Gardening workshops coming up at Cowlitz County Expo Center

In conjunction with the 2015 Home & Garden Show at the Cowlitz County Expo Center – Fairgrounds, WSU Extension and WSU Cowlitz County Master Gardeners will present several free gardening workshops. The Home & Garden Show will be open Sat., March 21, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. and Sun., March 22, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., at 1900 7th Ave., Longview.

Here are some of the free upcoming workshops:

Sat., March 21

• Preparing your Vegetable Garden, 9 a.m.: WSU Master Gardener Jon Griffin will discuss what to do in your vegetable garden to prepare it for planting. You will learn when to plant, how to start an early start and what it takes to maintain healthy plants to get a great harvest.

• Mason Bees, 11 a.m.: WSU Master Gardener Billie Bevers will discuss the skills needed for raising Mason Bees. Orchard Mason Bees are highly effective pollinators that are very non-aggressive. They become active in early spring when apple and pear trees begin flowering. The class covers management, bee biology and management of pests.

• How to Sharpen your Tools, 12:30 p.m.: Do you fight with your tools when using them? WSU Master Gardener Dale Hurley will show you how to sharpen your tools so that they work for you and with you. Learn how to give your tools the edge that will shorten work and make chores easier and more enjoyable.

• Youth Gardening, 2 p.m.: WSU Master Gardeners will host a free gardening program for children (K-9). Youth will learn how to plant a vegetable garden and raise healthy plants. Participants will bring home a plant to raise. The class will be held in the Floral Building at the Cowlitz County Fairgrounds. Registration is limited, so register by March 19. To register, contact the WSU Extension office at (360) 577-3014, ext. 0 or for questions contact Jessica Bischoff at bischoffj@co.cowlitz.wa.us.

Sun., March 22

• Lawn Care, 11 a.m.: Professional groundskeeper and WSU Master Gardener Bryan Iverson will explain everything you wanted to know about managing your lawn. Discussion on the proper techniques in lawn maintenance will include water, fertilizing, weed control and mowing. Learn the best way to prepare the area for planting a new lawn.

• Tips to Control Moles, noon: All too many property owners know the frustration of having that vision of a beautiful lawn ruined by moles. WSU Master Gardener Bryan Iverson will talk about which techniques are the most effective in getting rid of moles. Bryan will discuss what works and what products fail to get results.

For more information on these workshops, contact Gary Fredricks at (360) 577-3014, ext. 3 or email garyf@wsu.edu.