Resilient Gardening and Weird Weather

Thanks to Mo Sloane for this first in a series of articles introducing featured speakers who will be presenting at the Master Gardeners Annual Gardening Workshop on October 7th. This first article introduces the workshop’s keynote speaker, Dr. Linda Gilkeson…

Peace Love Rose – Contributed Photo

Is ‘weird weather’ challenging you and your gardening skills? You’re not alone! Between the increasingly variable weather and new pests and diseases, it seems there is more we need to know every year. PNW gardeners need to be prepared to handle longer, drier summers and water shortages, warmer average temperatures and more extreme weather. But this isn’t difficult – we can add to our existing skill sets to become more resilient gardeners.

Join the Master Gardeners of San Juan County in welcoming Dr. Linda Gilkeson as the keynote speaker at our Annual Gardening Workshop. Dr. Gilkeson’s talk, “Resilient Gardens in a Changing Climate,” will discuss how plants respond to environmental stress and how we can adapt our gardening methods to meet the challenges (and opportunities!) of a changing climate. The good news is that there is quite a lot we can do to be successful.

In addition to her keynote address, Dr. Gilkeson will speak in two afternoon sessions, “Planting for Pollinators” and “Grow the Most Food in the Smallest Space.” Dr. Gilkeson is the author of “Backyard Bounty: The Complete Guide to Year-Round Organic Gardening in the Pacific Northwest,” the beloved and best-selling guide to vegetable garden success. Follow her monthly newsletter with gardening tips and advice on insect management on her web site, lindagilkeson.ca.

The Annual Gardening Workshop is a day-long event, with noted authorities speaking on a wide variety of topics of interest to PNW coastal gardeners. Multiple choices allow you to plan your day to attend sessions of interest to you. This year topics include soil fertility, restoring island wildflowers, dealing with wireworms, growing berries and fruit trees, gardening with children, and camellias in our climate.

Visit GardenWorkshop.org for complete descriptions of each session and our speaker’s biographies, including more information about Dr. Gilkeson, a noted Entomologist and author.

Purchase tickets here. Tickets are $40 online, $45 at the door. Advance purchase recommended.

San Juan County Master Gardeners Annual Gardening Workshop
Presented by the Master Gardener Foundation of San Juan County in Cooperation with San Juan County Washington State University Extension

October 7^th  – 8:30 – 4:30 – Friday Harbor Middle School
85 Blair Ave – Friday Harbor, San Juan Island

The Annual Gardening Workshop is presented by the Master Gardener Foundation of San Juan County in Cooperation with the San Juan County Washington State University Extension. Reasonable accommodations will be made for persons with disabilities and special needs who contact the WSU San Juan County Extension office at 360-370- 7663 or http://[email protected] at least two weeks prior to the event.

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