CORVALLIS, Ore. — In 2006, the Clackamas chapter of the Oregon State University Extension Service Master Gardener volunteers wanted to share research-based gardening information in small, easy-to-use lessons.
“We thought maybe we should do some short classes,” said Sherry Sheng, a Master Gardener volunteer and former president of the Clackamas chapter. “There are thousands of people buying plants; chances are they want to know about those plants.”
The first 10-Minute University sessions were offered alongside the chapter’s large spring plant sale so shoppers could learn and then get back to buying plants. The idea proved so popular that the talks were lengthened to 15 minutes and finally to about 25 minutes to give people time for questions.
“The speaker would say, ‘Time’s up,’ and there would be a collective sigh,” Sheng said. “We stretched it out … Eventually we settled on 25 minutes.”
From plant sale to Extension resource
The program was rolled out at the Spring Garden Fair, where gardeners were already looking for guidance.
Today, 10-Minute University is a trademarked program of the Clackamas County Master Gardener Association, and all handouts are reviewed by Oregon State University Extension faculty for accuracy.
What started as quick lessons at a local sale now lives online as a set of handouts, videos and recorded classes on topics such as pruning, berries, lawns, soil, pollinators, native plants, irrigation, raised beds and climate resiliency. Ggardeners can explore more than 75 resources in the series.
The 10-Minute University team also collaborates with the metro-area OSU Extension Master Gardener webinar program, adding recorded sessions to the public library of classes.
What gardeners can find
Topics available on the 10-Minute University pages and linked Extension pages include:
General gardening information
Soil, compost and mulch
Berries and fruit trees
Edible gardening and raised beds
Ornamental plants, trees and shrubs
Insects and pests
Lawns, irrigation and tools
Native plants and pollinators
Guest presentations — for example, a session on emerald ash borer by OSU horticulture professor Gail Langellotto — are added as new concerns arise.
Core tips
Here are examples pulled from 10-Minute University handouts and talks, which are based on university research.
Plant in fall.
Trees and shrubs planted in fall face less heat and water stress and often need less supplemental irrigation.
Protect soil structure.
Healthy soil is about 25% air, 25% water, 45% minerals and 5% organic matter.
Do not work soil when it is too wet; do the squeeze test first.
Start blueberries right.
Remove flower buds the first year to focus on roots.
Mulch with Douglas fir sawdust, starting with 2 inches and building to 6 inches over three years.
Give indoor herbs enough light.
Winter light indoors is often less than one-tenth of summer outdoor light, so most herbs need supplemental lighting.
Skip gravel in pots.
A coarse layer at the bottom of a container slows, rather than improves, drainage.
Feed lawns in fall.
Fall fertilizer favors root growth; spring fertilizer favors leaf growth.
Help ground-nesting bees.
Leave some bare ground because about 70% of native bees nest below the surface.
Previously titled Get the scoop on gardening with 10-Minute University handouts
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