The Ask a Master Gardener blog features a wide range of articles written by Skagit County WSU Extension Master Gardeners on topics relevant to gardeners in the North Puget Sound area.

Caneberry Care
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Caneberry Care

Caneberries, including raspberries and blackberries, thrive with proper fall and winter care. Pruning and support during the dormant season will help prepare your small fruit garden for bountiful summer harvests.
The Joy of Bulbs
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The Joy of Bulbs

Bulb growing brings joy to your garden with bursts of color, dependable annual blooms, and minimal effort. Their variety, resilience, and surprise appearances make gardens lively, rewarding, and full of...
Birds in the Garden
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Birds in the Garden

A garden abundant with bird life benefits from natural pest control, improved pollination, and a healthier ecosystem. Birds help manage insects, disperse seeds, and create a vibrant, balanced outdoor environment.
Fall Pruning and Maintenance
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Fall Pruning and Maintenance

Fall garden care involves selective pruning—removing dead, diseased, or hazardous branches—while avoiding cuts that risk next year’s blooms. Mulch with fallen leaves to protect roots and support beneficial insects.
Drought-tolerant Groundcovers
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Drought-tolerant Groundcovers

This group of resilliant groundcovers are low-maintenance plants that provide numerous benefits, such as weed suppression, erosion control, and support for pollinators, while thriving with little water once established.
Medium-Sized Vertebrate Pest Management
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Medium-Sized Vertebrate Pest Management

Learn to manage food resources available to these cute but irksome medium-sized vertebrate pests.
Small Vertebrate Pest Management
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Small Vertebrate Pest Management

Common vertebrate pests in gardens—moles, rats, mice, voles, and shrews can be infuriating. Distinguishing the pest and damage is the first step in eradicating them.
Native Plants for Small Gardens
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Native Plants for Small Gardens

These small native plants and shrubs work in small spaces, benefiting pollinators while providing beauty and resilience to the ecosystem..
30th Anniversary
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30th Anniversary

Master gardeners celebrate thirty years of the WSU Discovery Garden ~ a jewel of a teaching garden.
Water Features
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Water Features

A water feature is a way to add elevate your garden and attract pollinators of all types.
Companion Planting
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Companion Planting

Use companion planting to strategically growing different plant species together for mutual benefits, including pest management, improved yields, and healthier soil.
Plant Selection
Flowers Home Gardening Nearby Nature Ornamental Gardening Vegetable Gardening

Plant Selection

Plan your visit to the Skagit County Master Gardener Plant Sale armed with the knowledge of the specific microclimates found in your yard.
Bulbs, corms, rhizomes, and tubers
Ask a Master Gardener Flowers Nearby Nature Ornamental Gardening Pollinators

Bulbs, corms, rhizomes, and tubers

Geophytes which include bulbs, corms, rhizomes, and tubers are, depending on your area, perennial plants with underground storage containers. Northwest Washington is known for commercial and native varieties, with proper...
Libraries: A Gardener’s Resource
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Libraries: A Gardener’s Resource

Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or planting your first seeds, your local library is ready to support your journey.
Growing Potatoes
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Growing Potatoes

Grow disease-free potatoes using these tips from WSU's Northwestern Washington Research and Extension Center.
Noxious Weeds in Skagit County
Ask a Master Gardener Invasive Plants Nearby Nature Plant Biodiversity

Noxious Weeds in Skagit County

Help prevent the spread of noxious (aka invasive) weeds with proper identification and eradication.
Rain Barrels
Ask a Master Gardener Flowers Nearby Nature Ornamental Gardening Water Conservation

Rain Barrels

Rain barrels offer an affordable, practical way to collect and use rainwater for gardening. Proper installation, maintenance, and safety precautions are essential.
Garden Tours 2.0
Ask a Master Gardener Flowers Ornamental Gardening Plant Biodiversity

Garden Tours 2.0

Whether you are planning a trip, or are an armchair traveler, go with fellow master gardeners as they visit various gardens located in the US and Canada.
Hellebores
Ask a Master Gardener Flowers Ornamental Gardening Plant Biodiversity

Hellebores

Hellebores are hardy, deer-resistant perennials that bloom in winter, offering vibrant color in shades from white to nearly black. They thrive in shade, require little maintenance, and resist most pests.
Phenology
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Phenology

Nature’s harbingers – understanding phenology can help gardeners take nature’s cues to assist with garden activities.
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