Everett, Wash.
Published: Thursday, April 24, 2008

Nuts and bolts: irrigation system, garden tour, local food items

 Never drag a hose again: Jeff Thompson, a Snohomish County master gardener, is teaching two classes on how to set up a micro drip irrigation system. He's opening this class to the public for the first time. The classes are scheduled for 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. May 13 at the extension office at McCollum Park, 600 128th St. SE, Everett. The class is free, but Thompson asks for a donation to the Snohomish County Master Gardener Foundation. Registration is required. Call 425-357-6010.



Mark your calendar: The Snohomish County Master Gardener's tour of 13 local gardens over five summer Saturdays is set for June 7, July 12, 19, 26, and Aug. 9. Hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The tour brochure, which costs $25, is your ticket to view and explains which gardens can be seen on the various dates. Pick it up between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday at McCollum Park, 600 128th St. SE, Everett or by mail. Call 425-338-2400 for more details.



Pick a plant sale: Buy from the best gardeners in the region at the Snohomish County Master Gardener Foundation plant sale from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 3 at McCollum Park, 600 128th St. SE, Everett. Call 425-357-6010 or see snomgf.org for more details. Check our planner on Page 19 for more plant sales.



Eat local: If you grow your own vegetables, you know about the value of local food. But if you can't grow everything you need this season, you might check out the new 2008 Puget Sound Fresh Farm Guide, available at www.pugetsoundfresh.org or as a paper guide at various local libraries, farmers markets and grocery stores. It's brimming with ideas for how to hook up with local farmers this spring and summer, including extensive lists and maps of local farms, all searchable by geographic area or by food type.

You'll also find a directory of CSA (community supported agriculture) programs, local farmers markets, plus restaurants, grocery stores and cooking schools that sell or work with locally grown food. There is also a harvest schedule chart and recipes, plus a list of fairs and farm festivals.

If that's not enough, you can sign up for a free weekly newsletter from Puget Sound Fresh with details about what's in season when and how best to cook it: Simply write Mary Embleton at mary@cascadeharvest.org and ask to be signed up for "What's Fresh Now" or read it online at www.PugetSoundFresh.org.

Herald staff
© 2009The Daily Herald Co., Everett, WA