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.
Sustainable landscaping and rain barrels: Mill Creek and Snohomish Conservation District will host two workshops April 12 at the Lively Environmental Learning Center, 1918 Seattle Hill Road, Mill Creek. The first workshop, Sustainable Landscaping Certification, 11 a.m. to noon, is a free one-hour class to learn about Mill Creek’s new Sustainable Landscape Certificate program offering free consultation about sustainable practices. The second workshop, Build Your Own Rain-Barrel, will be 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and costs $25. The workshop guides you through the steps to assemble a rain barrel that you can take home. Register at millcreekgarden.eventbrite.com Call Kate Riley, 425-377-7004.
Edible Gardening Weekend: Molbak’s Garden &Home offers a two-day Edible Gardening Weekend, April 12 and 13, with expert advice, free seminars, book signings and prizes. Speakers include Lisa Taylor, Stephanie Fairweather and Selva Wolgemuth, Colin McCrate, Ciscoe Morris, Christina Salwitz and Bill Thorness. Barking Frog will have its mobile kitchen at the nursery. 13625 NE 175th St., Woodinville; 425-483-5000; www.molbaks.com.
Growing plants for seeds: Eric Conn discusses how to select plants for desirable traits, how to breed your own varieties and how to harvest and store the seeds you grow. The two-hour class is April 12 at 1:30 p.m. in Rose Booth classroom at the South Whidbey Tilth, 2812 Thompson Road. Suggested donation of $10, free to Tilth members. To register call Michael Seraphinoff at 360-544-2278 or email mjseraph@whidbey.net. Eric Conn, Full Cycle Farm, grows produce in Clinton. He coordinated a sweet corn variety trial at Tilth’s campus in 2012 in collaboration with the Organic Seed Alliance. www.southwhidbeytilth.org.
Greenbank Garden Club spring plant sale: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 19 at the Greenbank Farm, 765 Wonn Road, Greenbank. Sale will feature a variety of plants that have been successfully grown in this climate, including annuals, perennials, grasses, bulbs, herbs, ground cover, shade plants, house plants and trees. Homemade baked goods will be sold. There is a flea market with garden items, a raffle, garden art and three gardening seminars: native plants, 10:45 a.m., growing lavender, 11:30 a.m., and a demonstration on spring division of plants, 12:15 p.m. Call Reece Rose at 360-579-5880.
Hardy Plant sale: The Hardy Plant Society of Washington’s fourth annual plant sale is 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 19, at the Center for Urban Horticulture’s NHS Hall, 3501 NE 41st St; Seattle. More information: www.hardyplantsocietywa.org/ or 206-999-3092.
Gardening for kids: Growing Groceries, horticulturists and growers give a free workshop for ages 7 to 12 10 a.m. to noon April 19 at the Frances Anderson Center, 700 Main St. Kids will learn about planting seeds and garden basics. Everyone will get to plant something to take home. Register by calling Janice Noe at 425-744-4991.
Earth Week at EvCC: Everett Community College marks Earth Week, April 21 to 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, including a plant swap, Bargreen’s Coffee discount days, a used clothing drive and compost demonstrations are listed at www.everetttcc.edu/EarthWeek events including:
April 21: Treasure from Trash, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Gray Wolf Hall rooms 140-144. Learn how to create accessories from recycled items at a free workshop.
April 23: Composting with Ciscoe, 11 a.m. to noon, Gray Wolf Hall courtyard. Gardening expert Morris will share tips about residential composting.
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 to the Evergreen Arboretum Foundation 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 at the Stillaguamish Conference Room, at the Arlington Utility Office, 154 W. Cox Ave., Arlington. 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.
May 24: Composting, cool bugs, and surface water management.
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.
April 19: Rock Gardens with Ted Milam of Kayak Greens
May 17: Great Plant Picks with Dode Carlson, Florence Stiles, Jean Savory and Ann Neupert, master gardeners.
June 21: Pruning Rhododendrons &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.
Master gardener speaker series: The Snohomish County Master Gardener Foundation winter classes take place from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Fridays at Mukilteo Presbyterian Church Social Hall, 4515 84th St. SW, Mukilteo. Single sessions are $20 at the door. Call 425-357-6010 for more information.
April 11: Three Easy Steps to Fabulous Gardens and Containers with plant specialist Karen Chapman.
Learn about 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.
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.
Wight’s Home &Garden: 5026 196th St. SW, Lynnwood; 425-775-3636; www.wights.com.
To submit an item for the Home &Garden calendar, e-mail features@heraldnet.com.
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