amyjo.detweiler [at] oregonstate.edu Office:
I supervise and provide training for the local master gardener program. I work with volunteers to provide community education in home gardening and landscaping. I also provide education to the commercial green industry.
My main areas of research include educating the community about water-wise gardening including xeriscape techniques, plant selection and plant care. I also have an emphasis in providing education on fire-resistant plant material and fire-wise landscaping techniques. A third area of emphasis is regional specific gardening for the Intermountain West including High Desert Gardening and season extension.
At OSU
Biography
I was born and raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. I have a BS in Biology from Westminster College in Pennsylvania and an MS in Landscape Horticulture from Colorado State University. I have previously worked at the Plant Environmental Research Center and a local nursery in Colorado before moving to Oregon for this position with OSU. I manage the local master gardener program in central Oregon in Crook, Deschutes, and Jefferson Counties. I provide the training for master gardener volunteers and work with them to provide community education in the areas of gardening, landscaping, and plant problem solving. I also provide education to local green industry professionals including landscape contractors, landscape designers, nursery owners, and growers.
My Awards
My Publications
Outreach and Extension
Extension Service Site Publications (2024) Common weeds found in Central Oregon in landscapes and lawns These are weeds commonly seen in Central Oregon. (2024) Garden Future What's the future of gardening in Oregon? Changes in climate are impacting gardening. We're talking about it and gathering solutions to support gardeners now and into the future. Learn how Oregon gardeners are experiencing climate change and creating resilient gardens. Garden Future is a project of the OSU Extension Master Gardener program. (2024) Firewise Landscaping Basics Learn about plants that can help you reduce the risk of fire while also creating an attractive environment. See why landscape maintenance and plant placement are just as critical as plant selection. (2023) Fire-resistant plants for home landscapes Home landscaping is an important part of a community's resistance to wildfire. Learn what plants can help you create an attractive environment and reduce the risk of fire. (2023) Fire-resistant plant profiles: Shrubs Choose the right shrubs for your fire-resistant landscape with this comprehensive list for the Pacific Northwest. (2023) Fire-resistant plant profiles: Perennials Choose the right perennial plants for your fire-resistant landscape with this comprehensive list for the Pacific Northwest. (2023) Fire-resistant plant profiles: Trees Choose the right trees for your fire-resistant landscape with this comprehensive list for the Pacific Northwest. (2023) Fire-resistant plant profiles: Groundcovers Choose the right groundcover plants for your fire-resistant landscape with this comprehensive list for the Pacific Northwest. (2023) Fire-resistant plant profiles: Broadleaf evergreens Choose the right broadleaf evergreen plants for your fire-resistant landscape with this comprehensive list for the Pacific Northwest. (2023) Roses: Planting and Care in Central Oregon Are you longing to enjoy the fragrance and color of roses in your yard? With thoughtful attention to planting and care, many types of roses can be grown successfully in Central Oregon. (2020) Waterwise gardening in Central Oregon You can have a colorful and beautiful landscape while conserving water and saving time, energy and money. Learn innovative conservation techniques for waterwise gardening in Central Oregon. (2021) Growing Kiwifruit in Your Home Garden This guide will walk you through all the details on planting, fertilizing, irrigating, pruning and training so you, too, can grow delicious kiwifruit. (2021) Growing Raspberries in Your Home Garden Learn to grow tart, delicious raspberries in your own garden. Choose which type of raspberry to grow, and learn how to plant, prune, fertilize and water your berry patch to keep it healthy and productive. (2020) Common insects that cause plant damage in Central Oregon Insects are divided into categories based on the type of damage they cause. See images, where they can be found and links to potential management practices. (2020) Growing wildflowers in Central Oregon Learn how to grow wildflowers in Central Oregon, including choosing and preparing a site, planting and seeding rate, best times of year to do it, and application rate. Also includes a list of wildflowers that thrive in Central Oregon. (2002) Lawn maintenance calendar for Central Oregon Properly timed maintenance is the key to having a nice lawn. Watering, mowing, fertilizing or dethatching at the wrong time yields poor results. Here's how to maintain a healthy lawn in Central Oregon. (2018) Central Oregon vegetable garden calendar This resource offers detailed guidance on optimal planting and harvesting times for a variety of vegetables. Cultivating a thriving vegetable garden in Central Oregon requires careful planning and timing due to the region's unique climate challenges, such as a short growing season and the possibility of frost during summer months. (2020) Enhancing Urban and Suburban Landscapes to Protect Pollinators The way we garden can help promote the health of bees and other insects. This guide offers detailed plant lists, garden designs and advice on creating pollinator habitat. (2012) Deer-resistant plants for Central Oregon Below is a list of plants that tend to be more deer-resistant. (2018) When to start seeds indoors in central Oregon Wondering when to plant vegetables? Use this handy table to figure out the optimum time. (2018) Life cycle of the codling moth A codling moth goes through several stages in its life cycle. If you're trying to prevent damage to apples and other fruit, it helps to know when adults and larvae are active. (2014) Container gardening basics Choose the right containers, soil and plants to keep your flowerpots blooming all season long. When choosing plants for container gardening, go for "thrillers," "fillers" and "spillers." (2005) Plant selection for windbreaks in Central Oregon A fact sheet including sufficient windbreaks in Central Oregon. Three of the groups consist of deciduous trees, evergreen trees and shrubs. (2009) Winter care of perennials in central Oregon When temperatures begin cooling off in the fall, it is time to put your perennials to bed for the winter. Learn how to mulch and water perennials to protect them from central Oregon's cold, dry soils and freeze-thaw cycles. (2009) Tips for growing spring flowering bulbs in Central Oregon Knowledge is everything when it comes to growing spring bulbs in Central Oregon. Find out more about bulb purchasing, site selection, timing, planting and bulb care. Get the latest techniques for Central Oregon gardeners. (2016) Gardening in Central Oregon's climate Behind the beauty of the High Desert, lie many factors that create challenges for Central Oregon gardeners. Learn how to work with cold weather, short seasons, dry summers and other elements that can affect your gardening success. (2017) What is this red plant that looks like asparagus? (2015) El Cultivo de Verduras en el Oregon Central (los Condados de Crook, Deschutes y Jefferson) El clima del desierto alto en el Oregon central puede presentar retos para los jardineros a cualquier nivel. Esta guía aporta consejos y técnicas aptos para la región, con el objetivo de darle mayor éxito con su huerto. Se incluyen temas tales como la selección del sitio, la modificación y preparación del suelo, el riego, el manejo de malas hierbas y plagas, la siembra en casa o en el huerto, y la extensión de la temporada. También contiene guías de siembra para más de treinta verduras comúnmente cultivadas en el Oregon central. (2015) Growing vegetables in Central Oregon (Crook, Deschutes, and Jefferson counties) Learn how to have a successful vegetable garden in Central Oregon, where temperatures, low precipitation and infertile soil pose a challenge. (2015) Growing hops in the home garden Learn how to select, grow and harvest hops in your home garden. Learn how to defend against pests and disease and store your harvest. (2008) Selecting fruit tree varieties for Central Oregon landscaping and home orchards Several kinds of fruit trees can be grown successfully in Central Oregon. The challenge lies in selecting varieties that are most likely to bear fruit in the region. (2008) Selecting native plants for home landscapes in Central Oregon If planted in a suitable habitat, native plants are well adapted to Central Oregon soils and climate. When grown in the right conditions, native plants experience less environmental, insect, and disease damage than nonnative plants. (2008) Selecting Berry Crop Varieties for Central Oregon Several kinds of berry crops can be grown successfully in Central Oregon. The key is to select varieties suited to local growing conditions and to follow recommendations for planting and care. (2003) Identification and Control of Knapweed Species in Central and Eastern Oregon This publication describes potential hazards, management, and identification of knapweeds. (2020) Growing blackberries in your home garden Home gardeners can enjoy a choice of blackberry varieties with fruit far superior to that of wild blackberries. What’s more, home gardeners can pick fruit from early summer all the way to the first frost. Learn how to plant, prune and pick the best blackberries while avoiding many common problems. (2018) Grow your own tomatoes and tomatillos Learn how to grow tomatoes and tomatillos in your home garden. Topics include site and soil preparation, propagation, planting, pruning, harvest and storage. (2020) Growing strawberries in your home garden Here's how to plant strawberries, fertilize them and solve the common problems that plague many gardeners. Learn which type bears fruit when. (2020) Growing Blueberries in Your Home Garden Learn to grow your own sweet, juicy blueberries in your Oregon home garden! Find out which types and cultivars of blueberries grow best where you live, and which part of your yard is best suited for production. Experts guide you through all the details on soil preparation, planting, mulching, watering and pruning. Learn to beat back common pests, tame frost and disease, and maximize production.
My Media
