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News and Events

Ag Tech Field Day is a new event for 2025! Hosted at OSU's North Willamette Research and Extension Center in Aurora, OR, the event will showcase research trials, demonstrations, and discussions about emerging technology applications for farms in our region. Join us on June 12th, 2025. The link provides details on presenters and topics and the station locations can be seen on this map. 

Recently, we hosted a Willamette Valley Vegetable Education Day at NWREC. The link includes slides from our presenters on a variety of topics including pest management, irrigation, and cover crop selection.

For more field days and workshops, check out the NWREC Events calendar and the College of Agricultural Sciences Field Days calendar.

 

Publications

The Blossom-End Rot Toolkit for Dry-Farmed Tomatoes
February 13, 2024

In 2023, the Blossom-End Rot Toolkit project was initiated. The goal is to develop methods that farmers can use to profitably produce dry-farmed tomatoes while reducing the incidence of blossom-end rot (BER) and other physiological disorders like yellow shoulders, sunscalding, splitting, cracking, and internal whitening. The tools in the toolkit are as follows: 

Dry Farm Melon Project
April 25, 2022

In 2022, the Oregon State University Dry Farming Project launched the Dry Farm Melon Production in Oregon project, funded by WSARE. Project activities included two years of variety trials, two years of grafting trials, one year of on-farm trials, a planting density trial (2023), and succession planting (2023). 

The WSARE final report for the project can be found here: Final report for OW22-369 - SARE Grant Management System

The Principles of Tomato Grafting
April 25, 2022

On February 1st, 2022, a tomato grafting workshop was held at the Oak Creek Center for Urban Horticulture. The name of the workshop was The Principles of Tomato Grafting. The workshop was led by Cassandra Waterman and Matt Davis and featured a panel discussion with four Oregon farmers and tomato grafters.

2024 Willamette Valley Vegetable Educational Program.
February 26, 2024

Below are links to the presentations from the 2024 Willamette Valley Vegetable Educational Program, held February 7 at the North Willamette Research and Education Center with sponsorship from Wilbur-Ellis. Check out what's new in vegetable production!

Choosing Cover Crops for Your Vegetable Rotation
February 26, 2024

Delivered at the 2024 Willamette Valley Vegetable Educational Program. Nick Andrews presented on factors to consider in choosing cover crops and the work of the Western Cover Crops Council to develop an online tool to assist farmers in cover crop selection. See the presentation for opportunities to get involved!

Andrews - Choosing Cover Crops for Your Vegetable Rotation

Symphylan Control
February 26, 2024

Delivered at the 2024 Willamette Valley Vegetable Educational Program. Dr. Navneet Kaur presented on symphylan control, including identifying them, sampling for them, and choosing crop rotations to reduce their populations.

Kaur - The Creepy Crawlers Underground - Symphylan Control

Nematodes and Their Control
February 26, 2024

Delivered at the 2024 Willamette Valley Vegetable Educational Program. Hannah Baker, a graduate student in Dr. Inga Zasada's USDA-ARS lab, presented on plant pathogenic nematodes and strategies for testing for and controlling them.

Baker - Those that Lurk Below the Surface: Nematodes and Their Control

Seed Corn Maggot Management
February 26, 2024

Delivered at the 2024 Willamette Valley Vegetable Educational Program. Dr. Kristie Buckland presented on managing seedcorn maggot (Delia platura) by adjusting planting dates. Seedcorn maggot can cause stand loss in corn, beans, parsnips, and other crops.

Buckland - Seed Corn Maggot Management

Next Generation Precision Weeding Tools
February 26, 2024

Delivered at the 2024 Willamette Valley Vegetable Educational Program. Dr. Steve Fennimore from the University of California, Davis presented on innovations in precision weeding tools and their ability to reduce hand weeding costs.

Fennimore - Next Generation Precision Weeding Tools

Irrigation and Water Management in Vegetable Crops
February 26, 2024

Delivered at the 2024 Willamette Valley Vegetable Educational Program. Dr. María I. Zamora Re presented on using the WSU Irrigation Scheduler app to manage irrigation for each particular field and crop.

 

Zamora Re - Irrigation and Water Management in Vegetable Crops

Beneficial Insects and Applying Them by Drone
February 26, 2024

Delivered at the 2024 Willamette Valley Vegetable Educational Program. Victoria Triolo and Hunter Walker from Wilbur Ellis presented on uses of insect biocontrols in integrated pest management and their research on applying them using a small UAS (drone).

Triolo and Walker - Incorporation of Beneficial Insect Releases in You IPM program.

Rhizoctonia and Fusarium Biocontrol Applications
February 23, 2024

Delivered at the 2024 Willamette Valley Vegetable Educational Program. Dr. Ocamb discussed similarities and differences of Fusarium and Rhizoctonia, the high Fusarium pressure in the valley, and promising work with biocontrols to manage Fusarium.

Ocamb - Rhizoctonia and Fusarium Biocontrol Applications

2023 Vegetable Grower Seminar
March 13, 2023

Agenda and presenter slides from Spring 2023 Vegetable Grower Seminar (pdf files)

Cabbage Looper & Alfalfa Looper

There are two common types of looper worms that infest crops in the Willamette Valley, the cabbage and the alfalfa loopers.This page provides some basic information about the pest and discusses management and controls methods. Detailed scouting and monitoring techniques are provided as well as a risk assessment for spray decisions.

Cabbage Maggot
March 31, 2014

Cabbage maggot is a root-boring pest affecting brassica crops. It can cause wilting and increased risk for plant pathogens.

Broccoli

Brassica oleracea (Italica Group)

Last revised January 12, 2010

Broccoli plant at Gathering Together Farm, Philomath, Oregon.  Photo credit: Alex Stone, Oregon State University

Broccoli, also known as Calabrese in England and much of Europe, is closely related to cauliflower, cabbage, brussels sprouts, and kohlrabi. There is considerable confusion in the scientific and lay literature regarding exact nomenclature. All these Brassicas will intercross readily and are classified in the same genus and species.

2021 Quinoa Field Day Handout
August 12, 2021

In July 2021, we welcomed growers and vegetable breeders to tour our quinoa variety trial including low-saponin varieties. This handout summarizes results from our 2019 quinoa variety trial and the layout of this year's trial.

Winter Squash Production Resources
December 24, 2014

It is difficult to find information on winter squash production and storage. This page aggregates resources relevant to Oregon winter squash growers.

 

Alex Stone is fixing broken links and adding new content in January 2021 - come back soon!

FDA and ODA Produce Safety Resources
February 5, 2020

Resources from the Food and Drug Administration and Oregon Department of Agriculture to help growers comply with the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Safety Rules. Presented January 29, 2020 at the Northwestern Vegetable & Berry Farmers Conference

Drip Irrigation Conversions
February 5, 2020

Slides from a presentation on how and why to use drip irrigation by Scott Lukas, of OSU's Hermiston Research and Extension Center. Presented January 29, 2020 at the Northwestern Vegetable & Berry Farmers Conference. Includes a case study on onions.

Scott Lukas Hemp Diseases and Pests
February 5, 2020

Slides from a presentation on insect pests and diseases observed on hemp by Scott Lukas of OSU's Hermiston Agricultural Reserach and Extension Center.

Peas, Processing -- Eastern Oregon

Pisum sativum

Last revised February 12, 2010

Peas in eastern Oregon are grown in the Blue Mountain area east of Pendleton to Milton-Freewater, mostly as dry-land production in rotation with wheat. More recently production has also been in the Hermiston area where soils may be more sandy and subject to wind erosion. Hermiston area production may be irrigated or non-irrigated.

Squash, Zucchini and Summer

Cucurbita pepo

Last revised February 12, 2010

Peas -- Western Oregon

Pisum sativum

Last revised February 12, 2010

Peas, Edible-Pod

Pisum sativum

Last revised February 12, 2010

The Oriental edible-pod pea or Chinese Pod Pea is also known as Snow Pea and Sugar Pea. These are all flat-podded peas that are hand picked and are available fresh or as a frozen vegetable and used in Oriental dishes.

Peppers

Capsicum annuum and C. frutescens

Last revised February 12, 2010

Radicchio

Cichorium intybus

Last revised February 10, 2010

Red heading type radicchio. Photo credit: Alex Stone, Oregon State University

(See also file on Witloof chicory)

VARIETIES (approximately 80 days).

This group of leafy vegetables falls under the general name of chicory. Heading and non-heading types exist. The heading types may be green-leaf or red. Some red types turn red only with the onset of cool weather.

Radish

Raphanus sativus

Last revised February 15, 2010

Photo credit: Bill Mansour, Oregon State University

Rhubarb

Rheum rhabarbarum

Last revised February 15, 2010

Rhubarb. Photo credit: Bill Mansour, Oregon State University

Rutabaga (Swede) and Turnip

Brassica napus (Napobrassica group) and Brassica rapa (Rapifera Group)

Last revised February 15, 2010

Turnips with high Potassium (left) and low Potassium (right). Photo credit: Bill Mansour, Oregon State University

VARIETIES (approximately 60-80 days).

Rutabaga

Salsify and Scorzonera

Tragopogon porrifolius and Scorzonera hispanica

Last revised February 15, 2010

Shallots

Allium cepa (Aggregatum Group)

Last revised February 15, 2010

VARIETIES AND PLANTING STOCK

Shallots are normally propagated from bulb divisions. In addition, true seed of shallots is now available in both red and yellow types.

Shallots propagated from bulb divisions:

French Red Shallot - red type is the most common dry shallot grown. Other yellow or white varieties include Griselle, Chicken Leg Shallot, and Dutch Yellow, but only the red shallot is important in the market.

Spinach

Spinacia oleracea

Last revised February 15, 2010

Spinach. Photo credit: Alex Stone, Oregon State University

Squash, Pumpkin and Winter

Cucurbita, several species, and ornamental, wax, sponge gourd, etc.

Last revised February 12, 2010

Golden Delicious Squash. Photo credits: Alex Stone, Oregon State University

Sweetpotato

Ipomoea batatas

Last revised February 15, 2010

Sweetpotatoes. Photo credit: Bill Mansour, Oregon State University

Tomato, Fresh Market

Lycopersicon esculentum

Last revised February 15, 2010

Tomato, Greenhouse

Lycopersicon esculentum

Last revised February 15, 2010

Turnip Greens

Brassica rapa (Rapifera Group)

Last revised February 10, 2010

VARIETIES(approximately 30 days for greens).

Shogoin (roots edible), Seven Top (root inedible); For trial: Topper, All Top.

Other greens:

Mustard: Florida Broadleaf (most popular), Southern Giant Curled. For trial: Tendergreen II (a hybrid), Tendergreen, Southern Giant Curled.

Collards: Blue Max, Georgia Southern, Heavi-Crop, Top Bunch, Vates. For trial: Morris Heading, Champion, Carolina, and hybrid: Hi Crop.

Watermelon

Citrullus lanatus

Last revised February 11, 2010

Many new varieties of watermelons have been developed in recent years. Yellow and seedless types are finding an increasing share of the specialty watermelon market. It is estimated that seedless red and yellow varieties that were virtually unknown ten years ago, and represent about 5% of the market today will increase their market share substantially in the near future. Small excellent quality "icebox" melons are also becoming increasingly popular.

Witloof Chicory (Belgian Endive)

Cichorium intybus L. var. folosum

Last revised February 10, 2010

(See also file on Radicchio)

The terms "chicory" and "endive" are frequently interchanged because the "forced" product of Witloof chicory has been erroneously named French or Belgian endive. This information deals with the production of the forced Witloof chicory for chicons (4-6 inch, spindle-shaped heads or buds). Other synonyms are White Endive and Dutch chicory.

Parsley

Petroselinum hortense

Last revised February 11, 2010

Curly Parsley. Photo credit: Alex Stone, Oregon State University

VARIETIES (approximately 70-80 days)

Curly leaf: Deep Green, Forest Green, Moss Curled. For trial: Banquet, Emerald, Perfection.
Flat leaf (stronger flavored): Plain, Plain Italian Dark Green, Deep Green Italian. For trial: Giant Italian.
Hamburg (turnip rooted) type: Hamburg (grown for an enlarged edible root).

Onions, Green Bunching

Allium fistulosum and Allium cepa

Last revised February 12, 2010

Green bunching onions: Photo credit: Alex Stone, Oregon State University

Note: This file contains only information specific to the production of green bunching onions. For more information on onion culture, see the file Dry Bulb Onions -- Western Oregon.

Corn, Sweet for Processing

Zea mays (sweet corn for processing)

Last revised February 2, 2010

TYPES

A number of genes affect sweetness in corn. These are recessive mutants of the starchy gene found in field corn (Su) and their modifiers, and other genes. Normal sweet corn has the recessive mutant of field corn (su). Modifiers and other genes include the sugary-extender gene (se) and the supersweet or shrunken gene (sh2). These make up three major genetic classes of importance in commercial production :

Corn, Baby

Zea mays

Last revised February 2, 2010

NOTE: This file contains only information specific to the production of baby corn. For a complete guide to sweet corn cultural practices, see Sweet Corn for Processing. For information on growing baby corn, see Baby Corn Production (produced by Washington State University).

Collards and Kale

Brassica oleracea (Acephala Group)

Last revised February 11, 2010

Kale. Photo credit: Alex Stone, Oregon State University

Garlic

Allium sativum

Last revised February 5, 2010

Photo credit: Alex Stone, Oregon State University

Cucumbers, Pickling

Cucumis sativus (pickling)

Last revised February 3, 2010

Note: This file contains information specific to pickling cucumbers. For more detail on cucumber cultural methods, including fertilizers, pollination, and pest control, see Slicing Cucumbers.
Many excellent cucumbers are available. Flowers may be monoecious (separate male and female flowers on the same plant) and gynoecious (plants with only female flowers) and predominantly female (PF) types.

Cucumbers, Slicing (Fresh Market)

Cucumis sativus (slicing)

Last revised February 4, 2010

Slicing cucumber. Photo credit: Bill Mansour, Oregon State University

Herbs and Spices

Herbs and Spices

Last revised February 11, 2010

Herb production may be for culinary purposes (food flavoring), for scents and fragrances (potpourris), for medicinal uses or others (dyes, dried floral arrangements etc). Herb producers often grow for all these markets, and some herbs may be used for all these purposes.
Some of the most popular culinary herbs grown commercially and by home gardeners and hobbyists are: basil, cilantro (coriander), chervil, dill, oregano, mint, parsley, rosemary, sage, tarragon and thyme.

Sprout Production

Sprouts

Last revised February 15, 2010