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Home / Author Archives for Andrew Felton

Andrew Felton

What’s the difference between native, non-native, and invasive plants?

January 20, 2023

By now you’ve probably heard some – or a lot – about the importance of choosing native plants over invasive and non-native plants.

As it turns out, knowing the difference between native plants, non-native plants, and invasive plants can be simple but nuanced. But we are here to help navigate the differences!

Bee on blue gillia
Blue gilia (Gilia capitata) is native to Oregon. It attracts and provides nectar to adult butterflies, bees, and other insect pollinators.

Native plants are plants that have historically occurred in a place.

Native plants, also called indigenous plants, have been growing in a particular habitat or region for thousands of years. This also has allowed them plenty of time to adapt to specific conditions.  As a general rule, conservation practitioners categorize native plants as plants that occurred in an area prior to European colonization of North America.

Native plants are adapted to local soils and climate. This means they require less water and chemicals – reducing the needs for pesticides and fertilizers that can pollute waterways.

They have also formed symbiotic relationships with native wildlife. These specialized relationships allow native plants to provide more robust habitat for wildlife than other plants can.

Lush tomato plant fills image with wire cage supporting a tomato plant stem loaded with green and red tomatoes.
Despite being a staple in many food gardens, tomatoes are not native to Oregon.

Non-native plants are plants that have not historically occurred in a place but have been introduced by human activity.

Non-native plants, also called introduced plants, are plants living somewhere other than the location they evolved in. They can be introduced to a region either accidentally or deliberately. They don’t necessarily pose a threat to native plants or wildlife. Some can even be beneficial to humans and wildlife. They are often grown in gardens and parks for their aesthetic beauty or delightful taste.

You might recognize some non-native plants in your own backyard or on your dinner table. Non-native plants, like dahlias and tomatoes, present no threat to native plants or wildlife and have been cultivated outside their natural range for centuries.

Periwinkle flower
Invasive periwinkle (vinca species) produces eye-catching purple-blue flowers, but they also form extensive mats that don’t allow other plants to grow.

Invasive plants are non-native plants that can spread rapidly and harm humans, the environment, or the economy.

Like other non-native plants, invasive plants can be intentionally or accidentally brought to an area. But, unlike many harmless non-native plants, invasive plants outcompete native plants, displace wildlife, and alter ecosystems.

Outside of their natural habitat, invasive plants grow out of control due to the absence of their natural predators  and constraints. This allows them to spread quickly and become difficult to eradicate.

Just to keep you on your toes, there is another term that you’ll hear about related to invasive species – noxious weeds.

Purple Loosestrife flowers.
Purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria) has a dense root system that changes the hydrology of wetlands. It is classified as a noxious weed by ODA.

Noxious weeds are plants that have been designated by a federal, state, or local government as harmful to public health, agriculture, recreation, wildlife, or property.

Noxious weeds are particularly harmful to humans, livestock, or crops. A plant can be classified as noxious if it is toxic to touch or eat, destroys a natural habitat, or causes millions of dollars in lost agricultural production. Once a plant is classified as noxious, government agencies can take specific actions to limit its spread or destroy it.

The Oregon Department of Agricultural maintains a Noxious Weed List and prevents the sale and trading of particular species in Oregon.

Want to learn more?

  • Visit our friends at the Backyard Habitat Certification Program to find local nurseries that sell native plants.
  • Browse our Weed & Pest Directory to learn more about invasive species in the Tualatin River watershed.
  • Visit our tool loan program to borrow tools to remove invasive plants from your property or community space.

Rainwater Harvesting: Catching Raindrops to Conserve Water

October 4, 2022

Every winter, the Pacific Northwest earns its tongue-in-cheek nickname, the Pacific North-wet. From October to April, we have more water than we know what to do with so most of us let it wash down the drain, literally! Come summer when our skies clear and the rain stops, we buy it back to water our thirsty gardens. How silly is that? Rather than waste the abundance of water delivered in the wet seasons, we can save it for the hot and dry summers when our communities need it most.

What is rainwater harvesting?

Rain on street. Rainwater harvesting

Rainwater harvesting is the collection of rainwater from a structure, or other impervious surface, to store it for later use. Typically, this involves harvesting the rain from a roof. Gutters capture rain then channel the water into one or more downspouts that flow into a storage vessel. Rainwater harvesting can be as simple as collecting rain in a barrel or as elaborate as a system of large cisterns that can support an entire community.

Collected rainwater can be used both indoors and outdoors. It can be used to water gardens, wash cars, flush toilets, and put out wildfires. Some systems can even filter and purify the water making it suitable for drinking.

Harvesting rainwater, when done correctly, has many benefits.

Collecting rainwater helps reduce the impact of runoff. When delivered in large quantities, rainwater can overwhelm nearby rivers, creeks, and streams. Without being about to soak into the ground gradually, excessive rainwater erodes streambanks, floods neighborhoods, and transports pollution. Rainwater harvesting lessens the force this runoff has on your property and in your neighborhood by reducing the volume and intensity of water flowing across impervious surfacesImpervious Surfaces Surfaces that water can’t pass through..

Plants and beneficial insects flourish with irrigation from collected rainwater. Most city water has low levels of chlorine, an important additive that keeps water safe for drinking. While this chlorine won’t kill plants, it can harm the beneficial microbes that live in the soil.

Climate change is making it more important than ever to conserve water. Our region expects to encounter a shortage of water as we experience longer, more intense periods of drought. As water availability becomes more uncertain, it will also become more expensive. By collecting rainwater now, you can get in the practice of planning for extended droughts while also saving money on your future monthly water bill.

How much does it cost to harvest rainwater?

There are many important factors to consider when researching rainwater harvesting systems:

  • Design elements to ensure that water stays clean from algae and bugs
  • Adequate sealing to prevent leaking
  • Non-destructive installation methods to protect existing gutters and downspouts
  • Additional features to control flow and connect to city sewer systems

Installing a home rainwater harvesting system typically costs between $8,000 and $10,000 and should be installed by professional contractor. Prices vary depending on the type and size of your harvesting system and how you intended to use the water.

Depending on where you live, a rainwater harvesting system can be built right into your existing water supply. This means that your municipality’s water system can be used as a back-up once your collection has gone dry.

How much rainwater can you collect?

How much water you can collect depends on the size of your catchment area, the type of material it is made of, and where you live. Use the calculator below to get a rough estimate how much rainwater you could collect each year.

Note: Washington County receives 38 inches of rain per year.

Despite widespread belief, it is legal to collect rainwater in Oregon.

If you’ve ever talked about collecting and using rainwater in Oregon, someone has probably told you it’s illegal.

That is incorrect. It’s perfectly legal to harvest rainwater in Oregon, providing you catch the rainwater off an artificial, impervious surface, like a roof or parking lot. You can’t build a dam or dig a big hole to capture rainwater and store it.

Generally, permits are not required for rainwater harvesting systems that are used for outside irrigation. Some systems, especially larger systems or those intended for indoor water use, may require permits. Check with your local city or municipality regarding restrictions, permits, and rebates.

Which rainwater harvesting system is the right fit for you?

When it comes to rainwater harvesting, the possibilities are endless. Explore a few different options to see which may be the right fit for your yard or community space:

Rain garden
rain barrel planter
rain cistern
connected rain cisterns

Tualatin SWCD is helping Washington County residents harvest rainwater.

Tualatin SWCD can help you design a rainwater harvesting system that works for you. We offer free consultations to discuss your options and have programs that can help pay for installation in urban areas of Washington County. Read how we worked with one resident in Aloha to install a rainwater cistern on his property. Contact us if you are interested in installing a rainwater harvesting system.

Keep a Watch Out for Knotweed

June 21, 2022

Weeds are troublesome, but not all are as invasive as woody knotweed (Polygonum species). Knotweed species love water and lots of sun, so they thrive along streambanks and other riparian areasRiparian Areas Areas of land that occur along the edges of rivers, streams, lakes, and other bodies of water..

Above ground, knotweed forms dense, bamboo-like thickets, which completely shade the ground. Many native plants can’t tolerate complete shade, so once it is established in an area, nothing else can grow underneath it.

Below ground is where the real trouble begins. Knotweed’s rhizomatous root system can grow over 30 feet long! While knotweed’s roots are extensive, they lack fine root material needed to hold onto soil. This means that large stretches of streambanks that have knotweed are at risk of erosion, especially during the Pacific Northwest’s rainy seasons.

Not only is knotweed a pest in natural habitats, but it is also capable of growing through asphalt and damaging building foundations and roads! Its roots can establish in drainpipes, cracks in concrete, and home foundations. This can break up driveways, clog pipes, and cause structural stress.

Knotweed doesn’t just cause harm; it also spreads rapidly. New plants can regrow from the smallest root or stem fragments, often as small as half an inch. This allows a single plant to quickly give rise to new plants or entire colonies. Because of this, knotweed is an enormous threat along streams, creeks, and rivers where root fragments can be washed downstream.

Map of knotweed treatments in Washington County from 2019-2022
Locations of knotweed treated by Tualatin SWCD from 2019 – 2021.

Knotweed has been found across the Tualatin River watershed but is particularly a problem along Fanno Creek, Gales Creek, and East and West Fork Dairy Creek. If you live near these waterways, keep a close watch out for this problematic weed.

Knotweed is notoriously hard to control.

Its extensive root system can sustain the plant even when its above ground growth has been removed. Therefore, focusing on the root system is critical in managing knotweed.

Unfortunately, digging and cutting is known to increase the density of an infestation and can even spread it to new locations. Knotweed’s roots grow deep into the ground, over 10 feet deep. Even when removal is done carefully and thoroughly, it will take years of repeated control to fully remove it from a site. The only dependable way to remove it is by applying appropriate and carefully mixed herbicides in the late summer or early fall.

Let Tualatin SWCD treat it for you!

Knotweed can be controlled with the right technique at the right time of year.

Tualatin SWCD has been successfully treating knotweed infestations for years. Since 2019, we’ve treated more than seven acres within our community. If you think you have it on your property, let us know! If found, we will work with you to determine the best treatment plan that aligns with your schedule. All weed treatment is done on a voluntary basis and is free of charge.

If you want to treat knotweed yourself, we provide free consultation to help develop your treatment plan. If you choose to use herbicides, read the entire label and carefully follow the instructions. Adhere to the label requirements for application, mixing, and always wear appropriate protective equipment.

Meet Your Watershed Navigator

June 1, 2022

Have you ever wondered where your drinking water comes from? Or which plants attract birds and bees? Find tools for your home and community, and where to get help, all in one place at the Watershed Navigator!

Developed in partnership by Clean Water Services and the Tualatin Soil & Water Conservation District specifically to serve people in Washington County, the Watershed Navigator includes place-based tools and resources for folks who live and play here. 

Features include interactive maps, classes, tips for gardening, and information about where to access neighborhood parks, trails and the Tualatin River. After you find what you need, feel free to poke around. Find a farmers market or learn how to help keep our community clean and healthy for people, wildlife and water.

Backyard Habitats Transform Spaces to Oases

April 12, 2022

This post has been adapted from the Backyard Habitat Certification Program’s Open Garden Project.

Portrait of Laura

Meet Laura. Laura’s home in Cedar Hills was recently certified as a platinum level backyard habitat. The folks at Backyard Habitats recently checked in with her to talk about her habitat’s journey and a few of her favorite things in her yard.


What inspired you to enroll in the Backyard Habitat Certification Program?

My sister is a former backyard habitat member in East Portland. We grew up learning and loving native plants so when I purchased this home, I was really excited about turning the yard into my own little ‘edge of the woods.’

Backyard hedgerow
Laura’s hedgerowHedgerow A row of trees or shrubs. has a variety of native shrubs and trees including this red flowering currant.

What part of your backyard habitat are you most proud of?

My hedgerow. It was worth the first few years of caretaking and now it’s like looking a slice of forest. I love all the birds that call it home. There are definitely at least two families of birds that live in our hedgerow and the local woodpecker visits regularly!

What changes have you observed as a result of creating habitat?

Lots more birds! We have a hummingbird (or three) that come daily now. Now that the aspen trees are big their leaves make even the hottest summer day feel cooler. Since it’s a fairly established garden, I don’t have to fuss much. I only have set up drip irrigation lines for the new plants. It thrives and looks wonderful no matter how busy I am with the kids or the job.

Black hawthorn
Laura’s black hawthorn is one of her favorite plants.

What are your top three favorite native plants and why do you love them?

My hawthorn tree – there are always birds in it! It’s grown in so nicely and it routinely reminds me no matter where I am that I’d rather be gardening.

My native dogwood – it took a few months to track one down and it had a hard year or two at the beginning but now it’s thriving, and it blooms multiple times a year.

My broadleafBroadleaf A plant with large, flat leaves instead of needles. stonecrop – my very first Oregon native plant! It lived in a pot, making my apartment feel like home until I could give it a proper home. Every time it blooms, I feel like I’ve found home all over again.

What were the two most significant challenges you encountered while creating habitat, and how did you address them?

Full, very hot sun. I used a drip irrigation system for the first three summers to make sure I didn’t lose any of my hedgerow. After that, it’s been on its own.

Two people removing grass
Laura removed all of the grass in her backyard and planted low mow pollinator mix. The hedgerow is just a year old!

The grass removal. We had the English holly removed professionally – it was over 15 feet tall – then took out the rest of the shrubs on our own. But that grass removal was hard work. We took out the whole back yard and replanted with a low-mow mix of clover, yarrow, and English daisy. Since then, we’ve been slowly taking it out as our beds expand. I use chemicals as rarely as possible… so it requires lots of digging, flipping, soil cutting, and adding compost and mulch.

What resources did you find especially helpful?

We took the rain garden installation class, which was very helpful when creating the garden in the front-yard. I rely on Encyclopedia of Northwest Native Plants for Gardens and Landscapes and Gardening with Native Plants of the Pacific Northwest when planning what and where I’m going to plant next.

Is there anything else you’d like to add about your journey?

Every year things are different. Some years, not much happens but it’s always waiting for me to come back!

Laura, Backyard Habitat participant

…that it is a journey. Every year things are different. Some years – like when I had my second kiddo – not much happens but it’s always waiting for me to come back!

More about the Backyard Habitat Certification Program

Since its inception in 2007, the Backyard Habitat Certification Program has enrolled over 9,000 properties across Multnomah, Clackamas, Clark, and Washington counties. The program helps urban residents transform their spaces into thriving oases that are healthier for people, wildlife, and the planet.

For more information about the program or to enroll your habitat, visit Backyard Habitats.

Seven Steps to Create a Water-wise Garden

July 9, 2021

Water conservation feels more urgent than ever as Oregon’s water resources become dryer and average summer temperature rise. As of June 2021, 90% of the state is in “severe drought” according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. Want to be a part of the solution? Try creating your own water-wise garden.

Washington County has a Mediterranean climate, characterized by mild, wet winters and warm, dry summers. The combination of hot, dry summer days causes stress to many plants. As a result, water use across our region drastically increases during the summer months. But how much of that water is wasted through evaporation, runoff, and overwatering? It’s critical we take steps to reduce water waste and ensure that every drop counts.

Here are seven steps we can follow to create a water-wise garden, inspired by the Regional Water Providers Consortium’s 7 Basic Steps for Creating and Maintaining Water Efficient Landscapes.

Plan before you plant

Water-wise garden plan.
Garden plans help identify and incorporate your site’s characteristics into your design.

Take advantage of the characteristics of your site – sun, shade, wind, and soil – by planning your garden before you plant. Your yard is likely made of many microclimateMicroclimate An area with specific growing conditions, such as sun exposure, soil type, and wind direction.. It is important to consider these areas, as they will help you design your water-wise garden.

Make sure to check your soil’s drainage to determine if there are any soggy or especially dry areas. In areas that drain quickly, consider putting in a rain garden or bioswale. Also, think about how your plants will get the water they need. Will you carry water to a remote corner of your yard? Planning your garden will save you time and energy down the road.

Watch a recording of our Naturescaping: Site Design workshop to learn more about designing your garden.

Choose plants carefully

Different plants need different amounts of water, sun, and shade to survive. Group plants that have similar needs together. Placing the right plant in the right place will reduce the amount of water required, as well as the time and effort needed to maintain your garden.

The Pacific Northwest has a spectacular array of native plants that flourish in a variety of microclimates. Native plants that are drought tolerant and don’t require additional irrigation are always the best choice for a water-wise garden.

To discover which plants are native to our region, visit East Multnomah SWCD’s Native Plant Database.

Soil In Hands
Organic material improves the soil’s ability to store water.

Add organic material

Not all soils are created equal. Some soils allow water to pass through rapidly, while others hardly let water pass through at all. The solution to either problem is the same: add organic material.

Organic material like compost, fallen leaves, or composted manure will improve the soil’s ability to store water. This ensures that the water you put into your water-wise garden stays within your garden. Add at least one inch of compost to your garden each year.

Learn more about creating and maintaining healthy soil.

Reduce your lawn

Lawns can be great for certain things – providing kids or pets places to play, allowing space for sports and leisure – but there are some major downsides to covering our properties in lawns. Lawns require more water than other plants. Up to 50% of the water used to maintain lawns can be lost to evaporation, runoff, or overwatering[1].

You don’t need to remove all lawn in order to reduce your water consumption. Rather, take a moment to evaluate your lawn. Are there areas of lawn that you are not currently using? You may want to consider changing your landscape to better suit your needs.

Consider replacing lawn with pollinator gardens, meadowscapes, or ground covers like woolly thyme (Thymus pseudolanuginosus) which still allow foot traffic but don’t require as much water. These lawn alternatives are not only water-wise but they also have the added benefit of providing habitat for pollinators and other wildlife.

Water wisely

Watering plants in a water-wise garden.
Watering directly to your plants’ root zones allows your garden to absorb all of the water you put into it.

The amount of water your garden needs will influence the timing, frequency, and the type of irrigation you will need.

Water deeply, but infrequently to encourage root growth. For established gardens, watering twice per week is plenty. Younger plants have shallower roots and need more frequent watering. Water before 10 a.m. or after 6 p.m. when temperatures are cooler and evaporation is at a minimum.

The amount of water your garden needs will change depending on the time of year and the weather. To find out exactly how much water you should be using, sign up for the Regional Water Providers Consortium Weekly Watering Number.

And finally, how you water your garden greatly influences your water consumption. Whether watering by hand or with an irrigation system make sure to water directly to the plant’s root zones and not the sidewalk or driveway. This makes every drop count in your garden.

Capture rainwater

Capturing rainwater is a great way to reduce your water consumption. In Washington County, anyone can set up a cistern that collects and stores rainwater from your rooftop. This water can then be used during our dry, summer months. Installing rain cisterns can be a complicated process, visit our Contractor’s Directory to find a local professional that can help.

Another option is to incorporate mulch in your garden to better capture the rainwater we do receive. Mulch increases the soil’s ability to store water by covering and cooling the soil, helping to minimize evaporation. Both organic mulches – like manure or wood chips – and inorganic mulches – like gravel or river rock – can be effective. An added benefit of mulch is its ability to control weeds and reduce erosion.

Find out how else you can manage rainwater.

Keep up on maintenance

Routine maintenance such as pruning and weeding will help keep your garden healthy and water efficient. Weeds compete with desired plants for nutrients, light, and water. Monitor your garden often and address problems quickly. This will keep your garden looking great while also reducing your water consumption.

OSU Extension Service explains how landscape maintenance helps conserve water.

[1] Regional Water Providers Consortium. https://www.regionalh2o.org/water-conservation/outdoor-water-conservation/lawns


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