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.
Raised Beds
Winter is a great time to plan for next season and explore the many advantages of building raised gardening beds.
Season Extenders
An early frost quickly brings a close to the gardening season. Here, Master Gardener Hallie Kintner discusses tools and techniques to extend the season.
The Health Benefits of Gardening
Gardening has long been considered good for the soul. Here Master Gardener Kathy Wolfe writes about the many ways gardening improves mental health.
Plant Spring Blooming Bulbs Now
Master Gardener Jessamyn Tuttle explores the many wonderful bulbs which, if planted now, will bloom as early as late January.
Seed Saving 101
Master Gardener Sheri Rylaarsdam shares the fun of getting started saving and sharing seeds from your garden.
Cider Making
Get started pressing apple juice and making cider. Learn about the excellent resources here in Skagit County and how to get started pressing apple juice and making fermented apple cider.
Restoring Nature
Recently certified Master Gardener Joan Stamm writes about how Douglas Tallamay's book, Nature's Best Hope changed her gardening perspective.
Be Firewise
Former wildland firefighter and Master Gardener Marlene Finley outlines key elements to making your home defensible in a wildfire.
USDA Zones and Microclimates
Master Gardener Claudia Wells discusses the various USDA Zones in Skagit County and microclimates and how they affect your garden's success.
DIY Drip Irrigation
Master Gardener Bob Bryan helps homeowners set-up their own drip irrigation, helping them save money and time, and their plants thrive.
Celebrating 50 Years of Master Gardeners
The statewide WSU Extension Master Gardeners celebrate 50 years. The first program in the US was started by WSU extension agents in King and Pierce County.
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Discovery Garden Open House June 24, 2023
Join us for a day of discovery and learning at the Skagit Master Gardener's Discovery Garden in Mount Vernon
Italian Arum
Don't be deceived by the beauty of Italian Arum, though it is sold by many companies, it is an invasive plant in most areas of Western Washington.
Visit UW Botanic Gardens
Skagit Master Gardeners spend a day touring and learning about the plants at the UW Botanic Garden.
Northwest Tree Squirrels
Author Kathy Wolfe explores the ambiguity of Pacific Northwest tree squirrels: At times entertaining and at other times very destructive.
2023 Master Gardener Plant Fair
Skagit County WSU Extension Master Gardeners are preparing for their 2023 Plant Fair at the Skagit County Fairgrounds in Mount Vernon on May 13. Free Admission
Vermicomposting
By composting at home, either in a pile or with a worm bin, we can stop the cycle by feeding worms our food scraps and letting them convert them into...
Midnight Marauders
Master Gardener Diana Wisen discusses slug damage and eradication, one of the most discussed topics among PNW gardeners.
Cool Weather Vegetables
The marine-influenced weather in the Pacific Northwest is the perfect climate for growing cool-season vegetables.
Heathers and Heaths
Heathers and heaths, common in our area, have a multitude of characteristics and are well-adapted to the Pacific Northwest landscape. Ericaceae is the family of the heather plants, but it...
Interested in digging deeper into the archive of Ask a Master Gardener articles on a wide range of local gardening topics? Check out the archives.
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