Click on the “+” to expand the section to learn more about our Events and Outreach.
- Outreach and Community Events
Our programs will be tabling at the following Thurston County Farmers Markets and Community Events in 2024. Bring your gardening, composting, and recycling questions.
Additional events and outreach will be added as they are confirmed.
Wednesday July 31 through Sunday August 4 – Thurston County Fair
For more information visit the Thurston County Fair website
Our booths are located in the Karen Sharp Building. WSU Thurston County Master Gardener and Master Recycler Composter Program of Thurston County volunteers will be tabling at this event to answer your gardening, composting, and waste reduction questions. We will also have information about our programs and activities for everyone. See you there!
Saturday July 27, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. – Tenino Farmers Market/Tenino Trail Days
WSU Thurston County Master Gardener and Master Recycler Composter Program of Thurston County volunteers will be tabling at this event to answer your gardening, composting, and waste reduction questions. We will also have information about our programs and activities for kids. See you there!
Saturday June 22, noon to 4 p.m. – Steamboat Island Picnic, Prosperity Grange Hall, 3701 Steamboat Island Road NW, Olympia WA
WSU Thurston County Master Gardener and Master Recycler Composter Program of Thurston County volunteers will be tabling at this event to answer your gardening, composting, and waste reduction questions. We will also have information about our programs and activities for kids. See you there!
Saturday and Sunday, April 27 and 28 – Nisqually Valley Spring Expo, Yelm High School
Saturday April 13, starting at 7 a.m. – Lacey Fred Meyer Fuchsia Saturday (700 Sleater Kinney Rd SE, Lacey, WA 98503)
March 20, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. – ASHHO Cultural Community Center Resource Day, Hidden Creek Community Church
March 9, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Lacey Cultural Celebration, St. Martin’s University
March 2, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. – Thurston County Conservation District Native Plant Festival & Sale, Thurston County Fairgrounds
Outreach booth at Olympia Farmers Market Outreach booth at the Capital Mall
- Gardening and Composting Workshops
-
Free Composting Workshops
For more information visit the Thurston County Master Recycler Composter Composting Workshops webpage
NOTE: Provided seating is limited for workshops hosted at Closed Loop Park Demonstration Garden. To guarantee a seat, please bring your own folding chair.
Free Gardening Workshops
Growing Dahlias
A free lecture presented by the WSU Thurston County Extension Master Gardener Program.
Thursday, September 5, 2024 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
Tumwater Timberland Library – 7023 New Market St. Tumwater 98501
Join us to learn everything you need to know about dahlias so you’ll be ready to grown your own in the spring.
Love to Garden: a Workshop Series at the Tumwater Timberland Regional Library
Presented by the WSU Master Gardener and Master Recycler Composter Programs of Thurston County and Timberland Regional Library
All workshops in the series are held at the Tumwater Library, located at 7023 New Market St. SW, Tumwater WA 98501
These workshops are free and open to the public. No advance registration needed but space is limited at the Tumwater Library.
Thursday, March 21, 2024 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
Soil: The Mother of All Life
Learn about soil and what to do to encourage plant growth.
Thursday, April 18, 2024 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
A Look at a WSU Master Gardener Vegetable Garden
WSU Master Gardener Toni will share what she does to make her vegetable garden grow.
Thursday, May 16, 2024 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
Food and Yard Waste Composting
Learn how to compost including what materials you need, what shouldn’t go in your pile, the decomposition process, and how to tell when it is finished.
Thursday, September 19, 2024 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
Fall Clean-Up Bingo
We’ll use our fall clean-up bingo card to review the garden tasks
to get done before winter.
Thursday, October 17, 2024 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
Slugs 101— Friend or Foe?
Learn what you need to do in the fall to get slugs to work for you, not against you, in your garden next spring.
- Demonstration Garden Events
Visit our Demonstration Garden webpage for more information about the three Demonstration Gardens in Thurston County.
Directions to Demonstration Gardens – Visit our Demonstration Garden webpage for directions and further details about the gardens.
Free events at Closed Loop Park
Saturday July 20 – 3 Events!
Dahlias – Summer Care, 9 a.m. to 10 a.m., Meet at the Gazebo
Presenter: WSU Thurston County Master Gardener volunteer
Come and view the Dahlias in bloom!
- View the newly installed raised beds
- Discuss Dahlia bloom types
- Dahlia summer care
The training will involve being outside the entire time so please dress accordingly.
Garden Tools – Cleaning and Sharpening, 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., Meet at the Nisqually Shed
Presenter: WSU Thurston County Master Gardener volunteer
The discussion will focus on the basics of tool care including:
- Top 5 garden tools
- Cleaning and sharpening techniques
The training will involve being outside the entire time so please dress accordingly.
20th Anniversary of the Sedum Garden, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Meet at the Sedum Garden
Presenter: WSU Thurston County Master Gardener volunteer
- Stop by any time between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. and take a stroll through the Sedum Garden.
- Talk with WSU Thurston County Master Gardener about Sedums and their uses in the garden
- Learn about the changes to the garden over 20 years.
- Hear about the most recent renovation.
The training will involve being outside the entire time so please dress accordingly.
Saturday August 17, 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. – Learn How to Divide Peonies
Meet at the Gazebo
Presenter: WSU Thurston County Master Gardener volunteer
This session will focus on the propagation of peonies by dividing them. Learn how to:
- Look for the plants that are ready for dividing
- Where to make divisions in the root
- What to do with the newly divided roots
- How to care for the newly divided plants
The workshop will involve being outside the entire time so please dress accordingly. The level of activity is light. The surfaces will be paved, gravel, and grass. No need to bring any tools.
Past Events at Closed Loop Park:
Saturday June 15, 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. – Rose Garden Showcase
Saturday May 18 11 a.m. to noon – “Unlocking the Possibilities – Growing Peonies from Seed”
Saturday April 20, 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. – Dahlia Care and Spring Division Workshop
Saturday March 30, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. – “Casting Call” Worm Composting Learn & Serve
Events at Dirt Works Demonstration Garden
Directions to Demonstration Gardens – Visit our Demonstration Garden webpage for directions and further details about the gardens.
Children’s Garden @ Dirt Works Demonstration Garden
More information on the Children’s Garden page.
Dirt Works Open Gardens
Open Gardens are a time to take a stroll in beautiful surroundings, chat with WSU Master Gardener and Master Recycler Composting volunteers, and learn more about gardening and composting. Mark your calendars for the following Open Garden events.
Directions to the Demonstration Gardens are provided on the Demonstration Garden webpage.
Events at Olympia Farmers Market Demonstration Garden – coming soon!
The Olympia Farmers Market Demonstration Garden is open to the public every day of the year.
Directions to Demonstration Gardens – Visit our Demonstration Garden webpage for directions and further details about the gardens.
Entrance at Closed Loop Park Gazebo and peonies at Closed Loop Park MG volunteers planting vegetables at Dirt Works slug on zucchini zucchini leaf Dirt Works entrance Compost bins at Dirt Works Bench and daisies at Olympia Farmers Market Garden
- Master Gardener Foundation of Thurston County Events
Please visit the MGFTC website for the most up-to-date information about their events, including the Plant Sale Nursery and Fall Fundraiser.
WSU Extension programs and employment are available to all without discrimination. Evidence of noncompliance may be reported through your local WSU Extension office. Persons will disabilities who require alternative means for communication or program information or reasonable accommodation need to contact Cori Carlton at 3054 Carpenter Rd. SE, Olympia WA 98503, 360-867-2162, at least two weeks prior to the event.