By Lori Berken

WSU Master Gardener

The final Master Gardener Workshop of 2019 is slated for Saturday, Dec. 7, in Elma.

The workshop, conducted by the Master Gardeners of Grays Harbor and Pacific Counties, will cover a topic everyone can relate to: “Pests, Pests and More Pests.”

The pests examined in this presentation will include slugs, snails, aphids, moles, voles and of course those beautiful but voracious flower annihilators, deer.

When considering pests, it’s important to keep in mind that every creature has a purpose, and eliminating one type may have a negative impact on another. For instance, bees may be considered a nuisance, but they play a critical role in perpetuating plant life. Attendees will learn more about beneficial creatures and how important they are to the success of our gardens.

Tolerance in the garden for less than perfection is another topic to be addressed. Acceptance of some problems can liberate gardeners from obsessing about appearances and help them to appreciate their own unique circumstances in their gardens. No discussion about pests would be complete without understanding the limits of our abilities to overcome Mother Nature’s will.

The workshop will begin at 10 a.m. at at the WSU Extension Office at the Elma Fairgrounds, and a Q&A session will follow the presentation. Admission and parking are free to the public.

Also offered at the workshop will be an opportunity to sign up for the next Master Gardener training course, which starts in January and runs through June. For more information, contact Katie Lutz @ 360-292-8917.