Coos County Master Gardeners

08/30/2026

No room for a tulip or daffodil garden? No problem. Spring-blooming bulbs are often better off planted in pots, according to the Oregon State University Extension Service. Good drainage is important and easier to control in the pots we plant in fall. For tips on how to put together a stellar display, go to:
https://extension.oregonstate.edu/news/plant-bulbs-pots-now-vibrant-blooms-spring
Photo: Stephen Bowler/Creative Commons

08/15/2026

If saving seeds, the Oregon State University Extension Service recommends harvesting tomatoes and peppers when ripe. Cucumber and eggplant should be over ripe. Let the seeds of peas, beans, and lettuce dry on the plant. Eggplant seeds can be dried after harvest, but tomatoes and cucumber seeds should be covered with water and left to ferment for three days in a warm room. Viable seeds sink to the bottom. Rise well after fermenting and air dry. For information on other crops, as well as drying and storage, go to: https://extension.oregonstate.edu/news/save-seeds-now-next-years-garden

07/27/2026

What’s wrong with my plant? Uniform damage often points to drought, heat spikes, poor drainage, little air circulation, or other environmental issues. Random damage may suggest pests or disease. That’s only one way to figure out what’s wrong. For more insight on which questions to ask, go to: Diagnose plant problems by asking the right questions | OSU Extension Service
Photo by Jessie Milligan

07/18/2026

07/12/2026

Mid-season fertilizing helps boost vegetables and flowers, according to Oregon State University Extension Service. Side dress or use liquid fertilizer, using blends higher in nitrogen for leafy greens or blends higher in phosphorus and potassium for flowering veggies and flowers. Follow the label directions. Read more at: Feed your vegetable garden midseason to boost growth and yields | OSU Extension Service
Photo source: Creative Commons

06/27/2026

Cats may be purrrfect friends, but they can damage gardens. Soil or mulch may be deemed a litter box, leaving behind germs and parasites that make people sick. Feline urine also can significantly lower the pH of soil. Try physical barriers, such as bird netting or chicken wire laid over beds. Sharp mulches like hazelnut shells or crushed egg shells help, as do sticks placed in the soil as stakes. Lots of other techniques are available at: https://extension.oregonstate.edu/catalog/em-9564-protecting-your-garden-cats
Photo by LeAnn Locher

06/15/2026

Want earlier tomatoes? Pinching out suckers, the new growth appearing between the main stem and a leaf, allows indeterminate tomatoes to direct more energy into production. (Indeterminates are the large “vining” tomatoes that produce throughout the season). Check about once a week and pinch out suckers using thumb and forefinger. For all things tomato, check out: Grow your own tomatoes and tomatillos | OSU Extension Service
Photo source: Chicago Botanic Garden

06/05/2026

What to do when temperatures suddenly rise above 80 degrees? Hold off on fertilizing to prevent damage to new growth. Wait to use treatments for disease or insects to avoid plant damage. To prevent adding stress, don’t prune trees or shrubs. Do keep watering, weeding, and mulching. Move pots to shade and provide shade for tender new transplants for the hottest part of the day. To read much more about preventing heat stress in plants, go to: https://extension.oregonstate.edu/news/prepare-your-garden-now-summer-heat-drought
Photo by Jessie Milligan

05/27/2026

Garden-inspired shirts, hats, water bottles, and more help support the Oregon State University Extension Service Master Gardener program. And that program supports communities with education, produce donations to food banks, and school grants. Find the new online shop at: beav.es/gardening
Photo: OSU Extension Service

05/18/2026

Which type of fertilizer is best? Numbers on the bag or bottle indicate the proportion of nitrogen (N), phosphorous (P), and potassium (K), in that order. Fertilizers show the ratio of those nutrients as numbers, such as 8-2-1 (lots of nitrogen, good for lettuce and spinach, not good for tomatoes or flowering veggies). Follow label instructions. Too much fertilizer can harm plants and seep into waterways. To dig much deeper into fertilizers, read: A guide to understanding fertilizers | OSU Extension Service