Whidbey Gardening Workshop Central - 2010

Session A (10:30-12)

A.1 Creating a Great Border: Find out about the best performing plants and how you can combine them to create a border with year round beauty and interest. We will talk about small shrubs, perennials, grasses and annuals and so much more. June Davis June Davis [more]
A.3 Constructing Your Own Rain Barrel: Harvest the rain to provide your indoor and garden plants with naturally soft water! Learn what materials are needed, where to get them, and how to make your own barrel at a fraction of the cost of buying one. Scott Chase Scott Chase [more]
A.4 Feng Shui in the Garden: Balance Through Artful Placement: Learn the history of gardens beginning with the Chinese, how to apply Feng Shui Landscaping principles in your garden using the Bagua for plants, color choices and material enhancements to creat balance and prosperity. Jackie Richards Jackie Richards [more]
A.5 Gardening 101: This class covers the very basics of gardening on Whidbey: garden location, soil basics, water, and watering, climate issues, feeding your plants, pests, and tools. This class will prepare you for both Gardening 102 and Gardening 103. Barbara Collier, Virginia Lathop Barbara Collier, Virginia Lathrop [more]
A.6 Getting Started with Honeybees Part 1: Learn what it takes to get started with honeybees. This is a prerequisite for part II (B12) David Neel David Neel [more]
A.7 Growin' in the Wind, Trees for a Windswept Island: On Whidbey, the wind always blows out of the South, except when it blows out of the North or East or West. Explore some fruit trees, flowering trees and shade trees that tolerate these conditions. Eric Studebaker Eric Studebaker [more]
A.8 In Praise of Native Pollinators: Before the advent of the European honeybee, native insects and other creatures played a vital role in the ecosystem of Whidbey Island. Recent declines in honeybee populations are returning them to a position of importance. Learn the who's who of the native pollinators and how you can help them thrive in your garden. Steve & Martha Ellis Steve & Martha Ellis [more]
A.9 Loving Lavender in the Landscape: Learn about growing and using one of the world's most versatile herbs. We'll discuss: finding the ideal conditions, propagation, transplanting, harvesting, and pruning techniques. An overview of varietal differences will also be included. Sarah Richards Sarah Richards [more]
A.10 Plant Propagation: Using plant morphology (structure) to determine appropriate propation methods. Explanation of different types of propagation techniques. Deb Mitchell Deborah Mitchell [more]
A.11 Pruning Throughout the Year: As the seasons change, pruning needs of plant varieties change in order to maintain maximum health and beauty. After a brief information period, all plants will be identified and all questions answered. This is a question and answer workshop. Jim O'Connor Jim O'Connor [more]
A.12 Small Fruit Production: This class will provide basic production techniques for small fruits in the home garden. Crops covered will include strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, blackberries, currants, grapes, kiwi, and other miscellaneous fruits. Jim Kropf Jim Kropf [more]
A.13 Starting a Vegetable Garden: Learn the basics of vegetable gardening. Topics include how to site your garden, create good soil, choose your veggies, plant at the right time, water and keep everything happy so you can enjoy the harvest. Cary Peterson Cary Peterson [more]
A.14 Staying Healthy and Avoiding Injury While Gardening: Gardening, as in every sport, athletic or physical endeavor can be performed in ways that can either increase fitness or increase the risk of injury, depending on the safe use of one's body. It is not uncommon for gardeners to suffer from low back pain, shoulder/elbow and wrist tendonitis and pain, as well as developing bursitis. In this workshop Dr. Craig will review and demonstate the techniques that make for a less injurious day in the yard, including safe pruning, shoveling, lifting, carrying and other common activities. Craig Weinston Craig Weinston [more]
A.15 Vegetable Gardening in our Maritime Climate: Assessing soil management, cultural requirements, temperature management variety selection and fertility requirements to maximize your gardening success. Bob Hart Bob Hart [more]
A.16 Vermin Busting: Rats, mice, moles and other unwanted creatures can destroy your garden, your home and endanger your family and pets. Learn about these common pests and how to prevent infestations. Or, if you already have a problem, how to deal with it in a safe and effective manner using chemical and non-chemical controls. Dave Pehling Dave Pehling [more]
A.17 Waterwise Plantings - Drought Tolerant Plants for Your Garden: See great photos, and learn planting & maintenance types for having an eco-friendly drought tolerant garden with lasting beauty and fragrance. Slide list included. Mary Fisher Mary Fisher [more]
A.18 Wild and Medicinal in Your Backyard: Learn how common “weeds” and natives plants are used in Botanical Medicine. Toni Grove Toni Grove [more]

Session B ( 1:00-2:30)

B.1 Beyond Rhodies - Fabulous Shrubs for Added Interest: There is a delightful array of shrubs from evergreen to deciduous showy blossoms, berries, and ones with terrific fall foliage. For those that have focused on rhododendrons, this could be just the inspiration for more low maintenance but beautiful plants. Many options will be explained. Mary Fisher Mary Fisher [more]
B.2 Butterflies and Beneficial Insects: Learn how to plant to attract butterflies and beneficial insects to your garden. Marcia Nelson Marcia Nelson [more]
B.3 Constructing Your Hoophouse: Constructing your own hoophouse can save a great deal in your budget and there are tricks that will save you a lot of trouble with your construction. Bill McInvaille Bill McInvaille [more]
B.4 Contain Those Plants: Learn to create great looking containers that give year round interest. June will talk about top performing plants and how to plant them in stunning combinations that will charm through several seasons. June Davis June Davis [more]
B.5 Creating a Backyard Wildlife Habitat: Learn what you can do to help get Whidbey Island certified as a Community Wildlife Habitat and steps you need to take to certify your own backyard habitat. Phil & Lydia Sikes Phil & Lydia Sikes [more]
B.6 Eating From Your Garden Year Round: With our temperate maritime climate, it's possible to get vegetables year round (with a little work and inventiveness). Learn when to start cold weather crops, how to protect them from frost, which varieties are best suited for cold storage and preservation. Linda Bartlett Linda Bartlett [more]
B.7 From the Garden to Your Table: We will demonstrate and discuss how to eat better out of your own garden by focusing on perennial herbs, storage crops of fall food, leafy vegetables, preservation and creating a staple pantry. NOTE: $5 material fee. Vince Nattress Vince Nattress [more]
B.8 Fruit Tree Care and Maintenance: Pruning techniques for fruit trees, dos and don'ts. This class will be followed by a second class - a hands-on, off-campus demonstration at a local orchard. Deb Mitchell Deborah Mitchell [more]
B.9 Garden Journal Workshop: Enhance your enjoyment of gardening by recording your gardening experiences by sketching or photgraphing your own garden or nature in general. Create an artistic journal that can be a valuable reference to treasure for years to come. Leslie Born Leslie Born [more]
B.10 Gardening 102: Basics of planting and growing annuals, perennials, and bulbs on Whidbey, Must register for Gardening 101. Virginia Lathrop, Barbara Collier Virginia Lathrop, Barbara Collier [more]
B.11 Gardening and Erosion Along Puget Sound Bluffs: Properly prune your trees to maintain views, use native vegetation to stabilize bluffs, and learn which plants are salt and drought tolerant. Plant sources, lists, and technologies will also be discussed. Scott Chase Scott Chase [more]
B.12 Getting Started with Honeybees Part 11: Continuing on with the discussion from Part I, including specific bee keeping equipment and problems associated with keeping hives. Must be enrolled in A6 to attend this class. David Nell David Neel [more]
B.13 Growing Beautiful Dahlias Made Easy: Unravel the myths on dahlia gardening and learn "down to earth" answers to frequently asked questions about propagating, cultivating and harvesting this remarkable, beautiful plant. John Wilson John Wilson [more]
B.14 Growing Tomatoes in the Pacific NW: We will cover the basics of all aspects of growing tomatoes - varieties, planting seeds, transplanting, planting in ground or containers, fertilizing, staking, watering, pruning, problems and diseases. Wally Prestbo Wally Prestbo [more]
B.15 Hardscape Your Landscape: Hardscaping is the framework of your garden, giving you the background to set off your beautiful plants, bushes, vines and trees. This class will discus a variety of hardscapes including rocks, pathways, mini ponds and stone bridges. Tom Reed of Great Escapes (waterfalls, ponds and repair) will be a guest lecturer along with Steve & Donna Stansberry Steve & Donna Stansberry [more]
B.16 Not Tonight Deer, Protecting Your Plants from Deer: Tried and true methods for keeping deer from your favorite plants. Anne Baum Anne Baum [more]
B.17 Plantings Over Your Drain Field: Learn the dos and don'ts of planting on your drainfield. Plant selection and tips on hiding components will be discussed. Janet Hall Janet Hall [more]
B.18 Raised Bed Vegetable Gardening: Learn how to grow vegetables using raised beds, how to decide if raised beds are for you, and different ways to create them. This class will also cover, design and planting considerations, irrigation and mulching techniques for water conservation and weed control, and using cloches and row covers to extend the season. Cary Peterson Cary Peterson [more]
B.19 Growing Plants in the Greenhouse: Learn techniques for making propagating beds and raising healthy plants in a greenhouse. See what is going on in the big greenhouse on the Coupeville Campus. Make a cutting or two and transplant some seedlings to take with you. Virginia Brown Virginia Brown [more]

Session C ( 2:45-4:15)

C.1 Birds and Butterflies of the Garden: Some are with us year round, others come and go with the seasons. Learn the basics of identifying and attracting these colorful creatures to your bird and butterfly friendly garden. Steve & Martha Ellis Steve & Martha Ellis [more]
C.2 Chickens in your Garden: If you have been thinking of raising chickens, ducks, geese or turkeys, Stinger Anderson and members of the 4-H Rock'n Doodle Poultry will cover everything necessary to get you started. Club members will present modules on obtaining chicks, hatching eggs, housing, building a chicken tractor, feeding, health and dealing with predators. Stinger Anderson Stinger Anderson [more]
C.3 Creating an Old Growth Forest: Learn about Earth Sanctuary's 500-year plan to proactively create an old-growth forest. Practical lessons learned from planting over 15,000 plants and 3,000 trees. Take a virtual tour of Earth Sanctuary's trails, stone circles and other sacred spaces. Chuck Pettis Chuck Pettis [more]
C.4 Digital Photography for Gardeners Made Easy: Digital cameras have become an indispensable tool for connecting us and others with the elusive moments of perfection in our gardens. “Pixels to Pictures: Digital Photography for Gardeners Made Easy,” unravels the myths about garden photography and provides down-to-earth answers to the most asked questions. John Wilson John Wilson [more]
C.5 Extend Your Growing Season for More Fresh Veggies: Learn ways to plant crops earlier and harvest longer into the fall. Grow in hoophouses, use cloches, start seeds earlier, use row covers and much more. Practical information on maximizing your garden output. Anza Muenchow Anza Muenchow [more]
C.6 Fruit Tree Care and Maintenance, Part 2: Hands-on demonstration in a young orchard. Participants must be signed up for Part 1. Course will be held offsite. Parking limited, so carpooling is encouraged. Wear weather-appropriate clothing and sturdy shoes. Site is windy and largely unprotected. Deb Mitchell Deborah Mitchell [more]
C.7 Gardening 103: This class covers the basics of vegetable gardening on Whidbey. In order to take Gardening 103, you must register for Gardening 101. Mary Fiddler Mary Fiddler, Barbara Collier [more]
C.8 Gardening in the Shade: Make your shady garden the highlight of your yard. Learn about the different kinds of shade and what plants perform best in situations where sunlight is scarce. June Davis June Davis [more]
C.9 Growing Beautiful Peonies: Facets of successful peony growing from choosing plants and flower types to propagating, planting and care, potential problems and diseases. Richard Tamura Richard Tamura [more]
C.10 Growing Roses on Whidbey island: Roses that have been “tested” in our gardens or the Master Gardener Display Garden at Greenbank Farm are discussed along with how to grow them. Maryanne Coffey & Marcia Nelson Marcia Nelson, Maryanne Coffey [more]
C.11 Identifying and Using Native Plants in the Landscape: The why, what and how to using native plants in the landscape. Plant samples will be used for identification. Photos of landscapes using natives and domestic plants discussed. Don Lee Don Lee [more]
C.12 Landscaping for Wildlife and Water Quality: If you think your yard ends at your neighbor's property line, you have another think coming. Your yard care practices have far-reaching effects on wildlife, water quality and climate change. Maribeth Crandell Maribeth Crandell [more]
C.13 Lavender as an Edible and Essential Herb: Recipes and ideas for using your lavender in the kitchen and home. Sarah Richards Sarah Richards [more]
C.14 Rain Gardens 101, Planning and Constructing Rain Gardens: Raingardens are designed to allow storm water runoff from roofs, driveways, parking lots, and other impervious surfaces to slowly soak into the soil. Rain gardens help reduce pollution before it reaches adjacent waterways. A rain garden is a shallow depression filled with healthy, compost-amended soils and native plants. These soils and plants act like a native forest to slow down, clean, and infilitrate storm water runoff. Come learn how to design, install and chose plants for your rain garden. Stacy Smith Stacy Smith [more]
C.15 Taking Care of Your Yard Tools and Equipment: Clean em, sharpen em, lubricate em - lessons for extending the lives of your tools and machinery. Bud Wilkinson Bud Wilkinson [more]
C.16 The Challenge of Landscaping Large Areas: There are many challenges to landscaping large areas. Visually, one must meld new plantings with the surrounding site and evelop edge control, yet also retain a sense of intimacy. Practically, nature and her cohorts disrupt the most lovely of deisgns, finally there is a limit to one's physical resources and time to develop and maintain a large garden. Strategies for addressing each of these areas will be discussed. Dominique Emerson Dominique Emerson [more]
C.17 Threats of Invasion (by non-native plants): Introduction to Weed Laws, the problems non-native invasive plants pose and photo identification of the worst offenders in Island County. Susan Horton Susan Horton [more]
C.18 Wild Mushrooms (and how they help your garden): Curious about the mushrooms in your yard and garden, as well as those in the forests of Western Washington? Learn about which commonly found mushrooms are edible, and how they help with composting and in the growth of your trees and plants. Scott Chase Scott Chase [more]
C.19 Yard and Food Waste Composting: Basics to begin a yard or food waste compost system or improve your exiting one. Discover the many beneficial uses of compost in your garden. Janet Hall Janet Hall [more]