In brief

Dahlia winners: A Bremerton couple took top honors at the Snohomish County’s annual dahlia show at Forest Park.

Eric and Janet Anderson of the Kitsap County Dahlia Society won Best in Show with Scarborough Brilliant, a single bloom dahlia.

Local members of the Snohomish County Dahlia Society won the following categories: Carol Fisk, Best Triple Bloom Entry, Castle Drive; Bernie Wilson, Best Five Bloom Entry, Lakeview Karrah; Dick Williams, Best Single Miniature Entry, Mary Jo; Michael Johnson, Best Single Collarette, Hoottenanny; Dick Porter, Best Single Entry, Dane Zirrke; and Richard Johnson, Best Five Bloom Open Center, Lupin Shiela.

Ciscoe sighting: Gardening expert Ciscoe Morris leads a free class, “Goodbye Grass … Hello Garden!,” at 2 p.m. Sept. 10 at Swansons Nursery, 9701 15th Ave. NW, Seattle.

Morris teaches the do’s and don’ts of how to take out a lawn and transform it into a beautiful garden.

For information, call 206-782-2543 or visit www.swansonsnursery.com.

On Sept. 11, Morris will discuss how to use a variety of plants to create privacy in the back yard at 1 p.m. at Emery’s Garden, 2829 164th St. SW, Lynnwood. The free talk is part of HedgeFest. HedgeFest runs Sept. 8 through Sept. 11.

For more information, contact Amy Tullis at 425-743-4555 or visit www.emerysgarden.com.

Neighborhood tours: Historic Everett continues its series of self-guided neighborhood tours.

Tour the Port Gardner/Rucker Hill neighborhood on Sept. 10 (tickets at Providence Hospital, Pacific campus, 916 Pacific Ave.).

Tickets are $12, $10 for Historic Everett members, and are available from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the day of the events. Tour hours are 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. For information, call Patti Lohse at 425-303-0733.

Check next week’s Home &Garden for a preview of the Rucker Mansion, one of the homes on the tour.

Master gardening training: The Washington State University Extension is accepting applications for training in its master gardener program.

The program is taught by faculty, staff and volunteers and is more than 60 hours. Classes begin Jan. 5 and meet Thursdays and two Saturday through March 11.

For information, send a legal-sized, self-addressed stamped envelope with 60 cents postage to WSU Extension Master Gardener, 600 128th St. SE, Everett, WA 98209.

Applications must be received by Oct. 14.

Downtown tour: The Market Foundation is hosting its Spaces for Urban Living Downtown Home Tour from 1 to 5 p.m. Sept. 18.

Pike Place Market is home to nearly 500 people. The self-guided walking tour visit homes chosen because of interest in the building’s or a particular unit’s architecture or interior design.

Tickets are $20 in advance or $25 at the door. For tickets, call 206-774-5254 or visit www.pikeplacemarket.org.

Horticulture basics classes: Washington State University Master Gardener program presents “Horticulture Basics,” a series of classes for people who work in the green industry and want to increase their horticulture knowledge. Classes are 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursdays, Jan. 5 through March 11.

The fee is $300 and includes training materials. Registration is required. Deadline for applying is Oct. 31.

Applications can be picked up at the Snohomish County Extension office, 600 128th St. SE, Everett, or downloaded at www.snohomish.wsu.edu.

Stewardship course: Those interested in expanding their knowledge of Washington’s native plants can apply for the Native Plant Stewardship Program.

The free 10-week course is 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Fridays, Oct. 7 through Dec. 9 at Lively Environmental Center in Mill Creek.

Participants will receive 100 hours of training and must commit to providing at least 100 hours of volunteer service.

Applications are due by 5 p.m. Sept. 16. Mail to Native Plant Stewardship Class, Snohomish County Public Works Department, Surface Water Management Division, 2731 Wetmore Ave., Suite 300, Everett, WA 98201. Applications are available by calling 206-527-3210, 888-288-8022 or visiting www.wnps.org.

Herald staff and news services