Get tips on how to take advantage of Clallam County’s unique microclimates and to grow a wide variety of fruiting plants from many areas of the world at “Rare Fruits for Cold Winter Areas,” the next Green Thumbs Garden Tips education series, set for noon-1 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 14, on Zoom.

Tom Del Hotal, a certified arborist, member of the International Plant Propagators Society and California Rare Fruit Growers, will tell about his 1-acre property that produced more than 58 types of fruit with more than 200 varieties of fruiting trees and shrubs.

Join Del Hotal’s presentation by going to extension.wsu.edu/clallam and selecting the Master Gardener Zoom Presentation Link. Or join by calling 253-215-8782 (meeting ID 954 6299 9710, passcode 081164).

Del Hotal has a bachelor’s degree in biology as a park ranger naturalist and holds a teaching degree in horticulture. He was a part-time horticulture instructor for more than 20 years. He served on the local chapter boards of many horticultural organizations, taught classes for the San Diego Master Gardener Association, and gave presentations to many gardening groups and organizations throughout his career. He became a Clallam County Master Gardener in 2021.

A nurseryman since 1977, Del Hotal has been devoted to the discovery, development and expansion of fruit varieties for both home growers and commercial development. He owned Fantasia Gardens, a consulting and pruning business which offered home and small-scale orchard design and management services from 1983-2020 and a specialty wholesale/retail nursery for 14 years.

He currently works part-time in the garden department at The Home Depot in Sequim.

Sponsored by WSU Clallam County Master Gardeners, the Green Thumbs Garden Tips education series seeks to provide home gardeners with education on research-based sustainable garden practices in Clallam County.

The series is offered via streaming presentations from noon-1 p.m. the second and fourth Thursday each month through October (in November, December and January, one program is offered). Scheduled presentations are subject to change. Visit the WSU Extension Clallam County website calendar (extension.wsu.edu/clallam) for the latest information on upcoming presentations.

For more information, call 360-565-2679.