Cultivating plants, people and communities since 1973
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.
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 160 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”
- Speakers to talk at events and community groups
Check out our 2018 printable resources guide to our program.
In 2017, we contributed:
- 6,683 hours in Program Support
- 4,745 hours at the Discovery Garden
- 1,435 hours at the Diagnostic Plant Clinics
- 287 hours in Youth Outreach
Garden Thymes Skagit County Master Gardener Newsletter
Master Gardener Foundation of Washington State
Except for our 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 in conjunction with SCMGF.
Donations to the program are gratefully accepted and can be made through our non-profit
Skagit County Master Gardener Foundation (SCMGF)
P.O. Box 2801
Mount Vernon, WA 98273
Discovery Garden
Free Admission
Open to the public from dawn to dusk daily
Visit the demonstration garden maintained by the WSU Skagit County Master Gardeners. Signage throughout the garden introduces and explains the plantings and growing techniques used.
Mark your calendars:
- March 27th-29th: Ask a Master Gardener Booth; SICBA Home and Garden Show
- May 9th: WSU Skagit County Master Gardener Plant Fair
- June 27th: Ask a Master Gardener Day in the Garden; Discovery Garden Open House
- August 12th-15th: Ask a Master Gardener Booth; Skagit County Fair
Rain Garden Handbook for Western Washington
Have a rain garden, or planning to build one?
Become a Master Gardener
Plant Clinics
Insects of Skagit County