The climate in our area of Oregon makes this an excellent place to be a gardener. With so many options for native plants, it is easy to create a beautiful garden that thrives with little watering. Options for native plants range from Chocolate Lily to Salmonberry, and Trillium to Yellow Monkey- flower, so there’s no lack of interesting choices.
Pesticide Alternatives
Use a soap spray instead of pesticides to control box elder bugs, mites, and aphids: Mix 1 tablespoon castile or Ivory soap in one gallon of water; spray on infested plant parts. Ask your nursery about natural predators such as ladybugs, which can be released at dusk to treat aphids. Keep slugs out by installing a 3 inch band of copper around your garden bed — they can’t cross it. Crumbled eggshells and wood ashes work as well. Products like Tanglefoot (tanglefoot.com) create a chemical-free sticky barrier that prevents insects and root weevils from climbing trees, rhododendron, azalea, primroses, and even blueberries.