By Elaine Webber

Many of you look forward to reading this column each week and might wonder who is behind it all. Each article is researched, written and edited by a team of WSU Clallam County Master Gardener (MG) volunteers.

This year’s articles will include monthly gardening calendars and focus on the basics for those who are new to the area and anxious to start growing their own produce. We will be including photos from our beautiful gardens as well as recipes that highlight the use of fresh produce.

The MG program was created here in the Pacific Northwest by the Washington State University (WSU) Extension service in Pierce and King counties in 1973 when county Extension agents began getting overwhelmed with an increase in demand for home horticulture advice.

Over the past 40 years this program has grown and spread to all 50 states and many other countries. WSU Extension MGs have been active in Clallam County, providing gardening advice and educational opportunities, since 1981.

In addition to writing about garden topics, Clallam County MG volunteers are available weekly during the growing season at our Plant Clinics to answer questions from home gardeners, provide advice that minimizes the negative impact on the environment while conserving natural resources (often referred to as sustainable gardening), and solve plant and insect mysteries.

The weekly Plant Clinics are held in Sequim and Port Angeles.When volunteers cannot come up with an answer to a question, they have access to state-wide WSU diagnostic services.

Our Master Gardener volunteers hold workshops and lectures covering gardening topics in regularly scheduled lecture series: The Green Thumbs Garden Tips brown bag series at the county courthouse held the second and fourth Thursdays at noon, monthly Saturday morning Workshops in the Garden series at the Woodcock Demonstration Garden and other speaking engagements (just invite us!).

Master Gardeners maintain demonstration gardens where the public can get gardening ideas and see what grows well in our climate.

Many look forward to one of our major fundraisers, the annual Petals and Pathways Garden Tour. Alternating between Sequim and Port Angeles, working with gracious homeowners, we invite you to visit and learn about how a beautiful landscape is created, nurtured, maintained and matures.

Others enjoy the lectures and workshops we do at the annual Soroptimist Gala Garden Show in Sequim. You also will find us at the Clallam County Fair in our booth, ever ready to answer your questions about home gardening.

Each MG trainee goes through 12 weeks of intense Sustainable Gardening training that is based on scientific research and taught by experts in the field. After completing training, Interns give 100 hours of service (doing activities listed above) to become a certified Veteran MG. Obtaining advanced training and continuing education is a yearly requirement for ongoing certification, in addition to continued public service.

Master Gardeners are people who love to garden, want to learn and enjoy sharing their knowledge with others. If you like gardening and people, and want to make a difference in your community, think about joining Master Gardeners in 2018. (See sidebar.)

Elaine Webber is a WSU certified Clallam County Master Gardener.