregon State University and USDA’s Agricultural Research Service are putting their heads together to see how the Oregon strawberry season can be extended.
Berry bliss; early, abundant
Lane County strawberries are making up for arriving about two weeks late last year: They arrived about two weeks early this year, said Ross Penhallegon, longtime agent with the Oregon State University extension service.
Although not every grower’s berries ripen at the same time, the season generally starts around June 15 in Lane County, Penhallegon said, and normally lasts four to eight weeks, although not all farms have berries throughout that period. This year’s mild spring accounts for the earlier start.
New online tool helps growers manage insects
Growers can now easily identify and manage insects while in the field using smart phones and tablets with a new online tool developed by Oregon State University and partners.
Last year, if a grower found a glob of frothy, white foam smeared on a patch of young alfalfa hay, one option was to comb through 600-plus pages in a three-ring binder to identify the culprit as a meadow spittlebug.
Now, growers can check the revamped Pacific Northwest Insect Management Handbook website.
Drosophila pressure up this year, scientists warn
The spotted wing drosophila fruit fly could pose a greater threat to berry and cherry producers in Oregon and Washington this season, scientists are warning.
Populations were high last season and more flies likely made it through a mild winter, said Vaughn Walton, an Oregon State University Extension entomologist in Corvallis. Early blueberries and cane berries may be more susceptible this season, he said.
"A relatively warm spring enhanced their survivability and ability to lay eggs. Modeling shows there will be pressure, no question. Timing will be the key thing," Walton said.
