Spring and summer are marvelous times to be a gardener in Snohomish County.
Not only does the weather warm — at least we hope it does — but we also have plant sales, garden tours, festivals and other events nearly every weekend.
Still, you love to garden: You like to be knee deep i
n dirt, digging, weeding, planting, picking and watering, so you have to be choosy about which events to attend.
To help you get started in this tough decision-making process, here are some of the most popular events in the area in the coming months to put on your calendar.
If you don’t see your favorite event or plant sale here, check out the Home & Garden calendar published in this section every Thursday. It’s on Page 3 this week.
— Sarah Jackson, The Herald
MAY
Snohomish County Master Gardener Foundation plant sale: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 7 at the Washington State University Extension at McCollum Park, 600 128th SE, Everett. Choose from ornamentals and 4,000 vegetable and herb starts, plus 5,000 tomato plants available in more than 150 varieties. Nurseries will offer even more plant choices (425-357-6010; 425-338-2400; www.snomgf.org).
Purrfect Pals plant sales: Arlington’s no-kill cat shelter will put on two plant sales this spring, including one from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 14 and 15 at the shelter, 230 McRae Road NE, Arlington, and another from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 20 to 22 at Lake Ki Resort Park, 2904 Lakewood Road, Arlington. Edibles, including planters with themes such as mixed greens, stir fry and salsa, will be for sale in addition to perennials. Cats will be available for adoption during each sale (360-618-0417; www.purrfectpals.org).
JUNE
Snohomish County Master Gardeners Tours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays, June 18 and 25, and July 9, 16 and 23 at 14 gardens clustered into groups throughout the county. Tickets are $25 and are good for all tour dates. Buy them at the McCollum Park Extension Office, 600 128th St. SE, Everett, or send a check and three postage stamps per ticket to SCMGF 2010 Tours, 21506 12th Ave. W., Lynnwood, WA 98036 (425-357-6010; 425-338-2400; www.snomgf.org).
Sorticulture: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. June 10, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. June 11, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. June 12, Legion Park, 145 Alverson Blvd., Everett. Free. Buy garden art and rare plants. See educational demonstrations, meet garden celebrities and enjoy live music and numerous food vendors (425-257-7107; www.everettwa.org).
Gardens of Merit: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 25, starting at the Evergreen Arboretum & Gardens at Legion Park, 145 Alverson Blvd., Everett. Tickets will be $10. Tour seven private gardens and attend a plant sale from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the arboretum, featuring shrubs, perennials, trees, grasses, ground covers and herbs (425-257-8597; www.evergreenarboretum.com).
Camano Island Backyard Wildlife Habitat Garden Tour: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 25, starting at Camano Multipurpose Center, 141 East Camano Drive. Free. Explore wildlife-friendly gardens on Camano Island (360-348-6360; www.camanowildlifehabitat.org).
Whidbey Island Garden Tour: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 25 at four private gardens, including Rivendell, Fox Hollow Farm, Marshedge and Heron’s Roost. Tickets, which typically sell out, cost $20 (360-321-4191; www.wigt.org).
JULY
Mukilteo Quilt & Garden Tour: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. July 16 at eight gardens in and around scenic Mukilteo. More than 100 quilts will be displayed in the gardens on this tour, organized every other year by the Mukilteo Way Garden Club and Mukilteo Lighthouse Quilters. Tickets are $12 in advance and $15 on the day of the tour (206-755-2298; www.mukilteogardenandquilttour.org).
Edmonds in Bloom garden tour: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. July 17 at six private gardens. Tickets for $15 will be sold at local businesses (425-774-3460; www.edmondsinbloom.com).
Snohomish Garden Club 2011 Garden Tour: Noon to 5 p.m. July 31 at gardens in the Snohomish area. Tickets for the 27th annual tour ($12) at businesses and nurseries, and on the tour day at the Snohomish Library, 311 Maple Ave. Ages 17 and younger may take the tour free of charge with a wristband obtained at the library. (425-374-8622; www.snohomishgardenclub.com).
Do you have a garden event you’d like us to share with readers? Send information, including a phone number for the public to call with questions, to Sarah Jackson at sjackson@heraldnet.com. Call 425-339-3037 with questions.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
