Learn how to select, plant and care for ornamentals and herbs in containers for patios and small terraces for all seasons with Master Gardener Sandy Japely,

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.

* Class Approved for 1 hour of MG Education Credit

Come learn about some of our Oregon native bees: 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. Explore opportunities to participate as a Citizen Scientist. We’ll also walk to the WCMGA Education Garden to collect some bees (catch and release of course!) and you can try your hand at bee ID.  (*Asterisk indicates MG education credit)

Herbs are great for seasoning food and gorgeous in the garden too. Learn about herb selection, best soil conditions and locations to create and maintain a bountiful and beautiful herb garden.

Learn what plants thrive, once established, with little or no water, see examples and leave with a list of possibilities.

* Class Approved for 1 hour of 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.

Note: School age children accompanied by an adult are welcome

A garden can be a place to enhance the senses through visual interest and alluring 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. Learn about 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.

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 will be covered.

* Class Approved for 1 hour of 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.

* Class Approved for 1 hour of MG Education Credit

Learn the latest on establishing, renovating and maintaining turf through 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 low-input lawn care.

* Class Approved for 1 hour of MG Education Credit

This presentation describes recent findings about the ecology of gardens and how to design and sustainably manage urban gardens.

* 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.

Rising interest in sustainable landscapes is prompting many homeowners to find 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. 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.

We’ll have a look at diseases, insects and disorders of common conifers, plus discuss finding some more exotic trees.

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

* Class Approved for 1 hour of MG Education Credit