Home & Garden calendar

Events

Better Ground Showcase: 5 to 7:30 p.m. April 1, Rosehill Community Center, 304 Lincoln Ave., Mukilteo. Join the Snohomish Conservation District staff and local environmental stewardship advocates to enjoy an evening of live music, keynote speakers and appetizers while hearing inspirational stories about environmental work by everyday people. Doors open at 4:30 p.m. Free. For reservations, go to www.eventbrite.com/e/better-ground-conservation-showcase-tickets-15660202086.

Rain Garden Walking Tour: 10 a.m. to noon April 25. Spring stroll of seven rain gardens in north Everett. On this guided walking tour you can talk to the designers and landscapers, see which plants work well and attract birds, meet the homeowners, learn tips to plan your rain garden. Dress accordingly for outside. Brief presentation at Washington Oakes with coffee and light refreshments. Meet at Washington Oakes Retirement Community, 1717 Rockefeller Ave., Everett. For more, call Kate Riley at 425-377-7004 or email kate@snohomishcd.org. Free. For ticket, go to www.eventbrite.com/e/rain-garden-tour-registration-15999263227?aff=erellivorg.

Welcome the Whales Festival: April 18 in downtown Langley, featuring speaker James Sumich, author of E. robustus: The Biology and Human History of Gray Whales, in addition to children’s activities, a parade, music, and a beach celebration.

Earth Day Festival at Greenbank Farm: April 25, featuring keynote speaker Kristin Ohlson, author of “The Soil Will Save Us,” in addition to walking tours, solar farm tours, kid’s activities, music, networking displays from local environmental groups, and an evening community dance.

Monroe Garden Club: Topic is floral designs, 12:30 p.m. April 13, Monroe United Methodist Church, 342 S. Lewis St. Potluck lunch. Donations for Sky Valley Food Bank accepted. Public invited. Call Jeannette Susor at 360-863-6160 for more information.

Floretum Garden Club Offers: $1,500 scholarship to a high school graduate, a community college student, or an individual planning a career in a horticultural field. Deadline for applications is May 11. For more, email joycejohnson310@comcast.net or go to www.edmondsfloretum gardenclub.org.

Plea for plants: The Carmelite Institute in Stanwood is having their first Plant Sale on May 2 to benefit the Meditation Gardens. To donate garden plants or garden art, contact Pam Barden 360-941-4303 or email swbarden@netzero.com. The club will supply pots and will pick up donations.

Classes

Snohomish Conservation District Spring Classes: 10:30 a.m. April 18, 25 and May 2, Stanwood Country Store, Skagit Farmers Supply, Country Store, 8815 272nd St. NW., Stanwood. The first 30 people get a 5-gallon bucket. April 18: “Manure: Containing and Composting It.” Learn how to properly store and apply manure for your specific needs, simple bin designs and manure management methods. April 25: “Rainwater Cisterns for Farm and Home.” Extend your rainy season with a rainwater cistern. Reduce mud and make use of the free rain from your home, garage, and barn roofs to water your gardens, wash your tools, and keep your compost pile moist. May 2: “Livestock Fencing and Off-stream Watering.” Give your livestock and horses fresh stream water to drink while keeping it clean at the same time. Options for fencing and off-stream watering that protect your animals as well as keep streams clean and healthy. For more, visit snohomishcd.org.

Evergreen Arboretum &Gardens 2015 monthly classes: Noon to 1 p.m., 145 Alverson Blvd., Everett. “Hardy Fuchsias,” Frankie Dennison, master gardener, noon to 1 p.m. April 18. “Incorporate Perennial Edibles Into Your Landscape,” Mary Ann &Andy Sudkamp, noon to 1 p.m. May 16. Generally limited to 25 participants. RSVP at www.evergreenarboretum.com; call 425-257-8597; or email: contactus@evergreenarboretum.com.

Snohomish County Master Gardener Foundation Annual Winter Lecture Series for 2015: Northwest garden experts and personalities on alternate Friday mornings from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. through April 10, Social Hall of the Mukilteo Presbyterian Church, 4515 84th St. SW, Mukilteo. Learn new information and talk shop with like-minded gardeners. Speakers will have books for sale and signing. March 27, Riz Reyes: Designing Spaces with Extraordinary Plants. April 10, Dan Hinkley: Grasses and Grass-Like Plants for the PNW. Tickets are $20. For more, go to www.gardenlectures.com.

Learn to Grow Your Own Groceries:Series continuing through March, WSU Snohomish County Extension’s Cougar Auditorium and Evergreen Room, 600 128th St. SE, Everett, inside McCollum Park. Cost: $25. “Growing Heat Lovers in the Chilly Northwest. 9 a.m. to noon, March 28. Register at Growing Groceries.BrownPaperTickets.com. For more, go to snohomish.wsu.edu/growing-groceries.

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.

Li’l Sprout Nursery: 17414 Bothell-Everett Highway, Mill Creek; 425-482-5276; www.lilsproutnursery.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.

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.