Central Oregon Gardening - Oregon State University Extension Service

08/31/2026

Come celebrate a successful season! Despite heat, smoke and continuing drought, the Water-wise demonstration garden and the Community Garden vegetable plots at Hollinshead are thriving. Learn how you, too, can be successful.

08/05/2026

Calling all Central Oregon Gardeners! Do you know someone that has a beautiful garden or landscape, and lives in or around the Bend area? We are looking for nominations of potential sites for our 32nd Annual High Desert Garden Tour in 2027! To be considered for next year's tour, complete our online interest form at https://beav.es/HighDesertGardenTour

08/05/2026

For Amy, becoming an Oregon State University Extension Master Gardener volunteer has been about much more than learning to garden. In just a few months as part of the 2026 Deschutes County trainee cohort, Amy has found friendships, mentorship and new opportunities to serve the Central Oregon community.

"One of the reasons I joined the program was to become more connected to my community while deepening my horticultural knowledge," Amy said. "I never imagined how quickly those connections would begin to grow."

Amy says the experience has reinforced something that was suspected from the beginning: "The Master Gardener Program is about much more than plants. It's about people, relationships and finding meaningful ways to contribute to the community."

Amy also believes Master Gardener volunteers are needed now more than ever because they help people reconnect with nature, their communities and one another.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the OSU Extension Master Gardener Program. We’re collecting and sharing stories from volunteers across Oregon. If you are a Master Gardener volunteer — or ever have been — we would love to hear from you. Share your story with us!

beav.es/mgstory

07/18/2026

Today is the day! You can still join us for the 31st Annual High Desert Garden Tour!

This year's Tour features gardens in Redmond, including our very one demonstration garden at the Deschutes County OSU Extension office. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased online at https://beav.es/2026_HDGT or at the OSU Deschutes County OSU Extension Office.

Thank you to our 2026 High Desert Garden Tour Sponsors!
Bend Urban Gardens
Wintercreek Nursery
Strictly Organic Coffee
The Pottery House
McPheeters Turf
High Desert Farms & Nursery
Whistle Stop Farm & Flowers
SCP Redmond
Newport Ave. Market

Discover creative, resilient Central Oregon gardens on the High Desert Garden Tour, with OSU Master Gardeners sharing tips on waterwise design, pollinators, and growing in our high desert.

07/17/2026

Thank you to our 2026 High Desert Garden Tour Sponsors!

Bend Urban Gardens
Wintercreek Nursery
Strictly Organic Coffee
The Pottery House
McPheeters Turf
High Desert Farms & Nursery
Whistle Stop Farm & Flowers
SCP Redmond
Newport Ave. Market

High Desert Garden Tour tickets are on sale now! This year's Tour features gardens in Redmond, including our very one demonstration garden at the Deschutes County OSU Extension office. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased online at https://beav.es/2026_HDGT
The ticket booklet should be available starting July 1. If you request a hard copy, you will be notified when you can pick it up at the Deschutes County OSU Extension office. Copies will also be available at each garden during the Tour.