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We provide knowledgeable speakers on many gardening topics to audiences in Washington County, Oregon. For more information on the available programs, please refer to the list of Gardening Speaker’s Guild Presentations to the right also available as a PDF File

Please fill out the following information as completely as possible. Your information will be sent to our Speakers team and they will contact you within one week to discuss and work out further details. Please give us as much notice as you can (at least 3 weeks). We request that there are a minimum of 15 attendees for our presentations.

Fill out the Request a Speaker Form

Speaker’s Guild Programs

Washington County, OREGON

Composting with Worms (Talk – 60 minutes)

Want to get rid of your kitchen waste and produce great compost for your garden and potted plants? An OSU Extension Service Master Gardener will share tips and techniques for composting with worms. They will cover making a worm bin, caring for your worms, harvesting your compost and trouble-shooting common problems. Actual working worm bin and material to demonstrate the construction of another worm bin are part of the program.

Container Gardening (PowerPoint – 60 minutes)

Spring is finally here and with our occasional sun breaks and milder temperatures we are ready to think about this season’s gardening. Even the smallest patio or porch can boast a crop of vegetables or a garden of flowers in containers. Container gardeners are limited only by their imagination! An OSU Extension Master Gardener will share tips and techniques for planning and planting your container gardens. They will cover some basics, dispel some myths and inspire you with container gardening ideas.

Culinary Herbs: More than just Leaves (PowerPoint – 60 minutes)

Fresh herbs bring out the best in our dishes but did you know that for many herbs more than the leaves are edible? Many produce edible flowers and seeds. An OSU Extension Service Master Gardener will share information that will have you growing and harvesting culinary herbs.

Gardening for Bees (PowerPoint – 60 minutes)

Bees, including honeybees, mason bees and bumblebees, are one of our most important pollinators. Loss of habitat, pesticide use and more have caused stress of their population. An OSU Extension Service Master Gardener will share how you, as a gardener, can make a difference. Topics include types of common bees and their needs, good plant choices and more.

Gardening for Birds (PowerPoint – 60 minutes)

An introduction to creating a safe and supportive landscape for birds in your yard. It covers bird biology and behavior; what birds need to survive and raise their young; how best to provide food, water, and shelter; dangers to birds and how to prevent them; and resources for further learning.

Gardening with Pacific Northwest Native Plants: an Ecological Approach (PowerPoint – 60 minutes)

While gardening with native plants today is more popular than ever, gardeners often wonder how to best use them in the landscape. This presentation explores what makes a plant “native”, situates native plants in the context of native ecosystems, and adopts those ecosystems into concepts for the home garden. It also discusses where to obtain native plants and lists relevant resources.

Growing Herbs (PowerPoint – 60 minutes)

Growing herbs can be a sensory delight. There are culinary herbs, aromatic herbs and herbs that attract beneficial insects. But considering the high cost of fresh herbs, why not grow your own? An OSU Extension Service Master Gardener will share the tips, techniques and plant recommendations for starting your own herb garden. Topics covered will be starting your beds, planting times, maintenance and harvesting. OSU Extension Service recommended varieties will also be shared.

Growing Tomatoes in the Pacific Northwest (PowerPoint – 60 minutes)

Tomatoes are one of the most popular edibles grown. But sometimes out Pacific Northwest weather can make growing them a challenge. An OSU Extension Service Master Gardener will share the tips and techniques that will let you ‘grow like a pro’ tomatoes. Topics covered are choosing the right tomato, planting times and techniques, fertility, pest and disease management, pruning and more.

Houseplants for Northwest Gardeners (PowerPoint – 60 minutes)

Learn the factors that make a plant appropriate for growing indoors (any or all seasons), define houseplants’ basic needs, learn the differences among species, and identify common problems of different plants.

Improving Your Soil (PowerPoint – 60 minutes)

We may know that putting some effort into improving and maintaining our soil is going to pay off in the long run by reducing our need for additional fertilizers, supporting healthier plants and creating a more satisfying experience for us as gardeners. But how do we do it? An OSU Extension Service Master Gardener will give you the “dirt” on good soil. Practical tips and techniques on how to improve your soil’s texture and structure, the use of compost and mulches, cover cropping and more will be discussed.

Intensive Gardening - Square Foot by Square Foot (PowerPoint – 60 minutes)

Do you want to take your vegetable gardening to the next level? An OSU Extension Service Master Gardener will introduce you to the techniques used in intensive gardening which will help you to produce the most from the gardening space that you have. Topics include techniques to plant densely, vertical gardening, interplanting, succession planting, day length strategies, cultivar choices and more.

Japanese Maples (PowerPoint – 60 minutes)

Want to learn more about one of Natures most eloquent creations? The Japanese Maple is a plant that has dozens of roles in the garden. From centerpiece, focal point, companion, container and bonsai specimen, or simply in a grove, these exquisite trees bring tremendous enrichment to any garden or forest. Learn about the Acer genus, including some exotics, our natives, and of course the Japanese Maples. Will discuss varieties and some specific cultivars known for their outstanding traits. Will also review hardiness, soil and nutrient requirements, water and light requirements, planting and transplanting, propagation, pest and diseases, pruning, container gardening and bonsai.

Mason Bees (PowerPoint – 60 minutes)

Mason Bees are one of the primary pollinators in our area. Join an OSU Extension Service Master Gardener as they share more about the lives of these amazing creatures and how we can encourage them in our gardens.

Natural Disease and Pest Solutions for Edible Gardens (PowerPoint – 60 minutes)

A garden with no pests, no diseases and no problems! Although it’s a sweet dream, it is seldom a reality. An OSU Master Gardener will share information that will help reduce or decrease the chances of developing problems and provide non-synthetic methods for dealing with them if they do occur. Topics will include Integrated Pest Management strategies for pest control and gardening practices that help prevent diseases in your garden.

Planting Home Gardens to Attract Pollinators (PowerPoint – 60 minutes)

Expands the term pollinators and why they matter beyond bees to include butterflies, moths, beetles, birds, among others.  Includes suggestions for developing pollinator habitat based upon flower traits and bloom time diversity selecting among native and non-native plants, annuals, perennials, culinary herbs and field cover crops. Topics provide ideas for questions to consider asking while shopping for plants at plant sales and nurseries by asking questions about growing and caring for your plants, and general considerations and challenges to managing a pollinator garden.

Rose City History, Rose Gardens, Rose Growing (PowerPoint – 60 minutes)

“All Things Roses — rose city, rose gardens, and rose growing!” Description: Living in and around Portland, the Rose City, our history and culture is infused with roses. Learn more about our long connection with roses and improve your own knowledge of growing the Queen of Flowers!
Seeds: Harvesting and Saving Heirloom Seeds (Talk – 60 minutes. Plenty of Handouts) A hands-on approach to harvesting, cleaning, drying, and saving your favorite seeds. When to harvest, wet and dry methods of cleaning the seeds, storing saved seeds for maximum viability, and do-it-yourself viability testing before planting your saved seeds. Pioneers brought their saved seeds with them when they crossed the Oregon Trail – the tiny, mighty seed!

Seeds: Harvesting and Saving Heirloom Seeds

A hands-on approach to harvesting, cleaning, drying, and saving your favorite seeds. When to harvest, wet and dry methods of cleaning the seeds, storing saved seeds for maximum viability, and do-it-yourself viability testing before planting your saved seeds. Pioneers brought their saved seeds with them when they crossed the Oregon Trail – the tiny, mighty seed!

Starting Your Vegetable Garden (PowerPoint – 60 or 90 minute versions) (Spanish version available)

Often new vegetable gardeners, dreaming of lush, productive gardens, are frustrated with their lack of success. Don’t let that be you! An OSU Extension Service Master Gardener will walk you through the process of starting your own vegetable garden. They will talk about site selection, soil preparation, planting times, water and fertilization needs as well as general garden maintenance. Focus will be on the spring and summer gardens.

Year-around Vegetable Gardening (PowerPoint – 60 minutes)

Most vegetable gardeners begin their gardening experiences with spring and/or summer gardens. Expanding your gardening season through the fall and winter can greatly increase your gardens productively but lengthen the time you can harvest fresh produce for your family and yourself. An OSU Extension Service Master Gardener will lead you through the process of vegetable gardening year around. Topic will include what to plant and when, season extending techniques, when to harvest and more.

Notes:

PowerPoint – Master Gardener will present topic through a PowerPoint program. Room in which program is to be presented must be able to be dimmed. Natural lighting coming through large, uncovered windows will present a problem in the quality of the viewing. Speaker can bring projector and portable screen as needed.

Talk – No PowerPoint is used. Speakers may bring visual aids depending on the speaker and the topic.


Oregon State University Extension Service offers educational programs, activities, and materials without discrimination based on age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran’s status. Oregon State University Extension Service is an Equal Opportunity Employer.