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.
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 15, 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
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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.
Free Gardening Workshops
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 May 18 11 a.m. to noon – “Unlocking the Possibilities – Growing Peonies from Seed” (Meet at the Gazebo)
Presenter: Steve Smith, President of the Pacific Northwest Peony Society
The presentation will be outside, so please dress accordingly. We will be standing/sitting while hearing about general care of Peonies and their propagation by seed. The level of activity will be light. The surfaces will be paved, gravel and grass.
The presentation will focus on propagation by seed and general care of peonies. The following will be covered:
- Seed sources and proper seed collection techniques
- How to remove dormancy and germination inhibitors in peony seeds
- Caring for seedlings until your first bloom
Saturday June 15, 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. – Rose Garden Showcase
Presenter: WSU Thurston County Master Gardener volunteer
We will tour the Rose Garden at Closed Loop Park and discuss recommendations for planting and caring for roses in the Pacific Northwest. We will also talk about common rose problems encountered in our environment.
We will be outside for the duration of this tour and will be standing and walking. Surfaces are grassy, graveled and paved. Please plan clothing and footwear accordingly.
Meet at the gazebo located in the southeast corner of the park. This structure is adjacent to the Rose Garden.
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.