General Gardening Information
- WSU Extension site, Gardening in Washington – information on many gardening topics. Link to website
- WSU Extension publications – many available for free download. Link to website
- King County Master Gardener program, plant clinics, demonstration gardens, and more. Link to website
- Linda Chalker-Scott, WSU Extension Urban Horticulturist – common myths about gardening. Link to website
- Oregon State University Extension – gardening articles, month-by-month gardening calendars, et al. Link to website
- University of Washington’s Miller Library site – Gardening Answers Knowledgebase, list of regional plant sales and garden tours, directory of horticultural websites, extensive resource lists and resources for plants. Link to website
- Fact sheets and photos of ~1000 plants that perform well in the Pacific Northwest and are relatively low maintenance. Plant lists and advanced search options. Sponsored by Elisabeth C. Miller Botanical Garden. Link to website
- New homeowner? Call before you dig: Washington Utility Notification Center, phone # is 811. Link to website
Pests, Diseases, Weeds and Pesticides
- WSU Extension Hortsense and Pestsense – advice on plant pest and disease problems. Includes information on weeds and Washington-registered pesticides. Link to hortsense website or pestsense website
- Pacific Northwest plant disease, insect and weed management handbooks online. Sponsored by WSU, Oregon State U. and U. of Idaho. Link to website
- King County Noxious Weed Control Program – weeds on the noxious weed list, including control strategies. Link to website
- EXtension TOXicology NETwork – cooperative effort of UC Davis, OSU, Michigan State U., Cornell U., and U. of Idaho – Information on pesticides, pesticide use and toxicity. Link to website
- Guide to choosing safer pesticides and garden products. Link to website
Composting and Soil Testing
- King County Solid Waste Division – composting and improving soil health. Link to website
- Seattle Tilth – composting methods and bins (including worm composting), plans for building composters. Link to website
- King Conservation District – soil testing program. Link to website
- WSU Puyallup – extensive information on soils and soil testing and interpreting results. Link to website
Native Plants
- King County Water & Land Resources Division – Northwest Native Plant Guide – plant lists, photos, and landscape plans. Link to website
- King County Natural Resources & Parks Division – Native Plant Resources for the Pacific Northwest. Link to website
- Washington Native Plant Society – plant lists, publications, plant sales. Link to website
Lawns and Gardens – City, County and State Resources
- Water utilities in King County – gardening advice, videos, classes. Link to website
- Seattle Public Utilities – lawn care advice and resources. Link to website
- Seattle Public Utilities – Integrated Pest Management, including Facts Sheets on moss, pests and weeds. Link to website
- King County Solid Waste Division – Natural Yard Care – ways to have healthy lawns and gardens with less pesticide use. Link to website
- Washington State Department of Fish & Wildlife: Living with Wildlife. Link to website
- King County Public Health – landscaping tips for septic systems. Link to website
- Washington Poison Center, statewide provider of assistance regarding exposure to poisonous, hazardous, or toxic substances, including plants. Link to website or call 1-800-222-1222
Local Companies
Local plant nurseries and seed companies often have helpful information at their websites. Two of the most useful are: Territorial Seeds and Raintree Nursery. Link to Territorial Seed website or Raintree Nursery website
Detail image of compost by Ben Kerckx.
CLH 2/9/24
WSU Extension Master Gardener Program king.MG@wsu.edu * Extension programs and employment are available to all without discrimination. Evidence of noncompliance may be reported through your local Extension office.
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