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Tip Sheet #4: Local Gardening Resources & Events

Master Gardener Clinics

We offer “Ask a Master Gardener” clinics at:
The Port Townsend Library on the first Tuesday each month from 12-2pm and at the Jefferson County Public Library on the second Saturday of the month from 1pm to 3pm March thru October. The Saturday clinics often have a speaker offering info on a timely topic prior to the clinic. We also have Pop up Clinics at: Blue Heron Home and Garden Show; Jefferson County Fair, Port Townsend and Chimacum Farmer’s Markets, and Jefferson County Library Bookmobile.

For plant problem diagnosis bring a sample that clearly shows the difference between unhealthy and healthy tissue. Pick a fresh plant specimen, put the cut end of the stem in a moist paper towel, and then come to the Ask a Master Gardener workshop or drop it off at the WSU Extension office M-Th 9am-2pm.

For plant identification bring a sample or picture that includes leaves, branches, stems, a portion of the fruiting or flowering structure (if available), and a picture of the stem or bark.

For insect identification bring the insect intact in a small container soon after capture.

Note: Master Gardeners need a fresh specimen to make an accurate identification or assessment of the issue.

Master Gardener Programs

Growing Groceries classes – 6 week series covering growing to soils to pest prevention!
Yard and Garden Lecture Series – 6 Saturdays in January and February
WSU Seed Library–Open March thru September at the Jefferson Co Library. Join the Seed Saving Movement! Check out seed from the library and return saved seed for next year.
Gardening Lectures -Free! Second Thursday of the month September thru May at the WSU extension classroom in Port Hadlock
Master Gardener Presentations: By request. Contact Bridget Gregg at bridget.gregg@wsu.edu
Master Gardener Training
Master Gardeners Demonstration Garden –Shrubs and Perennials in the garden near “the Cup” on Sims Way, Port Townsend
Garden-Know-How: mini-lecture and community conversation series on various horticultural topics located at the Jefferson County Library

Master Gardeners are available to make presentations to garden or community groups on a variety of topics through our speakers bureau. Annually we train new Master Gardeners interested in serving the community through our volunteer work. More information on these topics and more at our website: Jefferson County Master Gardeners

Almost all WSU gardening publications are available as free downloads at pubs.extension.wsu.edu. For those residents without computer, WIFI or printer access, Port Townsend and Jefferson County Public libraries are a great resource — see their website for locations and additional information: at: Jefferson County Library and Port Townsend Library

Plant Sales and Garden Tours

In addition to the Master Gardeners plant sale, many other horticulture and community groups host plant sales. These sales include vendors from smaller specialty nurseries throughout Washington.

Garden tours are a great way to get new ideas for your own garden. Many communities and garden groups sponsor these primarily in spring through summer. Check out the Jefferson County Master Gardener Foundation’s Secret Garden Tour.

The website Great Plant Picks is a valuable resource for Pacific Northwest gardeners, where descriptions and pictures of nearly 1000 recommended plants that do well in our Northwest gardens can be found. Great Plant Picks is the primary educational program of the Elisabeth C. Miller Botanical Garden.

For five days each February, the Northwest Flower & Garden Festival fills the Seattle Convention Center. The popular event has heralded the start of spring since 1989 and includes many display gardens, horticulture seminars and demonstrations, and exhibitors.

Sun-loving plants may survive in shade but won’t prosper or bloom well. Shade-loving plants in sun will probably sunburn and may die. For a more detailed glossary of sun, shade and other gardening terms, see Great Plant Picks. The Great Plant Picks site is also an excellent for source for plant recommendations that do well in the Pacific Northwest.

Garden-Related Organizations and Non-Profits

The Northwest is home to many organizations focused on horticulture. Some specialize (e.g., tree fruit, ferns, roses, native plants); some have a broader scope (e.g., Northwest Horticultural Society, Northwest Perennial Alliance, Washington Native Plant Society, Hardy Plant Society, Arboretum Foundation). An extensive list of these organizations is available at the Elisabeth C. Miller Library website.

Local Nurseries

There are numerous smaller and specialty nurseries to be discovered. Many of these smaller nurseries are vendors at plant sales hosted by horticulture societies and the Master Gardeners.

County, Cities, Districts, Utilities

Our neighbors, Kitsap, Clallam and King County, as well as many Puget Sound cities and utilities have extensive natural lawn and yard care resources available to the public. This includes information on composting, mulch, noxious weeds, and ‘waterwise’ gardening. More information can be found at their websites. Please see our “Gardening Websites” tip sheet for many of these links.