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Demos & “Mini-Talks” and Book Signings

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​Free Demonstrations will be held in the Marketplace

next to the Plant Clinic (Ask A Master Gardener) table

 

10:35 – 10:55: Growing Hubbard Squash – Dale Sherman

Central Whidbey is known for many things; beautiful landscapes, wild history and dry land farming including our very own sugar Hubbard squash. Dale’s dad, Edwin, connected with WSU and developed the sugar Hubbard seed. Dale, led by his dad, has been growing sugar Hubbard squash since the late 1940’s. In this class you will learn some of the secrets of having a truly robust crop that will feed you through the winter and beyond.

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12:40 – 12:55: 6 Reasons to Become a Master Gardener - Julie Lary (Island County Master Gardener)

Julie started puttering in the garden as a toddler. This initial "digg'n in the dirt" lead to her creating ornate gardens at the many houses where she lived. After moving to Whidbey Island in 2017, she discovered the concepts of wind, drought, and microclimate, leading to the need to become more scientific and thoughtful about gardening.

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Are you in the same boat? Are you new to gardening or someone who has been gardening your entire life and may know some gardening concepts; but, have holes in your knowledge and are looking for ways to truly be a “master gardener”? Julie will share that not only are the Master Gardener training classes fun and interesting (even the one on pesticides), but you don't have to be a "master" gardener to become a Master Gardener. In fact, the training and volunteering in the community is focused on learning and communicating research-based gardening concepts, familiarizing ourselves with resources, gaining a breadth of knowledge, engaging with the community, finding your niche, and having FUN.

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1:00 – 1:30 & 2:30 – 3:00: Lavender - Western Sun Lavender

Whidbey Island offers a great climate for growing lavender, a flowering plant in the mint family. Learn more about the origins of this fragrant herb, how to distill its essential oil and hydrosol, and the various uses of the dried lavender bud, essential oil and hydrolat. Tyler and Jenny Saltonstall are the owners of Western Sun Lavender, Whidbey Island’s oldest lavender farm, where they grow 14 different lavender varieties and distill the flowers for precious essential oil right on the farm. Their presentation will include information on the lavender distillation process, different varieties of lavender, dried lavender samples and a “nose” test. Can you tell the difference between different varieties of lavender and their essential oils?