Cowlitz County Master Gardeners

06/06/2026

Tip of the Week: Not sure when to water your garden?
One of the best gardening tools you can buy costs less than a lunch out: a simple soil moisture meter. Insert the probe into the soil near your plant's roots, and you'll get a much better idea of whether the root zone is actually dry or still moist below the surface.

Many plants suffer from overwatering just as often as underwatering. The soil surface may look dry, while a few inches down there's still plenty of moisture available to the roots.

A moisture meter is also a great training tool. Use it regularly and compare the reading with what the soil feels like when you stick your finger 2–3 inches into the soil. Before long, you'll develop your own built-in moisture meter—your finger! You'll learn what properly moist soil feels like and become much more confident about when your plants really need a drink.

Remember: Water according to soil moisture—not according to the calendar. Your plants will thank you! 🌱

06/06/2026

Whether you’re fascinated by bees, curious about biodiversity, or simply want to become a better steward of your garden ecosystem, this episode offers a fascinating look at the hidden world of insects all around us. 🐝🌼🦋

Join Dr. Joel Gardner to learn how WSU’s M.T. James Entomological Collection supports research and pollinator conservation, especially for sweat bees.

05/28/2026

How do your dahilas grow?

Dahlias can be stunning, but they also come with a learning curve.

In this episode, Master Gardener Ed Adams shares what it’s like growing more than 600 dahlias in Sequim, including how he approaches planting, seasonal care, and managing common pests using integrated strategies.

We also talk about what makes dahlias well-suited to parts of Western Washington, and how gardeners can think through tuber selection, maintenance, and storage in practical terms.

A grounded look at what works in real gardens, not just on paper.

Listen now on your favorite podcast app or at https://buff.ly/ELL4wBo

05/24/2026

HAVE YOU SEEN THIS COWLITZ COUNTY NATIVE? WESTERN COLUMBINE - Aquilegia formosa

Western Columbine blooms between April and August. With its distinct flower it can be easy to spot. “It’s interesting that parts of both the scientific and common name refer to birds in flight. The name Aquilegia is derived from Latin for eagle, aquila; which refers to the spurred shape of the flower petals resembling an eagle's talon. The common name, ‘columbine’ comes from the Latin for "dove", due to the resemblance of the inverted flowers posing as five doves clustered together. When the wind is blowing, the swaying flowers look as if they are almost ready to take off in flight.”
This is a great flower for attracting hummingbirds, butterflies and other pollinators and is easy to grow. Finches and other songbirds feed on their seeds in the fall. It's an excellent choice for wildlife gardens.

https://www.wnps.org/native-plant-directory/38:aquilegia-formosa-var-formosa -gallery

https://oregonflora.org/taxa/garden.php?taxon=2835

https://sparrowhawknativeplants.com/products/red-columbine

https://www.portlandnursery.com/natives/aquilegia

05/15/2026

Celebration of Children Thank You to Sponsors and Community Members including Cowlitz County Master Gardeners!!

05/13/2026

🌿 The next Washington Green School course begins Fall 2026, and registration is open August 17 through September 30.

Learn more about Washington Green School and what it can do for you at: https://greenschool.extension.wsu.edu/home/grow-with-wgs/

Download the FREE Pacific Northwest Gardeners Handbook:Growing for the Future🔗 https://pubs.extension.wsu.edu/.../pacific-northwest.../

🌱 Over 800 graduates in the very first Washington Green School class!

The new Washington Green School from the WSU Extension Master Gardener Program is already making an impact across Washington state — helping gardeners, educators, horticulture professionals, and lifelong learners build confidence through research-based gardening education.

Participants gained skills in:• Plant disease identification• Sustainable gardening practices• Soil science and botany• Pruning and landscape care• Climate-resilient gardening…and so much more!

The program was created for people who want access to the trusted WSU Master Gardener curriculum without the volunteer commitment required of the Master Gardener Program.

📚 Built around the peer-reviewed Pacific Northwest Gardener’s Handbook: Growing for the Future, Washington Green School connects learners statewide with university specialists and science-backed information tailored to Washington gardens and landscapes.

We encourage you to read and share this inspiring CAHNRS story highlighting the success of the inaugural class and the growing demand for trusted horticulture education.
🔗https://news.cahnrs.wsu.edu/newsletters/2026-confluence/wsu-extension-graduates-over-800-in-newly-offered-washington-green-school/

🌿 The next Washington Green School course begins Fall 2026, and registration is open August 17 through September 30.

Learn more about Washington Green School and what it can do for you at:
https://greenschool.extension.wsu.edu/home/grow-with-wgs/

Download the FREE Pacific Northwest Gardeners Handbook:Growing for the Future
🔗 https://pubs.extension.wsu.edu/product/pacific-northwest-gardeners-handbook-growing-for-the-future/

05/13/2026

What can a drawer of pinned insects tell us about the world outside your garden?

This week on The Evergreen Thumb, we’re joined by Dr. Joel Gardner from the WSU insect collection. His work focuses on some of the smallest native bees—Dialictus sweat bees—and even includes discovering species new to science.

We talk about how new bee species are identified, what makes certain specimens so important, and why insect collections are more than archives—they’re a record of environmental change and biodiversity in Washington.

If you’ve ever wondered how scientists know what’s living in our landscapes (and what might be changing), this conversation offers a closer look.
Link to Episode 72 of The Evergreen Thumb

What can a drawer of pinned insects tell us about the world outside your garden?

This week on The Evergreen Thumb, we’re joined by Dr. Joel Gardner, a curator of the WSU Entomology Museum. His work focuses on some of the smallest native bees, Dialictus sweat bees, and even includes discovering species new to science.

We talk about how new bee species are identified, what makes certain specimens so important, and why insect collections are more than archives... they’re a record of environmental change and biodiversity in Washington.

Listen on your favorite podcast app or at https://buff.ly/jYQHAf3

05/10/2026

So, you bought the plants, now what?
Here's how to successfully transition them to your garden.