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by Erin Hoover, WSU Extension Master Gardener Program
Since 1973, WSU Extension Master Gardeners have been developing programs to address the evolving needs of our communities. Each episode, we'll dig into the fascinating world of gardening, exploring a wide range of topics tailored to our unique climate and diverse flora. Whether you're an experienced gardener with a green thumb or a beginner eager to cultivate your own green oasis, we're here to inspire and educate. Join us as we invite expert horticulturists, seasoned Master Gardeners, and passionate plant enthusiasts to share their wisdom, practical tips, and hands-on experiences. We'll cover everything from plant selection and care, sustainable gardening practices, organic pest control, and landscaping design, to tackling common challenges specific to our region. Discover the secrets to thriving vegetable gardens, vibrant flower beds, bountiful fruit trees, and breathtaking native plant landscapes. We'll also explore the intersection of gardening and sustainability, discussing topics like permaculture, composting, and water-wise gardening to help you create an environmentally friendly garden that nurtures both you and the ecosystem. So, whether you're tuning in from the urban jungles of Seattle, the rolling hills of Spokane, or anywhere else in the Pacific Northwest, get ready to dig deep, cultivate your knowledge, and connect with a community of fellow gardening enthusiasts.
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- 4 days ago19 min
What Gardeners Can Learn from Washington Ecoregions
Washington has temperate rainforest, sagebrush steppe, and alpine meadows within the same state, so gardening advice that works in one region may not work in another. This episode explains how Level III ecoregions, a framework developed by the EPA, can help you understand the conditions in your own garden. We start with what a Level III ecoregion is and how it differs from a USDA hardiness zone. Then we cover eight Washington regions: Coast Range Puget Lowland Cascades North Cascades Eastern Cascades Slopes and Foothills Columbia Plateau Blue Mountains Northern Rockies For each region, we look at the climate, the soils, the native plants that grow there, and what those conditions mean for your garden. Resources mentioned in this episode, along with a full transcript, can be found on our website.
- 2 weeks ago31 min
The Urban Tree Canopy: How Trees in Cities Keep Temperatures Low
In this episode of The Evergreen Thumb, Erin Hoover talks with Tim Kohlhoff about the role trees play in creating healthier, more livable communities. They explore why urban tree canopies matter, the challenges communities face in protecting them, and how thoughtful tree planting can help shape the future of our neighborhoods. Resources mentioned in this episode, along with a full transcript, can be found on our website.
- Sep 29, 202615 min
How to Grow Thriving Garlic in the Pacific Northwest
In this episode of The Evergreen Thumb, Erin Hoover covers everything you need to know about growing garlic in Washington state. She explains the difference between hardneck and softneck garlic, shares her own growing experience, and touches on elephant garlic as well. Erin walks through site selection, sourcing seed garlic, regional planting timing, spacing methods, and mulching for winter protection. She covers scape removal in early summer and when to stop watering before harvest, then closes with guidance on curing garlic for maximum storage life and an overview of common garlic pests and diseases, including prevention tips like crop rotation and separating garlic from onions. Resources mentioned in this episode, along with a full transcript, can be found on our website.
- Sep 15, 202639 min
Clean Plant Center Northwest: Protecting Fruit Trees, Grapes, and Hops
What does it take to protect important crops from harmful plant pathogens? In this episode of The Evergreen Thumb, we explore the work of the Clean Plant Center Northwest at Washington State University with its director, Sudarsana "Sud" Poojari. Sud explains what clean plant material means, why it matters to U.S. agriculture, and how plant material moves through testing and treatment before being released as clean foundation material. We also explore how that foundation material is used by commercial growers and nurseries to help produce healthy fruit trees, grapevines, and hop plants. In this episode: The mission and role of the Clean Plant Center Northwest What "clean plant material" means and why it matters The journey of plant material through testing and treatment How clean foundation material supports fruit trees, grapes, and hops How commercial growers and nurseries use clean plant material What CPCNW's work means for home gardeners The future of clean plant programs Resources mentioned in this episode, along with a full transcript, can be found on our website.
- Sep 1, 202626 min
Bulb Season: Setting Up Your Garden for Colorful Spring Blooms
Fall may feel like the end of the gardening season, but for many spring-flowering plants, it's just the beginning. In this episode of The Evergreen Thumb, Erin explores fall planting in Washington, with a focus on spring-flowering bulbs and other geophytes. We'll look at why fall is the right time to plant many of these plants, how soil temperature affects planting timing, and what Washington gardeners should consider when deciding when to get their bulbs in the ground. We'll talk about familiar garden favorites such as daffodils, tulips, and hyacinths, along with some less familiar native geophytes, including camas and fawn lilies for seasonal interest and to support regional biodiversity.
- Aug 18, 202629 min
Cover Crops: The Easy Way to Improve Your Soil
Cover crops can protect and improve garden soil during the time of year when our gardens are resting. In this episode, Erin talks with Twinflower Wilkie, a WSU Extension Master Gardener in Ferry County, about how cover crops help retain moisture, protect soil from erosion, cycle nutrients, and build healthier soil. Twinflower also shares why cover crops can benefit pollinators and other beneficial wildlife, and why allowing your garden to go a little wild can be good for the garden and the creatures that depend on it. They discuss choosing and using cover crops in the home garden and simple ways gardeners can get started. For gardeners in Washington's dry eastern climate and beyond, cover crops offer a practical way to keep soil protected and productive while creating a more welcoming garden for wildlife. Resources mentioned in this episode, along with a full transcript, can be found on our website.
- Jul 28, 202640 min
Research-Based Gardening Advice: What Does It Mean?
Every gardener has encountered advice that promises amazing results, from family traditions passed down through generations to the latest trend making the rounds on social media. How do you know what to trust? In this episode, Erin talks with Bryce Battisti about what "research-based" really means and why it is a core part of the WSU Extension Master Gardener Program. Bryce shares his own journey from embracing popular gardening ideas to appreciating the value of research in helping gardeners make informed decisions. Together, they explore how gardening recommendations are developed, why scientific understanding changes as new discoveries are made, and why local research is especially valuable for Washington gardeners. They also discuss practical ways to evaluate gardening advice, identify reliable sources, and avoid wasting time and money on untested practices. Resources mentioned in this episode, along with a full transcript, can be found on our website.
- Jul 21, 202632 min
How to Clean Up Your Fall Garden to Support Overwintering Insects
In this episode of The Evergreen Thumb, Erin Hoover chats with Julie Banken, a Master Gardener with a background in entomology, about creating pollinator-friendly gardens by rethinking traditional fall cleanup practices. Julie shares her passion for gardening with insects in mind, explaining how leaving leaves, stems, and other natural debris provides essential winter habitat for a wide variety of pollinators and beneficial insects. She encourages gardeners to view their yards as crucial parts of the ecosystem, highlights the importance of native plants, and offers practical advice for supporting insect life cycles—like leaving leaf mulch and standing stems through winter and only tidying up the next year. By making simple intentional changes, gardeners can help sustain the pollinators and insects that depend on them, making a positive impact right in their home gardens.
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About The Evergreen Thumb
Since 1973, WSU Extension Master Gardeners have been developing programs to address the evolving needs of our communities. Each episode, we'll dig into the fascinating world of gardening, exploring a wide range of topics tailored to our unique climate and diverse flora. Whether you're an experienced gardener with a green thumb or a beginner eager to cultivate your own green oasis, we're here to inspire and educate. Join us as we invite expert horticulturists, seasoned Master Gardeners, and passionate plant enthusiasts to share their wisdom, practical tips, and hands-on experiences. We'll cover everything from plant selection and care, sustainable gardening practices, organic pest control, and landscaping design, to tackling common challenges specific to our region. Discover the secrets to thriving vegetable gardens, vibrant flower beds, bountiful fruit trees, and breathtaking native plant landscapes. We'll also explore the intersection of gardening and sustainability, discussing topics like permaculture, composting, and water-wise gardening to help you create an environmentally friendly garden that nurtures both you and the ecosystem. So, whether you're tuning in from the urban jungles of Seattle, the rolling hills of Spokane, or anywhere else in the Pacific Northwest, get ready to dig deep, cultivate your knowledge, and connect with a community of fellow gardening enthusiasts.
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Frequently Asked Questions
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The Evergreen Thumb covers topics including Leisure, Education, How To, Garden, Home & Garden. Our AI identifies the specific themes in each episode and highlights what matters most to you.
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