The next WSU Master Gardener training course for Grays Harbor and Pacific counties will begin with an orientation in January followed by classes starting in February 2016.
You’ve seen them at plant diagnostic clinics, local garden tours and other local events answering gardening and landscaping questions. You may have seen them in the Demonstration Garden they maintain at the Grays Harbor Fairgrounds in Elma and the Columbia Pacific Heritage Museum Native Plant Garden in Ilwaco. Maybe you’ve participated in educational workshops or special events they’ve hosted. You may have thought, “I would like to be involved in those projects” or “I’d really like to learn how to make my garden better,” So, how does one become a Master Gardener?
WSU Master Gardeners are committed to providing education to the public in order to foster the enjoyment of home gardening, using research-based information provided by Washington State University. While this program offers gardeners opportunities to gain personal knowledge in a variety of different gardening subjects, the focus is to develop community educators. Once training is completed, Master Gardner volunteers help deliver information related to sustainable gardening, composting, landscaping, plant disease diagnosis, integrated pest management, and insect identification and control.
WSU Master Gardener training is held on a biennial basis in Grays Harbor and Pacific Counties with the next series of classes starting in February 2016. The training covers 24 topics from the basics of botany and soils to insect identification and control and plant-disease recognition. The training is presented in two formats. The WSU portion of the training is offered exclusively online and may be completed at home on your own computer (required equipment). Practical experience training sessions are also required. They are facilitated by local Veteran Master Gardeners. These sessions are held on alternate Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. and will be held in various locations in Grays Harbor and Pacific Counties.
To learn more about being a WSU Master Gardener Volunteer, please see the Master Gardener Volunteer Fact Sheet, and the 2016 Training Timeline. If you’d like to be considered for the 2016 training, complete the WSU Master Gardener Volunteer Application. For additional information, email the Master Gardener Training Coordinator or call: 360-875-9331.