WSU Master Gardener Program

10/12/2026

Another great episode releasing Tuesday October 13th!💚

🌳🎙️ Sneak Peek Sunday! 🎙️🌳

Can planting and protecting trees help combat climate change? 🌎💚

In the upcoming episode of The Evergreen Thumb podcast, host Erin Hoover sits down with Tim Kohlhoff, WSU Extension Spokane County Master Gardener, to explore the incredible importance of urban tree canopies and their role in creating healthier, cooler, and more sustainable communities.

🌿 Discover how urban trees help reduce the urban heat island effect, provide valuable environmental benefits, and play an essential role in combating climate change.

From cooling our neighborhoods to improving environmental resilience, trees do so much more than provide shade! 🌳

🎧 Episode 83 releases Tuesday, October 13, 2026!

Join us for this fascinating conversation and discover why protecting and expanding our urban forests matters now more than ever.

🌱 Healthy Trees. Cooler Communities. A Greener Future.

10/11/2026

🌿🏆 Cultivating Connections at the Washington State Fair! 🏆🌿

We’re celebrating the incredible WSU Extension Pierce County Master Gardeners and their award-winning presence at the 2026 Washington State Fair! 🎡🌻

Throughout the fair, our dedicated volunteers connected with more than 2,000 fairgoers, sharing research-based gardening advice, answering questions, and inspiring gardeners of all ages.

🌱 From hands-on demonstrations featuring composting, rain gardens, and vegetable growing to a fun children’s activity corner, the booth brought horticultural education to life!

🇺🇸 And who could forget Lady Liberty, Master Gardener-style? The creativity and hard work earned the team the Grand Prize for Best Representation of the 2026 Fair Theme! 🏆

💚 A heartfelt THANK YOU to the outstanding Pierce County Master Gardener volunteers, Program Coordinator Caitlin McClellan and Tana Hasart for demonstrating the power of education, community connections, and volunteer service.

👏 Congratulations, Pierce County Master Gardeners! You make the WSU Extension Master Gardener Program shine!

📖 Read the full story, Cultivating Connections at the Fair, by Jennifer Marquis, by following the link in our bio>news and events>Washington Grows Blog.

10/11/2026

Another great learning opportunity!

🌿🌲 Rooted in the PNW: Embracing Native Plants in Your Garden 🌲🌿

Ready to boost your landscape’s biodiversity and create a garden that truly supports our Pacific Northwest ecosystem? 🌎💚

Join us to discover how incorporating PNW native plants can:
🐝 Support native pollinators
🐦 Provide habitat for birds
🌱 Increase resilience in your landscape
💧 Reduce long-term maintenance and resource use

Curious which native plants will thrive in your space? Whether you’re starting fresh, enhancing an existing garden, or working with a small space, you’ll learn basic design principles to successfully weave our incredible array of Pacific Northwest natives into your landscape.

Gardening with native plants isn’t just beneficial — it’s beautiful, sustainable, and deeply connected to place. 🌼🌿

Come get inspired and grow where you’re rooted!

Discover other WSU Extension Pierce County events by following the link in our bio.

10/10/2026

Steven’s County, thank you for sharing🌿

Most serious gardeners are aware of the hardiness zone in which they're gardening, but did you know that knowledge of your zone provides limited information? "Hardiness zones represent years of plant trials over a wide area," write Don McMoran, Sheri Hunter, and Sacha Buller in the WSU publication pictured here, "but they are of limited value unless coupled with local knowledge and experience. When you recognize your microclimates and pair this information with USDA hardiness zone recommendations, you will make better plant choices and site plants wisely."

This interesting and informative free 10-page publication describes such influences on microclimate as elevation and topography and describes how microclimate affects soil and spring warming. The publication closes with strategies for successful gardens based on microclimate. The publication links to an online tool, AgWeatherNet, that helps users establish a picture of their regional climate; however, the link provided leads to a warning of a non-secure site. Instead, use this link to get to the AgWeatherNet tool: https://weather.wsu.edu/. Download the publication here:https://wpcdn.web.wsu.edu/wp-ecommerce/uploads/sites/2/product-3742-sku-FS181E.pdf

10/08/2026

🌿 We’re Hiring! Two Exciting Opportunities with WSU! 🌳🍎

Are you passionate about gardening, education, and making a difference in your community?

Washington State University has two incredible job opportunities for individuals who want to help grow and support our horticultural programs!

🌱 Island County Master Gardener Program Coordinator

🍎 Heritage Orchard Project Coordinator

Both positions offer exciting opportunities to be part of WSU’s mission of education, outreach, and community engagement.

🔎 Interested in learning more? Explore the positions and application details below:

🌿 Island County Master Gardener Program Coordinator
https://wsu.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/WSU_Jobs/job/Island-County/Island-County-Master-Gardener-Coordinator_R-15476

🍎 Heritage Orchard Project Coordinator
https://wsu.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/WSU_Jobs/job/Heritage-Orchard-Project-Coordinator_R-15527

💚 Help us spread the word! Share these opportunities with someone who would be a great fit!

10/01/2026

🌿Did you miss your chance to register for the Washington Green School Certificate this year?

Don't worry-another opportunity is coming! Registration will reopen in August 2027 for the next Washington Green School course.

Until then, keep learning, keep growing, and most importantly-keep your hands in the dirt!🌿💚

We look forward to welcoming a new group of gardeners in 2027!

https://greenschool.extension.wsu.edu

10/01/2026

⏳ Last chance to register for the 2026/2027 Washington Gardener Certificate course!
Registration closes today, September 30, and the course kicks off October 5.

🌿 Offered just once a year—don’t miss your opportunity to grow your skills and earn your Washington Gardener Certificate.
https://greenschool.extension.wsu.edu/home/registration/

09/30/2026

Fantastic job helping your local community! 🌿

09/30/2026

🌿 Want to grow your sustainability skills—or just become a more confident gardener?

Green School is a fully online, self-paced course open to learners everywhere—no matter where you live! Participants can earn the Washington Gardener Certificate while exploring composting, pollinators, soil health, and more.

Whether you're in parks & recreation, education, landscaping, passionate about environmental stewardship, or simply passionate about plants, this course gives you practical, research-based tools to help you thrive.

🗓️ Register today, September 30 to start blooming this fall!
https://greenschool.extension.wsu.edu/home/registration/

Let’s cultivate a greener future—together. 🌎💚

09/30/2026

Easy listening, easy learning🌿 Enjoy😀

New episode of The Evergreen Thumb is live! Episode 82: How to Grow Thriving Garlic in the Pacific Northwest

Host Erin Hoover covers hardneck vs. softneck varieties, site selection, planting timing, and spacing. She also walks through scape removal, when to stop watering before harvest, and how to cure garlic so it stores well through winter. Plus tips on avoiding common pests and diseases.

If you're planning to plant garlic this fall, this episode has the details you need.

🎧 Listen now on your favorite podcast app or on our website at https://buff.ly/1xHRcNc