Waking up your garden: It’s not too early to be thinking about your garden. Learn about fertilizing, pruning, weeding and other maintenance concerns at a class from 1 to 2 p.m. Jan. 19 at the Evergreen Arboretum and Gardens, 145 Alverson Blvd., Everett. The class will give you a jump on preparing your yard and beds for the coming growing season. Meet in horticultural classroom 105. Be prepared for a short walk in the arboretum at the end of class. Free to members; $10 for non-members. Join online or day of class. Admission is $25 each or $40 per family. Membership includes free classes all year. More at www.evergreenarboretum.com/classes.asp.
The Promise of Spring: The Northwest Perennial Alliance has organized an event to help you get ready for gardening from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Jan. 20 at the Bellevue Botanical Garden’s Aaron Education Center, 12001 Main St., Bellevue. The event will include a slideshow on the highlights of NPA member 2018 garden tours and a talk, “The Salutation Gardens,” by Steve Edney, a head gardener at a premier English garden. The event is free to NPA members and $15 for nonmembers. Call 425-647-6004. Go to www.northwestperennialalliance.org for more information.
Permaculture principles: The Hardy Plant Society of Washington presents local Snohomish County permaculture enthusiast Jason Padvorac, who will speak on “Introduction to Permaculture Principles” at 7 p.m. Jan. 22 at the Center for Urban Horticulture, NHS Hall, 3501 NE 41st St., Seattle. Padvorac will explain how following natural patterns makes for easier, lusher gardens, using less water and increasing fertility without fertilizers. More at www.hardyplantsocietywa.org.
Pre-order plants: Pre-orders are now open for the Snohomish Conservation District’s annual plant sale. Pre-orders close on Jan. 27. Plants must be picked up on Feb. 9 at the plant sale at the Evergreen State Fairgrounds in Monroe. Orders may be placed at www.theplantsale.org or by phone at 425-335-5634 ext. 4.
Sustainable gardening series: The Master Gardener Foundation’s 16th annual sustainable gardening speaker series runs through April. Up next: David Montgomery and Anne Biklé on “Soil and Microbes From Garden to Gut,” on Feb. 1. All presentations are on Fridays from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church, 6215 196th St. SW, Lynnwood. The charge is $20 for a single session or $85 for the series. All proceeds go to the Master Gardener Foundation of Snohomish County. Go to www.gardenlectures.com or call 425-357-6010 for more information.
Winter pruning workshop: Learn proper winter-pruning techniques during this hands-on workshop from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Feb. 16 at the Everett Arboretum and Gardens, 145 Alverson Blvd., Everett. The focus is on deciduous plants, including Japanese maples. Bring pruners and questions. Join for the whole session or stop in for part of it. Meet at the arboretum entrance. Free to members; $10 for non-members. Join online or day of class. Admission is $25 each or $40 per family. Membership includes free classes all year. More at www.evergreenarboretum.com/classes.asp.
Become a habitat steward: Friends of Camano Island Parks’ Camano Wildlife Habitat Project train volunteers to help the community create and preserve wildlife habitat. A habitat steward is someone interested in wildlife, ecology, gardening, and habitat conservation. The trainings will be offered at the Island County Multi-Purpose Center, 141 N. East Camano Drive, from 6 to 8:30 p.m. on Feb. 20, March 20, April 17, May 15 and June 19. It will include five Saturday field trips from 9:30 a.m. to noon on Jan. 19, Feb. 23, March 23, April 20 and May 18. Call 360-387-2236. Register at www.camanowildlifehabitat.org.
Master Gardener Hotline & Diagnostic Clinic: Call 425-357-6010 to talk to a master gardener or visit Snohomish County’s walk-in clinic at the WSU Extension office in McCollum Park, 600 128th St. SE, Everett. Hours are 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Thursday, October through March. More at extension. wsu.edu/snohomish/garden/master-gardener-program.
