Master Gardener looks to help newcomers, newbies

Published 1:30 am Wednesday, August 17, 2022

Clallam County Master Gardener Margery Whites looks to empower newcomers to garden successfully on the North Olympic Peninsula with the “Gardening for Newcomers” presentation set for 10:30 a.m.-noon on Saturday, Aug. 20, at the Woodcock Demonstration Garden, 2711 Woodcock Road.

“Gardening for Newcomers” is part of the Digging Deeper educational series.

Whites, who has many years’ experience growing fruits, vegetables and ornamental plants in the Pacific Northwest, will describe local growing conditions and how they impact gardening. She will help wanna-be gardeners examine the topography of their property, soil conditions and wind and sun exposures so that they can select the best location for their garden and the right plants.

She will also discuss some of the challenges of gardening in our area including our cool growing season, excess rainfall in winter and drought conditions in mid-summer, and local animal life.

The presentation is free and open to the public but limited to the first 30 people who sign up for the session. To register, go to brownpapertickets.com/event/5524883. Attendees will be asked to mask regardless of their COVID vaccination status.

In addition to the scheduled educational presentation, a team of Clallam County Master Gardeners will be available at the Woodcock Demonstration Garden from 9:30 a.m.- 12:30 p.m. to answer all gardening questions.

Digging Deeper attendees are encouraged to bring samples of garden problems or pests for diagnosis by Master Gardeners who can recommend control measures.

For more information about “Gardening for Newcomers” or the Digging Deeper series, call 360-477-0116.