Issue 18 - December 7, 2023

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In this issue:

• Myth vs. reality: What’s the truth behind some common gardening practices?
• Three recipes spotlight mushrooms
• What to do in the garden in December
• Portland Japanese Garden showcases the art of bonsai
• Are you looking for that perfect Christmas tree or holiday décor?
• Holiday events

Myth vs. reality: What’s the truth behind some common gardening practices?

By Kym Pokorny

Oregon State University Extension

Reality can get skewed when there are so many sources of information — books, magazines, newspapers, nurseries and, most of all, the internet and social media open up lots of room for contradiction. So, how do you find the right answer for gardening questions?

Experts from Oregon State University Extension Service stepped up to bust 10 common gardening myths.

MYTH: Lime will remove moss from your lawn.

REALITY: Lime will not fix the problem. Moss prefers to grow in wet, shady conditions. Lawns with moss need more sunlight, i.e. trimming, pruning and thinning trees. If you like the trees the way they are, you will continue to have moss and you should think about shade-tolerant alternatives to grass. Moss also grows well in infertile soils, which includes acidic (low pH) soils, but more importantly it also includes nitrogen-deficient soils. Lawns, like a lot of cultivated plants, prefer nitrogen-rich soils. Regular fertilizer applications (four applications per year, two in the fall and two in the spring) with products containing nitrogen, combined with improved sunlight will result in a green, dense lawn that can out-compete moss. — Alec Kowalewski, OSU Extension turf specialist

» 10 common gardening myths

Three recipes spotlight mushrooms

By Vic Panichkul

During a break in the rain recently, I took my dog for a walk through the woods at Minto-Brown Island Park in Salem, and the leaf-strewn ground reminded me of one of the culinary treats to enjoy this time of year: mushrooms.

Farmed mushrooms mean that crimini, portabella, oyster and shiitake are available here year-round, so you can enjoy them anytime.

Besides adding a unique texture to recipes, mushrooms also lend a rich flavor that brings to mind the forest floor that they thrive in: musky, earthy, woody, rich and dark.

» Here are three recipes that highlight the rich flavor of mushrooms and create a hearty gut-warming winter meal.

What to do in the garden in December

By Curt Kipp

December. It’s the season of holiday joy — and in the garden, it also happens to be the darkest, wettest and muckiest time of the year. In other words … it’s not exactly straw-hat-and-shades weather.

We won’t lay a guilt trip, but there are still things you could be doing in your garden, if you’re so inclined.

Oregon State University Extension Service December garden calendar has a few ideas for tasks you could perform, including maintenance, cleanup, planting, propagation and pest management. (One of the best things not to do is walk on your lawn.)

One of the most critical issues is to watch for drainage problems in your yard. This is the best time of year to spot them. You can solve them with tilling, ditching, French drains, rain gardens and bioswales, but only if you’re aware of what’s happening.

And of course, there’s always indoor gardening. It's your best chance to stay non-dark, non-wet and non-mucky.

Don’t forget the gardeners on your Christmas list! The start of the gardening season is just a few short months away, and there are lots of ideas at your local garden center. The best idea may be the all-popular gift card, which assures they’ll get precisely what they want.

We have a statewide list of garden businesses, including info on who’s open this time of year. Some offer hot cider, and some offer holiday workshops and Christmas décor, including that time-honored Tannenbaum.

We wish you the merriest holiday season and a prosperous 2024.

Are you looking for that perfect Christmas tree or holiday décor?

The following nurseries and garden centers have told us they have Christmas trees, holiday décor and more!

IMPORTANT: We encourage you to visit the websites of the specific garden centers and nurseries to make sure you are reading the most accurate and up-to-date information.

IMPORTANT: We encourage you to visit the websites for the events to make sure you are reading the most accurate and up-to-date information.

The Oregon Garden’s Holiday Bazaar returns for its third year! This indoor family-friendly event has something for everyone — a market of local artisans, food and beverage, holiday crafts, festive live entertainment, and visits with Santa!

Location: 

The Oregon Garden

879 W. Main St., Silverton, OR 97381

Date/Time:

Saturday, Dec. 16: 10 a.m.–3 p.m. 

Sunday, Dec. 17: 10 a.m.–3 p.m. 

Visit OregonGarden.org/Holiday-Bazaar for details

Visit the Silverton Christmas Market for their awe-inspiring light display and market at the Oregon Garden Resort! 

The Silverton Christmas Market, offers a joyous and magical holiday experience for all ages. Stroll along immersive paths draped in one MILLION lights, visit the traditional German Christmas Market for handmade gifts, sip on a brew in the Biergarten, cozy up to a fire pit, or ride down the snowless tubing hill.

Location:

The Oregon Garden Resort

895 W. Main St., Silverton, OR 97381

Date/Time: 

Now through – December 31, 2023

(Closed Nov. 22-23 & Dec. 24-25)

Get all the details at SilvertonChristmasMarket.com

Presenting the sights, sounds and sensations of the season, The Grotto’s Christmas Festival of Lights is the largest Christmas choral festival in the world. The festival features nearly 160 indoor holiday concerts performed by many of the region’s finest school, church and civic choirs. Offering a family-oriented blend of traditional celebration and serene reflection, the festival theme reflects the special season of hope that Christmas offers many thousands of families around the Pacific Northwest.

Location:

The Grotto Portland

8840 N.E. Skidmore, Portland, OR 97220

Date/Time: 

Now through – Friday, Dec. 30 

(Closed Christmas Day)

Details and Tickets available at TheGrotto.org/Christmas-Festival-of-Lights