Gardening classes planned

Warmer weather can’t be too far away. People are asking about how to grow one plant or another, or how to deal with a particular problem or landscaping project.

Just in time to answer these questions, gardening organizations around the Inland Northwest are rolling out their late winter and spring classes and workshops:

Idaho

The University of Idaho Kootenai County Extension is offering a series of classes that will run Mondays through April 9.

Some of the topics on the program include: Managing a backyard forest, an Avian Flu seminar that will get you up to speed on managing backyard wild bird habitats that could be affected by the disease, Landscaping for Fire Protection, Pond and Water Garden Care, Building Hardscapes, Edible Landscapes and Roses. Contact UI Extension at (208) 446-1680 or go to http://extension.ag.uidaho .edu/kootenai/mg.htm for more information.

Composting

The Master Composters of the Spokane Regional Solid Waste System are looking for a few volunteers who want to learn about compost making and then share their new-found knowledge with the community. Making compost at home is not difficult and it removes and recycles a major component of the region’s waste stream. Master Composters return 40 hours of volunteer time putting on demonstrations at home shows and garden events around Spokane. Classes start March 26 and run through April 29.

Contact the Recycling Hotline at (509) 625-6800 to register.

Pend Oreille County

As part of the continuing Sense of Place project, the WSU Pend Oreille County Extension is offering classes on propagating plants from seeds and cuttings (Wednesday), diagnosing tree problems (Feb. 7) and raising chickens (Feb. 13) at The CREATE Place in Newport, Wash. Contact the Extension Office at (509) 447-2401 to register.

Spokane Master Gardeners

The WSU Spokane County Master Gardeners will be offering their 12-week Horticulture Series beginning Feb. 15 and running through May 3. The classes will cover all phases of gardening including low maintenance, sustainable landscape design; soils and composting; planting, pruning and managing vegetables, annuals, perennials, shrubs and trees, landscape design and maintenance; and weed, insect and disease management. This class is similar to the training Master Gardeners receive but without the volunteer commitment. Cost of the series is $175. Registration is required at (509) 448-2048 or online at http://spokane-county. wsu.edu/spokane/eastside/.

Rare Care

If you have some background in native plant identification and a desire to help preserve rare native plants, the Washington Rare Plant Care and Conservation Program will be offering training in Spokane April 21 to volunteers who want to help in the effort in Northeast Washington. Each year Rare Care monitors populations of rare plants around the state in an effort to address what is needed to preserve rare plant species, their communities and the ecological system they rely on. Volunteers will need to have a sense of adventure and be able to travel to sites in the region several times during the spring and summer. For more information to go the Web site at http://depts.washington.edu/rarecare/ or call Wendy Gibble at (206) 616-0780