{"id":17174,"date":"2025-09-10T12:53:48","date_gmt":"2025-09-10T20:53:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/thurston\/?page_id=17174"},"modified":"2026-03-07T13:32:35","modified_gmt":"2026-03-07T21:32:35","slug":"ask-an-expert","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/thurston\/gardening\/community-events-and-outreach\/ask-an-expert\/","title":{"rendered":"Ask Your Local Gardening-Composting-Recycling Experts"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><div class=\"cpb-row  pad-bottom gutter single\" style=\"\"><div class=\"cpb-row-inner\"><div class=\"cpb-column  one\" style=\"\"><div class=\"cpb-textblock cpb-item \"><p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-17825 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/wp-extension\/uploads\/sites\/2056\/2026\/01\/Ask-your-local-experts-March-28-and-29-no-location-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1422\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/wp-extension\/uploads\/sites\/2056\/2026\/01\/Ask-your-local-experts-March-28-and-29-no-location-scaled.jpg 2560w, https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/wp-extension\/uploads\/sites\/2056\/2026\/01\/Ask-your-local-experts-March-28-and-29-no-location-396x220.jpg 396w, https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/wp-extension\/uploads\/sites\/2056\/2026\/01\/Ask-your-local-experts-March-28-and-29-no-location-729x405.jpg 729w, https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/wp-extension\/uploads\/sites\/2056\/2026\/01\/Ask-your-local-experts-March-28-and-29-no-location-1536x853.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/wp-extension\/uploads\/sites\/2056\/2026\/01\/Ask-your-local-experts-March-28-and-29-no-location-2048x1138.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/wp-extension\/uploads\/sites\/2056\/2026\/01\/Ask-your-local-experts-March-28-and-29-no-location-792x440.jpg 792w, https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/wp-extension\/uploads\/sites\/2056\/2026\/01\/Ask-your-local-experts-March-28-and-29-no-location-990x550.jpg 990w, https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/wp-extension\/uploads\/sites\/2056\/2026\/01\/Ask-your-local-experts-March-28-and-29-no-location-1188x660.jpg 1188w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\" \/><\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<div class=\"cpb-row  pad-bottom gutter single\" style=\"\"><div class=\"cpb-row-inner\"><div class=\"cpb-column  one\" style=\"\"><div class=\"cpb-textblock cpb-item \"><p><\/p>\n<h6><\/h6>\n<hr \/>\n<h5 style=\"text-align: left\"><strong>Do you have a plant eaten-up by bugs or diseases?<\/strong><\/h5>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h5 style=\"text-align: left\"><strong>Maybe you have a plant or weed you cannot identify?<\/strong><\/h5>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h5 style=\"text-align: left\"><strong>Wondering how to turn your yard waste into compost?<\/strong><\/h5>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h5 style=\"text-align: left\"><strong>Not sure if something can be recycled?<\/strong><\/h5>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>That\u2019s where the WSU Master Gardener and Master Recycler Composter volunteers of Thurston County can help.<\/p>\n<p>Our certified volunteers can answer your questions using the most accurate, unbiased, scientifically proven, local information and resources.<\/p>\n<p>We have two events happening:<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<div class=\"cpb-row  pad-bottom gutter halves\" style=\"\"><div class=\"cpb-row-inner\"><div class=\"cpb-column  one\" style=\"\"><div class=\"cpb-textblock cpb-item \"><p><\/p>\n<h4><strong><em>A Garden Trinity: Soil, Pollinators and Plants<\/em>\u00a0Workshop<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p><strong>FREE. Registration required to attend.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Click <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/events\/soil\/grow-ahead-seasonal-strategies-for-soil-prep-garden-success?course.session.anyLocation=100.0%7E47.067029%7E-123.051161%3Bgeo_r\">here<\/a> to reserve your spot.\u00a0 The link will take you to the event sign up page on REI&#8217;s website.<\/p>\n<p>Friday, March 27 @ 6:30p.m.<\/p>\n<p>Location: REI @ Capital Mall<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/google.com\/maps\/place\/REI\/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x0:0x3f53d3789fa53d77?sa=X&amp;ved=1t:2428&amp;ictx=111\">625 Black Lake Blvd SW Ste 410, Olympia, WA 98502<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Join WSU Master Gardener, lecturer, and author, Toni Ghazal for a free workshop titled, <em>A Garden Trinity: Soil, Pollinators, and Plants<\/em>. Using stories and photos from her home garden, Toni will give a 40-minute PowerPoint presentation, followed by a 20-minute question\/answer session.<\/p>\n<p>The March presentation will cover<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>function of healthy soil,<\/li>\n<li>flowers to attract pollinators,<\/li>\n<li>how insects work in your garden,<\/li>\n<li>and rounding out with a virtual tour of Toni&#8217;s garden.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Participants can help themselves to a table display of handouts on gardening.<\/p>\n<p>An ASL Interpreter will be onsite.<\/p>\n<h6><strong>RSVP\u00a0 &#8211;<\/strong><\/h6>\n<p>Click <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/events\/soil\/grow-ahead-seasonal-strategies-for-soil-prep-garden-success?course.session.anyLocation=100.0%7E47.067029%7E-123.051161%3Bgeo_r\">here<\/a> to reserve your spot.\u00a0 The link will take you to the event sign up page on REI&#8217;s website.<\/p>\n<p>Workshop flyer for sharing. <a href=\"https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/wp-extension\/uploads\/sites\/2056\/2026\/03\/A-Garden-Trinity-Workshop-March-27-2026.pdf\">A Garden Trinity Workshop March 27 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"cpb-column  two\" style=\"\"><div class=\"cpb-textblock cpb-item \"><p><\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<div class=\"cpb-row  pad-bottom gutter single\" style=\"\"><div class=\"cpb-row-inner\"><div class=\"cpb-column  one\" style=\"\"><div class=\"cpb-textblock cpb-item \"><p><\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<div class=\"cpb-row  pad-bottom gutter halves\" style=\"\"><div class=\"cpb-row-inner\"><div class=\"cpb-column  one\" style=\"\"><div class=\"cpb-textblock cpb-item \"><p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-14635\" src=\"https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/wp-extension\/uploads\/sites\/2056\/2024\/04\/IMG_3682-396x528.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"396\" height=\"528\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/wp-extension\/uploads\/sites\/2056\/2024\/04\/IMG_3682-396x528.jpg 396w, https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/wp-extension\/uploads\/sites\/2056\/2024\/04\/IMG_3682-729x972.jpg 729w, https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/wp-extension\/uploads\/sites\/2056\/2024\/04\/IMG_3682-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/wp-extension\/uploads\/sites\/2056\/2024\/04\/IMG_3682-1536x2048.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/wp-extension\/uploads\/sites\/2056\/2024\/04\/IMG_3682-792x1056.jpg 792w, https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/wp-extension\/uploads\/sites\/2056\/2024\/04\/IMG_3682-990x1320.jpg 990w, https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/wp-extension\/uploads\/sites\/2056\/2024\/04\/IMG_3682-1188x1584.jpg 1188w, https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/wp-extension\/uploads\/sites\/2056\/2024\/04\/IMG_3682-scaled.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 396px) 100vw, 396px\" \/><\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"cpb-image\"> \n\t\t<img src=\"https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/wp-extension\/uploads\/sites\/2056\/2025\/10\/20230326_102908-scaled.jpg\" style=\"width:100%;display:block\"  \/> \n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"cpb-column  two\" style=\"\"><div class=\"cpb-textblock cpb-item \"><p><\/p>\n<h4><strong>Ask Your Local Gardening, Composting, and Recycling Experts<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>FREE<\/p>\n<p>The WSU Master Gardener, Master Recycler Composter programs, and Master Gardener Foundation of Thurston County volunteers will provide related information and activities.<\/p>\n<p>Handouts will be available. Bring your questions.<\/p>\n<p>Our booth will be located inside Capital Mall in the large open space in front of Macy&#8217;s.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<h6><strong>Saturday, March 28, 10am to 8pm<\/strong><\/h6>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<h6><strong>Sunday, March 29, 11am to 6pm<\/strong><\/h6>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Capital Mall &#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/maps\/place\/Capital+Mall\/@47.0419119,-122.9372827,17z\/data=!3m2!4b1!5s0x549175a42ae888dd:0xc15fdb13d378ef1b!4m6!3m5!1s0x54917509ea5e834d:0x35f3266461d0d9ff!8m2!3d47.0419119!4d-122.9347078!16zL20vMGc5djJk?entry=ttu&amp;g_ep=EgoyMDI1MTAwMS4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D\">625 Black Lake Blvd SW, Olympia, WA 98502<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Can&#8217;t make the event?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Email our question\/answer clinic directly at <a href=\"master@co.thurston.wa.us\">master@co.thurston.wa.us<\/a>. Our\u00a0 certified WSU Master Gardener and Master Recycler Composter volunteers are available to answer questions via email. This service is free to all Thurston County residents.<\/p>\n<p>Not from Thurston County? We have contact information for the WSU Master Gardener and Master Recycler Composter programs from the surround counties.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>The question\/answer clinics are operated by the WSU and Thurston County certified volunteers. The Thurston County WSU Master Gardener and Master Recycler Composter volunteers can only provide information to home gardeners.<\/p>\n<p>Thurston County commercial farms and businesses need to contact the WSU Thurston County Extension office for help, (360) 867-2189.<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<div class=\"cpb-row  pad-bottom gutter single\" style=\"\"><div class=\"cpb-row-inner\"><div class=\"cpb-column  one\" style=\"\"><div class=\"cpb-textblock cpb-item \"><p><\/p>\n<h5><\/h5>\n<h5><\/h5>\n<hr \/>\n<h2>THANK YOU<\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: left\">Funding for these events were made possible from a City of Olympia <a href=\"https:\/\/www.olympiawa.gov\/community\/arts,_culture___heritage\/cultural_access.php\">Inspire Olympia<\/a> grant and the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.mgftc.org\">Master Gardener Foundation of Thurston County<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-image-17273 alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/wp-extension\/uploads\/sites\/2056\/2025\/10\/Inspire-Olympia-Logo.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"207\" height=\"218\" \/> <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-17276\" src=\"https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/wp-extension\/uploads\/sites\/2056\/2025\/10\/Foundation-396x464.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"180\" height=\"211\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/wp-extension\/uploads\/sites\/2056\/2025\/10\/Foundation-396x464.jpg 396w, https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/wp-extension\/uploads\/sites\/2056\/2025\/10\/Foundation-729x854.jpg 729w, https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/wp-extension\/uploads\/sites\/2056\/2025\/10\/Foundation-1312x1536.jpg 1312w, https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/wp-extension\/uploads\/sites\/2056\/2025\/10\/Foundation-1749x2048.jpg 1749w, https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/wp-extension\/uploads\/sites\/2056\/2025\/10\/Foundation-792x927.jpg 792w, https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/wp-extension\/uploads\/sites\/2056\/2025\/10\/Foundation-990x1159.jpg 990w, https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/wp-extension\/uploads\/sites\/2056\/2025\/10\/Foundation-1188x1391.jpg 1188w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 180px) 100vw, 180px\" \/><\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"cpb-textblock cpb-item \"><p><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"cpb-textblock cpb-item \"><p>WSU Extension programs and employment are available to all without discrimination. Evidence of noncompliance may be reported through your local WSU Extension office. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication or program information or reasonable accommodation need to contact Cori Carlton at 360-867-2162, or <a href=\"mailto:cori.carlton@co.thurston.wa.us\">cori.carlton@co.thurston.wa.us<\/a>, at least two weeks prior to the event.<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Do you have a plant eaten-up by bugs or diseases? &amp;nbsp; Maybe you have a plant or weed you cannot identify? &amp;nbsp; Wondering how to turn your yard waste into compost? &amp;nbsp; Not sure if&amp;hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":13410,"featured_media":0,"parent":10661,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":[],"categories":[],"tags":[],"wsuwp_university_location":[],"wsuwp_university_org":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/thurston\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/17174"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/thurston\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/thurston\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/thurston\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/13410"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/thurston\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=17174"}],"version-history":[{"count":31,"href":"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/thurston\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/17174\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":18051,"href":"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/thurston\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/17174\/revisions\/18051"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/thurston\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/10661"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/thurston\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=17174"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/thurston\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=17174"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/thurston\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=17174"},{"taxonomy":"wsuwp_university_location","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/thurston\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/wsuwp_university_location?post=17174"},{"taxonomy":"wsuwp_university_org","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/thurston\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/wsuwp_university_org?post=17174"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}