EVENTS
Skagit Valley Tulip Festival: runs through April 30. The tulips bloom according to their own schedule sometime during the festival. The festival is a driving tour of the hundreds of acres of blooming flowers. There are bus tours as well and many related activities. See www.tulipfestival.org for a map and bloom updates.
Earth Week at EvCC: Everett Community College marks Earth Week, continues through April 26. All events are free and open to the public. Attendees to any event can enter daily prize drawings for a compost bin, a North Face backpack and other prizes. Additional events include a plant swap, Bargreen’s Coffee discount days, a used-clothing drive and compost demonstrations. See www.everetttcc.edu.
Pruning workshop: The Northwest Language and Cultural Center is holding this workshop May 3 with Japanese master gardener Masa Mizuno at a private residence in the Headlands in Clinton on Whidbey Island. The event includes a demonstration followed by a tour of the gardens and authentic Japanese lunch. Cost is $75 per person. Early reservations are recommended online at www.nwlanguageacademy.com, by calling 360-321-2101 or email info@nwlanguageacademy.com.
Mother’s Day at Falling Water Gardens: The nursery plans two days of special events, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. May 10 and 11, with free flowers for mothers, free pond building classes, local artists and plant experts. Falling Water Gardens is at 17516 Highway 203 Monroe. Call 360-863-1400 or see www.fallingwatergardens.com for more information.
Mother’s Day planting for kids: Children can create pots for their moms from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 10 at the Garden Market on Fifth and Bell streets, Edmonds. Sponsored by Edmonds in Bloom.
Garden competition: Edmonds gardeners can submit entry forms for the competition from May 1. through July 3. Entry forms are available at Garden Gear, Edmonds Library, Frances Anderson Center, Bountiful Home and the Log Cabin. Mail or bring them to the Frances Anderson Center, 700 Main St. or online at www.edmondsinbloom.com.
Summer orcharding: Professional orchardists workshop will be held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 17 at Skagit Valley Gardens, 18923 Johnson Road, Mount Vernon. Classes include pest control, integrated pest management, propagation, weed control, summer pruning and training. Fee of $95 includes class materials, beverages and lunch. See www.agbizcenter.org.
Drip irrigation: Master gardener Jeff Thompson will explain drip irrigation systems in a hands-on workshop sponsored by WSU-Snohomish County Extension from 1 to 3:30 p.m. or from 6 to 8:30 p.m. May 20 or June 18 at the Extension Education Center at McCollum Park, 600 128th St., SE, Everett. Fee is $20, or $30 for couple. To register call 425-357-6039 or go to tinyurl.com/mup5le7.
Arboretum tours: Reservations for custom group tours of the Evergreen Arboretum &Gardens are available all year by calling 425-257-8597. There is no charge, but donations are welcome. The arboretum is at 145 Alverson Blvd., Everett. Go to www.evergreenarboretum.com or email contactus@evergreenarboretum.com.
CLASSES
Arlington Recreation Garden Group: Monthly workshops will be held from 10 a.m. to noon Saturdays with question-and-answer sessions with master gardener Bea Randall. Cost for the first session is $4 and there will be a $1 per meeting charge after that. Registration not required. Call 360-403-3448 for more information.
April 26: Natural lawn care, Arlington United Church, 338 N. McLeod Ave., Arlington, in the large room one floor below the sanctuary.
May 24: Composting, cool bugs, and surface water management, Community Room adjacent to the Arlington Boys and Girls’ Club at 18513 59th Ave. NE, Arlington.
Evergreen Arboretum and Gardens 2014 lectures: Saturdays at the arboretum, 145 Alverson Blvd., Everett. All the classes are free. Seating is limited and require registration. Call 425-257-8597 to register. Go to www.evergreenarboretum.com to learn more. Register by mail at P.O. Box 13014, Everett, WA 98206 or email contactus@evergreenarboretum.com.
May 17: Great Plant Picks with Dode Carlson, Florence Stiles, Jean Savory and Ann Neupert, master gardeners.
June 21: Pruning Rhododendrons and Azaleas with Trevor Cameron of Sunnyside Nursery.
July 19: Shade Gardening with Susie Egan, owner of Cottage Lake Gardens.
July 26: Family Fun in the arboretum , 1 to 3 p.m. Family activities, music, games, art activities and food.
Aug. 16: Designing for Late Summer Color with Marty Civarra, landscape designer and owner of Leaf Lessons.
Sept. 20: Rain Gardens with Zsofia Pasztor, owner of Innovative Landscape Technologies.
Oct. 18: Putting your Garden to Bed with John Marsh, master gardener.
Nov. 15: Backyard Holiday Centerpieces with Bob Adrian of Flowers by Adrian.
Dec. 6: Holiday Workshop for Kids with Hap Wertheimer, past arboretum president and art teacher. For ages 6 to 12. Parents are welcome to participate.
NURSERY CLASSES
These local nurseries feature gardening classes, guest speakers and special events throughout the year, often for no charge. Check their websites or call for details.
Christianson’s Nursery and Greenhouse: 15806 Best Road, Mount Vernon; 360-466-3821; www.christiansonsnursery.com.
Falling Water Gardens: Free classes in creating and caring for a pond, 17516 Highway 203, Monroe; 360-863-1400, www.fallingwatergardens.com.
McAuliffe’s Valley Nursery: 11910 Springhetti Road, Snohomish; 360-862-1323; www.mcauliffesvalleynursery.com.
Molbak’s Garden &Home: 13625 NE 175th St., Woodinville; 425-483-5000; www.molbaks.com.
My Garden: 17414 Bothell-Everett Highway, Mill Creek; 425-402-1842; www.mygardennursery.com.
Pine Creek Nursery: 23225 Sofie Road, Monroe; 360-863-8866; www.pinecreeknursery.com.
Sky Nursery: 18528 Aurora Ave. N., Shoreline; 206-546-4851; www.skynursery.com
Sunnyside Nursery: 3915 Sunnyside Blvd., Marysville; 425-334-2002; www.sunnysidenursery.net. Classes are free.
The Plant Farm at Smokey Point: 15022 Twin Lakes Ave., Marysville; 360-652-3351; www.theplantfarm.com.
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