Oregon Association of Nurseries

Below are feature articles from Digger listed by month, title, author and subject. Some articles feature a separate photo gallery. For articles from the current issue, return to the Feature Articles page.

A complete collection of Digger issues dating back to 1956 is available in the library at the OAN offices in Wilsonville, Ore. Back issues of Digger may be requested from the OAN Publications Department (subject to availability.)

Issue	Title	Author	Summary	Photo Gallery?
September 2010	Greener and cleaner	By Elizabeth Petersen	How Oregon grows top-quality trees, from the seedling stage to shipping time
	The digging scene	By Miles McCoy	The evolution of machines for B&B and bare-root production has made field harvesting more efficient and cost effective
	Reducing Phytophthora	By Jennifer Parke	These top 10 tips will help prevent this group of pathogens from taking hold
August 2010	The original green walls	Elizabeth Petersen	Whether formal or more natural looking, these hedging options can denote property lines and provide necessary screening
	Dazzling barberries	Elizabeth Petersen	These stunning new introductions and old favorites are useful in many landscape settings
	Feeding through the leaves	Chal Landgren and Judy Kowalski	Scientists study whether foliar fertilization has benefits for tree growers
	Will it be a weed?	Daniel J. Hilburn, Ph.D.	By asking some simple questions, you can evaluate the invasive potential of any plant
July 2010	No drought about it	By Elizabeth Petersen	These beautiful selections, once established, have nothing to fear from dry conditions or a lack of watering
	Cost-effective coverings	By Miles McCoy	A nursery's choice of greenhouse materials has an impact on plant quality as well as the grower's bottom line
	When mites make right	By Robin Rosetta	Predatory mites allow growers to control some pest problems in the nursery while reducing chemical use and exposure
June 2010	Sowing the sustainability seeds	By Jon Bell	OAN's Sustainability Initiative aims to make growers -- and the planet -- a little better
	The greening of the marketplace	By Colleen Tvorik and Kirk Richardson	As awareness spreads, more and more customers are demanding sustainably produced products
	Getting certified	By Whitney Rideout	These programs let you assure your customers you are operating sustainably
	Building a sustainable team	By Dylan Rivera	Working conditions and worker participation are crucial pieces of a company's sustainability plan
	Sustainable incentives	By Natalya Griffith	How to reap the tax benefits of the new energy economy
May 2010	Managing your market response	By Robin Cross	How smart nurseries can prepare themselves to meet consumer needs in 2010
	A shear renaissance	By Curt Kipp	Topiaries and sculptured plants are becoming more creative than ever
	Doing the task at hand	By Miles McCoy	Follow these steps to find the safest and most effective hand tool for any situation
April 2010	Into the blue	Heather Stoven and Jim Owen	Researchers at Oregon State University test what works when it comes to growing the bluest hydrangeas.
	Fabulous foliage	Elizabeth Petersen	Coleus is all the rage, thanks to the many varieties available and the psychedelic colors and textures they can offer.
	Hidden in plain sight	Jay W. Pscheidt	How to prevent disease problems by looking at your greenhouse through the eyes of a plant pathologist.
March 2010	Berried In Beauty	Elizabeth Petersen	Many options are available for those who love the all-season beauty of berry-producing plants.
	Defending Your Ground	Miles McCoy	According to research, cover crops can provide many benefits for nurseries.
	Kaizen and the Art of Softwood Propagation	Mike Lee	Bailey Nurseries trims production time by 40 percent through the use of Lean techniques.
February 2010	Delightful Daphne	Elizabeth Petersen	These cultivars require little care and offer distinctive looks, an intoxicating scent and year-round interest.
	The heat is on	Miles McCoy	Greenhouse heating systems continue to advance, whether they heat the air, the soil or the plants directly.
	OSU Gaining Knowledge: Testing two genera	Diana K. Colvin	OSU plant trials put several cultivars of Arctostaphylos and Grevillea to the test. Part of an ongoing educational series provided by OSU in partnership with the Oregon Association of Nurseries.
January 2010	Touring The State of Perfection	Curt Kipp	We visit six top-quality growers and see how they represent the Oregon nursery industry's values of quality, value, passion, insight, diversity and service.
January 2010	Leader Profile: Matt Gold		The new OAN Executive Committee member likes to lead through encouragement.
December 2009	Temperate tropicals	Elizabeth Petersen	Consumer interest in a backyard oasis is driving demand for tropical plants, as well as hardy plants with a tropical look.
	Toward a greener greenhouse	Miles McCoy	These new technologies can reduce energy use, sparing both your pocketbook and the environment.
	The man with the plan	Curt Kipp	Rod Park thinks about the long term, both as a businessman and a public official.
November 2009	Reaching for the sky	Elizabeth Petersen	Today's customers love climbing plants and vines for their beauty, utility and easy care.
	Spots, rots, rusts and cankers	Melodie Putnam	Here's how to identify the telltale signs of various plant diseases.
	A drop saved, a penny earned	Stephanie Page	With the right irrigation system, you can save water, labor, energy and time.
	The Cutting Edge	Miles McCoy	These equipment offerings from Europe can make nursery tasks easier, safer, less costly and more efficient.
October 2009	The different shades of shade	Elizabeth Petersen	Solar exposure is a matter of degree, and here are plants that can tolerate a variety of conditions.
	Functional flora in the field	Renee Stoops	If you're looking for plants to accomplish a purpose, here are the questions to ask.
	Grown for the city	Paul D. Ries	Arborists offer thoughts on producing trees that will perform best in the urban environment.
September 2009	Versatile, vibrant viburnums	Lisa Albert	With dozens of cultivars on the market, there's a viburnum for every situation
	Lean and green	Elizabeth Peters	Nurseries can run more efficiently by focusing on value provided to the customer
	Urban forest options	Paul D. Ries	Municipal arborists would like nurseries to provide a diverse plant palette
August 2009	Yesterday once more	Lisa Albert	Old-fashioned perennials fit in equally well with today's consumer emphasis on sustainability and victory gardens
	Growing forward	Gary Grueber	How growers and the horticultural industry can respond to dramatic societal and climate changes and be ready for the future
	Improving on perfection	Elizabeth Petersen	Hydrangeas are considered the 'perfect shrub,' but perfection can be improved, as these new cultivars demonstrate
July 2009	Reducing market risk	Kevin Klupengerupenger	Diverse products, production methods, customers and markets will help you navigate stormy seas more soundly
	A tree for all occasions	Elizabeth Petersen	Japanese maples are grown in so many shapes, sizes and colors, they'll fit in almost anywhere
	Well-grounded containers	Miles McCoy	Although conversions to pot-in-pot systems have slowed, adherents are sold on their benefits
June 2009	Lush exteriors	Miles McCoy	Living walls have aesthetic and environmental benefits, and can be used inside buildings, as well
	It's only natural	Lisa Albert	The market for native plants strengthens, thanks to restoration projects and increased demand
	Their lasting heritage	Curt Kipp	For Mark and Jolly Krautmann, a passion for plants and people leads to success and happiness
May 2009	Fruit takes root	Elizabeth Petersen	Consumers hunger for fruit trees, whether the fruit is time-tested or exotic
	Controlling rodents	Chip Bubl	Voles, pocket gophers, squirrels and even rabbits can cause considerable damage if they get out of hand in your nursery
	Asking the right questions	Neil Bell, James Young and Melodie Putnam	An inquisitive approach will help you find the cause of customers' plant problems. Part three in our ongoing series, CPR: Customer- Plant Remedies
April 2009	How does your greenhouse grow?	Kevin Klupenger	Here are the factors to consider if you're thinking about building greenhouses.
	A hunger for beautiful edibles	Elizabeth Petersen	Consumers are eager to grow their own food, particularly if it has ornamental value.
	Brighter days	Lisa Albert	With the gloomy economy, customers are demanding brightness and color in their containers.
March 2009	Right location ... perfect tree	Elizabeth Petersen	There is no such thing as a bad tree, just a good tree in a difficult location, but now, growers have responded by developing cultivars that perform well in tight spots and harsh conditions. Here are a few.
March 2009	The root of the problem	Neil Bell, James Young and Melodie Putnam	When your customer asks, 'What's eating my plant?,' maybe the answer is, 'nothing.' Here's how you can spot the clues that will determine whether the trouble is being caused by a pest, site conditions, inadequate care, or something else.
February 2009	Deliciously Trendy	Elizabeth Petersen	In these tough economic times, consumers have their minds on all things green -- sustainable living, staying at home and growing their own food. Our article examines these and other hot gardening trends for 2009.
	Bite-Sized Beauty	Lisa Albert	Our series on small statures ends with Part 4: Deciduous Shrubs. Although the definition of "compact" can be somewhat elusive, such options as Weigelas, Hydrangeas, barberries, roses, and Euonymous are all definite options for those small spaces in everyone's yard.
	Hotter Than Ever	Chris Guntermann	Steam cleaning may be the best way to prevent disease transmission in used pots, flats and containers.
January 2009	Touring 'The State of Perfection'	Curt Kipp	Why do we call Oregon "The State of Perfection" when it comes to nursery plants? Come with us and meet five Oregon growers. Learn how Oregon plants are shaped by climate, passion, integrity, family and a commitment to quality.
January 2009	Delightful on Arrival	Elizabeth Petersen	How can growers, transporters and retailers ensure that plants hit retail shelves safely and in pristine condition? The keys are careful attention, cooperation and building relationships.
December 2008	No Small Impact	Lisa Albert	Shade and flowering trees identified as "small statures" come in many shapes and sizes, but there's no questioning their impact or their popularity in the current market. Part two of a four-part series on small statures.
December 2008	A Healthy Process	Jennifer Parke, Carrie Lewis, and Niklaus Grunwald	Scientists from Oregon State University perform research to help identify and eliminate points in the nursery production process that are vulnerable to Phytophthora and other pathogens.
November 2008	Little conifers are big news	Lisa Albert	Twin trends towards smaller yards and more sophisticated tastes mean that small conifers are on the rise. Part one of a four-part series on small statures.
November 2008	CPR: Customer Plant Remedies	Neil Bell	Garden centers and customers benefit when employees learnhow to diagnose and solve problems in the garden. Part one of a series.
October 2008	Tannenbaum tech	Miles McCoy	Innovations improve the processes of growing, harvesting and selling REAL Christmas trees
October 2008	The real deal	Elizabeth Petersen	Growers and retailers market real Christmas trees with a combination of presentation, environmental stewardship, and good old-fashioned service
January 2008	Standing up for conifers	Lisa Albert	These versatile evergreens offer striking beauty in many shapes and sizes
	Freight Fright	Don Anslow	Counteract the effect of high fuel prices with these smart transportation options
	Under the Italian sky	Dave Van Essen	During a three-week visit, Dave and Leanne Van Essen discover the Italian nursery industry isn't quite so different from Oregon's.
November 2007	Pot-in-pot growing and block handling	Don Anslow	More than just a promise for labor savings
June 2007	Profiles in Research	Tracy Ilene Miller	Oregon extension agents seek practical answers to industry’s questions
	Hot on the Scent	Elizabeth Petersen	...of better-bred roses
	Liquid Assets	Lisa Albert	Aquatic pros offer advice for keeping a steady stream of business in this specialty market
May 2007	Road to Sustainability	Mary-Kate Mackey	Nurseries share strategies for good stewardship
	Recycling and Reuse	Tracy Ilene Miller	What to do with all that plastic?
	Some Like it Dry	Elizabeth Petersen	Consumers are calling for plants that do more with less water.
April 2007	Patents and trademarks	Tracy Ilene Miller	A look at how growers are using these tools to distinguish plants in an ever-changing, global market.
	How do they do it?	Elizabeth Petersen	Oregon growers say quality control and attention to customer service keep customers coming back for more.
	Living the good life -- outdoors	Elizabeth Petersen	2007 Yard, Garden & Patio Show kicked off spring with color and creativity.
March 2007	Under the Microscope	Tracy Ilene Miller	Part 1 of our horticultural research story looks at a sampling of what's taking place at the Horticultural Crops Research Laboratory.
	Broad Appeal	Dan Rafter	Strong Demand for year-round interest drives sales of broadleaf evergreens.
	A Positive ID	Dr. James Altland	Avoid problems with weed control by taking time for proper identification.
November 2006	Trees for All Seasons	Tracy Ilene Miller	Changing leaf or bark color keeps some growers in the green
	Container No-Brainer	Dr. James Altland	Physical properties of substrates play a big part in crop health, costs
	Fungicidal Face-off	Elizabeth Petersen	More cultural, less chemical practices are the trend today
October 2006	High-End Plants	Tracy Ilene Miller	Growers work to fill requests for big, native or unique items
	Get Real	Elizabeth Peterson	Oregon Christmas tree growers lead the artificial invasion battle
	What's in your water?	Dr. James Altland	Research finds the Willamette Valley's H₂O is irrigator's dream
September 2006	The Big Time	Elizabeth Petersen	Growers please discerning customers by providing mature specimen plants	Yes
	Pesky PearlwortPesky Pearlwort		Clean liners are the best way to prevent a container invasion
	Weather Watchers	Tracy Ilene Miller	Nurseries rely on forecasting firms to help them plan for rain or shine
August 2006	We're Golden		Digger turned 50 in May, growing from humble black-and-white beginnings to the full-color production it is today.
	Selling the 'Oregon Grown' Advantage	Ann Murphy	Make 'delivered value' part of the equation when marketing your Northwest plant material.
	Strong Relationship Means Strong Plants	Dan Rafter	OAN and ODA work in partnership to maintain Oregon's reputation for quality plants.	Yes
	At the Zoo	Elizabeth Petersen	Plants, and the right ones, are no longer an afterthought at the Oregon Zoo.	Yes
	Perfecting the Pour-through		Avoid common pitfalls of this seemingly simple method for measuring container nutrition.
	Reaping Their Rewards		Meet the recipients of the 2006-07 Oregon Nurseries Foundation scholarships.
	The Challenge of Managing Inventory	Dan Rafter	Most growers despise the task, but accurate crop counts are a necessary evil.
July 2006	The Grafters	Elizabeth Petersen	Propagation technique helps specialty conifer growers thrive	Yes
	A Creep in the Crop		Research examines a new tool for creeping wood sorrel control
	Marketing Machine	Miles McCoy	The No. 1 focus at the OAN is getting its members noticed
June 2006	Beautiful Beasts	Elizabeth Petersen	Balled-and-burlapped production still has its place in the industry
	Hall of Famers		Industry honors Clint Smith and Jim and Shirley Heater
	Lots O' Liners	Dan Rafter	For some growers, small plants spell big business
May 2006	Standing Tall	Dan Rafter	Small growers do their best to compete with the giants
	More X Factors	Tracy Ilene Miller	Part 2 of our look at women succeeding in the industry
	Weird Science	James Altland	Predicting a plant's invasive potential is no exact science
April 2006	The X Factors	Tracy Ilene Miller	Women help the Oregon nursery industry thrive
	Thank You Very Mulch	Dr. James Altland	Research studies topdressing's effects on nutrition, watering
	Go Jump in a Lake		You could have at the Yard, Garden & Patio Show	Yes
March 2006	Made in the shade	Elizabeth Petersen	Plenty of plants thrive in low-light landscape areas	Yes
	Nonindigenous? Nonnative?	Dr. James Altland	One constant: Terminology for invasives is not consistent
	The ABCs of PGRs	Dan Rafter	Growth regulators offer growers the closest thing to total control
February 2006	You complete me	Elizabeth Petersen	Midsize, or 'tweener', plants help finish off landscape	Yes
	What slow months?	Cam Sivesind	Christmas decorating carries one grower through long, dark winter
	Testing...1, 2, 3.		Analyze soil and leaves to diagnose nutrient deficiencies
	Calling a spade a spade	Melodie L. Putnam & Marilyn Miller	Oregon state researchers lay down the law on crown gall vs. leafy gall.
January 2006	The Shape of Things	Elizabeth Petersen	Topiaries and espaliers are a nice niche for some growers.	Yes
	It's on the Label	Cam Sivesind	Container plants that end up at retailers need proper information.
	Let's Look at Your Chart		Moving plants? See our annual regulations and quarantines lists.
	Pruning Your Workers' Compensation Costs		A summary of Oregon’s Employer-at-Injury Program.
December 2005	Glorious Grasses	Elizabeth Petersen	Ornamental varieties add texture, form and color to landscapes.	Yes
	Families that Plan Prosper	Tracy Ilene Miller	Business succession planning is far too uncommon these days, but it shouldn't be.
	The Shows Must Go On	Digger staff	Check out our wrap-up of what's new on the 2006 show circuit.
	It's Not Just for Christmas Anymore	Cam Sivesind	Poinsettias are being forced to bloom earlier to meet the growing demand.	Yes
November 2005	Cutting-edge Perennials	Elizabeth Petersen	These babies boast brilliant color and improved habits--without the fuss.	Yes
	Housing Headaches	Dan Rafter	Choosing a greenhouse is not easy, but careful planning can alleviate the stress.
	Eroding Profits	Cam Sivesind	Keeping the dirt that grows your plants is good for you and the environment.
October 2005	Revving Up Fall Retailing	Tracy Ilene Miller	Autumn is a chance for garden centers to have fun and keep sales sailing.	1 2
	Seeing is Believing	Cam Sivesind	See our pictorial review of the 2005 Farwest Show.	Yes
	Woodies to Watch	Elizabeth Petersen	Hydrangeas, rhodies, plants with bright or dark foliage, bloomers and even a vine make growers' 2006 list.	Yes
September 2005	Rooted in Quality	Elizabeth Petersen	Superior understock drives success of Oregon nurseries.
	Diggin In	Tracy Ilene Mille	Design innovations make tree removal easier than ever.
	Divide and Prosper	Elizabeth Petersen	Tissue culture is a fast, clean, reliable way of propagating.	Yes
August 2005 Farwest Edition	Every Drop, and Drip, Counts	Richard Regan	Container-grown nursery crops require more water, so managing irrigation is vital.
	China: Laying the Groundwork for Northwest Growers	Ann Murphy	Part 2 of Digger's look at doing business with Asia's largest country.
	A Round-trip Retirement	Carol Driscoll	Hall-of-fame nurseryman Dave Adams continues his teachings abroad.	Yes
	Show & Tell	Elizabeth Petersen	Nurseries' display gardens let the plants do the talking, encouraging visits and sales.	1 2 3 4 5
July 2005	Jeepers Creepers	Tracy Ilene Miller	The ground cover market continues to grow as plants increase in popularity.	Yes
	Good to the Last Drop	Richard Regan	Measurements and trials are key to field-grown crop irrigation.
	The China Trade Strategy Blossoms	Ann Murphy	Part 1 of Digger's look at doing business with Asia's largest country.
June 2005	Flower Power	Tracy Ilene Miller	Oregon growers help redefine the blooming-tree market.	Yes
	Market Exploration	Ann Murphy	Northwest growers nurture nursery sales in Japan.
	Studying a Substrate	Gabriela Buamscha and James Altland	Pumice, long used in Oregon containers, to be scrutinized.
May 2005	Climbing the charts		Climbing plants and vines are still an expanding niche market.
	Color still reigns with irises		If the number of regional and specialty iris associations is any indication, Irises are as cherished and discussed among gardeners as are roses.
	The hole story		Meet the flatheaded cedar borer (FCB), Chrysobothris nixa, a native beetle that won’t hesitate to call your plants home.
April 2005	Creating great landscapes right here at home.		Digger acknowledges a few Portland firms in recognition of National Landscape Architecture Month.
April 2005	Wind in the willow herb spells trouble for growers		This article describes the biology and control of a major weed problem in Oregon nurseries.
March 2005	Power to the independents		The owners of independent garden centers across the state are benefiting from membership in buying groups.
March 2005	Thank Heaven for little plants		Ornamental or edible, small is a desirable characteristic in a plant, not only for gardeners, but also for growers and farmers
February 2005	KISS complicated fertilizer programs goodbye		Container nutrition and exactly how to select the right group of fertilizers for your crops.
February 2005	The great invasives debate		Last year, in addition to some crippling weather, nurseries experienced another kind of storm — the one brewing against invasive species.
January 2005	Shining bright		Digger’s look at hot plants for the coming year. (Part 1 ran in the December issue).
January 2005	City Slickers		City trees can do a lot more than curb the effects of urban heat island syndrome.
December 2004	Stars are born		Part I of a two-part series on some of the bright stars hitting the market in 2005.
December 2004	Trendy tropicals		From Long Island, N.Y., to Portland, Ore., the tropical look continues to make a big statement in summer gardens.
November 2004	Magnolia madness		On both coasts of the United States, magnolias have been passed over by growers outside the Deep South. But some West Coast growers began taking notice a few years back.
November 2004	Stripes and splashes and dots, oh my!		Used by gardeners to brighten low-light corners and to supply instant splash in container compositions, variegated plants of all descriptions continue to ride a trend of popularity.
October 2004	Something old, something new		Hydrangeas, the plants sentimentally remembered as the ones grandma grew, are gaining renewed attention among gardeners.
October 2004	Wild garlic: An unsightly nursery stock companion		Wild garlic (Allium vineale) is one of the most troublesome weeds in nursery production.
September 2004	Seeing red		Poinsettias are the No. 1 flowering potted plant crop in the U.S., and red still dominates the color palette.
September 2004	Powdery mildew on the rise in nurseries		A family of destructive, somewhat peculiar fungi is lurking almost everywhere in the Willamette Valley.
August 2004 (Farwest Edition)	More rockroses for the Pacific Northwest.		Cistus trials are under way at Oregon research and extension facility.
August 2004 (Farwest Edition)	A snail tale.		Exotic snails move from menu item to menace in nurseries and natural landscapes.
July 2004	It Makes Sense to Sell Scents	Elizabeth Petersen	Fragrant flowers grab customers' noses, making the sale for retailers .
July 2004	Changing Container Substrate pH	James Altland	What are the affects of peat moss, lime source and lime rate? This article describes the initial results of an experiment to determine the impact of peat moss, lime source and lime rate on container substrate pH.
June 2004	Riding the rails	Eric Hedaa	A shortage of available trucks has Oregon's $727 million nursery industry looking for alternatives to relying solely on trucking. Could trains be the solution?
June 2004	An Ocean of Potential	Tracy Ilene Miller	Specialty growers of water garden plants work hard to educate retailers about educating staff and consumers about this growing market.
May 2004	A rosy outlook.	Tracy Ilene Miller	Everything's coming up roses. Rose breeders are having a good time filling an ever-demanding market.
May 2004	Phytophthora ramorum: A plant pathologist's perspective:	Jennifer L. Parke	What are the implications for the Oregon nursery industry if P. ramorum is not controlled? Photos by Jennifer Parke.
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