Program Information
The WSU Master Gardener Program has yearly training to educate Interns about Integrated Pest Management and Sustainable Gardening Practices. Interns work closely with Mentors and other Certified MGs and donate their time at the Demonstration Gardens, Clinics and Foundation fundraising activities to earn the required volunteer hours. Once both the training and service hours are completed, they graduate from Intern to Certified. Volunteer and continuing education hours must be completed each year for a person to remain an active participant in the program. It is a valuable way for people to help educate other Thurston County residents in good gardening practices. (A copy of the WSU Master Gardener Handbook can be found by clicking http://mastergardener.wsu.edu/handbook.html.)
Interested in becoming a WSU Master Gardener? The next training begins in February of 2012.
Applications will be available October 1, 2011. To have your name added to an interest list, contact Cori Carlton, Program Coordinator carltoc@co.thurston.wa.us or call 360-867-2162.
Up to date information can be found at http://county.wsu.edu/thurston/gardening/mg/Pages/TrainingInformation.aspx
Master Recycler Composter training is also conducted yearly. The training consists of several evening and Saturday classes. MCs are expected to help at any of the demonstration gardens with the composting duties and also to be available for teaching at workshops sponsored throughout the year. It is another very valuable experience for those wishing to help educate the public on ways to decrease their contribution to land fills as well as make some of their own 'Black Gold" to put on their gardens. Contact Cori Carlton, Program Coordinator carltoc@co.thurston.wa.us or call 360-867-2162.
Along with the Demonstration Gardens which can be found on a separate page, the Master Gardener Program sponsors educational clinics which are available to the public. During operating hours, people can bring questions to the clinics which are staffed with MG volunteers (as volunteers are available). We're on hand to look at your problem (samples need to be brought to the clinics) and see if we can identify that bug, disease, cultural issue, etc. We appreciate as much information as you can provide so that our answers can be as thorough and accurate as possible. Also answered are questions about how to do something, what plants are best for our area and your specific situations, composting questions, water-wise solutions, Integrated Pest Management, etc.
- 5033 Harrison Ave. NW, Olympia, WA 98502
(Take Highway 101 to the exit for Evergreen College, but stay right and head to Mud Bay Rd. The office is in the old McLane Fire Station to the right at the end of the ramp.)
Master Gardener Clinic Phone: 360-867-2163
Open Monday through Friday 9 am-1 pm (March - Oct)
Open Tuesday and Friday 9 am-1 pm (Nov - Feb)
- Lacey Community Market at Huntamer Park
- Olympia Farmers Market
At the East end of the Market, across from Mercato Restaurant
Open 10 am-3 pm
Thursday - Sunday (Apr - Oct)
Saturday - Sunday (Nov - Dec)