Get a jump on spring with Gardening for Your Table, Oregon Peace Tree Project, Plants for the Planet and more
Events are free unless noted. Please email calendar submissions at least three weeks in advance to events@oregonian.com.ONGOINGPlants for the Planet Native Plant Sale: Browse profiles of more than 100 native plant species and shop for plants online through March 24 to be picked up at one of four outdoor pop-up events in April or early May. sparrowhawknativeplants.com.Portland Fruit Tree Project Home Orchard Workshops: Various dates and locations through May. These hands-on workshops are designed to empower participants with practical knowledge on fruit tree care, composting, grafting and more. $50; visit portlandfruit.org or email treecare@portlandfruit.org.Tualatin SWCD spring workshops: Various dates and times through May 30. Tualatin Soil and Water Conservation District offers a variety of spring workshops, including Soil School, Weed Wranglin’, Sustainable Equine Management and more. Tualatin Soil and Water Conservation District, 7175 N.E. Evergreen Parkway (#400), Hillsboro; tualatinswcd.org.Grow Your Own Produce: The Workshop Series: (online via Zoom) First Wednesday of the month through Nov. 6. Taught by permaculture expert Marisha Auerbach, each workshop features seasonally relevant information about planning, growing, maintaining and harvesting food from the garden. $130 for a five-class series, or $30 per class; fertileground.org.Walk With a Friend at Tualatin Hills Nature Park: 9 a.m. first Wednesday and third Sunday of the month. Take a guided walk and learn about the plants, wildlife and history of the park. Tualatin Hills Nature Park, 15655 S.W. Millikan Way, Beaverton; thprd.org.East Multnomah Soil & Water Conservation District free webinars: Discover how to care for land in ways that benefit people, water and wildlife. From stormwater solutions to biochar to water conservation, these workshops will help you save time, money and energy. Register at emswcd.org/workshops-and-events/upcoming-workshops.Greater Portland Iris Society meeting: 7 p.m. first Tuesday of the month in March, April, September, October and November. Enjoy discussions of irises with guest speakers. Ainsworth House, 19130 Lot Whitcomb Drive, Oregon City; greaterportlandirissociety.org.Happy Valley Garden Club monthly meeting: 9 a.m.-noon second Tuesday of the month. Happy Valley Baptist Church, 14095 S.E. King Road, Happy Valley.Ikebana for Every Season: 1-2:30 p.m. second Tuesday of the month; $45. Become knowledgeable about basic concepts, techniques, tools, equipment and care for ikebana. The Resource Center, 219 S. Main Ave., Gresham; GreshamJapaneseGarden.org.Portland Dahlia Society monthly meeting: 7 p.m. second Tuesday of the month February through November. Take part in a discussion of seasonal topics. Oaks Park Dance Pavilion, 7805 S.E. Oaks Park Way; portlanddahlia.com.Estacada Garden Club monthly meeting: 1-3 p.m. second Thursday of the month. Estacada Public Library, 825 N.W. Wade St.FRIDAY, MARCH 15Oregon Peace Tree Project Presentation: 1-2 p.m. Learn about the project that has helped Oregon have the densest concentration of trees outside Japan that were grown from the seeds of trees that survived the 1945 bombing of Hiroshima. Hoyt Arboretum, 4000 S.W. Fairview Blvd.; hoytarboretum.org.SATURDAY, MARCH 16Gardening for Your Table: 8:45 a.m.-4 p.m. Eight speakers will cover topics ranging from growing fruits and vegetables to backyard composting. $25 includes snacks, $12 optional lunch; Church on the Hill, 700 N.W. Hill Road, McMinnville; register at YCMGA.org.Northwest Native Garden Plants and the Amazing Insects They Attract: 10 a.m.-noon. Join garden writer and photographer Amy Campion for an exploration of some of the best natives to plant in your wildlife-friendly garden and learn about the insects they support. CASEE Center (Building B, Room 205), 11104 N.E. 149th St., Brush Prairie, Washington. $15 registration required at info@naturescaping.org, marlene52ns@gmail.com or 360-737-1160. naturescaping.org.Raising Mason Bees: 10 a.m.-noon. Join mason bee expert Ron Spendal for a class focusing on environmental needs, nesting behaviors and housing devices attractive to mason bees. PCC Rock Creek (Building 4, Room 103), 17705 N.W. Springville Road; washingtoncountymastergardeners.org.Early Spring Container Planter Workshop: 1:30-3 p.m. In this hands-on session, you’ll learn every step of the art of creating container arrangements using the thriller, spiller and filler method. $35; Al’s Garden & Home (all locations); als-gardencenter.com.TUESDAY, MARCH 19Healing Herbs of the Arboretum: Noon-2 p.m. Stroll around the arboretum to explore medicinal trees, weeds and native plants and talk about which parts to use and which plants to avoid. $25 registration required at hoytarboretum.org; Hoyt Arboretum, 4000 S.W. Fairview Blvd.FRIDAY, MARCH 22Hillsboro Farmers Markets presents “The Green Fork Initiative”: 6 p.m. Enjoy a special premiere of the short film capturing a segment of Washington County’s food narrative, highlighting the individuals and abundant agricultural diversity that shape the region’s distinctive fruits, vegetables, grains and pasture-raised meats. $15; The Vault Theater, 350 E. Main St., Hillsboro; bagnbaggage.my.salesforce-sites.com/ticket#.SATURDAY, MARCH 23Tree School Clackamas: Opens at 7:15 a.m. Attend any of 73 classes covering forestry and tree grower topics key to the support of successful management of small woodlands. Participants will learn about forest management, tools and techniques, wildfire preparedness, marketing and business, forest health, wildlife habitat, weed management, forest fungi and more. $70 Clackamas County resident, $85 out of county, $35 ages 14-18 with adult; registration required at beav.es/tree-school-clackamas; Clackamas Community College, 19600 Molalla Ave., Oregon City.Newell Creek Canyon Spring hike and ecoblitz: 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Join Metro for a spring hike, learn about local plants and birds and take an optional survey of plant and animal life. Registration required at oregonmetro.gov/GuidedActivities; Newell Creek Canyon Nature Park, 485 Warner Milne Road, Oregon City.SUNDAY, APRIL 7Mushroom hike at Smith and Bybee: 9:30-11:45 a.m. or 12:30-2:45 p.m. Discover the fascinating world of mushrooms on this woodland hike with local mushroom guide Leah Bendlin. Learn about identification, ecological roles of fungi, their forms and how they eat and reproduce. $6 registration required at oregonmetro.gov; Smith and Bybee Wetlands Natural Area, 5300 N. Marine Drive.SATURDAY, APRIL 13Soil School 2024: 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Open to all gardeners – from aspiring to advanced – this event offers eight sessions taught by experts to learn about how improving soil health improves plant, garden and habitat wellbeing. $35 includes breakfast and lunch; Portland Community College, Rock Creek Event Center, 17705 N.W. Springville Road; register at wmswcd.org/soil-school.Mushroom hike at Oxbow Regional Park: 9:30-11:45 a.m. or 12:30-2:45 p.m. Discover the fascinating world of mushrooms on this woodland hike with local mushroom guide Leah Bendlin. Learn about identification, ecological roles of fungi, their forms and how they eat and reproduce. $6 registration required at oregonmetro.gov; Oxbow Regional Park, 3010 S.E. Oxbow Park Road, Gresham.Spring Lawn Maintenance: 1-2:30 p.m. Get tips for keeping your lawn healthy and green throughout the summer in the Northwest. Gresham Japanese Garden, 219 S. Main Ave., Gresham; greshamjapanesegarden.org.SATURDAY, MAY 4Gardenfest 2024: PCC Rock Creek, 17705 N.W. Springville Road; washingtoncountymastergardeners.org.THURSDAY, MAY 16Florence Rhododendron Festival: May 16-19. Enjoy the rhododendron show, vendor fair, live music, art, festivities, activities and more at this family-friendly Oregon institution. FlorenceChamber.com.SATURDAY, MAY 18Gathering in the Garden: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Celebrate gardening and appreciation of community green spaces with a vendor fair, exhibits, live music and more. Eastmoreland Garden Park, Southeast 27th Avenue and Bybee Boulevard; eastmorelandpdx.org.Spring Maintenance on Pines: Noon-2 p.m. Learn the Niwa Method of candling and needling to maintain cloud-prune aesthetics and keep a manageable size and aesthetic focal point of your pines in a landscape. $45; Gresham Japanese Garden, 219 S. Main Ave., Gresham; greshamjapanesegarden.org.SATURDAY, JUNE 8Fundamentals of Pruning: 1-2:30 p.m. Take a tour, learn about tools and tool care, the four basic cuts of pruning and the subsequent reactions from these cuts. Gresham Japanese Garden, 219 S. Main Ave., Gresham; greshamjapanesegarden.org.SATURDAY, JUNE 15Creating Pollinator Habitat for your Garden and Home: 10:30-11:30 a.m. This seminar will focus on information about bees, butterflies, moths, hummingbirds and native host plants for creating your own pollinator yard. Gresham Japanese Garden, 219 S. Main Ave., Gresham; greshamjapanesegarden.org.SATURDAY, JUNE 22Pruning Lace-leaf Maples for Character: 12:30-2:30 p.m. Discover the fundamentals of pruning as they pertain to lace-leaf maples and listen to a short lecture on basic botany and growth habits. $45; Gresham Japanese Garden, 219 S. Main Ave., Gresham; greshamjapanesegarden.org.FRIDAY, SEPT. 6Parade of Homes: Sept. 6-22. Explore three luxury homes on large lots at the Reserve at Lake River in Felida, Washington. clarkcountyparadeofhomes.com.SATURDAY, OCT. 26Gardening with Pacific Northwest Native Plants: 10 a.m.-noon. Learn about the native plants that thrive in the Northwest and how to naturescape in support of wildlife and pollinators. PCC Rock Creek (Building 4, Room 103) and WCMGA Education Garden, 17705 N.W. Springville Road; washingtoncountymastergardeners.org.-- Corey SheldonStay in the loop. Sign up to receive a weekly newsletter and join the conversation at the Homes & Gardens of the Northwest on Facebook
Webinars and other events offer lessons in beekeeping, growing produce, ikebana and more.
Events are free unless noted. Please email calendar submissions at least three weeks in advance to events@oregonian.com.
ONGOING
Plants for the Planet Native Plant Sale: Browse profiles of more than 100 native plant species and shop for plants online through March 24 to be picked up at one of four outdoor pop-up events in April or early May. sparrowhawknativeplants.com.
Portland Fruit Tree Project Home Orchard Workshops: Various dates and locations through May. These hands-on workshops are designed to empower participants with practical knowledge on fruit tree care, composting, grafting and more. $50; visit portlandfruit.org or email treecare@portlandfruit.org.
Tualatin SWCD spring workshops: Various dates and times through May 30. Tualatin Soil and Water Conservation District offers a variety of spring workshops, including Soil School, Weed Wranglin’, Sustainable Equine Management and more. Tualatin Soil and Water Conservation District, 7175 N.E. Evergreen Parkway (#400), Hillsboro; tualatinswcd.org.
Grow Your Own Produce: The Workshop Series: (online via Zoom) First Wednesday of the month through Nov. 6. Taught by permaculture expert Marisha Auerbach, each workshop features seasonally relevant information about planning, growing, maintaining and harvesting food from the garden. $130 for a five-class series, or $30 per class; fertileground.org.
Walk With a Friend at Tualatin Hills Nature Park: 9 a.m. first Wednesday and third Sunday of the month. Take a guided walk and learn about the plants, wildlife and history of the park. Tualatin Hills Nature Park, 15655 S.W. Millikan Way, Beaverton; thprd.org.
East Multnomah Soil & Water Conservation District free webinars: Discover how to care for land in ways that benefit people, water and wildlife. From stormwater solutions to biochar to water conservation, these workshops will help you save time, money and energy. Register at emswcd.org/workshops-and-events/upcoming-workshops.
Greater Portland Iris Society meeting: 7 p.m. first Tuesday of the month in March, April, September, October and November. Enjoy discussions of irises with guest speakers. Ainsworth House, 19130 Lot Whitcomb Drive, Oregon City; greaterportlandirissociety.org.
Happy Valley Garden Club monthly meeting: 9 a.m.-noon second Tuesday of the month. Happy Valley Baptist Church, 14095 S.E. King Road, Happy Valley.
Ikebana for Every Season: 1-2:30 p.m. second Tuesday of the month; $45. Become knowledgeable about basic concepts, techniques, tools, equipment and care for ikebana. The Resource Center, 219 S. Main Ave., Gresham; GreshamJapaneseGarden.org.
Portland Dahlia Society monthly meeting: 7 p.m. second Tuesday of the month February through November. Take part in a discussion of seasonal topics. Oaks Park Dance Pavilion, 7805 S.E. Oaks Park Way; portlanddahlia.com.
Estacada Garden Club monthly meeting: 1-3 p.m. second Thursday of the month. Estacada Public Library, 825 N.W. Wade St.
FRIDAY, MARCH 15
Oregon Peace Tree Project Presentation: 1-2 p.m. Learn about the project that has helped Oregon have the densest concentration of trees outside Japan that were grown from the seeds of trees that survived the 1945 bombing of Hiroshima. Hoyt Arboretum, 4000 S.W. Fairview Blvd.; hoytarboretum.org.
SATURDAY, MARCH 16
Gardening for Your Table: 8:45 a.m.-4 p.m. Eight speakers will cover topics ranging from growing fruits and vegetables to backyard composting. $25 includes snacks, $12 optional lunch; Church on the Hill, 700 N.W. Hill Road, McMinnville; register at YCMGA.org.
Northwest Native Garden Plants and the Amazing Insects They Attract: 10 a.m.-noon. Join garden writer and photographer Amy Campion for an exploration of some of the best natives to plant in your wildlife-friendly garden and learn about the insects they support. CASEE Center (Building B, Room 205), 11104 N.E. 149th St., Brush Prairie, Washington. $15 registration required at info@naturescaping.org, marlene52ns@gmail.com or 360-737-1160. naturescaping.org.
Raising Mason Bees: 10 a.m.-noon. Join mason bee expert Ron Spendal for a class focusing on environmental needs, nesting behaviors and housing devices attractive to mason bees. PCC Rock Creek (Building 4, Room 103), 17705 N.W. Springville Road; washingtoncountymastergardeners.org.
Early Spring Container Planter Workshop: 1:30-3 p.m. In this hands-on session, you’ll learn every step of the art of creating container arrangements using the thriller, spiller and filler method. $35; Al’s Garden & Home (all locations); als-gardencenter.com.
TUESDAY, MARCH 19
Healing Herbs of the Arboretum: Noon-2 p.m. Stroll around the arboretum to explore medicinal trees, weeds and native plants and talk about which parts to use and which plants to avoid. $25 registration required at hoytarboretum.org; Hoyt Arboretum, 4000 S.W. Fairview Blvd.
FRIDAY, MARCH 22
Hillsboro Farmers Markets presents “The Green Fork Initiative”: 6 p.m. Enjoy a special premiere of the short film capturing a segment of Washington County’s food narrative, highlighting the individuals and abundant agricultural diversity that shape the region’s distinctive fruits, vegetables, grains and pasture-raised meats. $15; The Vault Theater, 350 E. Main St., Hillsboro; bagnbaggage.my.salesforce-sites.com/ticket#.
SATURDAY, MARCH 23
Tree School Clackamas: Opens at 7:15 a.m. Attend any of 73 classes covering forestry and tree grower topics key to the support of successful management of small woodlands. Participants will learn about forest management, tools and techniques, wildfire preparedness, marketing and business, forest health, wildlife habitat, weed management, forest fungi and more. $70 Clackamas County resident, $85 out of county, $35 ages 14-18 with adult; registration required at beav.es/tree-school-clackamas; Clackamas Community College, 19600 Molalla Ave., Oregon City.
Newell Creek Canyon Spring hike and ecoblitz: 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Join Metro for a spring hike, learn about local plants and birds and take an optional survey of plant and animal life. Registration required at oregonmetro.gov/GuidedActivities; Newell Creek Canyon Nature Park, 485 Warner Milne Road, Oregon City.
SUNDAY, APRIL 7
Mushroom hike at Smith and Bybee: 9:30-11:45 a.m. or 12:30-2:45 p.m. Discover the fascinating world of mushrooms on this woodland hike with local mushroom guide Leah Bendlin. Learn about identification, ecological roles of fungi, their forms and how they eat and reproduce. $6 registration required at oregonmetro.gov; Smith and Bybee Wetlands Natural Area, 5300 N. Marine Drive.
SATURDAY, APRIL 13
Soil School 2024: 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Open to all gardeners – from aspiring to advanced – this event offers eight sessions taught by experts to learn about how improving soil health improves plant, garden and habitat wellbeing. $35 includes breakfast and lunch; Portland Community College, Rock Creek Event Center, 17705 N.W. Springville Road; register at wmswcd.org/soil-school.
Mushroom hike at Oxbow Regional Park: 9:30-11:45 a.m. or 12:30-2:45 p.m. Discover the fascinating world of mushrooms on this woodland hike with local mushroom guide Leah Bendlin. Learn about identification, ecological roles of fungi, their forms and how they eat and reproduce. $6 registration required at oregonmetro.gov; Oxbow Regional Park, 3010 S.E. Oxbow Park Road, Gresham.
Spring Lawn Maintenance: 1-2:30 p.m. Get tips for keeping your lawn healthy and green throughout the summer in the Northwest. Gresham Japanese Garden, 219 S. Main Ave., Gresham; greshamjapanesegarden.org.
SATURDAY, MAY 4
Gardenfest 2024: PCC Rock Creek, 17705 N.W. Springville Road; washingtoncountymastergardeners.org.
THURSDAY, MAY 16
Florence Rhododendron Festival: May 16-19. Enjoy the rhododendron show, vendor fair, live music, art, festivities, activities and more at this family-friendly Oregon institution. FlorenceChamber.com.
SATURDAY, MAY 18
Gathering in the Garden: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Celebrate gardening and appreciation of community green spaces with a vendor fair, exhibits, live music and more. Eastmoreland Garden Park, Southeast 27th Avenue and Bybee Boulevard; eastmorelandpdx.org.
Spring Maintenance on Pines: Noon-2 p.m. Learn the Niwa Method of candling and needling to maintain cloud-prune aesthetics and keep a manageable size and aesthetic focal point of your pines in a landscape. $45; Gresham Japanese Garden, 219 S. Main Ave., Gresham; greshamjapanesegarden.org.
SATURDAY, JUNE 8
Fundamentals of Pruning: 1-2:30 p.m. Take a tour, learn about tools and tool care, the four basic cuts of pruning and the subsequent reactions from these cuts. Gresham Japanese Garden, 219 S. Main Ave., Gresham; greshamjapanesegarden.org.
SATURDAY, JUNE 15
Creating Pollinator Habitat for your Garden and Home: 10:30-11:30 a.m. This seminar will focus on information about bees, butterflies, moths, hummingbirds and native host plants for creating your own pollinator yard. Gresham Japanese Garden, 219 S. Main Ave., Gresham; greshamjapanesegarden.org.
SATURDAY, JUNE 22
Pruning Lace-leaf Maples for Character: 12:30-2:30 p.m. Discover the fundamentals of pruning as they pertain to lace-leaf maples and listen to a short lecture on basic botany and growth habits. $45; Gresham Japanese Garden, 219 S. Main Ave., Gresham; greshamjapanesegarden.org.
FRIDAY, SEPT. 6
Parade of Homes: Sept. 6-22. Explore three luxury homes on large lots at the Reserve at Lake River in Felida, Washington. clarkcountyparadeofhomes.com.
SATURDAY, OCT. 26
Gardening with Pacific Northwest Native Plants: 10 a.m.-noon. Learn about the native plants that thrive in the Northwest and how to naturescape in support of wildlife and pollinators. PCC Rock Creek (Building 4, Room 103) and WCMGA Education Garden, 17705 N.W. Springville Road; washingtoncountymastergardeners.org.
-- Corey Sheldon
Stay in the loop. Sign up to receive a weekly newsletter and join the conversation at the Homes & Gardens of the Northwest on Facebook