Home gardeners will learn how to examine their gardens most effectively for proper climatic growing conditions when the Clallam County WSU Master Gardener 2014 Green Thumb Gardening Tips series kicks off at noon Thursday, Jan. 23, in the county commissioners meeting room of the Clallam County Courthouse, 223 E. Fourth St., Port Angeles.

Master Gardener Bruce Pape will explain what the Northwest Maritime climate is and how it works. He will describe the affect of sunlight on plant growth and the characteristics of a garden in full sun, partial sun and full or partial shade.

Pape also will provide insight into the influence of temperature, precipitation and regional and local winds on plant growth and development and will explain what USDA and Sunset Plant hardiness zonal maps mean for local gardening.

A 30-year veteran weather, climate and biogeography instructor at Central Michigan University, Pape also co-owned a weather forecasting service and landscape design business. He was named Clallam County Master Gardener Intern of the Year for 2012.

This presentation is part of the Green Thumbs Garden Tips brown bag series sponsored by the WSU Clallam County Master Gardeners on the second and fourth Thursday of every month in Port Angeles.

The educational series provides home gardeners with education on gardening topics relevant to planting and maintaining sustainable gardens and landscapes in Clallam County.

Attendees may bring a lunch. The presentations are free and open to the public. However, donations to help offset copying costs for handouts are accepted. For questions, call 417-2279.