Extension Service Site Publications

• (2023) Applying hydrated lime to my garden?
• (2023) Understanding Soil Health and Biota for Farm and Garden Like sunlight, water and air, soils are the foundation of life on Earth. Learn how soils link plants, the atmosphere, agriculture, food security, health, the economy and the environment.
• (2023) Testing strips for soil acidity?
• (2022) Walnut leaves: Safe for composting?
• (2016) Cómo evaluar y reducir el peligro del plomo en los huertos y jardines Esta publicación está diseñada para ayudar a los propietarios de viviendas a evaluar y manejar el peligro del plomo en su paisaje o jardín.
  
• (2022) Suppressing Spotted-wing Drosophila Egg-laying with Micro-sprinkler Insecticide Application in Highbush Blueberry Micro-sprinkler application of certain pesticides suppresses spotted-wing drosophila in highbush blueberries. However, those same pesticides applied by backpack sprayers provide better control.
• (2022) Spotted-wing Drosophila, Relative Rankings and Seasonal Strategies for Insecticide Use Researchers around the country have ranked the effectiveness of the most-used pesticides to control spotted-wing drosophila populations in the field. These recommendations are focused on controlling immature and adult life stages of SWD.
• (2021) Pest Alert: Spotted Lanternfly is an Invasive Insect That May Impact Oregon Spotted Lanternfly has a broad range of plant hosts, including grape, stone fruits, apple, ornamental species, maple, black walnut, willow and rose. Nymphs and adults are phloem feeders. They suck sap from young stems and leaves, which can cause wilting and plant stress. High numbers of Spotted Lanternfly can reduce photosynthesis, weaken the plant and eventually contribute to the host plant’s death.
• (2021) Testing and Tracking the Spread of Grapevine Red Blotch Virus in Oregon Vineyards Grapevine red blotch virus (GRVB) is one of about 80 viruses infecting wine grapes worldwide. It may affect fruit ripening and thus impact the quality of finished wines. GRBV incidence increased from two to 10 times annually in the Willamette Valley and Southern Oregon vineyards sampled and studied from 2014 to 2016
• (2020) Pacific Northwest Watermelon Production East of the Cascades Here are steps to successful commercial watermelon production in the Columbia Basin and other warm-climate regions of the Pacific Northwest. You’ll learn best practices for cultivar selection, site preparation, planting, pollination, irrigation, pest management (weed, insect and disease), harvest, and marketing.
• (2020) Nonlethal Bird Deterrent Strategies: Methods for reducing fruit crop losses in Oregon Bird predation is a significant threat to marketable yields in fruit crops. Loss estimates are about 10% to 20% in blueberries, 5% to 30% in cherries, and 5% to 10% in grapes. However, some vineyard sites have reported up to 50% losses. There are many avian deterrents on the market. Success with deterrents varies by site and bird species. In most cases, the best results come from a multipronged approach.
• (2020) Baseline Soil Nitrogen Mineralization: Measurement and Interpretation Baseline N mineralization refers to plant-available nitrogen release that accompanies the decomposition of soil organic matter. The rate of baseline soil N mineralization is governed by the quantity and quality of soil organic matter, as modified by soil moisture and temperature. Baseline soil N mineralization typically supplies about half of crop N uptake. Soils that have been heavily manured for many years or are naturally very high in soil organic matter can supply most of the N required for crop production. Several laboratory tests for N mineralization are available, but most are useful only as measures of relative changes in soil health, not for adjusting N fertilizer rates.
• (2020) Can you clarify plastic and styrofoam recyling?
• (2020) Nutrient and Soil Health Management for Sweet Corn (Western Oregon) This guide integrates recommendations for nutrient management with cover cropping practices that promote soil health. Recommendations for nutrient rate, source, timing and placement for nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, sulfur, calcium, magnesium and zinc are provided for organic and conventional cropping systems. Cover cropping practices that reduce soil erosion and conserve nutrients are highlighted.
• (2019) Biocontrol of Spotted-wing Drosophila Multiple biological control agents target SWD, including predators, parasitoids, nematodes and microorganisms such as fungi and bacteria. Predators ambush and eat SWD, removing a substantial portion of them from the production system.
• (2019) Potential Impacts of Irrigation on Biocontrol of Spotted-Wing Drosophila A naturally occurring parasitic wasp in Oregon can help control SWD in the state’s blueberry farms.
• (2019) Monitoring Techniques for Spotted-wing Drosophila Commercial fruit growers use trapping to monitored for adult SWD in fields and field borders. They monitor other fruits for infestation using a fruit dunk flotation technique.
• (2019) Improved Chemical Control Strategies for Spotted-wing Drosophila Several factors should be considered when designing the best insecticide application strategy against spotted-wing drosophila (SWD). The level of control achieved will depend on the life-stage makeup of the SWD population; the product effectiveness; the timeliness of insecticide application; and the coverage of fruit.
• (2019) Optimizing Chemical Control of Spotted-wing Drosophila Crop canopy and structure and the type of pesticide spray equipment help determine the effectiveness of pesticide applications.
• (2019) Noncrop Host Plants Used by Spotted-wing Drosophila Dense vegetation surrounding commercial fields can create a suitable habitat for spotted-wing drosophila due to the shade, coolness and humidity it provides during the summer. Noncrop habitat may contribute to SWD pest pressure and affect sustainable integrated pest management strategies.
• (2019) Host Range and Characteristics Affecting Fruit Susceptibility to Spotted-wing Drosophila Spotted-wing drosophila (SWD) can develop on a wide range of cultivated and wild, soft-skinned fruits. This complicates pest management because SWD populations can move among several hosts with different ripening times throughout the year, allowing them to survive and reproduce in many environments.
• (2019) Cultural Control Strategies to Manage Spotted-wing Drosophila Cultural controls can reduce spotted-wing drosophila population pressure by modifying the microclimate within the crop so that the environment does not promote SWD reproduction and survival.
• (2019) How Seasons Affect Population Structure, Behavior and Risk on Spotted-wing Drosophila Temperatures do affect how quickly SWD reproduce, see how temperatures affect their life cycle.
• (2019) Soil Organic Matter as a Soil Health Indicator: Sampling, Testing and Interpretation Testing for soil organic matter helps you monitor soil health over time. Good soil management practices can improve soil organic matter in three to five years.
• (2019) Plain Talk about Soils and Soil Chemistry Presentation on soil chemistry and related soil topics.
• (2017) Advanced Composting for Beginners Presentation on successful composting.
• (2019) Compost tumbler suggestions?
• (2019) OSU Organic Fertilizer & Cover Crop Calculator: Predicting Plant-available Nitrogen Describes the OSU Organic Fertilizer & Cover Crop Calculator and using it to predict plant-available nitrogen.
• (2019) Is anaerobic compost tea useful?
• (2018) Spotted Wing Drosophila (SWD) Information and resources about monitoring, identification, and management of spotted wing drosophila (SWD), an invasive fruit fly.
• (2019) Understanding and Preventing Sweet Cherry Fruit Cracking Fruit cracking in sweet cherries can have a severe economic impact in the Pacific Northwest, even with new optical sorters. This publication helps growers understand the causes of cracking and describes cultural practices that can minimize cracking.
• (2019) Soil Nitrate Testing for Willamette Valley Vegetable Production A soil nitrate test measures the concentration of nitrate in the soil at a specific moment in time, including nitrate originating from organic inputs, fertilizer, and soil organic matter. This publication describes how to use in-season soil nitrate testing to adjust sidedress N fertilizer application rate to match crop N requirements.
• (2023) Biosolids in Dryland Cropping Systems This publication reviews the long-term benefits of municipal biosolids applications on soil health in dryland cereal and pasture cropping systems east of the Cascades. Biosolids were an especially effective source of organic matter for soil restoration. Increased soil nutrient status was also evident following application of biosolids.
• (2018) Interpreting Compost Analyses Compost can return nutrients and organic matter to the soil, a proven practice for soil health enhancement. It can improve crop growth and provide environmental benefits by improving soil tilth and the soil’s capacity to absorb and hold water and plant nutrients. This publication focuses on selecting a lab to perform compost analyses, determining which compost analyses are most relevant to your needs, assessing whether compost is sufficiently stabilized, and avoiding over overapplication of composts high in soluble salts or composts with a pH unsuited to your crop.
• (2018) Grass clippings too toxic to compost?
• (2018) Sustainable Hazelnut Production: Filbertworm Control by Mating Disruption Filbertworm is the insect pest of greatest economic importance in Oregon hazelnut production. This publication explains how to Implement mating disruption as a strategy that will reduce damage caused by filbertworm feeding. A mating disruption strategy reduces pesticide applications and protects natural enemies of secondary hazelnut pests such as filbert and hazelnut aphid.
• (2018) Are fireplace ashes good for my soil?
• (2017) How can I turn my garden into compost?
• (2017) Nutrient Management for Sustainable Vegetable Cropping Systems in Western Oregon This publication reflects over 30 years of vegetable production research conducted in the Willamette Valley. It is divided into three main sections: sustainable soil health; soil testing and nutrient management; and nitrogen management. The appendix includes detailed information on the technical aspects of fertilizer technology.
• (2016) Maggots in my compost?
• (2016) Green Pea Nutrient Management Inland Northwest -- east of the Cascades Describes management practices for east of the Cascades that are essential to optimize green pea crop response to fertilizer inputs. These include soil pH, crop rotation, and inoculation; and recommendations for fertilizer placement and specific nutrients.
• (2016) How to Monitor for Brown Marmorated Stink Bug in Specialty Crops The invasive brown marmorated stink bug is a serious threat to Oregon specialty crops, including hazelnuts, tree fruits, small fruits, vegetables, and wine grapes. This insect pest also attacks ornamentals, agronomic crops and native plants in Oregon. Monitoring for BMSB can be done several ways including using beat sheets, pheromone traps, and visual observations.
• (2015) Can I eat volunteer vegetables from my compost?
• (2019) Noncrop Host Plants of Spotted Wing Drosophila in North America Landscapes surrounding fruit production fields often include hedgerows, adjacent field margins, and woody or riparian areas with ornamentals, unmanaged shrubs, vines, or other plants that also produce fruits. Noncrop habitats can meet the requirements that favor Spotted Wing Drosophila (SWD) adults and their natural enemies: food, shelter, shade, and humidity. In addition, many noncrop fruits can support developing larvae of SWD. As populations of SWD build in noncrop hosts, these areas can become “hot spots” from which SWD can move into fields as commercial fruits begin to ripen. In some regions, these plants may be more important in post-crop dynamics by providing opportunities for late season population buildup.
• (2015) Biological Control of Black Vine Weevil Larvae in Cranberry Recommends methods for incorporating biocontrol into a management program for black vine weevil larvae.
• (2008) Tools for Rapid Market Assessments Most farmers' markets lack information to make effective changes and improvements. Tools for Rapid Market Assessments provides three simple, low-cost methods to address the information gap.
• (2007) Understanding the Link Between Farmers' Market Size and Management Organization This report examines the relationship between the size of individual farmers' markets and the set of management tools used by farmers' markets. Farmers' markets will benefit from using the specific set of management tools and resources appropriate for the size of the market.
• (2006) When Things Don't Work: Some Insights into Why Farmers' Markets Close Reports on research conducted with farmers markets in Oregon. Explores how market resources influence success and failure, gives insights into markets that fail, and suggests other concerns related to market failure. Presents data that characterize markets in decline. Includes a summary, identification of areas of risk, and recommendations.
• (2020) Estimating Plant-Available Nitrogen Release from Cover Crops This publication assists western Oregon farmers and agricultural professionals in determining the nitrogen fertilizer replacement value of winter cover crops. Includes information on plant-available nitrogen (PAN) basics; a site-specific, step-by-step method to estimate PAN; Willamette Valley case studies; and appendices summarizing Willamette Valley cover crop research that supports these PAN estimates.
• (2022) Managing Salt-affected Soils for Crop Production Salt accumulation in soil can reduce crop yields and affect soil structure. Learn how to evaluate the salts present in soils and to select appropriate management practices to maintain soil health and crop productivity.
• (2022) Fertilizing with Biosolids Biosolids can be used to supply nutrients to crops. The nutrient content and fertilizer replacement value of biosolids and the relationship between biosolids nutrient inputs and crop removal of nutrients are described. Discusses the effects of biosolids processing on nitrogen (N) forms, organic N mineralization rates, and ammonium-N retention and explains how to convert N-availability estimates to application rates. Covers biosolids quality factors (trace element concentrations and pathogen levels), the effects of biosolids applications on soil pH and soil quality, applicable regulations, and questions about biosolids safety and application practices. Includes sources for additional information.
• (2014) How to Recognize Brown Marmorated Stink Bug Damage in Commercial Hazelnuts The brown marmorated stink bug is well-established in the Willamette Valley, where virtually all domestic hazelnut production occurs. The BMSB feeds on hazelnuts, and this publication helps growers and scouts learn to recognize BMSB damage to hazelnuts.
• (2014) Evaluating Compatibility of Horticultural Oils and Sulfur with Vineyard IPM Typhlodromus pyri is a beneficial insect and key predator of Calepitrimerus vitis in Pacific Coast vineyards. C. vitis is closely associated with short-shoot syndrome. The impact of horticultural (paraffinic) oils and sulfur on T. pyri is presented here. This publication contributes to integrated pest management and conservation of beneficial insects in Oregon coastal vineyards.
• (2014) Distribution and Monitoring of Grape Mealybug: A Key Vector of Grapevine Leafroll Disease in Oregon A pheromone lure baited with the sex pheromone of grape mealybug is the most reliable way to confirm the presence or absence of this important vector of grapevine leafroll-associated viruses.
• (2013) Agricultural Composting and Water Quality This publication addresses factors that farmers must consider when planning an on-farm composting enterprise: the composting process and its impact on water quality, site selection, facility layout and design, composting methods, and managing water and leachate. The content pertains to small and medium-size on-farm composting enterprises that handle about 100 to 5,000 tons of raw organic material per year.
• (2023) Silage Corn Nutrient Management Guide for Western Oregon Silage corn is an excellent feed for dairy cattle because of its high dry-matter yield, energy content and palatability. This guide provides nutrient and lime recommendations for silage corn established after conventional tillage or with direct seeding. Recommendations are appropriate both for manured and nonmanured fields in western Oregon.
• (2020) Recognize the Symptoms and Causes of Stunted Growth in Vineyards Spring frost, herbicide drift, water or nutrient stress, diseases, and insect and mite pests can cause similar symptoms of stunting or distorted growth in grapevines. Recognizing the symptoms and distinguishing their causes is the first step in diagnosing problems and developing a management plan. With many color photos, this publication will help you identify probable causes of distorted shoot and vine growth in vineyards and direct you to other resources that can lead to solutions.
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• (2023) Postharvest Soil Nitrate Testing for Manured Grass and Silage Corn (West of the Cascades) This publication describes the use of postharvest soil nitrate testing as a tool for assessment of nitrogen (N) management in manured cropping systems west of the Cascade Mountains in Oregon, Washington, and south coastal British Columbia.
• (2017) Analytical Laboratories Serving Oregon This guide can be useful for commercial growers, gardeners, and homeowners who wish to use soil, plant, and water analyses to help them make decisions about the use of soil amendments and other management actions. Some may also wish to test drinking water quality. The guide contains a list of laboratories serving Oregon along with specific information
  about their laboratory services.
• (2016) Reducing Lead Hazard in Gardens and Play Areas This publication is designed to help homeowners evaluate and manage lead hazard in their landscape or garden. It explains how soils get contaminated with lead, how to test soil for lead contamination, and how to reduce exposure to soil lead.
• (2003) Improving Garden Soils with Organic Matter Soil organic matter is important to good plant performance. Adding organic matter can improve any soil, no matter how compacted. Learn how to check your soil for organic matter and improve its quality with amendments.
• (2019) Managing Small-Acreage Horse Farms in Western Oregon and Western Washington Horses, grass, manure, soil and water are all interconnected. How you manage one affects the others. Following these seven steps can make your horse farm safe, efficient, and environmentally friendly. Learn more about horse grazing habits, pasture rotation, weed control, manure management, buffer strips, rain gutters and well water protection.
• (2007) Managing Small-Acreage Horse Farms in Central and Eastern Oregon This publication presents a system for managing horses, pastures, and manure that will make your farm safe, efficient, and environmentally friendly. It is intended for horse farms from 1 to 10 acres in the high dry regions of eastern and central Oregon.
• (2013) Can I compost in freezing temperatures?