WSU Cowlitz County Extension Master Gardener Speakers List
WSU Extension Master Gardeners are available to speak to groups on horticultural topics as part of their community outreach service by offering research-based information on sustainable gardening and environmental stewardship topics.
More topics will be added as they become available. Most talks are between 30 to 45 minutes in length. If your time requirements are different, please let us know-we can work with you on it. However, please allow speakers a minimum of 25-30 minutes for their presentation.
Master Gardeners are not permitted to accept payment for speaking. However, they may accept reimbursement from you for mileage or other travel expenses. Honorariums, however, are always acceptable (but not required) as donations to our 501(c)(3) educational nonprofit MG Foundation of Cowlitz County.
We are not currently offering in-person talks due to the pandemic. However, all our talks are easily adapted to an online platform such as Zoom or Google Meet.
Below you will find a list of topics that you may be interested in. Please contact Gary Fredricks, WSU Extension Master Gardener Coordinator in Cowlitz County: garyf@wsu.edu or 360-577-3014 Ext. 3.
TOPIC LIST Click the heading links below to see individual topics
COMPOSTING
How to compost successfully
WSU Master Gardener Brian Schlaefli will teach how to effectively compost food wastes and garden material. Learn the different ways to compost and the advantages of each method that can provide great benefits to your garden
Composting 101
WSU Master Gardener Art Fuller will tell you what you need to know to get started composting—turn your yard and garden waste into black gold for your garden.
Advanced Composting
Composting Happens! Whether you plan or don’t plan your compost pile it will happen! Join WSU Master Gardener Art Fuller discusses the whys, what manure does, how manure affects your compost pile, worm castings and worm tea, and how the Green Cone Digester Works.
Worm Composting
WSU Master Gardener Art Fuller talks about vermiculture, or worm box composting, which is a process in which red wiggler worms and microorganisms are used to convert kitchen fruit and vegetable waste (peelings, etc.) into nutrient-rich, humus - “black gold” - compost. This is an amazing fertilizer and soil conditioner that will make your garden plants healthier and more productive.
FRUITS
Pruning Fruit Trees
Would you like to know more about how to prune your fruit trees? WSU Master Gardener Art Fuller will show how to prune your fruit trees—and what NOT to do!
Grape Pruning
Are you growing grapes? Do you want to start growing grapes? WSU Master Gardener Art Fuller explains everything you want to know about pruning grape vines and how to care for grape starts.
Blueberries
Do you want to grow blueberries this year, but have questions? Master Gardener Art Fuller shares how to successfully grow blueberries-- learn which varieties do well in this area, how to plant them and take care of them for a successful crop.
Strawberries
Do you want to grow strawberries this year, but have questions? Master Gardener Billie Bevers shares how to successfully grow strawberries--learn which varieties do well in this area, how to plant them and take care of them for a successful crop.
Caring for Fruit Trees
Do you want to know what you can do NOW to help prepare your fruit trees for a healthy growing season in the spring and summer? WSU Master Gardener Alice Slusher to discuss how to manage codling moth, apple maggots, peach leaf curl apple, and pear scab, and other problems. Organic options will be discussed, too, and a management calendar will be provided.
GARDEN TASKS BY THE MONTH: short (20-25 min.) talks covering many timely aspects of garden and landscape
January Garden Tasks
February Garden Tips
March Garden Tips
April Garden Tips
May Garden Tips
June Garden Tips
July Garden Tips
August/September Garden Tips
October Garden Tips
November/December Garden Tips
INSECTS/POLLINATORS
Raising Mason Bees (spring)
What’s all the buzz about Mason bees? Orchard Mason Bees are highly effective pollinators that are very non-aggressive and become active in early spring. Billie Bevers, WSU Master Gardener, discusses the skills needed for raising Mason Bees, including seasonal management, bee biology, and management of pests.
Harvesting and Evaluating Mason Bee Cocoons (Fall)
Billie Bevers, WSU Master Gardener, will present a workshop on how to harvest mason bees cocoons. During the spring and summer other bees, diseases and parasites can invade mason bee nests. This class will help you identify what’s in your mason bee tubes and blocks. We will also talk about overwintering your bees and creating containers for their long sleep.
Attracting Pest Fighting Pollinators to your Garden
Would you like a natural way to control pests in your garden this year? WSU Master Gardener Alice Slusher discusses ways to invite pest-fighting insects—who also are great pollinators—to your garden. You'll learn who they are, what they look like, and how to get them to stay.
Home Invaders-Unwanted House guests
The garden bugs are gone for season, but that doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll have a bug-free winterWSU Master Gardener Alice Slusher will introduce you to some of the more common home invaders you may encounter, and what to do about them.
Myths and Facts About Spiders
Do you want to know more about the spiders that live in our area? Wait until you hear the crazy myths and misunderstandings about spiders! WSU Master Gardener Alice Slusher will tell you about the spiders here in the PNW, dispel many long-held myths (including the BIG myth about Hobo Spiders!) and explain how to make your home less welcoming to them.
IRRIGATION
Setting up drip irrigation
Don’t be intimidated by drip irrigation! WSU Master Gardener Jerry Winchell will explain how to construct a simple and inexpensive sprinkler system that can be used for your vegetable garden, hanging baskets, porch plants and for other situations. Find out how to develop a sprinkler system that allows you the flexibility to reduce water use, save time, use less labor and control weeds.
Summer Watering
WSU Master Gardener Art Fuller will explain how to water your garden, lawn, and landscape. How much is enough? What are the best ways to water? Join us for an informative and timely talk.
LANDSCAPE TOPICS
Waterwise (drought resistant) Gardening-growing plants using less water
Is your water bill going up every summer trying to keep your plants alive? With our hotter, drier summers, we can find ways to have beautiful gardens that do well in our summer-dry climate. WSU Master Gardener Alice Slusher will discuss growing plants using less water. Learn about the ways you can add beauty to a water-wise landscape with drought-tolerant plants.
Landscaping for Wildlife
We all appreciate our gardens and even more when it includes birds and other wildlife. WSU Master Gardener Adam Weeks will discuss which plants you can grow that are-wildlife friendly and will attract animals to your garden.
Landscaping with Native Plants
Would you like to have year round interest in your landscape that does well in our climate? WSU Extension Master Gardener Roxanne Nakamura, who will guide you through some of the best native choices for our PNW landscapes.
Planting in Shady Areas
A great talk for shady operators! Trees and plants compete for water and resources--discover how to manage the challenge! Trees are a valuable part of any property, but can create problems for the plants that live under them. WSU Master Gardener Roxanne Nakamura will discuss the challenges for plants under trees, selection of plants that prefer shade, watering, care, and tips to help your plants thrive.
Why Isn’t My Shrub Blooming?
WSU Master Gardener Alice Slusher will discuss the most common reasons why your shrubs don’t bloom—and tells you what to do about it!
How to plant trees and shrubs
Protect your investment by giving your trees and shrubs the best possible foundation--planting them correctly! WSU Master Gardener Adam Weeks will provide the correct techniques for planting trees and shrubs.
Planting Bulbs
WSU Master Gardener Tracy Morgan will explain everything you wanted to know about planting bulbs. You will learn how to get started, when to plant, and how to care for them so they become an annual delight.
Selecting Drought Tolerant Trees and Shrubs
Plants continue to suffer every summer from heat and lack of moisture. WSU Master Gardener Alice Slusher will introduce you to some of the plants that do very well in our summer-dry environment in the PNW. You'll also get tips to consider when buying plants for your landscape.
Secrets for a successfully, healthy landscape
Choosing spring flowering shrubs and trees is a passion here in the PNW. WSU Master Gardener Alice Slusher will help you to make the best choice and how NOT to make the most common mistakes.
Making a Rain Garden
We live in an area where we either get too much rain or not enough. If your landscape suffers from being too soggy, WSU Extension Coordinator, Gary Fredricks will discuss an environmentally friendly way to create a native plant oasis that soaks up the extra rainwater. Learn where to place the garden, how to construct it, and what plants to consider.
LAWN
Rejuvenating your Lawn
Would you like to have a healthier, more attractive lawn this year? WSU Extension Coordinator Gary Fredricks will discuss how a few basic steps that will maintain and revive an otherwise healthy lawn.
Summer Lawn Care
Would you like to have a healthier, more attractive lawn this summer? WSU Extension Coordinator, Gary Fredricks, will explain the steps to maintain a healthy lawn over the summer.
PLANT PROPAGATION
Starting Vegetables from Seed
Save money and get a jump start on the summer growing season! If you've never started your vegetables from seeds, or haven't been successful in the past, this class is for you. Master Gardener Alice Slusher will walk you through the steps of preparing the planting medium and planting the seeds, as well as timing, proper lighting, and watering techniques.
Seed Saving—Part 1 (Spring)--starting the journey-planning your garden to save seeds
Do you have a favorite tomato, pepper, or other veggie that you'd like to grow this summer? WSU Master Gardener Alice Slusher will explain how to plan for saving seeds as you plan your summer garden so you’ll be able to store seeds for next year and beyond.
Saving Seeds—Part 2 (Late Summer)—Seed harvesting, preparing, drying, and storing
Do you have a favorite tomato, pepper, or other veggie that you like so well you'd like to grow it again?, WSU Master Gardener Alice Slusher will explain about gathering and storing seeds for next year and beyond.
Propagating Plants
WSU Master Gardener Roxanne Nakamura will demonstrate different techniques used for producing new plants from your existing ones. Learn how to successfully generate new shrubs from those that are found in gardens around you.
PRUNING
Pruning Fruit Trees
Would you like to know more about how to prune your fruit trees? WSU Master Gardener Art Fuller will show how to prune your fruit trees—and what NOT to do!
Summer Pruning
When is the best time to prune? It depends! WSU Extension Master Gardener Art Fuller will discuss the importance of summer pruning, types of pruning cuts, and what tools to use. You will learn the best time to prune and what pruning does for the health of a tree.
SOIL
Digging the Dirt
Great gardening starts with good soil and the right pH and nutrient levels. WSU Master Gardener Art Fuller discusses the building blocks to build a solid foundation to have a successful garden by understanding your soil, the importance of fertilizer and planting on time.
Got Clay? Test your soil for good drainage
Do you have clay soil? WSU Master Gardener Art Fuller will demonstrate an easy way to perform a perc test to determine if your soil drains well enough to keep your plants healthy.
VEGETABLE/HERB GARDENING
Spice of Life (Growing Herbs)
WSU Master Gardener Carolyn Winchell will show you how to plant, grow and harvest the most popular herbs that you can enjoy fresh from your own garden. What to do with herbs after harvest will be discussed such as in preserving, storage and easy usage of these flavorful plants.
Gardening
Do you want to grow a garden, but you’re short on space? WSU Master Gardener Steve Powers will explain ways to have a bountiful harvest from container grown veggies.
Planning to Plant
Would you like to take advantage of our longer growing season here in the PNW? WSU Master Gardener Carolyn Winchell will help you push the gardening envelope on both sides of the year.
Growing Vegetables from Seed
Save money and get a jump start on the summer growing season! If you've never started your vegetables from seeds, or haven't been successful in the past, this class is for you. Master Gardener Alice Slusher will walk you through the steps of preparing the planting medium and planting the seeds, as well as timing, proper lighting, and watering techniques.
Saving Seeds—Part 1--starting the journey-planning your garden to save seeds
Do you have a favorite tomato, pepper, or other veggie that you'd like to grow this summer? WSU Master Gardener Alice Slusher will explain how to plan for saving seeds as you plan your summer garden so you’ll be able to store seeds for next year and beyond.
Growing a Vegetable Garden, where to start!
WSU Master Gardener Art Fuller will discuss what to do in your vegetable garden to plan and prepare it for planting. You will learn when to plant, how to get an early start, and what it takes to maintain healthy plants to get a great harvest.
Raised Bed Gardening
Raised bed gardens can be a great option for home gardeners. WSU Master Gardener Alice Slusher will talk about the pros and cons of using raised beds, as well as location, size, materials, site prep, and soil options.
How to get a Red Tomato in the PNW Alice Slusher
With our short growing season and cool nights here in the PNW, it can be a real challenge to grow luscious red tomatoes. Master Gardener Alice Slusher will share some tips for growing healthy ripe, red tomatoes in your garden.
Vertical Gardening
Short on space? Do you only have a small area of sunlight and want to maximize it? WSU Master Gardener Marilee Hertig will discuss various strategies to help you grow UP and increase what you can grow in limited space.
Cool Weather Gardening—plant a second veggie garden this year
WSU Master Gardener Alice Slusher will tell you what you need to know about starting your cool season garden for the fall. July is the month to start your garden, and you’ll learn what to plant and when to plant it for a bountiful harvest long after your summer veggies are gone.
Solving Summer Garden Problems
If you plant it, they will come! WSU Extension Master Gardener Alice Slusher, will help you identify and manage problems that may pop up in your garden during the growing season, using the common sense and nature-friendly IPM method.
Saving Seeds—Part 2—Seed harvesting, preparing, drying, and storing
Do you have a favorite tomato, pepper, or other veggie that you like so well you'd like to grow it again?, WSU Master Gardener Alice Slusher will explain about gathering and storing seeds for next year and beyond.
Growing Garlic
WSU Master Gardener Billie Bevers will discuss how to raise garlic. Billie will demonstrate how and when to plant, what to plant and why, how to care for and harvest garlic.
Tips for New Gardeners and New to the PNW
Many of us moved here from different states with different climates. We asked all our MGs to share what they wish they’d known when they first started gardening in the PNW. WSU Master Gardener will share tips and tricks they’ve learned while gardening in the PNW.
Tending the Garden—When, what, and how to harvest your veggies.
Your garden is growing well, but when is the best time to start picking vegetables. WSU Master Gardener Art Fuller will discuss how and when to harvest vegetables for the best taste and longer shelf life.
Extending your Garden Season
WSU Master Gardener Art Fuller will talk about extending the growing season through the fall. Art will discuss extending your garden season, cover crops, and winter gardening. Join us to find out more about what works when it comes to gardening here in Cowlitz County and learn how to continue raising vegetables throughout the fall.
Putting your Garden to Bed
Get a head start on next year’s garden NOWWSU Master Gardener Art Fuller will tell you the steps to put your garden to bed this fall. Learn successful tips to reduce work next year and ensure next year’s successful crops.
Putting Your Garden Tools to Bed
WSU Master Gardener Jerry Winchell as he demonstrates how to clean and sharpen tools before putting them away for winter storage, so they'll be ready to work for you in the spring. He'll share hints about storing other gardening tools, too.
VERTEBRATE PESTS (DEER, MOLES, VOLES, RATS, RABBITS, ETC.)
Controlling Moles
Sadly, too many property owners know the frustration of having that vision of a beautiful lawn ruined by moles. On September 8 at 6pm Bryan Iverson will talk about which techniques are the most effective to get rid of moles: what works and what products fail to get results.
Critter Control in the Garden
Do you have 4 legged "friends" having parties in your attic? Do deer treat your landscape plants like a buffet? WSU Master Gardener Art Fuller will give you tips to make your garden and home less inviting to these unwanted visitors.
WEEDS
Weed Control for Home Lawn and Landscape (Spring Edition)
WSU Master Gardener and Cowlitz County Noxious Weed Coordinator, Jennifer Mendoza, will tell you about the best times and ways to control our most pesky weeds in your lawn and garden with and without using herbicides.
Escaped Ornamental Noxious Weeds (Summer Edition)
Sometimes our beautiful garden plants do so well that they escape into the wild and become noxious bullies. WSU Master Gardener and Cowlitz County Noxious Weed Coordinator, Jennifer Mendoza, will talk about these garden escapees and what to do about them.
Controlling the Top 10 Noxious Weeds (Late Summer Edition)
Gardens would be easy to care for if not for weeds. WSU Master Gardener and Cowlitz County Noxious Weed Coordinator, Jennifer Mendoza, will talk about how to identify and control the top ten weeds that are noxious bullies in your garden.