Learn the Essential Principles for Landscape Gardening Success
Would you like to grow naturally beautiful landscape? Would you like to know how to nourish healthy soils, how to save water, support pollinators, and reduce your maintenance chores? WSU Whatcom County Extension’s Gardening Green courses will teach you the essential principles for successful landscape gardening that is easier on the environment – using more know-how and less fertilizer and pesticides.
Discover the secrets to vibrant, lower-maintenance landscaping with WSU Whatcom County Extension’s Gardening Green course. Learn the foundational principles to:
- Cultivate healthy soils,
- Conserve water,
- Pick great plants and get them off to a good start,
- Reduce your maintenance chores, and
- Create naturally beautiful gardens that are bird and pollinator friendly,
In this course you will learn how to apply environmentally-friendly landscaping principles to your own yard and you will walk away with a landscape plan that is customized to your site and lifestyle! You’ll gain the knowledge to work smarter, not harder – reducing reliance on fertilizers and pesticides while achieving great results. Unlock the power of sustainable gardening for a greener, more beautiful Whatcom County.
All course participants will get worksheets and resources that they can use to put sustainable landscaping principles into action. And all participants will complete learning assignments that will build upon each other to create the foundation of a custom landscaping plan for your site!
LIVE In-Person Course
in Sudden Valley
Dates: Saturdays: 2/28, 3/14, 3/28, 4/11, and 4/18
Time: 9:30 am to 11:30 am
Location: Sudden Valley Recreational Center multipurpose room
Time commitment: 2 hours of class time each session; 1-2 hours of homework per week
Cost: $56 fee for soil testing (as of February 23, 2026 – see note below)
Details: This course will meet on Saturday mornings from 9:30am to 11:30am at the Sudden Valley Recreation Center for the first 4 sessions and will conclude with a field trip to several participant’s properties (TBD) on 4/18 where we will discuss the possibilities for applying what you’ve learned in the course.
This course includes a laboratory test of soil pH, fundamental soil nutrients, soil texture, and organic matter. Course participants will bring their soil samples to the second class session and the instructor will deliver them to the soil testing laboratory. Results should be ready before the end of the course.
The cost for this testing was previously $42. However the costs recently increased. The course recommends folks get the Basic Soil Test + Organic Matter (now $32) and the Soil Texture Test (now $24) which sums to $56. The course will cover a number of DIY (and virtually free) ways to assess your soil and participants will be invited get the soil testing that works best for you and your budget.
Participants will receive a coupon from a local nursery!
LIVE In-Person Course
in Birch Bay
Dates: Saturdays: 2/28, 3/14, 3/21, 4/11, and 4/18
Time: 2pm to 4pm
Location: Birch Bay Village Clubhouse (yes, non-residents are welcome but registration is required!)
Time commitment: 2 hours of class time each session; 1-2 hours of homework per week
Cost: $56 fee for soil testing (as of February 23, 2026 – see note below)
Details: This course will meet on Saturday afternoons from 2pm to 4pm at the Birch Bay Clubhouse for the first 4 sessions and will conclude with a field trip to several participant’s properties (TBD) on 4/18 where we will discuss the possibilities for applying what you’ve learned in the course.
This course includes a laboratory test of soil pH, fundamental soil nutrients, soil texture, and organic matter. Course participants will bring their soil samples to the second class session and the instructor will deliver them to the soil testing laboratory. Results should be ready before the end of the course.
The cost for this testing was previously $42. However the costs recently increased. The course recommends folks get the Basic Soil Test + Organic Matter (now $32) and the Soil Texture Test (now $24) which sums to $56. The course will cover a number of DIY (and virtually free) ways to assess your soil and participants will be invited get the soil testing that works best for you and your budget.
Participants will receive a coupon from a local nursery!
LIVE Online Course
via Zoom
Dates: 4/2, 4/9, 4/23, 4/30, and 5/2
Time: Thursday evenings 6pm to 7:30pm
Location: Online via Zoom for first 4 session, followed by a field trip on Saturday 5/2 from 10am to 12 pm
Duration: 5 weeks
Time commitment: 1 1/2 hours of class time; 2 – 3 hours of homework per week
Cost: $56 fee for soil testing (as of February 23, 2026 – see note below)
Details: This course will meet weekly on Thursday evenings via Zoom from 6 to 7:30 pm. Course materials and assignments will be provided via email. The course will wrap up with site visits to 2-4 participant properties on Saturday May 2 from 10 am to 12 pm where we will discuss the possibilities for applying what you’ve learned in the course.
The course includes a laboratory test of soil pH, fundamental soil nutrients, soil texture, and organic matter. Course participants will drop their soil samples off at the WSU Extension Whatcom County Office at 600 Dupont Street during the second week of the course and the instructor will deliver them to the soil testing laboratory. Results should be ready before the end of the course.
The cost for this testing was previously $42. However the costs recently increased. The course recommends folks get the Basic Soil Test + Organic Matter (now $32) and the Soil Texture Test (now $24) which sums to $56. The course will cover a number of DIY (and virtually free) ways to assess your soil and participants will be invited get the soil testing that works best for you and your budget.
Participants will receive a coupon from a local nursery!
On-Your-Own-Schedule Online Course
Dates: 9/18 – 11/13
Duration: 8 weeks
Time commitment: 3-5 hours per week
Cost: $25
Details: This course has no scheduled meeting times. The course materials are all provided online via a platform called Moodle. Participants will work through the materials and the learning assignments as they become available within the course according to their own schedules. Participants are expected to contribute to weekly group discussions via the online discussion boards.
Each course module which will contain one or more recorded presentations, a printable summary sheet, and a list of excellent additional resources on the module’s topic. Each module also includes a short quiz so that you can check your understanding of the material.
Each module also includes a learning assignment where you’ll apply what you’ve learned to your own site. You’ll share your progress on these assignments with your course mates via the online discussion board.
There are limited “scholarships” available. If the cost is a barrier to you, please indicate that you would like the fee waived when you register.