Classes and talks

Pollinate: Learn how pollination with the help of insects can boost your gardening success. 7 p.m. March 31, Rosehill Community Center, 304 Lincoln Ave., Mukilteo. Presentation by Eric Lee-Mäder, Pollinator Conservation Program co-director at the Xerces Society. Free. More info: mukilteowildlife.org.

Last call: “Wildlife-Friendly Gardening for Beauty and Sustainability” by Emily Bishton, is 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. April 1, Mukilteo Presbyterian Church Social Hall, 4514 84th St. SW, Mukilteo. This is the final lecture in the Sustainable Gardening Winter Speaker Series. Tickets are $20 at the door on a first come/first served basis. More at www.gardenlectures.com.

Stormwater: Want to control stormwater runoff on your property? Consider installing a rain garden and get a $2,500 rebate from the city of Everett. To learn more, attend an informational workshop on April 2. More at everettwa.gov/raingardens.

BFF bugs: “Our Insect Friends and Foes in the Vegetable Garden” talk by Diane Decker-Ihle, 7 p.m. April 11, Snohomish Garden Club, Snohomish Senior Center, 506 Fourth St.

Go green: Learn about natural yard care techniques, green gardening practices that make gardens easier to care for and healthier for families, pets and the environment. The theme this spring is designing your garden smartly by using “right plant, right place” principles. Free workshops are 7 to 8:30 p.m. April 19 and April 26, Eisenhower Middle School, 10200 25th Ave. SE, Everett. Register at https://Everett.Eventbrite.com.

Let it rain: Rain barrel workshops are April 23 and May 19. The fee is $40 and includes a 55-gallon barrel and all the necessary parts. Space is limited and on a first-come, first-serve basis. Call 425-257-8992 or go to www.everettwa.gov/LetitRain.

Garden variety

Field trip: noon April 11 to Pine Creek Farms and Nursery, 23225 Sofie Road, by Monroe Garden Club. Those wanting to car pool should meet at 11:30 a.m. at the East County Senior Center, 276 Sky River Parkway, Monroe. Bring a sack lunch and beverage, dessert will be provided. The speaker is Lori Heffner, of Pine Creek Nursery, discussing garden trends. Donations for the Sky Valley Food Bank accepted. For more, call 360-863-6160.

Green thumbs: Garden of Hope, a new community garden behind Snohomish Church of the Nazarene, 1017 13th St., is slated to open May 9. It will be a place for people to learn healthy dietary habits and grow fresh produce. Growers are asked to give 10 percent of all produce to the local food bank. Garden beds will rent for $35 for the season, plus a $15 refundable clean-up deposit. Reserve a raised bed by emailing garden@snonaz.org.

“Oak Leaf” fundraiser: Put your message on a stainless steel leaf to help finish the South Arboretum Plan, Evergreen Arboretum in Everett’s Legion Park. Cost: $250. Today is the last day to order: www.evergreenarboretum.com. Call 425-257-8597 for more information.

Scholarships &awards

Arlington Garden Club is offering a $2,000 scholarship to a graduating high school senior in Arlington, Darrington, Lakewood, Lake Stevens or Stanwood who plans to attend an accredited university or college in Washington in 2016-17. Applicants must be enrolled full time in a program related to horticulture, agriculture, forestry, husbandry or environmental science. Application is at www.arlingtongardenclub.org or by writing Arlington Garden Club, 526 N. West Ave, PMB55, Arlington, WA 98223. Deadline is May 1.

Floretum Garden Club has a $1,500 scholarship for a high school graduate, community college student or an individual planning a career in a horticultural field. The recipient may attend any college, technical school or university in Washington. For application form and more information, contact chairperson Joyce Johnson at JoyceJohnson310@comcast.net. Deadline is May 9.

Monroe Garden Club is offering a $1,000 scholarship to a high school senior or a college student pursuing a career 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 approximately 20 miles of Monroe. Deadline for application is May 1. For more information or an application, call 360-217-8417.

Mukilteo Way Garden Club is offering a $1,000 Scholarship for horticulture studies at Edmonds Community College. Current EdCC students, high school students and adult learners are eligible. Application and details are available at www.mwgc.org or by request at PO Box 1361, Mukilteo, WA 98275. Application deadline is May 31.

Evergreen Awards: Mountlake Terrace is accepting nominations for its annual Evergreen Awards, which recognize property owners who take great care of their properties. There are five categories: best maintained residence, best maintained business, best maintained multifamily property, most sustainable property and best transformation. Since last year’s program was postponed for budgetary reasons,all 2015 nominees will be considered this year. Nomination forms are at www.cityofmlt.com and at city facilities. Accepted through May 28.

SALES

Edible Plant Sale: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 30 and May 1, Meridian Park, 4649 Sunnyside Ave. N, Seattle. Earlybird sale is 5 to 7 p.m. April 29; tickets are $25 as a fundraiser to benefit Seattle Tilth’s educational programs. More at www.seattletilth.org.

Mabana Flames Auxiliary: 9 a.m. to noon April 23, Mabana Fire Station, 3651 S. Camano Drive, Camano Island. Perennials, tomato plants, annuals, fuchsias and bake sale.

Lake Forest Park Garden Club: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 30; Lake Forest Park Elementary School, 18500 37th Ave. NE. Sun-to-shade plants, ground covers, trees and shrubs.

Whidbey Island Eagles: 9 a.m. April 30 and May 1, The Eagles, a mile south of Freeland on Highway 525, Whidbey Island. Tomatoes, geraniums, hanging baskets, yard trees, bedding plants, veggies, herbs, rhodies, grasses, shrubs and more. Raffle to win a week on Maui or other items including garden art, gift certificates and more.

Series

“Growing Groceries Education Series“: Classes on growing your own food. Classes are 7 to 9:30 p.m. Wednesdays, WSU Snohomish County Extension’s Cougar Auditorium, 600 128th St. SE, Everett, inside McCollum Park.

April 6: Seed Starting &Growing Transplants. Save money and raise the varieties that do best here.

April 20: Weeding and Watering. Get smart about weeds and water; save time, harvest more.

April 27: Growing the Heat Lovers in the Chilly NW. Learn the tricks to growing ripe tomatoes, peppers and melons.

Register online at GrowingGroceries.BrownPaperTickets.com. For more information visit snohomish.wsu.edu/growing-groceries, call Kate Halstead at 425-357-6024 or email khalstead@wsu.edu.

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