Home and Garden calendar for Snohomish County and beyond

Published 1:30 am Thursday, March 16, 2017

Tomatoes: 10 a.m. to noon March 18, Coldwell BankerBain, 108 Fifth Ave. S., Edmonds, by Edmonds Floretum. “Growing Tomatoes in the Pacific Northwest” by Jeff Thompson, who has grown tomatoes since age 8, started over 40,000 plants and grown more than 350 varieties. Free, with donations welcome. More at www.edmondsfloretumgardenclub.org.

Let it rain gardens: The city of Everett offers $2,500 rebates to qualified homeowners who install approved rain gardens as part of the city’s “Let it Rain” program that promotes reducing stormwater runoff, flooding and surface water pollution. Attend a one-hour workshop to learn about the program and request a site assessment of your property. Workshops are free and no registration is required. Workshops are 10 a.m. March 18, Everett Public Works, 3200 Cedar St.; and 7 p.m. March 23, Eisenhower Middle School, 10200 25th Ave. SE. More at www.everettwa.gov/raingardens.

Plant trees: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. March 18, Kenmore Waterfront Activities Center, 7353 175th St. Volunteers needed to plant 400 trees and shrubs that will be used to restore natural streamside vegetation benefiting salmon. Go across Swamp Creek by canoe. From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. March 26, volunteers are needed to plant 600 trees by Olaf Strad Creek at Marysville’s Strawberry Fields Park, 6100 152nd St. NE, Marysville. More at www.streamkeeper.org.

Birding hot spots: Tour of Camano and Stanwood birding hot spots, 9 a.m. to noon March 19. Destinations might change because of weather or notable bird activity, but past expeditions have been to English Boom Historical Park, Iverson Beach Preserve and Eide Road. Meet at Terry’s Corner Park & Ride, 860 N. Sunrise, behind Camano Island Coffee Roasters to stage in carpools and get directions. Dress for the weather, wear sturdy shoes, bring binoculars or scopes. No dogs allowed on the guided walk. Tour will take place rain or shine; no reservations required. Part of a public education series hosted by the Camano Wildlife Habitat Project, sponsored by Friends of Camano Island Parks. For updated information on destinations and specific bird targets for the day, visit www.camanowildlifehabitat.org, call 360-387-7024 or email camanowildlifehabitat@gmail.com.

Native tree planting: Hosted by Sound Salmon Solutions, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 25, Stillaguamish River, Arlington. Partner with The Stillaguamish Tribe of Indians. Event for all ages, large groups and families. Located just east of Arlington along the Stillaguamish River. For more, email lisa@soundsalmonsolutions.org or call 425-252-6686.

Good seeds: “The Triumph of Seeds” by Thor Hanson, award-winning author and conservation biologist, is 1 p.m. March 26, Aaron Education Center at Bellevue Botanical Garden, 12001 Main St. Hosted by Northwest Perennial Alliance. Hanson’s presentation weaves science and culture to show how these common wonders shape our world and touch our lives every day. Doors open at noon for Far Reaches Farm plant sale and book signing by Hanson. NPA members $5, non-members $20. More at www.northwestperennialalliance.org.

Centennial Farms: Have a farm that’s 100? Owners of farms that have been under one family’s ownership and operated continuously for 100 years will be honored by Snohomish County at the Evergreen State Fair in August. Applications accepted until June 1. For more, call 425-388-7170 or email linda.neunzig@snoco.org.

Get wild: The Camano Wildlife Habitat Project, sponsored by Friends of Camano Island Parks, hosts public presentations the third Wednesday of the month. For more, call 360-387-2236, visit www.camanowildlifehabitat.org or email camanowildlifehabitat@gmail.com.

SCHOLARSHIPS

Monroe Garden Club is offering a $1,000 scholarship to a high school senior or a college student pursuing a degree in some aspect of horticulture at an accredited college or trade school. Studies may include forestry, botany, landscaping, floral design, etc. Applicants must reside in or within about 20 miles of Monroe. Deadline for application is May 1. For more information or to request an application packet, call 360-217-8417.

Arlington Garden Club is offering a $2,000 scholarship to a graduating high school senior who plans to attend an accredited university or college in Washington during the 2017-18 academic year. Applicants are required to be enrolled full time (12 or more credits) in a program related to one of the following: horticulture, agriculture, forestry, husbandry or environmental science. Eligible high schools are Arlington, Darrington, Lakewood, Lake Stevens or Stanwood. The application is at www.arlingtongardenclub.org or by request at Arlington Garden Club, 526 NW Ave., PMB 55, Arlington. Deadline for submission is May 1.

PLANT TALKS

Winter Speaker Series: The Snohomish County Master Gardener Foundation annual series features Northwest garden personalities Friday mornings from 9:30 to 11:30. Lectures are held in the Social Hall of the Mukilteo Presbyterian Church, 4515 84th St. SW. Sessions are $20 at the door. Go to www.gardenlectures.com for a complete listing of dates, speakers, topics and how to register. March 17: Bess Bronstein, “How to Successfully Prune Any Shrub.” March 31: Dan Hinkley, “Heronswood: Past, Present and Future.” April 7: Jennifer Hahn, “Pacific Feast: Where the Wild Things are Delicious.”

Growing Groceries Education Series: Classes designed to help you learn how to grow your own food. Classes are Wednesday evenings from 7 to 9:30 at WSU Snohomish County Extension’s Cougar Auditorium, 600 128th St. SE, Everett. Cost is $20 per class. Register online at growinggroceries.eventbrite.com. For more, go to snohomish.wsu.edu/growing-groceries, call 425-357-6024 or email kate.ryan@wsu.edu. March 22: “Seed Starting & Growing Transplants.” Save money and raise the varieties that do best here.

Evergreen Arboretum Classes: Evergreen Arboretum monthly classes. The arboretum is in American Legion Memorial Park, 145 Alverson Blvd., Everett. More at www.evergreenarboretum.com or by calling 425-257-8597. March 18: “Rediscover Rhododendrons,” noon to 1 p.m. Trevor Cameron, Sunnyside Nursery manager and Arboretum president. Meet at the front entrance to the arboretum.