From The Coordinators Desk

Happy Summer to all of you. The new 2016 Master Gardener class is off to a great start. At the end of the 60 hour training (April 30) the new interns are asked to volunteer in three general areas (Clinic, Demonstration Gardens, Community Outreach and/or a Project). This is a lot to cover in one summer season, so we have added the option for MG interns to take 2 years to complete the certification.  The hope is that this provides flexibility and creates long-term volunteers in our program.  

The 22 interns have a lot to report. 

Three new projects include:

A1 Builders Staff volunteered to install the
pavers at the St Joe's Garden 

St Joe's Hospital Adaptive Rehab Garden-- the project team is Bonnie LeVan, Linda Boblett, and Erin Moore. these MG interns have worked with Hospital staff to design and install a new garden for patients. We are so excited about this project and thankful to the community business partners that have helped make it a reality.  Thanks to A1 Builders and Northstar Stone and friends & family members. Now that the hardscaping is complete the MG interns will set up the raised beds, benches and plants!  Stay tuned for the ribbon cutting party!  

Blaine Community Garden Leadership -- WSU Ext Community First Garden Project has been working with this community garden for a couple years.  Now that Master Gardeners are involved we have so many great improvements and partnerships!! Thanks to Ayn & TJ Balback for started the youth gardening program  and to new MG interns, Seraida Vazquez, Carol Hogan, and Cynthia Burroughs for your vision and energy to work with the Blaine city staff. This garden has taken off this year.  The team installed a native plant demonstration garden, they are working with the City of Blaine to manage the 22 plots at the site. This garden is in a hub location with the Blaine Boys & Girls Club, the Senior Center and the Blaine Elementary School campus as neighbors.  Come out to the garden on August 6th from 10-2pm. 

Karen Carson & Alex Milne at WSU Whatcom Ext 

WSU Whatcom Extension Office Native Plant landscape rehab.  The Extension Building will be getting some much needed TLC from interns Karen Carson, Linda Boblett

Dion Fountain, and Alex Milne.  They have weeded, mulched, planted, pruned and watered around the building,  In the fall they will plant natives and install signage.  This will be a great benefit to visitors and give our Extension office more visibility in the community.  

Interested in any of these projects?  contact the MGs involved.  

Fairhaven Middle School Families help during summer at the school garden. MG Jean Andreson has been leading and volunteering for 3 years at this garden.  The new garden shed was built by students with donations from Bellingham Millworks 

Summer Garden Workshops 

Thanks to Master Gardeners Bob Barker, Amberose Kelley, Karen Gilliam and Dave Keller for teaching the Garden Class series at the Lynden Public Library  Friends of the Library gave the MG program a donation of $400 .  This will be used for our scholarship fund and support our program outreach activities. Thank you Lynden Library!!

Garden Worm Bins
The Hovander Children's Story Garden and the Deming Library Learning Garden have new residents! Thank you to Pam Newland, Ayn Balback, Ken Malseed, and Louise Granger for the making this happen. Do you know a garden that needs a worm bin? Email Amber, a.kelley@wsu.edu

Hovander Children's Story Garden worm bin.

Deming Library Learning Garden - spot the worm bin in the back.

Louise Granger (left) and Katrina (center) prepare bedding for the new worm bin by shredding and soaking newspaper.

Adding the worms.