Oregon is a gardener's treasure chest, offering a vast and diverse landscape that stretches from coastal rainforests to fertile valleys, from high desert plateaus to majestic mountainous regions. This unique geographic and climatic variety shapes not only what can be grown but when and how it should be nurtured. To garden successfully in Oregon is to understand and respect the rhythm of the seasons, the whispers of the wind, and the stories told by the soil.This book is designed to be your trusted companion on this journey, offering insight and guidance tailored to the state's distinctive regions: the wet and mild Willamette Valley, the temperate coastal belt, the high deserts of Central and Eastern Oregon, and the Southern Oregon interior. Each area offers its own set of rewards and challenges, and careful attention to these variations can mean the difference between a thriving garden and a struggling plot.Oregon's gardening calendar is as dynamic as its landscape. The western part of the state boasts a long, gentle growing season with ample moisture, making it ideal for berries, leafy greens, and ornamental shrubs. In contrast, Eastern and Central Oregon demand a more cautious approach with their shorter seasons, temperature extremes, and drier conditions, favoring drought-tolerant perennials, hardy vegetables, and high-desert natives.One of the great joys of gardening in Oregon is the year-round potential for activity. January is a time for dreaming, planning, and caring for dormant trees and shrubs. February brings early pruning and seed-starting indoors. By March and April, the excitement of spring planting stirs the soil and the soul alike. Summer offers months of tending, harvesting, and enjoying the fruits of your labor, while fall is a time for preserving, preparing soil for next year, planting cover crops, and reflecting on the successes and lessons of the season. Even winter, often thought of as a gardening pause, has its tasks-tool maintenance, soil amendment, and planning for the year ahead.This book breaks the gardening year into manageable, actionable pieces. Each month is a chapter, filled with seasonal tasks, planting and harvesting advice, region-specific tips, and ideas for edible, ornamental, and native plantings. Whether you tend a small urban balcony, a backyard vegetable plot, an orchard, or a sprawling rural homestead, you'll find useful and practical guidance tailored to your environment.Additionally, the climate changes of recent years have made adaptability a gardener's most valuable tool. This guide not only reflects Oregon's traditional patterns but also provides flexible approaches for warming temperatures, unpredictable rainfall, and shifting seasons. Understanding how to respond to these changes-whether by adjusting planting dates, selecting resilient plant varieties, or employing water-wise gardening practices-is crucial for both your garden's health and your peace of mind.Gardening in Oregon is more than a seasonal pastime-it is a relationship with the land that deepens over time. With patience, observation, and care, you can cultivate not only beautiful landscapes and bountiful harvests but also a profound connection to this rich and varied region. Let's begin.