WSU Master Gardener Program Priorities

The WSU Master Gardener Program addresses important sociologic and environmental issues by teaching research-based horticulture information. We want people to have important skills and abilities that help mitigate challenges and to understand that everyone has a role to play in creating and sustaining healthy and resilient communities. These priorities inform our efforts. We promote integrated […]

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Advantages of Planting in Autumn

by Bruce Bennett • Autumn is a great time to look to leaf foliage or berries for color without the need for flowers. Many foliage plants even develop better color when temperatures drop. For example, dwarf heavenly bamboo (Nandina domestica) ‘Fire Power’ never looked better when its fire engine red color develops during the cool […]

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Climate-Ready Landscape Plants

by Bruce Bennet • The last three years have given us some of the increasingly hottest weather on record and forecasts for the next decade really don’t provide us much hope for the cooler, “normal” weather cycles. The next logical step in landscape development includes the issue of global warming in our part of the […]

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Native Plant Sale on October 21

A native plant sale will take place on October 21 at H.J. Carroll Park on October 21. The sale, the primary fundraiser for the Kul Kah Han Native Plant Garden at the park, is an excellent way to obtain healthy native plants for the home garden. Kul Kah Han arranges plants in seven different ecosystems, […]

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New Sign for Demo Park

by Honey Niemann • Recently several Jefferson County Master Gardener Foundation (JCMGF) volunteers spruced up the recognition signage at the Demo Park on Sims Way across from The Cup Restaurant. After sanding and repainting the original lettering, WSU and a 50th Anniversary logo was added. In true spirit,  JCMGF wanted to acknowledge and support our […]

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Butterflies in Your Garden

by Bruce Bennett • In June, the Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle reopened the Molbak’s Butterfly Garden after a two-year pandemic-related closure. Why would a zoo dedicate precious urban space to an exhibit which is open for only four months of the year? The 20 or so varieties butterflies that call western Washington home are […]

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Tricks for Fooling the Eye in the Garden

by Bruce Bennet • Trompe l’oeil is the French term for “fool the eye,” and is an artistic phrase used for the creation of optical illusions of three-dimensional space and objects on a two-dimensional surface. While the term usually deals with paintings, gardeners can use several of the same techniques to make their three-dimensional green […]

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Foundation Grants Available

by Suzanne Eggleston • The Jefferson County Master Gardeners Foundation (JCMGF) wants to support Jefferson County residents with up to $1,000 in funding for volunteer horticulture and environmental stewardship projects. Schools, community gardens, individuals, and organizations with not-for-profit projects are eligible to apply. Grants are available for supplies and materials. Monies are not intended to […]

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Get Your Tickets to 2023 Y&G!

by Suzanne Eggleston • Tickets are on sale for the 2023 Jefferson County Master Gardener Foundation’s 25th Anniversary Yard & Garden Virtual Lecture Series. The lectures are offered in a live webinar format, and will run on six Saturday mornings: February 11 and 25, and March 4, 11, 18, and 25. Lectures will be recorded; […]

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Gifting Plants for the Holidays

by Bruce Bennett • If you have been a gardener for more than a few years, you’ve probably been pegged by those around you as a gardening authority and someone who is all about plants. If that’s the case, gifting a plant makes perfect sense. Plants are one of those presents that will keep on […]

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