Six free Gardening for Everyone classes that should provoke most any gardener’s interest are scheduled for Feb. 10 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Centralia College. Sponsored by Washington State University Master Gardeners of Lewis County, regular attendees take note this semi-annual event has been changed to Washington Hall on the college campus, rather than Ehret Hall.

Classes include learning how to prune your fruit trees; growing tasty tomatoes; coping with clay soils; hearing about great plants that grow in tough situations; making gardening easier and unusual fruits that grow well locally.

Arrive between 8:30 and 8:45 a.m. to register and find where your choice of the two classes offered each session is located. Then you can check out the displays, plant clinic table and other areas of interest.

This 15th annual event is free, although donations are appreciated in order to continue offering this educational program.

Displays

Gardening for Everyone chairs Dale Westman and Patty Brown have lined up several displays for the event. “I think everyone is going to enjoy what has been brought together, with education offered for all levels of gardening,” says Westman.

Displays include James Thielges’ extensive mason bee display, where you’ll learn how important these friendly pollinators are for your garden; pick up ideas on controlling your weeds from the Lewis County Noxious Weed Board; Master Recycler Composters will have material on recycling and composting; Danielle Warner, project specialist for a new county program called Community Forest Stewardship; and Kathie Pearce on firewise landscaping will explain their educational programs.

There’ll be a Master Gardeners plant clinic table where you can get information on your specific problems, an extension pamphlet table, information about the newly formed foundation that supports Master Gardeners, and free catalogs and magazines.

Pruning Fruit Trees

Tackling a fruit tree that needs pruning is a daunting task, especially to novices. Starting at 9 a.m., Joe Kropf will teach the techniques of pruning that lead to more fruit and better tree health. Kropf, Mason County Master Gardener and retired Extension agent, leads a pruning team of Master Gardeners in his county.

Tasty Tomatoes in Lewis County

What could be nicer on a warm summer day than eating tomatoes right off you own vine? The second 9 a.m. class features Master Gardeners Mike Stedham and Ed Schroeder sharing their tomato-growing (and other vegetable) experience, covering when to start them, how to grow them and especially the range of tomato types and favorite varieties.

Gardening Clay Soil

Struggling with growing plants in our infamous Lewis County clay can be frustrating. At 10:45 a.m. Master Gardener Debbie Burris will share her learning experiences in overcoming the obstacles of clay so you too can grow healthy ornamentals, trees, vegetables and lawns.

Tough-As- Nails Gardens

Are there really plants that get by with little water and aren’t gobbled up by visiting deer and rabbits? At 10:45 a.m. Master Gardener Barbara Eastman has some recommended plants that stand right up to these challenges and more.

Making Gardening Easier

Gardening is great for the body as well as mind, so all ages can benefit from tips, techniques and tools that enable gardeners to keep at it, with or without physical limitations. At noon Master Gardeners Micheline Bickford and Mary Fran Fryer pair up, offering tips on minimizing maintenance, watering and pruning as well as helpful ideas on containers, tools and raised beds.

Paw Paws, Aronias and Medlars

Whether these names are new to you or not, these unusual edible fruits grow well in our climate. At noon, Theresa Knutsen from Raintree Nursery will discuss many interesting varieties of unusual fruits and berries, as well as their culture, care and uses.

To get to Washington Hall from Interstate 5, take exit 82 and drive east on Harrison, following signs to the city center. Turn right on Rock Street and you’ll see the large Washington Hall complex including Corbet Theater on your right. Ample parking is behind the building.

For information on Gardening for Everyone, telephone WSU Extension at 740-1212.

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Mary Fran Fryer is a Lewis County Master Gardener, and invites reader comments and suggestions. Contact her by e-mail at maryfran@sysmatrix.net, or by telephone at 807-0775.

source : www.chronline.com