Mark your calendar: WSU Master Gardener online workshops for October

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On Tuesdays at noon, and Wednesdays at 6 p.m., the Cowlitz County WSU Master Gardeners present free weekly online programs.  There’s no need to register for the events, but a Zoom account is required.

Those interested in attending by computer can go online to wsu.Zoom.us/j/7756056320 and use meeting ID 7756056320 and password 12345.

To join by phone, call 253-215-8782 and enter 7756056320, followed by the pound sign.

For help, contact Gary Fredricks at garyf@wsu.edu or 360-577-3014, ext. 3. 

Workshops are sponsored by Washington State University Extension Master Gardeners.

How to plant trees and shrubs at noon on Oct. 5

WSU Master Gardener Adam Weeks will provide the correct techniques for planting trees and shrubs.  Learn tips on where to plant to keep plants healthy.

How to sharpen your tools at 6 p.m. Oct. 6

WSU Master Gardener Jerry Winchell will demonstrate how to clean and sharpen tools before putting them away for winter storage, so they’ll be ready in the spring.  He will also share tips about storing other gardening tools.

Planting bulbs at noon on Oct. 12

WSU Master Gardener Tracy Morgan will explain how to get started with planting bulbs, when to plant and how to care for the plants so they return on an annual basis. 

Worm composting at 6 p.m. on Oct. 13

WSU Master Gardener Art Fuller will describe how to use worms to recycle food waste and  create a good soil amendment for gardens. Learn the process in which red wiggler worms and microorganisms are used to convert kitchen fruit and vegetable waste, like peelings, into nutrient-rich,  humus-“black gold” compost. The fertilizer and soil conditioner will make garden plants healthier and more productive. The workshop is free, but participants can also purchase a simple composting box kit for $30. The kit contains everything a person would need to start their vermiculture experience, including worms. The kit also includes an exclusive link to an informative presentation about worm composting followed by step-by-step video instruction for building a bin.  To register or purchase, go online to ticketsource.us/wsu-exten sion-master-gardeners. Pickup of bins will be in Longview on October 11 between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.



Evaluating mason
bee cocoons at
6 p.m. on Oct. 14

Billie Bevers, Washington State University Master Gardener, will present a workshop on how to evaluate mason bee cocoons for disease. During the spring and summer, other bees, diseases and parasites can invade mason bee nests. Learn how to identify if a mason bee cocoon is still viable and how to reduce disease.  The program is sponsored by Washington State University Extension.

Selecting drought tolerant plants at noon on Oct. 19

Plants continue to suffer every summer from heat and lack of moisture.  WSU Master Gardener Alice Slusher will describe how to select plants that are more drought tolerant and will provide tips to consider when buying plants for a landscape. 

Propagating plants at 6 p.m. on Oct. 20

WSU Master Gardener Roxanne Nakamura will demonstrate different techniques used for producing new plants from existing ones. Learn how to successfully generate new shrubs from those that are found in gardens around the area. 

Making a rain garden at noon on Oct. 26

If your landscape suffers from being too soggy, WSU Extension Coordinator Gary Fredricks will discuss an environmentally friendly way to create a native plant oasis that soaks up extra rainwater. Learn how and where to place the garden, how to construct it, and what plants to consider. 

Spice of life (growing herbs) at 6 p.m. on Oct. 27

WSU Master Gardener Carolyn Winchell will show how to plant, grow and harvest the most popular herbs from a garden. What to do with herbs after harvest will be discussed and will include things like preserving, storage and easy usage of herbs.