LEARNING
A 4-H pig-judging contest at the Deschutes County Fair.
» OSU Extension
The Oregon State University Extension Service in Deschutes County
provides research-based information, with programs and assistance
in horticulture, forest and natural resources, 4-H youth development,
family and community development, and nutrition education.
In addition, regional extension staff offer programs in pasture, for-
age, livestock and range management, as well as education regarding
small acreages.
The Family and Community Health program provides educational
programs and information in the traditional areas of home econom-
ics, including foods and nutrition, fi nancial man-
agement and family development.
The OSU Extension Service also serves
as an outlet for all of your gardening
questions. You can call or visit its
plant clinics staffed by OSU Master
Gardener volunteers, who can
assist you in diagnosing plant dam-
age and suggest research-based
management. The horticulture staff
and local OSU Master Gardeners give
presentations on regional garden top-
ics throughout the year and have several
garden publications available to you
at little or no cost. Classes for Master
A family and community health
Gardeners are offered annually.
instructor at a Cooking in the
A catalog of free online
Kitchen class at the Oregon State
publications can be found at
University Extension building.
catalog.extension.oregonstate.edu.
Spokesman file photos
TIPS FOR HIGH DESERT GARDENERS
Plant growth: The elevation in Central
Oregon increases as you travel from
north to south. Redmond is in the
middle, roughly 3,000 feet. The high
elevation means low nighttime tem-
peratures, slow plant growth and an
increased chance of frost. Redmond’s
average last frost date is June 1 and its
fall frost arrives about Sept. 21.
• Use row covers, cold frames and
raised beds to extend your growing
season.
• Mulch around perennials for winter
protection.
• Add 14 days to the number given
for maturation on seed packets.
Soil and water: Central Oregon soils
tend to be coarse, sandy and lacking in
organic matter; amend generously to
give plants nutrients. The pH is general-
ly neutral and needs no adjustment.
• Water plants every six to eight
weeks in winter to prevent desiccation,
if the soil will accept it.
• Water plants deeply but infrequent-
ly to prevent shallow roots and drying
out.
Plants: Most of all, say OSU Extension
agents, carefully select your plants to
ensure adaptability to Central Oregon.
• Deer-resistant does not mean deer-
proof; deer browsing depends upon the
available food, time of year, location,
deer species and simple curiosity. The
only sure-fi re way to keep the deer
from nibbling is to put up a tall enough
fence.
• The rockchuck, a marmot in the
squirrel family, can cause damage
in some gardens. Some methods to
reduce damage include planting away
from buildings and fences (rockchucks
avoid open areas), short fl exible
fences (buried at least a foot), ammo-
nia-soaked rags and removing rock
piles or other shelter where they may
set up house.
37