Master Gardeners … are volunteers trained by Washington State University Extension to provide science-based information to home gardeners about best gardening practices.
Our Foundation … supports the Master Gardener Program through fundraising, organizing educational events, managing demonstration gardens and more. Learn more by visiting the Who We Are page.
SPRING IS HERE
and that means …
PLANT SALE SEASON!
Save the following dates on your calendar:
Early Bloomer Sale
Saturday, April 1st, 2023, 10am-3pm
Hovander Homestead Park Pavilion
5299 Nielsen Ave, Ferndale
Get your garden going with some early-blooming bulbs, Primulas, Snowdrops, Leopard’s Bane, and more. There will also be an ‘Ask-a-Master Gardener’ table where you can bring your garden questions.
Online Plant Sale
Ordering begins at 9am on Saturday, April 29th, 2023
Ends at noon on Tuesday, May 2nd
Tomatoes, vegetables, herbs, daylilies
Hovander In-Person Plant Sale
Saturday, May 13th, 2023, 9am-2pm
Hovander Homestead Park Pavilion
5299 Nielsen Ave, Ferndale
Our traditional HUGE one-day sale with a wide variety of perennials, vegetables, tools, bonsai, natives, Mother’s Day gifts, and more!
These fundraisers support the WSU Whatcom County Extension Master Gardener Program. More information about upcoming sales will be available soon, so check back again.
Featured Events
Check our full calendar for more.
A HUGE THANK YOU
to the individuals who coordinated our bus trip to the 2023 Northwest Flower & Garden Festival, and to the businesses that supported us by donating prizes for passengers, and providing a safe and comfortable ride.
Garden Spot Nursery
Kent’s Garden & Nursery
My Garden Nursery
Allsop Home & Garden
Community Food Co-op
Whatcom Sports & Recreation
Want to become a Master Gardener?
You don’t need to be an expert gardener to apply, but must have a desire to give back to the community through gardening. Students complete 60 hours of coursework, followed by 60 hours volunteering as interns, assisting the public in solving home-gardening problems, and working in demonstration gardens. Instruction for the 2023 cohort began in January. They are busy learning about gardening, common plant pests, going on field trips, and much more. The application process for 2024 will begin in fall. For more detailed information about the Program, what we do, how to apply, and the schedule, click here.
If you are interested but unable to participate in the training, please consider supporting the Master Gardener Program by making a donation HERE.
Congratulations to the 2023 cohort of new Master Gardeners!
On October 24th, a group of 23 trainees became newly certified Washington State University Master Gardeners.
Taking a Closer Look
New Microscope Perks up Plant Clinic
The WSU Master Gardener diagnostic plant clinic in downtown Bellingham has a new stereoscopic microscope, thanks to donations from the Whatcom Country Master Gardener Foundation and the public. “People who bring their plant problems to us expect a high level of service and accuracy,” says Master Gardener Mill Shires. “The new microscope helps us see what’s truly going on.” Click here to read more about our new scope.
Demonstration Gardens
Whatcom County Master Gardeners maintain two Demonstration Gardens where you can view plant varieties, learn about sustainable gardening techniques, and experience history in two beautiful Whatcom County Parks.
Hovander Homestead Park Demonstration Gardens: Bring your family and enjoy the children’s garden, vegetable garden, pollinator garden, and much more at this lovely park in Ferndale. Learn more here.
Roeder Home Demonstration Garden: Experience this beautiful and unique urban garden at one of Bellingham’s historic landmark homes. Learn more here.
Plant Clinic
Our WSU Diagnostic Plant Clinic has trained Master Gardeners available to assist you in diagnosing a problem, identifying garden pests and plants, and solving most gardening challenges. During the regular gardening season, you can visit the WSU Extension office in person, with a sample of your plant problem. You can also visit the WSU Hortsense website, which is a great source of all kinds of plant-related information, and a good place to do your own problem-solving. Also, be sure to check our“Your Garden This Month” column below for useful tips and advice.
Please note that the WSU Whatcom County Extension office has moved to a new location!
In July of 2022, our Extension offices moved to:
600 Dupont Street, Suite A Bellingham, WA
Typical office hours are Monday – Friday, 9am – 4pm, however the Diagnostic Plant Clinic hours are limited to one day per week during the months of December and January. Please visit the Whatcom Extension website for more information and updated hours.
Friend or Foe?
Stellaria media
Family: Caryophyllaceae
Commonly known as chickweed, this hardy annual has small white star-shaped flowers inside five hairy oval sepals, and bright green leaves. Chickweed makes itself at home anywhere that is moist and shady with nutrient rich soils. Its roots are fibrous and shallow, allowing the foliage to be easily detached from the roots when pulled. Chickweed seeds germinate in autumn or late winter, forming large mats of foliage, and can have one or two generations in a year. It is widespread in Europe, Asia, North America, and in other parts of the world.
Happy 50th Anniversary to WSU’s Master Gardener Program
Back in 1973, 120 students from King and Pierce County Extension, were the first to be trained and certified as Master Gardeners. Fast forward 50 years later, and the Program is now operating in 46 states, as well as four Canadian provinces. There are now more than 3,000 Master Gardeners spreading research-based gardening knowledge in 28 of 39 Washington Counties, and serving more than a quarter of a million clients each year.
Your Garden in March
What Mason Bees Need
Newly emerged mason bees are hungry. They can survive a little while without flowers in the new tubes you’ve put in their sheltered southeast-facing condos. But pollinators need nectar, and female bees immediately start collecting bee bread for the next generation. Knowing two things can help you plan a breakfast of champions for mason bees…
Click here to continue reading, and for our Garden Tips Archive
Each year, Whatcom County Master Gardeners present awards to individuals who have shown extraordinary dedication to the Program by making exceptional contributions of time, effort, and enthusiasm.
CLICK HERE to read more about these awards and the honored recipients.
Master Gardeners
Be sure to visit the Member Area to find out about Master Gardener Only events, and to sign up to volunteer.
Community Partners
The Whatcom Master Gardener Foundation is grateful to all the organizations that have supported our activities. Those local businesses shown below have contributed money, goods, and/or services worth $50 or more, within the last two years.
