Coming up . . .

More gardening information from your Metro area Master Gardeners:

Soil pH Testing and the 10-Minute University
The Clackamas County Master Gardeners will provide free pH testing of garden soil. This is a critical piece of information for a robust garden. While there, take advantage of some very short courses.
--10:15 am Planning and Preparing Your Vegetable Garden
--10:45 am Gardening with Compost
-- 11:15 am Edible Landscape Plants
Milwaukie Center (5440 SE Kellogg Creek Drive, Milwaukie); Saturday, October 10th, soil testing 10:00 to noon.

Composting & Vermiculture – Wastes to Garden Gold
Elizabeth Howley, of Clackamas Community College, will offer first‐hand advice on the design and operation of a home composting system – from design to finished product. Plus, Laura Eyer, worm expert, will tell us about the "Reds," which live and breed happily in the organic rich environment of a worm bin. Come learn what worms eat, how many you need, and if your worm bin will smell.
Clackamas County Master Gardeners - Chapter Meeting; Milwaukie Center (5440 SE Kellogg Creek Dr., Milwaukie) Monday, October 12th, 7:00 – 8:00 pm.

The Impact of Invasive Plants – what you can do!
Vern Holm, of the NW Weed Management Partnership will share the some of the effects invasive plants have on our community and on the native species in our area. Find out what we can do to halt these silent invaders.
Multnomah County Master Gardeners - Chapter Meeting (Mt.Tabor Presbyterian Church, 5441 SE Belmont); Tuesday, October 13th, 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm.

Naturescaping Basics
Naturescaping is the practice of designing a landscape so that it reduces water use, stormwater runoff, and pollution, – all while providing a beautiful habitat for birds, wildlife, and you.
This workshop explores Naturescaping’s core concepts and provides participants with natural gardening and landscape design tips, a comprehensive workbook, and native plant to get started. Register online with the East Multnomah Soil and Water Conservation District.
Leach Botanical Garden (6704 SE 122nd Av.); Sunday, October 11th, 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm.

Exploring the Beauty of Nature through Flowers
The Portland Japanese Garden hosts an autumn exhibition of Ikebana. This art gives its students an understanding of the beauty found in plant material, expressed in their designs, as well as a sensitivity to the beauty of life itself. There will be demonstrations by local teachers on Saturday and Sunday at 2:00 pm. Free with Garden admission.
Portland Japanese Garden (Garden Pavilion); Saturday and Sunday, October 10th and 11th, 10:00 am to 4:00 pm.