Click on the “+” to expand the section to learn more about our Events and Outreach in 2023.
50th Anniversary Upcoming Events:
- 50th Anniversary Corn Maze at the Schilter Family Farm Fall Harvest Festival, September 30 through October 30. Learn gardening tips and fall trivia as you walk through the 5-acre corn maze. Click on “Outreach and Community Events” for more information.
- Our WSU Master Gardener and Master Recycler Composter volunteers will be at the Capital Mall March 25th and 26th and April 1st and 2nd to answer your gardening, composting, and recycling questions. Click on “Outreach and Community Events” for more information.
- Special “open garden” events will be hosted at our demonstration gardens. Dates and details are listed below under the “Demonstration Garden Event” tab.
- Additional 50th anniversary events will be listed below.
- Gardening and Composting Workshops
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Free Composting Workshops
Click here for more information about our free Composting Workshops
NOTE: Provided seating is limited for workshops hosted at Closed Loop Park Demonstration Garden. To guarantee a seat, please bring your own folding chair.
2023 Compost workshop flyer (pdf)
Click here to download the Dahlia Workshop Flier September 8, 2023.
Free Gardening Workshops & Garden Tours
Visit our Demonstration Garden webpage for list of workshops and open garden dates throughout the summer.
- Outreach and Community Events
50th Anniversary Corn Maze at the Schilter Family Farm Fall Harvest Festival, September 30 through October 30.
Visit https://schilterfarmilyfarm.com for festival details and to purchase tickets.
Our programs will be tabling at the following Thurston County Farmers Markets and Community Events in 2023. Bring your gardening, composting, and recycling questions.
Additional events and outreach will be added as they are confirmed.
Master Gardener Program 50th Anniversary Events in Thurston County
Master Your: Garden, Compost, Recycling Question & Answer Booth at the Capital Mall in Olympia – The first WSU Master Gardener Q & A clinic was held at the Tacoma Mall 50 years ago this year. In honor of the 50th MG Anniversary we are going to recreate an outreach booth at the Capital Mall. We will have MG/MRC/MGFTC info and activities at our booth. Bring your gardening, composting, and recycling questions.
Facebook Event: https://fb.me/e/VqxlYoCQ
It will be located inside the mall in the large open space in front of Macy’s
- Saturday March 25, 10am-8pm
- Sunday March 26, 11am-6pm
- Saturday April 1, 10am-8pm
- Sunday April 2, 11am-6pm
Community Events
Thurston Conservation District Plant Sale, Saturday March 4, 10am-3pm
At Home in the PNW: A Community Conversation Part 1, Thursday April 13 at 6pm. Tumwater Timberland Library. Hosted by the City of Tumwater
Olympia Home and Garden Show, Saturday April 22, 10am-5pm
Nisqually Home and Garden Show, Saturday April 29, 10am-4pm
Thurston County Fair, July 26-30
Farmers Markets – 2023 dates TBD
Olympia Farmers Market, 10am to 3pm
Yelm Farmers Market, 10am to 3pm
Tumwater Farmers Market, 11am to 3pm
Tenino Farmers Market, Saturday July 22, 10am to 4pm
- Demonstration Garden Events
Children’s Garden @ Dirt Works Demonstration Garden
Free gardening programs for children ages 4-12 years old
at Dirt Works Demonstration Garden in Yauger Park, Olympia.
Click here to learn more.
Open Garden & Workshop Events
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.
Saturday July 8, 8am to Noon, Closed Loop Park Demonstration Garden
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- Master Gardeners will lead a guided walk of the garden starting on the hour; 8am, 9am, 10am, 11am.
- Meet at the wood kiosk located just inside the main entry of the garden. Follow the signs.
- Directions to the Demonstration Gardens are provided on the Demonstration Garden webpage.
Tuesday July 18, 5:30 p.m.- 8:30 p.m., Dirt Works Demonstration Garden
- Presentation Topic- Square Foot Vegetable Gardening
- Presentation starts at 6:30 p.m. in gazebo
- Directions to the Demonstration Gardens are provided on the Demonstration Garden webpage.
Tuesday August 8, Dirt Works Demonstration Garden
- Open garden hours are from 5:30pm to 8:30pm.
- Each open garden time also includes a themed presentation.
- Presentation Topic- Managing Pests and Disease in the Garden
- Presentation starts at 6:30 p.m. in gazebo and includes a tool care demonstration.
- Directions to the Demonstration Gardens are provided on the Demonstration Garden webpage.
Saturday August 19, 9am to 1pm, Dirt Works Demonstration Garden
- Master Gardeners will lead a guided walks of the garden starting at 9:30am and 11:30am.
- Meet at the gazebo.
- Directions to the Demonstration Gardens are provided on the Demonstration Garden webpage.
Tuesday August 22, 5:30 p.m.- 8:30 p.m., Dirt Works Demonstration Garden
- Presentation Topic- Food and Yard Waste Composting
- Presentation starts at 6:30 p.m. in gazebo
- Directions to the Demonstration Gardens are provided on the Demonstration Garden webpage.
Details on the Open Garden at the Olympia Farmers Market Demonstration Garden are coming soon.
WSU Master Gardener 50th Anniversary Events
Summer garden walks are listed above.
Our next large event will happen Sept. – Oct. More information will be coming soon.
Directions to Demonstration Gardens
Visit our Demonstration Garden webpage for directions and further details about the gardens.
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- 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.