Entwine - Domestic Ecosystem Design

Looking for some garden inspiration? Drop by the Multnomah County Master Gardener Association Open Garden event, on Saturday, August 9, 10am to 2pm, at the Association's Demonstration Garden, SE 57th and Duke Street, Portland!

Free event! All welcome!

Learn about sustainable vegetable gardening techniques, container gardening, gardening for climate change, wildlife habitats, invertebrate conservation, native bees, and more.

Wander among the vegetable plots, native plants, perennials, and blooming annuals! Find inspiration and glean ideas you can utilize as you garden!

Fun activities for youth!

Plus, talk all things plants with OSU (Oregon) Master Gardener Program volunteers!

Visit with representatives from The Xerces Society Multnomah County, Oregon Vector Control, and OSU Extension Master Food Preservers.

Learn more here: https://beav.es/xTA

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Israeli researchers at Tel Aviv University have discovered that plants and insects may communicate through sound. A new study published in the journal eLife reveals that dehydrated tomato plants emit ultrasonic distress signals, which female moths can detect. These insects use the sounds to avoid laying eggs on stressed plants, highlighting a fascinating new form of acoustic interaction in nature.

This is promising! Thank you, Science!!! https://www.facebook.com/share/18xWVW52yS/

A cell pulls off one of the 'Holy Grails' of biotechnology A new part of an ocean plant cell has been discovered that might revolutionize farming one day. The structure can take nitrogen and convert it into the ingredient that helps all organisms grow.

Fascinating! The world beneath our feet is so vast and continues to amaze me!

Is fungi smarter than we think? New research shows how the mycelial network of Phanerochaete velutina, a cord-forming wood decay fungus, can “recognize” spatial arrangements of wood blocks and adapt its decay strategy accordingly.

Over 116 days, fungi displayed fascinating behaviors, connecting blocks in different patterns based on their positioning. The results? A smarter, more efficient decay process.

This study pushes the boundaries of what we know about cognition in non-brain organisms, suggesting that mycelium exhibits “basal cognition”, the ability to recognize and adapt to its environment. Could fungi’s decision-making capabilities inspire future bio-based computing systems? Learn more: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1754504824000588

Alphabet Gardening

G is for groundwork.

Plants can quickly become the “fast fashion” of landscapes without a deeper understanding of soil and plant relationships. Soil is alive with countless diverse microorganisms whose main purpose is to break down the remains of other organisms and release the resulting energy, nutrients, and carbon dioxide for further use by additional life at the root level. Organic matter is created in this continuous process in a bustling community located right under our feet! No healthy soil exists without this activity. When a teaspoon of soil contains a billion or more of these microbial citizens, it’s nearly impossible to understand all the intricacies of soil society. However, a little groundwork on the workings underground can fill in a meaningful portion of the gaps between the known and the unknowns of soil’s vast network.

Understanding some basics of soil can minimize plants’ vulnerability to Nature’s whim. Maximizing potential in the process taking place beneath the surface improves the aesthetics of a landscape’s design while literally impacting climate change at the grassroots level. Increasing the soil’s biodiversity by adding organic matter increases the nutrients available to plants; improves soil texture; and reduces the risk of water runoff leading to healthier plants and a healthier ecosystem overall.

A little groundwork on soil’s texture and pH; the role of bacteria and fungi; carbon to nitrogen ratio; and the soil food web’s role in a thriving ecosystem can benefit any plant grower. Maintaining a curious gardener’s mind that seeks continuous growth through knowledge and interactions with soil empowers the gardener to impact the environment.

Ultimately, Nature is the expert in design, but a foundational understanding of soil can lead to a healthier landscape while increasing gardeners’ ability to adapt and respond to climate change in domestic ecosystems. So, dig in and do some groundwork! www.entwinebydesign.com

Here's a great opportunity for Portlanders to give and gather abundance from local gardens:

PDX Yard Share A seasonal community event that invites Portlanders to give and gather homegrown, backyard produce.

Out with the old and in with the new: This ladybug is leaving its old self and moving on in life - it's time for an aphid buffet to celebrate the transformation!

A joy to bee-hold!

Want to DIY your own design but aren't sure where to start? One great way to begin is by focusing on pollinators as the primary purpose. Here's a list of 25 pollinators that attract native bees. What's your number?

25 plants to draw native bees to Oregon gardens in honor of National Pollinator Week Choose a diversity of plants and have some that bloom at different times of the year.

It's jam season! When you need to eat your fruits AND your vegetables, why not have both in a chia-seed freezer jam of mixed berries and rhubarb? 😉