Variety selection: One key to garden success in Western Washington

MatosEVERETT, Wash. – Before you make your seed catalog orders, plan to attend the third program in WSU Snohomish County Extension’s 2015 Growing Groceries Education series, What to Grow in Western Washington? from 7 to 9:30 p.m. Jan. 21 at Cougar Auditorium, 600 128th St SE Everett, inside McCollum Park.

Focusing on how to select varieties best suited for your garden and microclimate, Rebecca Morse of Osborne Seed in Mt. Vernon, will discuss how to choose the best varieties to grow here in the maritime Northwest. In addition, there will be a panel discussion featuring four experienced Growing Groceries gardeners who grow in microclimates from Granite Falls to Whidbey Island.

Morse of has farmed in Western Washington since 1998. She started Jericho Farm on Whidbey Island. In 2004, she moved to a farm in eastern Skagit County growing for markets, restaurants, and a CSA until 2013. Working seasonally at Osborne Seed since 2010, Rebecca recently transitioned off the farm and into full-time with the seed company. At Osborne, she works with vendors, sourcing the best varieties for PNW growing conditions, and with growers, helping them find the right varieties for their farms. In addition, she conducts variety trials with growers as well as for Osborne.

Panel speakerswill include Diane Decker-Ihle, Master Gardener and Growing Groceries mentor and instructor, who will discuss and demonstrate design elements and growing techniques for a healthier, more productive food garden while doing less maintenance. In addition, Marilee Schneider, Master Gardener and Manager of the JVM Community Garden in Monroe, will lead an activity on garden planners so participants can get a jump on planning their 2015 gardens.

With an overall focus on limited space and limited resources, the Growing Groceries series pairs speakers with topics to teach beginners as well as long time gardeners more about growing food using healthy and sustainable practices.

Upcoming classes in the series:

Wednesday evenings, 7-9:30pm: Feb. 4 – Seed Starting & Growing Transplants;   Feb. 18 – Small Fruits, Big Harvests

Saturday mornings, 9am-noon: Feb. 28 – Early Start = Early Harvest;   Mar. 7 – Good Bugs, Bad Bugs, & Pollinators; Mar. 14 – Weeding and Watering; Mar. 21 – Small Space & Vertical Gardening; Mar. 28 – Growing Heat Lovers in the Chilly NW

Cost is $25 per person per class, any five classes for $100, or all eight remaining classes for $148. Register online at GrowingGroceries.BrownPaperTickets.com. For more information about all classes in the series or download a form for mail-in registration, visit snohomish.wsu.edu/growing-groceries.

For more information about the program, contact Sharon Collman, WSU Snohomish County Extension Educator, (425) 357-6025, collmans@wsu.edu; or Kate Halstead, (425) 357-6024, khalstead@wsu.edu.

Contacts:

Sharon Collman (425) 357-6025; collmans@wsu.edu

Kate Halstead (360) 794-6081; khalstead@wsu.edu