OSU Extension Master Gardener Program News

April 22, 2026April 20, 2026

Meet Joe Hodge, Master Gardener volunteer

For Joe Hodge, the best thing about being a Master Gardener volunteer is “I feel like I’m giving back to my community. I’m not super involved with leadership or charitable organizations in my hometown, but with Master Gardeners, I feel like I’m a part of so many people learning. I know that I’m a valuable person who can help others live their lives better.”

Coaching and cheering on new volunteers is what Joe is most proud of: “I remember Master Gardener training as being a bit stressful with the huge amount of information coming our way (like drinking out of a firehose). So when our local chapter does Master Gardener training for new volunteers each year, I make sure to join our weekly Question and Answer Zoom meetings, hoping I can get across to the trainees that they really are special.

The friends who I have who are also Master Gardeners are the kinds of friends who you stay friends with.

I’m lucky enough to garden in a community garden, and when you see the others gardening alongside you, it always brightens up your day. The physical benefits of gardening are fairly obvious, but we sometimes forget about how talking to others about how your garden is growing, or about your plans for next year’s garden, can be so beneficial for your mental state.

It feels like the world is more divisive than ever, and Master Gardener volunteers do the opposite of that – we bring people together, people from all different backgrounds become closer once they start gardening.

Being a Master Gardener has not only allowed me to help others, but it has sharpened my own gardening skills.

A fun part of gardening is giving your excess away. I will list them into categories, starting with FAMILY. My nearest family member is 180 miles away, and you would think that might make it extra challenging, but not so in this day of efficient coolers.

Next, NEIGHBORS. I live in a good sized apartment complex, and it’s very rewarding and easy to give away vegetables to my neighbors so that they do not go to waste.

Also, FRIENDS. At my age, I go to a lot more meetings than parties, so during harvest season I hope to bring some produce to a meeting to give away – very easy.

Lastly, and for me this category is not so common to give away but just as rewarding as any, is BUSINESSES. The employees at the businesses are just as appreciative and smile just as much as anybody. It’s become a habit for me to drop extra tomatoes to the office workers of my property manager’s office. When a certain employee there sees me in late summer or early fall, she is always smiling when I walk in because she knows I am bringing in tomatoes, and she absolutely loves tomatoes. Only one time has she not shared with the rest of the office, because that year my tomatoes were absolutely gorgeous.

My garden is next to the hospital, and when I have zinnias I like to take them next door. The receptionists in the ER department have a stressful job and I think the flowers make their day better.

I know the library employees well, and I like to bring them kale and other yummy, healthy vegetables.

Going to our local food bank to make a drop-off is important, and I leave feeling good every single time.

It might sound like I’m trying to make giving things from my garden away my only focus each year, and I while that would be great, it’s not quite true. It just happens to work out that every year, when you plant your garden, you don’t realize that a certain vegetable or flower is going to produce way more than you thought it would. The very last thing in the world that I want to do is let something go to waste. Giving it away becomes incredibly easy to do, and really quite rewarding. It’s a part of gardening that I never could have envisioned when I first started. And now, it’s become an integral part of each season. Being a Master Gardener has made all of this possible – thank you, OSU Extension, for improving the lives of so many!”

P.S. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the OSU Extension Master Gardener Program — and early giving is now open for Dam Proud Day. If this program has shaped your life, your garden or your community, consider making a gift today to help support the next 50 years. We’re also collecting stories from current and past Master Gardener volunteers. Share your story with us: Beav.es/mgstory

April 20, 2026April 20, 2026

Meet Jean Dion, Master Gardener volunteer

For Jean in Salem, being a Master Gardener volunteer has opened up conversations about food, climate and what it means to feel more secure in your own garden. She thought she might be helping people with lawns and roses. Instead, she’s found herself talking with families who are trying to grow food and adapt to a changing world.

Jean in the garden holding a giant bouquet of mixed red/white roses

“I’ve learned a lot about how to be successful in my own garden, and that’s been very rewarding. No one likes dying plants! But the best part has been helping people in the community learn how to grow their own vegetables.

I thought the Master Gardener program would be largely about helping people grow green lawns or keep roses alive. Instead, many of my conversations have been with families who are worried about food prices. Helping them feel more secure is quite a gift.

I’m very proud of some of the programming we’ve shared with the community, including the Garden Future series. Being able to discuss climate change with a large group of folks at the state fair, without having any arguments or hurt feelings, was just an amazing thing.

“Helping people feel more secure is quite a gift.”

I’ve met several people who have talked with me at two or more tabling events here in Salem, and they’ve told me about how an idea or two I shared helped them in their gardens. Those have been pretty great conversations!

I think it’s easy to keep our heads down in times of stress and strife. Connecting with people always helps, and I find that gardening is one of those universal conversation points. Talking about gardening has been really good for me over the last year.

Climate change is shifting what people can grow successfully, so some of the lessons people learned as kids are no longer applicable. Master Gardener volunteers have access to science-based information that can be useful as people reimagine what they can grow, including food.

I’m grateful I was selected as a trainee last year. I look forward to participating for many years to come.”

P.S. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the OSU Extension Master Gardener Program, and these stories remind us what we’re celebrating. On Wednesday, April 29, Dam Proud Day gives us one day to show up for the statewide program that supports Master Gardener volunteers across Oregon. In fact, you can join in early giving and actually give now! And if you are a Master Gardener volunteer — or ever have been — we’d still love to hear your story at Beav.es/mgstory.

April 20, 2026

Save the date: Dam Proud Day is April 29

On Wednesday, April 29, Oregon State University will celebrate Dam Proud Day, a 24-hour giving day that brings the OSU community together to support programs making a difference across Oregon and beyond.

This year, the OSU Extension Master Gardener Program has been selected as one of only three Extension programs featured for Dam Proud Day.

That is something to be proud of.

For 50 years, Master Gardener volunteers have helped grow gardening knowledge, partnerships and community across Oregon. Volunteers answer questions, teach classes, support demonstration gardens, grow food for their communities, mentor new gardeners and connect people with research-based information they can trust.

Dam Proud Day is a chance to support the statewide program behind that work.

Gifts made on April 29 will support the statewide Master Gardener Program and the work we do to support county programs, coordinators and volunteers across Oregon. That includes statewide efforts such as the Master Gardener training course, Seed to Supper, Garden Future and other programs that help us serve gardeners and communities statewide.

What is Dam Proud Day?

Dam Proud Day is OSU’s annual 24-hour day of giving. For one day only, alumni, volunteers, friends and supporters are invited to make a gift online to the OSU programs they care about.

For the Master Gardener Program, this is a special opportunity to show broad support for the work we do together across the state.

The goal is not just large gifts. Participation matters. Every gift, of any size, helps show that people believe in the Master Gardener Program and want to see it continue to grow.

What can you do?

Please mark your calendar for Wednesday, April 29. On that day, plan to visit our giving page.

On Dam Proud Day, you can:

Make a gift online to support the statewide Master Gardener Program
Share the giving link with friends, family and fellow volunteers
Help spread the word about why the Master Gardener Program matters
Watch for and share stories from volunteers across Oregon

Over the next week, we’ll be sharing stories here from Master Gardener volunteers about what this program has meant to them and how they see their work making a difference in their communities. These stories are inspiring, heartfelt and representative of the incredible impact this program — and the people of this program — make across Oregon.

They remind us that the Master Gardener Program is more than a training course. It is a statewide community of people sharing knowledge, growing connections and helping others garden with more confidence.

Share your story

We’d also love to hear from you.

Whether you are currently volunteering or were part of the Master Gardener Program in the past, your story matters. What has this program meant to you? What are you proud of? How has gardening, volunteering or being part of this community shaped your life?

Share your Master Gardener story with us. beav.es/mgstory

Thank you for being part of this program and this community. We hope you’ll mark your calendar for April 29 and join us for Dam Proud Day.

March 19, 2026

Planning accessible, welcoming and safe Master Gardener events

Creating welcoming, inclusive events is a core part of the Master Gardener program’s mission to serve all Oregonians. Whether we’re hosting a plant sale, workshop, conference or community gathering, accessibility ensures that everyone—regardless of ability, age, language or background—can fully participate. Thoughtful planning helps remove barriers that might otherwise prevent someone from attending or engaging. It also reflects our values as an educational program grounded in equity, community connection and public service.

To support this work, the statewide office has developed an in-person event accessibility checklist to guide planning from start to finish. The checklist covers key considerations such as accessible parking and pathways, clear signage, seating and rest areas, inclusive communication and volunteer expectations. It also prompts planners to think about details that make a big difference—like providing shade at outdoor events, offering materials in multiple formats, ensuring microphones are available and labeling food for dietary needs. These are not just logistical choices—they are ways we signal that everyone is welcome and considered. This resource is designed for anyone involved in planning or supporting Master Gardener events, including faculty, staff, associations and volunteers, and can be used across a wide range of activities—from plant sales and demonstration gardens to educational workshops, tabling events, conferences and volunteer trainings.

Accessibility also includes creating safe conditions for volunteers and participants, especially during extreme weather. As we plan events—particularly outdoor activities—it’s important to consider heat and air quality risks. Excessive heat can quickly become a serious health concern. OSU’s Heat Illness Prevention Plan identifies a hazard when the heat index reaches 80°F or higher, at which point organizers must ensure access to shade and cool drinking water. When temperatures exceed 90°F, additional precautions—such as monitoring for signs of heat illness, using a buddy system, and ensuring communication with supervisors—are essential. At very high temperatures (100–104°F), volunteers should rest in a cooler environment for 30 minutes out of every hour.

Wildfire smoke is another important factor. OSU follows Oregon OSHA guidance when air quality reaches an AQI of 101 or higher for fine particulate matter (PM2.5), and events may need to be modified, relocated, or canceled to protect health.

By planning ahead and prioritizing safety alongside accessibility, we create events that are not only inclusive and welcoming, but also supportive of everyone’s well-being.

Event Accessibility Checklist

February 17, 2026

Growing together for 50 years: Meet Sue Ryburn, Washington County Master Gardener volunteer

For 50 years, OSU Extension Master Gardener volunteers have grown more than gardens. They’ve grown partnerships, learning opportunities and community across Oregon.

Sue Ryburn became an OSU Extension Services Master Gardener volunteer in 2012. The seed was planted years earlier — when her sister handed her a brochure from the Master Gardener volunteer booth at the Beaverton Farmer’s Market.

In her own words, Sue shares her journey.

Sue in the garden, wearing sunglasses and gardening gloves, ready to garden.

A seed planted years before

I became an OSU Extension Service Master Gardener volunteer in 2012. Years earlier, knowing my love of gardening, my sister had given me a Master Gardener brochure she picked up from the Master Gardener booth at the Beaverton Farmer’s Market. I had not heard of Master Gardeners before, though the information caught my interest. I tucked the idea away and would need to wait five years until I retired to have time to pursue the Master Gardener program.

Early in the training I found that several principles of the program aligned with my values — relying on research-based information, promotion of sustainable gardening, service to the community and life-long learning.

The best part of being a Master Gardener volunteer has been learning about sustainable gardening, which is a very large tent, and then sharing information in a variety of venues. And, most importantly, to do this with a group of dedicated Master Gardeners with support from the staff at OSU Extension Service.

Building places for learning

Among the things I feel most proud of as a Master Gardener volunteer is helping to establish our two Washington County Master Gardener Association gardens — the Learning Garden at Jenkins Estate and the Education Garden at PCC Rock Creek, where I spend much of my volunteer time.

Our gardens provide hands-on and didactic learning opportunities on a broad range of sustainable gardening experiences. We have partnered with several organizations with similar missions to share information and help expand our outreach options. This partnering extends to other OSU Extension programs such as the Oregon Bee Atlas, the Oregon Naturalist program and Food Hero, where some Master Gardeners also participate. It just seems to make sense to collaborate with other groups who are all rowing in the same direction.

Our relationship with Portland Community College (PCC), and in particular the Landscape Technology Department (LAT), is invaluable. The LAT Department is located on the Rock Creek (RC) campus near the site of the Education Garden. We use LAT classroom, greenhouse, hoophouse and pole barn space for our educational outreach, plant propagation and big Gardenfest Plant Sale activities.

We enjoy opportunities to work with students and faculty at PCC and schools in our community. The work that we do to care for both our gardens creates an outdoor classroom for many of our educational outreach activities.

Working as a team

As MG Program volunteers we know that we work in teams — really none of us can accomplish what we do alone. Each week there is something that happens to remind me of the generosity of time, knowledge, goodwill and camaraderie of Master Gardeners.

Gardening is a great way to help put things into perspective and to have an impact on the environment in a world when sometimes it seems there is so much happening that might seem beyond the influence of just one person.

Health, hope and perspective

We don’t have to look far to find evidence that gardening is good for our mental and physical health. There is something enriching about placing a plant in the soil, caring for it and admiring how incredible the natural world functions.

It is rewarding to introduce children to the world of mason bees and explain their important role in pollination. There is a sense of satisfaction seeing the tree that you planted mature over the years. And there are helpful lessons learned, even when sometimes things just don’t quite work out.

Collective impact

I value being part of an organization that promotes programs such as Seed to Supper, Garden Future, Grow 1 Give 1 (a WCMGA program), and, like our Learning Garden, the many demonstration gardens across the state donating to food banks the food grown in our gardens.

One of the things I most value about being a Master Gardener is being part of something that collectively has a positive impact across the state because of the generosity of so many volunteers and dedicated staff.

As we celebrate 50 years of the OSU Extension Master Gardener Program, we are honoring the volunteers who have shaped this program through their knowledge, generosity and partnership. Stories like Sue’s remind us that our impact grows when we grow together. If you are a Master Gardener volunteer, we invite you to share your story. And if you know someone whose journey, leadership or dedication deserves to be recognized, please nominate them.

January 26, 2026June 16, 2026

Updated guidance and required steps for Master Gardener volunteer plant sales

OSU Extension has completed a review and update of guidance related to plant propagation and plant sales, with a focus on reducing the spread of invasive pests and protecting Oregon’s gardens and natural areas.

This guidance reflects collaboration among OSU Extension faculty, the Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) and Master Gardener volunteers. This peer reviewed publication is available on the OSU Extension website.

While this guidance was developed in response to questions related to Master Gardener plant sales, it applies to all plant propagation and plant sales conducted under the Master Gardener name.

Required actions for Master Gardener volunteer plant sales

Apply for a temporary nursery license (required)
All Master Gardener–sponsored plant sales in Oregon must have a temporary nursery license from the Oregon Department of Agriculture.
- Apply for a nursery license (scroll down to “Temporary Nursery License” for the application form).
- The license helps ODA track plant movement in quarantine areas and prevent the spread of invasive pests.
Use only clean plant material
Do not propagate or sell plants dug from home gardens or landscapes (including “dig and divide” plants).
Propagate only from:
- Commercially grown starts, plants, bulbs, or tubers
- Seed
- Cuttings taken from healthy plants that are grown in sterile media
Washing or dipping roots, tubers, or bulbs is not an acceptable way to remove soil or pests or to treat diseases.
Use clean containers, tools and growing spaces
Use new or sanitized pots, trays and containers.
Use commercial or sterilized potting media.
Clean and sanitize tools, benches and work areas.
Follow the product’s label directions and safety guidance when using sanitizers.
Inspect plants before sale
Carefully inspect all plants prior to sale.
Remove and discard any plants showing signs of disease, insect damage or infestation.
For help with diagnosis, use:
Properly identify and label all plants
Confirm plant identity before sale.
Cross-check plants against Oregon noxious weed lists such as Oregon Noxious Weed Profiles.
Label each plant with:
- Scientific name
- Common name
- Cultivar, if known
Remove volunteer seedlings from containers before sale.

Why this matters

Moving plants and soil is one of the most common ways invasive pests spread. These best practices help protect Oregon’s gardens, farms and natural areas, and ensure that Master Gardener plant sales reflect the high standards and science-based practices the public expects from OSU Extension.

Please review the full OSU Extension guidance carefully and use it to guide planning for future plant sales and propagation activities. If you have questions about how this applies locally, contact your county coordinator.

Thank you for your continued stewardship and leadership in your communities.

January 8, 2026

How do you answer invasive plant questions from the public?

If you are a Master Gardener volunteer in Oregon, Washington, California, Nevada or Arizona, please plan to join an upcoming free online training for best practices in answering questions about invasive plants.

This workshop session will cover:

Invasive plant ecology basics
Tips to answer public help desk inquiries about invasive plants
Useful online resources
Elements of a standard response
A hands-on portion to put it all together!

Wed, Feb 11, 2026 from 9-11 am PST (NV, AZ, SoCal)

Wed, Feb 18, 2026 from 4-6 pm PST (WA, OR, NorCal)

Attend either or both sessions regardless of what state you’re in. Some information will be regionally specific, but most will be broadly relevant.

Eligible for 2 hrs of continuing education credits: please speak to your Master Gardener Coordinator if you would like CE credits.

Questions? Contact Constance Taylor at ctaylor@cal-ipc.org

Offered by California Invasive Plant Council (Cal-IPC) in partnership with www.cal-ipc.org

September 16, 2025September 16, 2025

Gardening for the Future: Education Garden at Portland Community College Rock Creek

A conversation with the Washington County Master Gardener Association Education Garden Team

From gravel to garden—that’s the story of our Education Garden at Portland Community College Rock Creek. This 17,000-square-foot space used to be a compacted parking lot covered in gravel and riprap. Nothing but weeds could grow here. It radiated heat and offered virtually no support for plants, wildlife, or the soil organisms that make up a healthy ecosystem. But we saw an opportunity to reclaim the space and transform it into a thriving outdoor classroom that teaches sustainable gardening practices. And that’s exactly what we did.

An empty gravel parking lot with overgrown weeds and scattered concrete parking stops, bordered by a wooden fence and rows of trees in the background. Several cars and trucks are parked near a small gray building on the right under a clear blue sky. — Then and Now. Photos courtesy of Sue Ryburn.

Garden with a mix of colorful plants and flowers, including large clusters of yellow blooms in the foreground, surrounded by shrubs and trees with a gravel path and wooden benches in the background under a partly cloudy sky. — Then and Now. Photos courtesy of Sue Ryburn.

Designing with Resilience in Mind
From the beginning, our goal was to create a space where people could learn. We organized the garden into themed sections—what we call “Garden Classrooms”—each one focused on a specific concept. These include:

Waterwise Garden
PNW Meadowscape
Hellstrip beds (with native and non-native comparisons)
Moon Moth Garden
Pollinator Habitat Garden
Fragrance Garden
Community Circle with small conifers and companion plants
PNW Pollinator Hedgerow

Demonstration garden with a variety of plants, including tall ornamental grasses, purple flowering perennials, evergreen shrubs, and small trees, bordered by mulch pathways with parked cars and trees visible beyond a wooden fence. — The waterwise garden. Photo courtesy of Sue Ryburn.

We also feature habitat elements like mason bee stations, ground-nesting bee zones, and signage for the DarkSky Oregon Citizen Scientist Project. Everything we’ve done is meant to demonstrate how gardens can be beautiful, functional, and climate-resilient.

Facing Climate Challenges
Because the site had been a gravel parking lot, there was no usable soil. After removing the gravel, we brought in 40 truckloads of topsoil and 150 cubic yards of compost. We tested the soil, amended it, and covered it with arborist chips after planting. We haven’t needed additional soil amendments since—just mulch and good care.

Group of people using shovels and rakes to move and level soil in an outdoor area, with trees and parked cars visible behind a wooden fence under a sunny sky. — In 2018, the team hard at work installing grading and incorporating compost and amendments. Photo courtesy of Sue Ryburn.

Water was another major concern. With little initial shade and increasing summer heat, we installed drip and overhead irrigation and grouped plants by water needs. We monitor the health of our plants regularly and adjust irrigation based on what we observe, including probing soil for infiltration.

Drainage remains an issue. The compacted subgrade is still there, so we avoid planting large trees that require deep soil. When we planted trees early on, we used an auger to break through the hard layer and give roots a path through the compacted subgrade.

The site also had very little wind protection. Over time, we’ve used shrubs and trees to create a buffer and soften the wind, especially along the garden’s edge, during summer drying events but also in winter storm events by shielding plants from freezing high winds from the east.

wo people working in a garden, one holding a shovel and the other standing nearby smiling, surrounded by flowering plants, shrubs, and trees on a cloudy day. — Working in the Moon Moth Garden. Photo courtesy of Sue Ryburn.

Choosing the Right Plants
We’ve always prioritized plants that are low-water, low-maintenance, affordable, and available to home gardeners. The garden is a balance of perennials and evergreens to provide both structure and year-round habitat for insects and other wildlife.

Our goal is to build a resilient, adaptable ecosystem. When plants die, we try to determine why the plant failed before replacing it, with the goal of creating a garden that, over time, is increasingly composed of plants adapted to the specific conditions of the site.

Native plants were an integral theme of the original garden design, a theme we have continued to expand on with the installation of a PNW Pollinator Hedgerow in 2020 (and its extension in 2022) and a PNW Meadowscape in 2023. In 2024, we converted a section of our Hellstrip into a native-only test zone.

Garden area with shrubs, small trees, and mulched ground, featuring a wooden sign about pollinator habitat in the center, with buildings and a cart of orange bins visible in the background on a cloudy day. — Pollinator Hedgerow. Photo courtesy of Sue Ryburn.

We’ve learned from experience that some plants—like goldenrod, woodland strawberry, and Douglas aster—can be too aggressive in our managed garden. They’re great in the wild, but here we aim for diversity without constant intervention.

Two people kneeling in a freshly mulched garden bed, planting a shrub with potted plants nearby, a blue tarp spread on the ground, and a wooden fence with an educational sign in the background. — Planting in the fall of 2018. Photo courtesy of Sue Ryburn.

Techniques That Make a Difference

Adjusting irrigation for maturing plants
Leaving leaves and small branch piles to support overwintering insects
Creating intentional habitat spaces, like our Moon Moth Garden
Avoiding all chemical inputs
Using arborist chips for weed suppression, moisture retention, and soil health
We started with organic compost to support soil life and have since let the garden build healthy soil naturally.

What’s Next?

We’re continuing to adapt. We plan to convert more overhead irrigation to drip, fine-tune watering in key areas, and explore new plant choices—especially native species—when replacements are needed. We’re also evaluating plants that have outgrown their space to decide whether to relocate or remove them.

Drone image of the garden taken in 2018. Photo courtesy of PCC.
Drone image of the garden taken in 2019. Photo courtesy of PCC.
Drone image of the garden taken in 2024. Photo courtesy of Jorie Helwig.

Sharing What We Learn

Our garden is a living classroom. We host public classes as part of our In the Garden Series, offer hands-on Master Gardener workshops, and partner with PCC’s Landscape Technology program for curriculum-based learning. Educational signage helps visitors learn even when we’re not there.

We’re excited to integrate Garden Future activities into our outreach this year. We plan to display laminated Garden Future posters in the garden and hand out quarter-sheet cards with links to the website and resources. It’s a natural fit—we’re already focused on sustainability, and Garden Future gives us another way to talk about climate resilience.

Garden pathway lined with gravel and bordered by a variety of shrubs, conifers, and colorful groundcover, with wooden benches placed among the plantings and bright flowering bushes visible in the background. — Community Circle with small conifers and companion plants. Photo courtesy of Sue Ryburn.

Our Advice to Other Gardeners

Take time to plan. Know your goals. Observe your garden’s microclimates and be realistic about your time and energy. When in doubt, rely on trusted sources—your local Master Gardener Program, the Garden Future website, the Backyard Habitat Certification Program, and the Xerces Society are all great places to start.

And always remember right plant, right place, right care.

Take a video tour of the garden at our YouTube channel.

Explore one of Oregon’s 50+ Master Gardener Demonstration Gardens—realistic, regionally adapted spaces that showcase what thrives in your local conditions. Find a demonstration garden near you.

This story is part of Garden Future, an OSU Extension Master Gardener outreach project dedicated to conversations and action for gardening in a changing climate.

What are you seeing in your garden? What changes are you making? We invite you to join the Garden Future conversation by answering three quick questions. At the end, you’ll have the option to sign up for our Garden Future newsletter and stay connected with stories, resources, and tools to support climate-resilient gardening in your community.

July 25, 2025

Gardening for the future: waterwise beauty in Central Point

In Southern Oregon’s scorching summers, it can be hard to imagine a vibrant garden that doesn’t rely on constant irrigation. But at the Jackson County Master Gardener Waterwise Garden, colorful blooms, pollinator habitat, and year-round interest prove that climate-resilient gardening can also be beautiful. Designed to showcase low-water native and ornamental plants, this demonstration garden at the OSU Southern Oregon Research and Extension Center is inspiring visitors to rethink what’s possible in a drought-prone climate. OSU Extension Master Gardener volunteer Pete Livers and Master Gardener Coordinator Grace Florjancic share what they’re learning—and teaching—about gardening in a hotter, drier world.

landscape of mixed plants of various textures, with rocks and gravel path

Waterwise Garden in Central Point

A conversation with OSU Extension Master Gardener volunteer Pete Livers and Master Gardener Coordinator Grace Florjancic

What was your garden like prior to any changes you’ve made for climate resiliency?
The Jackson County Master Gardener waterwise garden set out to show how you can still have plenty of colorful blossoms and year-round interest while saving on water usage. This garden was designed with a mix of low water usage native and ornamental plants. There are many pollinators that visit this garden throughout the year like bumblebees, honeybees, and butterflies.

What issues did you find you were facing regarding climate change impacts in your garden?
Frequent irrigation in our intense summer heat has become an issue for many gardeners. Using drip irrigation has helped us be more efficient with water usage but low water use plants is another step towards reducing the need for constant summer irrigation.

What plants have you changed to help with climate resilience?
Some of the native plants like poppies and yarrow wander out of their desired areas. From a structured garden perspective, some of these plants have been removed to keep the desired appearance. Low water usage irises recently replaced some yarrow to fill out the irises currently in the garden bed for a fuller appearance. The native California fuchsia, buckwheat, and Kinnikinnik play nicer with their neighbors in a formal garden setting.

What techniques have you changed to help with climate resilience?
Master Gardener Pete Livers is the new team lead for the waterwise garden. As a newcomer to the garden, Pete has found the main challenge to be learning which plants are very drought tolerant and which ones are just low water plants. Pete has been keeping a careful eye out for plants that show signs of stress like curling and wilting leaves. To not overwater the extreme drought tolerant plants, he has resorted to hand watering the individuals that show signs of drought stress.

Are you anticipating future changes you plan to make?
No major changes for our garden at the moment. Plants may get occasionally swapped out for color, size, or other desired attributes to keep the garden fresh and exciting.

Have you received feedback from others regarding the changes you’ve made?
Many people are surprised at how many flowers and pops of color are in this waterwise garden. Often people have an image of rocks green cacti and succulents in mind for a waterwise garden. We wanted to show another way to create a waterwise garden with blooms each season.

Do you have any specific resources you’ve used in making the decisions for the changes you’ve made?
Some helpful resources for gardeners designing a waterwise garden include native plant lists such as Gardening with Oregon Native Plants East/West of the Cascades and the Firewise Plants for Home Gardens publication. Check with your local nurseries to see if they have a list of their available native plants and low water use plants for sale.

What would you tell other gardeners who want to make changes in their gardening to create more climate resilience?
Our summers in Jackson County turn brutal for a full sun garden quickly and some irrigation is still needed once or twice a month in an established waterwise garden like ours. New plants need to be gently acclimated to low water conditions and individually watered until established. A common mistake is expecting a young plant fresh from the nursery to be able to survive a drought before becoming established. Grouping your low water use plants together makes watering much easier than having them mixed between water-loving plants.

How are you using your climate resilient garden for teaching or outreach events?
We have hosted garden tours for local gardening clubs across the county where we discuss each garden and share ideas. Last summer, the local news station did a feature on waterwise gardens and included footage from our garden!

Anything else you’d like to share?
Some of the plants Pete wanted to highlight are the arrow leaf buckwheat for interesting foliage and dramatic white blooms and the purple cooking sage for the unique purple to green fade the plant has. A well designed waterwise garden still has plenty of interesting leaves, blossoms, colors, textures, and habitat for the local critters.

Established in 1994, the Jackson County Master Gardener Demonstration Gardens feature fifteen different gardens that are used to teach the art and science of gardening through the OSU Extension Master Gardener Program and to the community at large. The Demonstration Gardens are located on the grounds surrounding the OSU Extension office in Central Point, 569 Hanley Rd, Central Point, OR 97502. The public is welcome to take self-guided tours Monday through Friday between the hours of 9-5 p.m.

Explore one of Oregon’s 50+ Master Gardener Demonstration Gardens—realistic, regionally adapted spaces that showcase what thrives in your local conditions. Find a demonstration garden near you.

This story is part of Garden Future, an OSU Extension Master Gardener outreach project dedicated to conversations and action for gardening in a changing climate.

What are you seeing in your garden? What changes are you making? We invite you to join the Garden Future conversation by answering three quick questions. At the end, you’ll have the option to sign up for our Garden Future newsletter and stay connected with stories, resources, and tools to support climate-resilient gardening in your community.

Photos by Grace Florjancic

June 9, 2025June 13, 2025

Gardening for the Future: Visiting the Discovery Garden in Roseburg, Oregon

Across Oregon, OSU Extension Master Gardener Demonstration Gardens are blooming with inspiration—and resilience. As our climate shifts, gardeners are adapting with creativity and care. As part of the Garden Future initiative, we’re spotlighting real stories from Master Gardener volunteers who are reimagining their spaces to be more climate resilient. These aren’t show gardens with endless budgets—they’re real, regionally relevant spaces that demonstrate what’s possible with thoughtful choices in plants and practices.

Today, we’re excited to share one of those stories.

Discovery Garden – Xeriscape Garden in Roseburg

A conversation with Geoff Puryear, OSU Extension Master Gardener volunteer and Program Education Assistant.

What was your garden like prior to any changes you’ve made for climate resiliency?
The Discovery Garden itself was established in 2000 and is divided into 21 different themed sections. The Xeriscape Garden was initially installed around 2005. Originally, the space was smaller and regularly irrigated. I was assigned, as a new Master Gardener volunteer, to take over the design and maintenance of the space in 2013. At that time, the Xeriscape Garden had limited plant variety, large gaps between plants, and very little mulch. That year, while the rest of the Discovery Garden resumed irrigation, the Xeriscape Garden did not and has not received any supplemental irrigation since, relying solely on rainwater.

What issues did you find you were facing regarding climate change impacts in your garden?
This project of an irrigation-free landscape was started to demonstrate how many commonly available landscaping plants can survive our Mediterranean climate of hot-dry summers without supplemental irrigation. The second year into this project, we experienced a significant drought which set back the establishment process of most plants. The lack of rain in the first three years made establishing most of the perennials a challenge, but it also showed that following the 7 Principles of Xeriscape is a viable method for both the conservation of water and drought resiliency, as hundreds of plant varieties, planted in the right place and at the right time of year, successfully populated the burgeoning garden beds.

What plants have you changed to help with climate resilience?
To create a more resilient landscape, I removed plants that couldn’t handle the dry season; mostly plants with larger leaves and higher water needs. This included a 15-foot Red maple and the Siberian red-twig dogwoods, both of which suffered without irrigation, or in the case of the tree, outcompeted every other plant near it for water. I replaced them with a wide variety of plants that use various adaptations to survive our climate. Many of the plants chose had smaller, silvery, and/or needle-like leaves, traits that help reduce water loss. Succulents like Sedum, cold-hardy Agave, and yuccas that all survive drought by going summer-dormant or perform photosynthesis at night during the dry season. I’ve also added many native species, where appropriately suited to the microclimates around the space. I made a point to fill in all available space in the garden beds to help shade the soil and each other. All of the turf grass areas around the space have been removed and replaced with pathways and perennial garden beds.

What techniques have you changed to help with climate resilience?
I’ve implemented a design grounded in the 7 Principles of Xeriscape. To reduce plant stress, I avoid pruning or deadheading during the dry season. This allows the plants to grow naturally without the stress of water-dependent regrowth. Every garden bed is fully mulched, I’ve used a variety of mulch throughout the space including wood chips, bark, gravel, and boulders to help keep the soil cool and moist. I also allow for most fallen leaves, needles, pinecones, or any other bits of organic material to stay on the beds, continually creating a fresh layer of mulch.

Are you anticipating future changes you plan to make?
As the dry season has become longer and hotter, and varying levels of drought has become the normal state of the climate in Southern Oregon, many plants have not been able to cope. If the trend continues, I will probably have to replace many of the plants that, at one time, thrived in the dry garden.

Have you received feedback from others regarding the changes you’ve made?
People tend to appreciate the beauty and diversity of the garden and they are usually surprised to see all the plants that can be grown happily in a dry landscape.

Do you have any specific resources you’ve used in making the decisions for the changes you’ve made?
I’ve done a lot of research into the native range of plants, if they come from a similar climate to ours, I will usually choose those plants to trial. When considering native plants, I look to OregonFlora.org for species distribution maps and natural habitat descriptions. Missouri Botanical Garden’s “Plant Finder” is a regularly used resource for most of my horticultural resource, along with OSU’s Landscape Plant Database, as well as the North Carolina Extension Plant Toolbox. The Seven Principles of Xeriscape by the Denver Water Board

What would you tell other gardeners who want to make changes in their gardening to create more climate resilience?
I always try to encourage people to accept plants in their natural state; to choose ones that will look good without irrigation or excessive pruning. If you pick the right mix of plants and let them grow the way they’re meant to, the need for constant maintenance and watering disappears. It makes for a much more rewarding and sustainable garden. Gardeners should focus on matching plants to the site’s light, soil, and water conditions, rather than choosing plants purely for looks. With nearly 300 varieties of drought-tolerant perennials in the Xeriscape Garden, it’s clear you can achieve a beautiful and climate-resilient landscape with the right plant choices.

How are you using your climate resilient garden for teaching or outreach events?
As part of the annual Douglas County Master Gardener training course, new trainees are given a tour of the garden as well as a 2-hour presentation from me on the 7 Principles of Xeriscape and designing a naturalized garden. I also give regular presentations to the public covering the topic of drought resilient landscaping using the Xeriscape Garden as the main example and sometimes as the classroom.

More information about the garden, including plants lists and photos. You can visit the garden, open from dawn to dusk, at 236 River Forks Park Rd in Roseburg.

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Explore one of Oregon’s 50+ Master Gardener Demonstration Gardens—realistic, regionally adapted spaces that showcase what thrives in your local conditions. Find a demonstration garden near you.

This story is part of Garden Future, an OSU Extension Master Gardener outreach project dedicated to conversations and action for gardening in a changing climate.