Three WSU Master Gardener volunteers smiling behind an information table with program information and decorations.

Bring your questions to us!

Answering your gardening, composting, and recycling questions
WSU Extension > Thurston County > Gardening > Events and outreach > In-person Question & Answer Clinics
Master Gardener and Master Recycler Composter volunteers smiling in front of outreach booths.

Our in-person Question & Answer clinics are located at farmers markets and community events throughout the Thurston County. Our volunteers can help answer your questions and connect you to reliable, evidence-based resources.

Check the schedule below to find one that works for you.

If you can’t come in-person, you can send your questions to our email-based Question & Answer clinic.

Learn about our email-based Clinic services

More information – WSU Thurston County Master Gardener Program

More information – Thurston County Master Recycler Composter Program

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Upcoming In-person Question & Answer Clinics

Past In-person Question & Answer Clinics

  • Saturday March 7, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Thurston Conservation District Plant Festival, Thurston County Fairgrounds
  • Saturday March 7, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Lacey Cultural Celebration, find us in the Worthington Center of the Pavilion at St. Martin’s University (FREE!)
  • Saturday March 28 (10 a.m. to 8 p.m.) and Sunday March 29 (11 a.m. to 6 p.m.), Ask Your Local Experts, Capital Mall, 625 Black Lake Blvd SW, Olympia, WA 98502

Other Events

Frequently Asked Questions:

A: Send your question to our email-based Question and Answer Clinic.

Learn more about email-based Clinic

A: Please send you request to our Question & Answer inbox by emailing master@co.thurston.wa.us.

Include the following information in your email:

  • Date of event
  • Start and end time
  • Is the event held outside or inside?
  • Do you provide tables, chairs, and pop-up tents (for outdoor events)?

Please allow at least 4 weeks lead time.

A: Yes! Clinics are operated by WSU and Thurston County trained and certified volunteers. All services provided by Thurston County WSU Master Gardener and Master Recycler Composter volunteers are free to Thurston County residents.

A: No, volunteers are not allowed to visit personal properties to do site visits or evaluations.

A: The following are topics our volunteers are NOT permitted to answer:

  • Questions concerning commercial crop and nursery production, municipal parks and trees, homeowner/condo association landscape issues, pesticide regulations, wetlands or waterways, livestock and pasture, pet or human health, and food safety/preservation topics must be referred to the appropriate WSU Extension educator and can’t be answered by WSU Master Gardener volunteers.
  • For health issues, including a sense of being bitten by something, clients need to contact their personal medical advisers or to their County Health District.
  • Provide legal advice.
  • Edibility of mushrooms and other foraged plants.
  • Growing marijuana.
  • Endorsements of specific businesses and services. i.e. local lawn/garden service companies, landscape architects, best nurseries  etc.

WSU Extension programs and employment are available to all without discrimination. Evidence of noncompliance may be reported through your local Extension office. Reasonable accommodations will be made for persons with disabilities and special needs who contact Cori Carlton at cori.carlton@co.thurston.wa.us at least two (2) weeks prior to the event or application deadline.