Skip to main content Skip to navigation

Coronavirus COVID-19

COVID-19 Advisory: WSU Extension is working to keep our communities safe. All Extension programming is being provided virtually, postponed, or canceled. Effective March 16, 2020, WSU Extension county offices and WSU Research & Extension Centers will be closed to the public. We are available via email, phone, and webconference.

Master Gardeners

Program Contact: Alex duPont, Master Gardener Program Coordinator
360-395-2368 • alex.dupont@wsu.edu

Cultivating plants, people and communities in Skagit County since 1977

Master Gardeners are trained volunteers who work in partnership with WSU Extension to educate the public and enhance the quality of life in the community by promoting sound gardening practices.

History

The Master Gardener Program was started here in Washington State in 1973. Records show that 120 Master Gardeners from King and Pierce County Extension were trained in the first class. They served more than 7,000 clients in their first year. Today there are more than 3,000 Master Gardeners serving in 28 of the 39 Washington Counties. We serve more than a quarter of a million clients each year. The Master Gardener program is now operating in 46 states and four Canadian provinces.  Click here for more info on the statewide program.

The program in Skagit County was started in 1977, and has grown significantly since then. We now have approximately 150 active Master Gardener volunteers in the Skagit County program.

What we do

As trained and certified members of a volunteer program of Washington State University Extension, Master Gardeners assist Extension in providing information to home gardeners about sound and sustainable gardening practices. This includes integrated pest management, efficient watering technologies, recycling of garden wastes and cultural methods for preventing and treating plant disease.

We have

Over 170 certified Master Gardeners and up to 25 new interns each year.

Programs include:
  • Discovery Garden to inspire and educate the public – watch this video!
  • Weekly Plant Clinics in Anacortes and Burlington to diagnose plant problems
  • Skagit Valley Herald newspaper articles
  • Monthly Know & Grow gardening lectures
  • Rain garden and community garden mentors
  • DIG-IT! elementary school program
  • Skagit Master Gardener Plant Fair, Saturday of “Mother’s Day Weekend” (Cancelled in 2020 due to COVID-19)
  • Speakers to talk at events and community groups
Community Contribution

In 2019, we contributed 20,617 hours:

  • 8,702 hours in Program Support
  • 6,363 hours at the Discovery Garden
  • 1,462 hours in Other Educational Delivery
  • 1,831 hours at the Plant Diagnostic Clinics
  • 324 hours in Youth Outreach

Check out our printable resources guide to our program.

MG Volunteer's Page CalendarEvents supporting the Skagit County home gardener. See you there!

“Ask a Master Gardener” Booths are resuming at Farmers Markets in Anacortes, Mount Vernon, Concrete, and Sedro-Woolley!  Check the calendar for dates!

2021 Plant SaleTomatoes are now available for purchase at Azusa Farm & Gardens.

Except for a part-time WSU Extension Master Gardener Program Coordinator position and the annual training program, all Skagit County Master Gardener programs, including the Discovery Garden, are funded through the efforts of Master Gardener volunteers
View on Facebook

SICK TREES!

From Kevin W. Zobrist Professor, Extension Forestry Washington State University: Concerned citizens are seeing Douglas-firs turning red-brown in the eastern part of the county, What's going on? This is actually a type of winter injury called winter desiccation or parch blight. It's also called red belt, because sometimes it occurs in a narrow elevation band creating a big red stripe across the side of a mountain. It's caused by dry east winds funneling out of the Cascades through the mountain passes in the winter, or windy warm(ish) days with freezing nights. In either case, the wind is taking more moisture out of the foliage than the tree can replenish because the ground is frozen. Usually the damage is limited to the east side of the tree. Don't panic! This is predominantly last year's foliage, and the buds usually are undamaged by this phenomenon such that once this year's foliage emerges over the next month or two, the trees should green up nicely with no long-term damage. Photo courtesy of Scott D. Baker, Tree Solutions Inc., and used by permission.
Pest Alert - Giant Asian Hornet
Visit Pest Alert - Giant Asian Hornet
The Asian Giant Hornet — What the Public and Beekeepers Need to Know
Visit The Asian Giant Hornet — What the Public and Beekeepers Need to Know
Due to COVID-19, the garden and restrooms are temporarily closed.  Please check back often for more information.

Free Admission
Discovery Garden
Open to the public from dawn to dusk daily

Visit the demonstration garden maintained by the WSU Skagit County Master Gardeners.

New! Weeds of the West

Available for free download from the University of Wyoming
Visit New! Weeds of the West
Insects of Skagit County
The 150-page book by Dr. Lloyd Eighme is chock full of interesting facts and color photos of the more common insects found in Skagit County. Personal stories, humorous notes, and amazing revelations make the book as enjoyable as it is informative. There are 32 pages of insect photos collected in Skagit County and preserved in the WSU Master Gardener collection.
Visit Insects of Skagit County
Pest Alert - Spotted Lanternfly and Tree of Heaven
Visit Pest Alert - Spotted Lanternfly and Tree of Heaven
Rain Barrels
Want a Rain Barrel
Build your own and conserve water
Visit Want a Rain Barrel
Plant Clinics
The WSU Skagit County Master Gardeners host weekly Diagnostic Plant Clinics in Anacortes and Burlington to diagnose plant problems and provide assistance with plants, trees, landscaping and gardens including pest and disease identification. There are also monthly Ask a Master Gardener Booths at the Mount Vernon, Sedro-Woolley and Concrete Farmers Markets to provide general assistance with plants, trees, landscaping, and gardens.
Visit Plant Clinics
Become a Master Gardener - Training Returns 2022!
As trained and certified members of a volunteer program sponsored by Washington State University Extension, Master Gardeners assist the Extension in providing information to home gardeners about sound and sustainable gardening practices. This includes integrated pest management, efficient watering technologies, recycling of garden wastes and cultural methods for preventing and treating plant disease.
Visit Become a Master Gardener - Training Returns 2022!
Rain Garden Handbook for Western Washington
A Guide for Design, Installation, and Maintenance
Visit Rain Garden Handbook for Western Washington
Pest Alert - Houdini Fly
Visit Pest Alert - Houdini Fly
Have a rain garden, or planning to build one?
Register your garden as part of the 12,000 Rain Gardens Project!
Visit Have a rain garden, or planning to build one?