WASHOUGAL – What is a technique used to improve soil fertility in the home garden? What is the easiest non-chemical method for suppressing weeds in the garden? Learn the answers to these and more questions during a free workshop about the benefits of growing cover crops in the home garden.
The workshop will be held 10 a.m.-noon Sat., Aug. 14, at the Washougal Community Library, 1661 C St. It is hosted by Clark County Master Gardeners. No registration is needed.
Ian Wilson, owner of Portland Edible Gardens, will lead the workshop. Wilson’s experience includes working on farms, gardens and orchards in the U.S. and Argentina. He received an Advanced Certificate in Ecological Horticulture from the Organic Farm and Garden Apprenticeship at the University of California – Santa Cruz.
Cover crops are plants that grow for a short time to protect the soil when it is not being used as a vegetable garden or flower bed. They help retain soil moisture, prevent erosion and attract beneficial insects.
Before planting the garden, cover crops can be tilled into the soil to improve tilth and boost nutrients. They also can be harvested and composted or used as dry mulch.
Workshop attendees will learn what cover crop is appropriate for a garden, when to plant it and when to harvest or till it for the best results.
For more information, contact Erika Johnson of the WSU Extension Clark County Master Gardener program at (360) 397-6050 ext. 5738 or Erika.d.johnson@wsu.edu. Information is also available at http://ext100.wsu.edu/clark/gardening/workshops-events/.
