How does your garden grow in Central Oregon?

“Gardening is full of mistakes, almost all of them pleasant and some of them actually instructive.” —Henry Mitchell


If you have lived in Central Oregon even for a short time, you know that gardening here is not for the faint of heart. A very short growing season, poor soil quality, and scorching summer days followed by chilly nights all seem to conspire against the greenest thumbs. Still, a beautiful landscape – whether it’s a modern xeriscape or a lush lawn bordered with flowers – brings so much visual interest and appeal to a home, not to mention joy for those with a passion for plants. Here are some tips to help you make the most of your time.

courtesy of Central Oregon Gardening—OSU Extension Service

Be Patient

If you were tempted by colorful annuals and vegetable starts for sale in early March, one rogue spring snowfall or hard freeze may have found you purchasing and planting all over again. Some “old timers” say you shouldn’t plant before Memorial Day, while others wait until there is no snow on Black Butte.

This is very late compared to other parts of the country, but it can give tender plants like flowering annuals, tomatoes, cucumbers, and soft herbs a fighting chance. Hardy plants such as beets, broccoli, rosemary, and lavender can typically go in the ground in April, assuming the soil is workable, but watch the weather and be ready to cover them if temperatures drop. Patience and vigilance will pay off beautifully when consistently warmer temperatures arrive.

courtesy of Central Oregon Gardening—OSU Extension Service

Shop Local

courtesy of Shillings Garden Market, Bend, Oregon

Supporting small businesses and, by extension, the greater community, is an obvious benefit of shopping local. But locally owned garden shops also offer a wealth of deep knowledge about gardening in our region. Step into any one of the area’s many independent nurseries and you’ll find a bounty of plants, trees, and shrubs that are specifically zoned for Central Oregon’s temperamental climate. Even better, the experienced people who sell them can tell you when and where to plant your selections. They can also recommend specific soil amendments, fertilizers, and other growing tips to help your garden thrive all season long.

Make Peace with Nature

Lawns and pine needles are not friends. Unlike leaves, needles break down very slowly, so take care to keep your lawn clear of them. Alternatively, consider not growing grass near pine trees, which also has the benefit of conserving water, a resource in short supply in our region.

Deer netting used as a deterrent Photo: Amy Jo Detweiler, © Oregon State University

The deer believe your yard is their personal buffet. There’s a good chance deer will visit your neighborhood at least occasionally, and an even better chance that they’ll think whatever you’ve planted is delicious. If a high fence is not an option on your property, there are several deer-resistant (emphasis on resistant) plants, shrubs, and trees that you can install. Be sure to cage the trunks of smaller trees in the fall and winter to protect the bark from rutting deer.

Learn to stretch the season. Summer always seems so fleeting, but with a little help you can extend your growing season a bit. Greenhouses and hoop houses are very effective but some people do not want a permanent structure. Row covers, raised beds, and hot beds are just a few inexpensive, temporary options that can protect your plants when autumn temperatures drop. It’s not exactly an endless summer but it will provide a chance to harvest a little more late-season goodness.

This blog just scratches the surface of successful growing in Central Oregon, but we hope it inspires you to dig in (see what we did there?) and learn more. Is gardening here an easy pursuit? Not exactly, but nothing rewarding comes without effort. And when the reward is a basket of sun-warmed tomatoes, a vase of just-cut blooms, or a colorful expanse of trees and shrubs, we think you’ll agree it’s well worth the investment.

Courtesy of WaterWise landscaping—City of Bend



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