Question: Every year I spend lots of time and effort in preventing the weeds from overtaking my vegetable garden. What is an easy and effective way to weed my vegetable garden?
Finding time for hobbies can be difficult. Commitments to work and family take up the bulk of many people’s free time, making it hard to squeeze in a favorite hobby.
EDITOR’S NOTE: The columns of Bill Duncan are being reprinted in The News-Review. Duncan, who died in November 2011, wrote a weekly column for The News-Review and The Capital Press of Salem from 1981 to 2011. Duncan wrote the following column in March 1991. His thoughts are still pertinent t…
Question: I love planting daffodils in the winter and having them pop up and cheer me in the summer, almost like a surprise. Any suggestions for a similar feeling and look for fall?
Question: A few years ago we put in a beautiful sod lawn, but now it is looking a bit shaggy with a variety of grasses and weeds in it, and it’s not as green. What can we do to improve the lawn so that it is more like the sod we installed?
If you draw a line across the country from Northern California to New Jersey, the last expected spring frost date for states above that line falls around the last week of April to the first week of May. So tying Mother’s Day, that falls on the first Sunday of May, to an important gardening d…
EDITOR’S NOTE: The columns of Bill Duncan are being reprinted in The News-Review. Duncan, who died in November 2011, wrote a weekly column for The News-Review and The Capital Press of Salem from 1981 to 2011. Duncan wrote the following column in February 2005. His thoughts are still pertinen…
Question: I’ve heard about a new stinkbug that is causing lots of damage to gardens. Can you tell me about it?
Question: I’m noticing that local stores are already selling tomato and pepper plants as well as other vegetables. How can I tell if it’s the right time to plant these?
EDITOR’S NOTE: The columns of Bill Duncan are being reprinted in The News-Review. Duncan, who died in November 2011, wrote a weekly column for The News-Review and The Capital Press of Salem from 1981 to 2011. Duncan wrote the following column in April 1997. His thoughts are still pertinent t…
Question: What are the differences between pole and bush beans?
Question: When I sit out on my back porch, I’m looking directly into the neighbor’s backyard. I want to build a trellis and then plant something attractive which will give me some privacy. Do you have any suggestions?
Question: We recently moved into a new home that has several beautiful rose bushes. I have never grown roses and do not know how to care for them. What should I be doing now to keep them healthy and blooming this summer?
As parents, we do so much for our children. We stay up at night with them when they’re small, shuffle them back and forth to school and activities, and hold their hand when they’re sick. And we do so much for others as well — at work, for our significant other, and for our friends. Sometimes…
Oregon State University Extension Service of Douglas County has partnered with the Douglas Forest Protective Association and Douglas Small Woodlands Association to offer a class designed to teach landowners how to prepare their land for wildfire.
Question: We just cleaned out a large, messy area in the corner of our yard for a vegetable garden. I was distressed to realize that we destroyed the habitats of bees, toads, lizards and others. Are gardens and natural habitats mutually exclusive?
Welcoming a pet into one’s life can be a rewarding experience. Pets promote compassion and discipline in their owners, and their companionship can be incredibly rewarding. They also can be helpful tools for teaching children responsibility.
The buddy system is widely used to help men and women get in shape. Friends can encourage their workout partners to get off the couch on days when their motivation might be waning, and partners can return that favor when the roles are reversed. And the benefits of the buddy system are not ex…
Question: The recent snowstorm that hit Douglas County did an enormous amount of damage to my landscape plants. I have lived in Douglas County for over 20 years and never had this much snow before. How should I prune my trees and shrubs to help them recover once the snow has melted?
Question: Can sweet potatoes and yams grow in our climate? Can you recommend some tips for growing them successfully in my backyard garden?
Accidents and storms can disrupt the electricity that powers everything in homes and businesses. A short-term loss of power can be a nuisance, but extended power outages can cause damage and may even be dangerous.
Kathryn Howard dance recital rescheduled
More than 150 vendors will take over the Douglas County Fairgrounds this weekend for the 2019 Home and Garden Show.
Master Gardener February continuing education program
I remember the second time I wondered if moving to the Roseburg area was a mistake. The first time was when I realized how very, very far away Target seems to be from my house (Why no Target, Roseburg? I will keep it in business single-handedly!) The third time was when I pulled a tick out o…
Question: I need some specific examples of groundcovers that are both fire-resistant and drought tolerant that grow well in our climate zone and would be attractive in my landscape design.
An ability to communicate effectively is a life skill that can serve a person well at any age. Communicating well is considered so essential that the Boy Scouts of America require prospective Eagle Scouts to earn communication merit badges.
I have yet to find a babysitter in the area brave enough to drive out in the boonies and babysit my five “spirited” boys in our tiny house with one bathroom. I know that this magical unicorn babysitter exists somewhere, but we have yet to cross paths.
Question: Now that it is winter and there is less daylight, I am curious as to how this change in light affects plant growth. And specifically, why is my Christmas cactus blooming while other plants are not?
Do you own or manage a small woodlot in Southern Oregon? Are you thinking about acquiring property? Are you a land manager, logger, arborist or simply a natural resource enthusiast? If you answered “yes” to any of these questions then this conference is for you! Tree School Umpqua features 3…
Question: The birds that used to come to my garden every year and bring me such joy to watch don’t seem to be visiting as often. What berry bushes can I plant to attract them that are easy to manage and bird-friendly?
If you would like to produce more food from your yard think about planting a few fruit trees. Just a few trees can produce enough fruit to last you for many months if done properly. However, growing tree fruit in your backyard does take some knowledge and time. Without committing to both you…
Question: Can persimmon trees grow successfully in our area?
For one group of fourth- and fifth-graders, the grand opening of the Roseburg Public Library this month offered more than the chance to celebrate with the community.
Question: Could you give some specific examples of fire-resistant shrubs that grow well in our climate zone and would be attractive in my landscape design?
Douglas County has so many amazing things to offer and we are lucky to have so many incredible parks. My husband and I love to take our kids on all kinds of adventures and encourage them to explore.
