The Washington County Master Gardener Association (WCMGA) plant sale, Gardenfest, that was to be held on April 25, 2020, as well as other WCMGA events, have been cancelled out of concern for the community and in compliance with government and OSU mandates. WCMGA is examining options to sell the existing large inventory of plants in our greenhouse and may be able to offer those for sale in some manner after mid-April.
Please check back on this website for updates on all our events going forward.
WCMGA is a non-profit. As Gardenfest was our major fundraiser for the year, we are looking for other options to raise the funds needed to operate our education and learning gardens and conduct our normal garden-education focused operations. We welcome your donations! You can click the yellow donate button at the bottom of our home page to donate. Other ways to donate include: shopping at Renee’s Seeds and entering order code FR2019A2, shopping at Fred Meyer and linking your rewards card to WCMGA, or shopping on Amazon Smile and choosing WCMGA as your charity.
For a list of all In the Garden Series (IGS) events click here: IGS 2020 Schedule (PDF)
Inclement Weather Cancellations: WCMGA activities and events may sometimes be canceled due to unusually severe weather.
Here are several options for checking on the status of a WCMGA event:
What makes a raptor a raptor? How does it hunt? How does it live? Learn how to identify the amazing Birds of Prey that fly overhead every day.
Webinar Login information:
Tip–sign in at 6:40 PM to allow time to access webinar
You are invited to a Zoom webinar.
When: Apr 7, 2020 06:50 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)
Topic: Raptor Confidential: Understanding and Identifying Birds of Prey– Followed by Washington County MG Chapter Business Meeting.
Please click the link below to join the webinar:
https://oregonstate.zoom.us/j/110608776
Or iPhone one-tap :
US: +19712471195,,110608776# or +12532158782,,110608776#
Or Telephone:
Dial(for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location):
US: +1 971 247 1195 or +1 253 215 8782 or +1 301 715 8592
Webinar ID: 110 608 776
Come and learn how to have a year-round harvest from your Portland area backyard garden Our climate is mild enough that you don’t need a greenhouse or any other form of protection. You will learn about the climate of our area and how to plan and plant for a 12 month harvest from your own backyard.
Free event, free parking, no registration needed. Location: City of Beaverton Griffith Park Building, 4755 SW Griffith Drive, Room 330, Beaverton, OR 97005: Map.
A hands-on introductory plant propagation class with focus on cloning through stem cuttings. Cutting and preparation techniques will be demonstrated; students will take cuttings of various perennials and shrubs (provided). Potting mix and after-care will be discussed. Bring your gardening gloves and sharp pruners or scissors if you have them.
In the Garden Series ◊ WCMGA Education Garden at PCC Rockcreek Garden ◊ 17705 NW Springville Rd. Portland, OR 97229. Building 4 Classroom. Map (southwest corner). Enter from Springville Rd, drive past Building 9 and Parking Lot E to first stop sign, continue straight on gravel road to Building 4. Parking is free campus-wide on Saturdays. Free event, free parking, no registration needed.
Hearty, local, and lovely too! Discover how easy and inspired your garden can be when it is full of robust native varieties. Get a list of native plants and see examples for different locations and seasons.
◊ In the Garden Series ◊ Learning Garden at Jenkins Estate ◊ 8005 SW Grabhorn, Beaverton, OR 97007 Map On weekends, use the Camp Rivendale entrance on Grabhorn Road, park, then walk past the play structure down to the Learning Garden. Free event, free parking, no registration needed. Event is held rain or shine, under cover, if needed.
* Class is approved for one hour MG Education Credit
Plant tried and true seeds from the past! Learn direct sow methods for containers, raised beds, and in the ground; best soil temperatures to plant; days to harvest and more for fresh, nutritious, tasty food. Take home seeds and get planting. Soil thermometers are also available for purchase. For follow-up attend Heirloom Veggie Gardening, Saving Seeds for Next Year’s Garden on August 8th.
◊ In the Garden Series ◊ Learning Garden at Jenkins Estate ◊ 8005 SW Grabhorn, Beaverton, OR 97007 Map On weekends, use the Camp Rivendale entrance on Grabhorn Road, park, then walk past the play structure down to the Learning Garden. Free event, free parking, no registration needed. Event is held rain or shine, under cover, if needed.
* Class is approved for one hour MG Education Credit
Learn techniques for growing vegetables in very limited space by maximizing planting density and limiting the need for thinning, watering, and weeding.
◊ In the Garden Series ◊ Learning Garden at Jenkins Estate ◊ 8005 SW Grabhorn, Beaverton, OR 97007 Map On weekends, use the Camp Rivendale entrance on Grabhorn Road, park, then walk past the play structure down to the Learning Garden. Free event, free parking, no registration needed. Event is held rain or shine, under cover, if needed.
The result of years-long academic research may suprise you as you listen to Dr. Chalker-Scott’s information which debunks with enlightening humor some of gardening’s Horticultural Myths.
Free event, free parking, no registration needed. Location: City of Beaverton Griffith Park Building, 4755 SW Griffith Drive, Room 330, Beaverton, OR 97005: Map.
* Class Approved for 1 hour of MG Education Credit
Learn how to select, plant and care for ornamentals and herbs in containers for patios and small terraces for all seasons.
◊ In the Garden Series ◊ Learning Garden at Jenkins Estate ◊ 8005 SW Grabhorn, Beaverton, OR 97007 Map On weekends, use the Camp Rivendale entrance on Grabhorn Road, park, then walk past the play structure down to the Learning Garden. Free event, free parking, no registration needed. Event is held rain or shine, under cover, if needed.
Find out how to improve your soil by recycling yard, garden and kitchen materials into compost. Learn how to use a simple keyhole compost garden to feed your vegetables as you create compost.
◊ In the Garden Series ◊ Learning Garden at Jenkins Estate ◊ 8005 SW Grabhorn, Beaverton, OR 97007 Map On weekends, use the Camp Rivendale entrance on Grabhorn Road, park, then walk past the play structure down to the Learning Garden. Free event, free parking, no registration needed. Event is held rain or shine, under cover, if needed.
* Class is approved for one hour MG Education Credit
Come learn about some of our Oregon native bees. We’ll start in the classroom where you will learn how to distinguish bees from wasps and flies; what our native bees need in terms of shelter, food and nesting areas, what you can do to provide habitat for native bees in your garden, and explore opportunities to participate as a Citizen Scientist. Next, we’ll walk to the WCMGA Education Garden at PCC Rock Creek to collect some bees (catch and release of course!) and you can try your hand at bee ID.
In the Garden Series ◊ WCMGA Education Garden at PCC Rock Creek ◊ 17705 NW Springville Rd. Portland, OR 97229. Building 4 Classroom. Map (southwest corner). Enter from Springville Rd, drive past Building 9 and Parking Lot E to first stop sign, continue straight on gravel road to Building 4. Parking is free campus-wide on Saturdays. Free event, free parking, no registration needed.
* Class is approved for one hour MG Education Credit
Herbs are great for seasoning food and gorgeous in the garden too. Learn herb selection, best soil conditions and locations to create and maintain a bountiful and beautiful herb garden
◊ In the Garden Series ◊ Learning Garden at Jenkins Estate ◊ 8005 SW Grabhorn, Beaverton, OR 97007 Map On weekends, use the Camp Rivendale entrance on Grabhorn Road, park, then walk past the play structure down to the Learning Garden. Free event, free parking, no registration needed. Event is held rain or shine, under cover, if needed.
Learn what plants thrive, once established, with little or no water, see examples and leave with a list of possibilities
◊ In the Garden Series ◊ Learning Garden at Jenkins Estate ◊ 8005 SW Grabhorn, Beaverton, OR 97007 Map On weekends, use the Camp Rivendale entrance on Grabhorn Road, park, then walk past the play structure down to the Learning Garden. Free event, free parking, no registration needed. Event is held rain or shine, under cover, if needed.
* Class is approved for one hour MG Education Credit
What does a carnivorous plant need to thrive? Learn about suitable containers, soil, watering and winter care to sustain these fascinating plants and their role in our environment.
◊ In the Garden Series ◊ Learning Garden at Jenkins Estate ◊ 8005 SW Grabhorn, Beaverton, OR 97007 Map On weekends, use the Camp Rivendale entrance on Grabhorn Road, park, then walk past the play structure down to the Learning Garden. Free event, free parking, no registration needed. Event is held rain or shine, under cover, if needed.
A garden is more than a collection of plants. It can be a place to enhance the senses through visual interest and alluring and often subtle scents. It is a place to touch flowers, explore leaves and listen to the sounds of nature. Gardens can include edible plants, and may provide cognitive stimulation.
Join us for a visit to the beautiful PCC Rock Creek Campus to learn about ways to contemplate using gardens as a sensory experience. We will start in Building 4 and then take a short (5 min.) walk to the WCMGA Education Garden. Attendees are invited to bring a piece of interesting plant material to use in the class.
In the Garden Series ◊ WCMGA Education Garden at PCC Rock Creek ◊ 17705 NW Springville Rd. Portland, OR 97229. Building 4 Classroom. Map (southwest corner). Enter from Springville Rd, drive past Building 9 and Parking Lot E to first stop sign, continue straight on gravel road to Building 4. Parking is free campus-wide on Saturdays. Free event, free parking, no registration needed.
Some seeds are ready to collect when the vegetable or fruit is ready to eat; some must wait longer, on the plant, until viable. Collecting, cleaning, drying, labeling, and storing seeds for next year’s garden and for fresh winter salad greens, highlighting the best varieties, is all covered.
◊ In the Garden Series ◊ Learning Garden at Jenkins Estate ◊ 8005 SW Grabhorn, Beaverton, OR 97007 Map On weekends, use the Camp Rivendale entrance on Grabhorn Road, park, then walk past the play structure down to the Learning Garden. Free event, free parking, no registration needed. Event is held rain or shine, under cover, if needed.
* Class is approved for one hour MG Education Credit
Approximately 97% of insect species in our home landscapes are beneficial or “innocent bystanders”, yet often we seek to rid ourselves of them by resorting to insecticides. Learn about beneficial insects found in our gardens, how they help and ways we can attract them to our garden. Gardeners of all ages (children and adults) are invited to attend.
We will start at Bldg. 4, Room 103 and then take a short walk to the WCMGA Education Garden to see insects in action.
In the Garden Series ◊ WCMGA Education Garden at PCC Rock Creek ◊ 17705 NW Springville Rd. Portland, OR 97229. Building 4 Classroom. Map (southwest corner). Enter from Springville Rd, drive past Building 9 and Parking Lot E to first stop sign, continue straight on gravel road to Building 4. Parking is free campus-wide on Saturdays. Free event, free parking, no registration needed.
* Class is approved for one hour MG Education Credit
Learn the latest on establishing, renovating and maintaining turf that meets your needs. Get time-tested tips practiced by golf course superintendents for mowing, mulching, watering and managing weeds without toxic chemicals. Discover eco-lawns, and learn where to get more information on how-input lawn care.
Free event, free parking, no registration needed. Location: City of Beaverton Griffith Park Building, 4755 SW Griffith Drive, Room 330, Beaverton, OR 97005: Map.
*Class Approved for 1 hour of MG Education Credit
Working with the OSU Extension Master Gardeners, OSU graduate students, state and local agencies, as well as non-profits and other non-governmental organizations, I am helping to develop a better research-based understanding of how to design and sustainably manage gardens and parks to maximize ecosystem services. My Extension and Outreach efforts are focused on communicating these and other research-backed management practices to home gardeners, commercial landscapers, and others
Free event, free parking, no registration needed. Location: City of Beaverton Griffith Park Building, 4755 SW Griffith Drive, Room 330, Beaverton, OR 97005: Map.
*Class Approved for 1 hour of MG Education Credit
Learn how to dig, divide and store dahlias for the winter to ensure healthy spring tubers. Includes demonstration and hands-on practice.
◊ In the Garden Series ◊ Learning Garden at Jenkins Estate ◊ 8005 SW Grabhorn, Beaverton, OR 97007 Map On weekends, use the Camp Rivendale entrance on Grabhorn Road, park, then walk past the play structure down to the Learning Garden. Free event, free parking, no registration needed. Event is held rain or shine, under cover, if needed.
With interest in sustainable landscapes on the rise, many homeowners are considering alternatives to lawns. Come learn about a journey to replace the lawn with a pollinator-friendly, low-water, low-maintenance landscape that incorporates a mix of drought tolerant PNW native and non-native plants. Turf removal options, plant selection and design, irrigation, care and maintenance will all be covered in this course. After a presentation in the classroom we will walk a short distance to the WCMGA Education Garden at PCC Rock Creek to explore what we have there.
In the Garden Series ◊ WCMGA Education Garden at PCC Rock Creek ◊ 17705 NW Springville Rd. Portland, OR 97229. Building 4 Classroom. Map (southwest corner). Enter from Springville Rd, drive past Building 9 and Parking Lot E to first stop sign, continue straight on gravel road to Building 4. Parking is free campus-wide on Saturdays. Free event, free parking, no registration needed.
We’ll have a look at diseases, insects and disorders of common conifers, plus discuss finding some more exotic trees.
Free event, free parking, no registration needed. Location: City of Beaverton Griffith Park Building, 4755 SW Griffith Drive, Room 330, Beaverton, OR 97005: Map.
This presentation will cover some methods of growing delicious food in your garden that is easy to grow, nutritious, and helps make the world a more sustainable place.
Free event, free parking, no registration needed. Location: City of Beaverton Griffith Park Building, 4755 SW Griffith Drive, Room 330, Beaverton, OR 97005: Map.
This is a hands-on workshop showing how to extract, clean, and store mason bee cocoons.
◊ In the Garden Series ◊ WCMGA Education Garden at PCC Rock Creek ◊ 17705 NW Springville Rd. Portland, OR 97229. Building 4 Workroom. Map (southwest corner). Enter from Springville Rd, continue past Building 9 and Parking Lot E. At stop sign continue straight on gravel road to Building 4. Parking is free campus-wide on Saturdays. Free event, free parking, no registration needed.
Tuesday ◊ January 7, 2020 ◊ 6:50 pm
Topic: The mystery of terroir in Oregon – The Relationship of Geology, Soils and Climate.
Presenter: Scott Burns, PhD Professor Emeritus, Portland State University
Terroir is a French term that is over 400 years old and was used to describe why wines of one area tasted different from wines of another area, even though they were the same variety. It is the “taste of the place”. It is determined by the geology, soil, climate and soil biota. One of the greatest places in the world to taste differences in terroir is the Willamette Valley (wine region of the year for the whole world for 2017 – Wine Enthusiast). The valley grows primarily cool climate grapes like pinot noir, pinot gris, chardonnay, riesling, Muller-Thurgau, and gewurtztraminer. Terroir is best expressed in cool climate grapes like the thin skinned red grape, pinot noir. There are four main geological units, three of which are the main wine producing soils: volcanic soils (Columbia River Basalts and the Jory Soil), marine sediments (sandstones and shales and the Willakenzie Soil), volcanic soils with old silt mixed in (Laurelwood Soil) and the lesser used Missoula Flood deposits (Woodburn Soil). The same winemaker can produce three different wines in the same year with similar clones if different soils are used. Learn how to be an educated wine taster in Oregon by attending this talk.
Free event, free parking, no registration needed. Location: City of Beaverton Griffith Park Building, 4755 SW Griffith Drive, Room 330, Beaverton, OR 97005: Map.
*Class approved for 1 hour of MG Education Credit
Addresses the biology, behavior and natural history of the Mason Bee.
◊ In the Garden Series ◊ WCMGA Education Garden at PCC Rock Creek ◊ 17705 NW Springville Rd. Portland, OR 97229. Building 4 Classroom. Map (southwest corner). Enter from Springville Rd, drive past Building 9 and Parking Lot E to first stop sign, continue straight on gravel road to Building 4. Parking is free campus-wide on Saturdays. Free event, free parking, no registration needed.
Any plant in any garden can develop problems from time to time. The vast array of plants that we grow and the multitude of potential causes of problems can make the search for the reason for stress daunting. This presentation describes a systematic process to make that search a bit easier. To access the slides from the presentation click here.
Free event, free parking, no registration needed. Location: City of Beaverton Griffith Park Building, 4755 SW Griffith Drive, Room 330, Beaverton, OR 97005: Map.
* Class is approved for one hour MG Education Credit
Blueberries are relatively easy and fun to grow. Learn about steps to care for blueberries, including pruning techniques. Bring your own hand pruners and garden for some hands-on opportunity to prune.
We will meet in Building 4 and then make a short 5 minute walk to the PCC Rock Creek Learning Garden for pruning opportunities.
◊ In the Garden Series ◊ WCMGA Education Garden at PCC Rock Creek ◊ 17705 NW Springville Rd. Portland, OR 97229. Building 4 Classroom. Map (southwest corner). Enter from Springville Rd, drive past Building 9 and Parking Lot E to first stop sign, continue straight on gravel road to Building 4. Parking is free campus-wide on Saturdays. Free event, free parking, no registration needed.
* Class is approved for one hour MG Education Credit
Saturday ◊ February 29, 2020 ◊ 10:00 AM -noon
Topic: Drip Irrigation
Presenter: Jennifer Peters, Chair, PCC Rock Creek Landscape Technology Department
Registration is required for this class and participation is limited to the first 25 people. Please register by emailing: albright.becker@gmail.com, put “Drip Irrigation” in the subject line.
Thinking about drip irrigation but not sure where to start? Well, here’s the answer. In this session we’ll cover the following: drip vs. overhead watering, how to convert an existing system from overhead to drip, determining water needs for your site’s size, light conditions, soil and plants, installation options, resources for information and supplies, tour of the irrigation system at WCMGA Education Garden at PCC Rock Creek. Hands-on activity with take-home sample plus ample time for questions.
In the Garden Series ◊ WCMGA Education Garden at PCC Rock Creek ◊ 17705 NW Springville Rd. Portland, OR 97229. Building 4 Classroom. Map (southwest corner). Enter from Springville Rd, drive past Building 9 and Parking Lot E to first stop sign, continue straight on gravel road to Building 4. Parking is free campus-wide on Saturdays. Free event, free parking.
Tuesday ◊ March 3, 2020 ◊ 6:50 pm
Topic: Wildlife habitats in residential settings
Presenter: Brian French, Urban Habitat Snag, founder of Arboriculture International
Free event, free parking, no registration needed. Location: City of Beaverton Griffith Park Building, 4755 SW Griffith Drive, Room 330, Beaverton, OR 97005: Map.
Saturday ◊ March 7, 2020 ◊ 10:00 AM
Topic: Raising Mason Bees
Presenter: Ron Spendal, Master Gardener
Focuses on the environmental needs of the mason bees, nesting behaviors of mason bees, nesting and housing devices attractive to mason bees.
In the Garden Series ◊ WCMGA Education Garden at PCC Rock Creek ◊ 17705 NW Springville Rd. Portland, OR 97229. Building 4 Classroom. Map (southwest corner). Enter from Springville Rd, drive past Building 9 and Parking Lot E to first stop sign, continue straight on gravel road to Building 4. Parking is free campus-wide on Saturdays. Free event, free parking, no registration needed.
*Approved for 1 hour of Master Gardener Education Credit
This class covers soil preparation, what to plant when, where and how; companion planting, how often to water, and tips to make your garden thrive!
◊ In the Garden Series ◊ Learning Garden at Jenkins Estate ◊ 8005 SW Grabhorn, Beaverton, OR 97007 Map On weekends, use the Camp Rivendale entrance on Grabhorn Road, park, then walk past the play structure down to the Learning Garden. Free event, free parking, no registration needed. Event is held rain or shine, under cover, if needed.
Learn about ways to attract and provide habitat for a range of pollinators using both native and non-native plants.
In the Garden Series ◊ WCMGA Education Garden at PCC Rock Creek ◊ 17705 NW Springville Rd. Portland, OR 97229. Building 4 Classroom. Map (southwest corner). Enter from Springville Rd, drive past Building 9 and Parking Lot E to first stop sign, continue straight on gravel road to Building 4. Parking is free campus-wide on Saturdays. Free event, free parking, no registration needed.
* Class is approved for one hour MG Education Credit
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