Submitted by the San Juan County Washington Extension Agency

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. Pacific Northwest 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 its Annual Gardening Workshop on Oct. 7, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. at Friday Harbor Middle School, 85 Blair Ave.

The workshop is presented by the Master Gardener Foundation of San Juan County in Cooperation with San Juan County Washington State University Extension.

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

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

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 website 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.

Reasonable accommodations will be made for persons with disabilities and special needs. Contact the extension office at 370-7663 or ma.sanjuancounty@wsu.edu at least two weeks prior to the event.