The OSU Exentsion Service and Linn County Master Gardener program are hosting free gardening workshops at Santiam Community Garden in Lyons.
The workshops, instructed by Diane Hyde and Cindy Barnes, are held 9 to 10:30 a.m. Saturdays at 846 Fifth St., Lyons. Each workshop is followed by hands-on practice in the garden.
Each class is free, but registration is required by calling or texting 503-859-2517 or emailing [email protected].
Pre-registered participants are guaranteed handouts and free gardening items.
MARCH 18: Healthy and efficient garden practices: safety, ergonomics and tool selection for easier, less painful (and enjoyable) gardening. Special tools available for loan. In the Garden: Practice with tools and techniques for seniors and arthritic gardeners.
MARCH 25: All about tomatoes and peppers: selection of varieties, planting and pruning suggestions for bigger crops in late summer. In the Garden: Trellises, towers and garden bed signage. Free supplies. Order our started tomato and pepper seedlings for May planting.
APRIL 1: Container gardening: plant selection, design and care for creative container ideas. Best vegetable and flower varieties and pot sizes for container gardens. In the Garden: plant a pot with vegetables or flowers. Free containers and plant starts.
APRIL 8: Companion planting and slug control: use plant combinations to attract pollinators, deter pests and enhance plant growth. Safe homemade pesticides. In the Garden: Make slug, earwig and ant traps. Free marigold seeds and garden supplies.
APRIL 15: Birds, butterflies and wildlife in the garden: attracting welcomed animals and dealing with unwanted visitors. Dog-friendly garden ideas. Bees and butterflies. In the Garden: Bird feeder, Mason bee house and honey bee hive tour.
APRIL 22: Perennial crops: pruning and feeding berries, roses, and iris. Growing tips for overwintering and dividing dahlias, rhubarb, artichokes and asparagus. In the Garden: Prune roses and berries. Free strawberries, asparagus, dahlia, and iris tubers.
Saturday workshops through May will focus on timely gardening topics. Summer topics include harvesting and food preservation.
