October homes and gardens events: PlantFest, Stinkfest and more
Check out these October homes and gardens happenings, including the return of PlantFest and the Portland Fermentation Festival. Workshops, tours, festivals and other events offer plenty to learn about, whether the topic is compost tea, rainwater flow or mason bees. Events are free unless otherwise noted.THURSDAY, OCT. 2Intro to Stormwater — Solutions for Healthy Waterways: 6-7:30 p.m. This workshop introduces urban stormwater pollution sources and effects, then explores various solutions to slow rainwater flow. From lawn alternatives to de-paving, discover beautiful ways to make a positive environmental impact in your watershed. East Multnomah Soil and Water Conservation District, 5211 N Williams Ave. emswcd.orgSATURDAY, OCT. 4PlantFest: 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Discover plants ideal for fall planting as The Hardy Plant Society gathers nurseries and garden artists for this annual event. Lisa Graff of Lux Perennials Nursery will speak on “The Power of Fall Planting: Long-blooming Perennials for Color from Spring to Fall” at 10 a.m. $5-$20 admission for lecture. Plant sale 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Clackamas Community College, Gregory Forum, 19600 Molalla Ave. Oregon City. Information: Aubrey Hornor at aubrey.hornor@hardyplantsociety.org or https://www.hardyplantsociety.org/2025-plantfest.Portland Dahlia Society Annual Show: Noon-5 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Sunday. At this showcase of dahlias, visitors can admire prize-winning flowers, learn about dahlia cultivation and connect with fellow flower enthusiasts. Oaks Amusement Park – Dance Pavilion, 7805 S.E. Oaks Park Way; portlanddahlia.comReturning Fire to the Landscape Workshop: 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Join Cuauhtemoc Villa, a Taino, Aztec, and Mayan living soil educator, to learn how to create microbial-rich biochar and prepare “compost tea” using effective microorganisms. These techniques can be applied to home gardens, and participants are encouraged to bring a bottle to take home a sample of the compost tea to start their own composting system. Leach Botanical Garden, 6704 S.E. 122nd Ave. emswcd.org/eventTUESDAY, OCT. 7Rainwater Harvesting for Landscape Use: 7-8 p.m. Join the Washington County Master Gardener Association for a Zoom webinar presented by Lincoln County Master Gardener Ann Geyer, who will introduce the basic concepts of how to collect, store, and distribute rainwater. For more information and to register, visit washingtoncountymastergardeners.orgTHURSDAY, OCT. 9Portland Fermentation Festival: 6-9 p.m. Also known as Stinkfest, this festival is Portland’s annual celebration of fermented food and drink. Sample everything from kimchi and miso to cheeses and kombucha while connecting with fellow fermentation enthusiasts. The event features DIY fermentation demos, including a special sour pickle demo by DILLON T. PICKLE and festival co-founder Liz Crain at 6:30pm. $15 advance, $20 cash at door, children 12 and younger free. Ecotrust’s Irving Studio Suite (ground floor), 721 N.W. Ninth Ave. Purchase tickets here and visit portlandfermentationfestival.com for more information.WEDNESDAY, OCT. 15Meet the Pollinators: 6-8:30 p.m. Learn how pollinators have evolved to find the perfect flower for their needs. $20-$30. Leach Botanical Garden, 12323 S.E. Claybourne St.; leachgarden.orgSATURDAY, OCT. 18Fall into Gardening: 8:30 a.m.-noon. Join Clackamas County Master Gardeners and attend garden lectures, ask questions, and browse hands-on gardening displays. Bring your vegetable and flower bed soils for free pH testing. Milwaukie Community Center, 5440 S.E. Kellogg Creek Drive; Cmastergardeners.org.Mason Bees Unwrapped: The Art & Science of Cocoon Harvesting: 9:30-11:30 a.m. Join WSU Master Gardener Anne Bulger for an interactive workshop exploring these non-stinging, native pollinators. (Bring your own nesting materials to harvest, if you like.) In the Hazel Dell area (exact location available upon registration). Advanced registration is required. Contact: Erika.d.johnson@wsu.edu or 564-397-5738. For more info about workshops visit http://extension.wsu.edu/clark/gardening/workshops-events/.Lawn Be Gone! Now What? 10 a.m.-noon. Join the Washington County Master Gardeners for a free in person class thatwill cover methods to remove turf and look at what to do next. OSU Extension Master Gardener Volunteers Susan Albright, Tamara Newton Baker and Lisa Barnhart will lead you through the steps and answer questions. PCC Rock Creek, Bldg. 4, Room 103 and WCMGA Education Garden, 17705 NW Springville Road; washingtoncountymastergardeners.org.ONGOING78th Street Heritage Farm Walking Tours: Various dates and times through Oct. 11. Stroll the farm with a knowledgeable docent and learn about the property’s storied history and its role in horticulture education, agricultural research, food security and community enrichment. 1919 N.E. 78th St., Vancouver; registration required at eventbrite.com; visit extension.wsu.edu, email erika.d.johnson@wsu.edu or call 564-397-5738.Tea Ceremony Demonstration: Various dates and times through Oct. 18. Portland Japanese Garden will offer free public demonstrations of chado in the tea garden. Chado, the way of tea, is intrinsically linked to Japanese gardens and understanding the kokoro (heart) of Japanese gardening. Included with $22.50 daily admission; 611 S.W. Kingston Ave.; japanesegarden.org.Pittock Mansion Behind-the-scenes & Architecture Tours: Various dates and times through Nov. 9. Take a guided tour through areas not ordinarily open to the public or learn about the mansion’s architectural story with a focus on design, craftsmanship and decorative arts. $23 general admission to museum included in tour tickets; 3229 N.W. Pittock Drive; pittockmansion.org.What’s New Garden Tour: 10:30 a.m.-noon. third Friday of the month. Learn about the Leach Botanical Garden’s history, new additions, heritage trees, seasonal plants, habitat restoration and more. $13 includes garden admission; Leach Botanical Garden, 12323 S.E. Claybourne St.; leachgarden.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 Tuesdays in March, April, September, October and November. Enjoy discussions of irises with guest speakers. Ainsworth House, 19130 Lot Whitcomb Drive, Oregon City; greaterportlandirissociety.org.Walk With a Friend at Tualatin Hills Nature Park: 9 a.m. first Wednesdays and third Sundays. 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.Happy Valley Garden Club monthly meeting: 9 a.m.-noon second Tuesdays. Happy Valley Baptist Church, 14095 S.E. King Road, Happy Valley.Canby Garden Club monthly meeting: 1 p.m. second Tuesdays. Canby Public Library, 220 N.E. Second St.; canbygardenclub.com.Introduction to Ikebana: 1-3 p.m. second Tuesdays. Become knowledgeable about basic concepts, techniques, tools, equipment and care for ikebana. $50 includes instruction, plant material and containers for practice. Gresham Japanese Garden, 219 S. Main Ave., Gresham; GreshamJapaneseGarden.org.Portland Dahlia Society monthly meeting: 7 p.m. second Tuesdays, February through November. Take part in a discussion of seasonal topics. Oaks Park Dance Pavilion, 7805 S.E. Oaks Park Way; portlanddahlia.com.Oregon Fuchsia Society monthly meeting: 7 p.m. third Tuesdays. Western Seminary (Bueermann Hall), 5511 S.E. Hawthorne Blvd.; oregonfuchsiasociety.com.Beaverton Garden Club monthly meeting: 9-11 a.m. second Thursdays except July and August. Nexus Church, 12555 S.W. 22nd St., Beaverton; beavertongardenclub.org.Estacada Garden Club monthly meeting: 1-3 p.m. second Thursdays. Estacada Public Library, 825 N.W. Wade St.The Art of Bonsai: 6-8 p.m. third Thursdays and 1-3 p.m. third Saturdays. Instructor Bobby Curttright will guide you through the creation of a bonsai project. $45 includes instruction, plant, container, soil and all materials. Gresham Japanese Garden, 219 S. Main Ave., Gresham; GreshamJapaneseGarden.org.If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our User Agreement and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.
Workshops, tours, festivals and other events offer plenty to learn about, whether the topic is compost tea, fermentation or mason bees.
Check out these October homes and gardens happenings, including the return of PlantFest and the Portland Fermentation Festival. Workshops, tours, festivals and other events offer plenty to learn about, whether the topic is compost tea, rainwater flow or mason bees. Events are free unless otherwise noted.
THURSDAY, OCT. 2
Intro to Stormwater — Solutions for Healthy Waterways: 6-7:30 p.m. This workshop introduces urban stormwater pollution sources and effects, then explores various solutions to slow rainwater flow. From lawn alternatives to de-paving, discover beautiful ways to make a positive environmental impact in your watershed. East Multnomah Soil and Water Conservation District, 5211 N Williams Ave. emswcd.org
SATURDAY, OCT. 4
PlantFest: 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Discover plants ideal for fall planting as The Hardy Plant Society gathers nurseries and garden artists for this annual event. Lisa Graff of Lux Perennials Nursery will speak on “The Power of Fall Planting: Long-blooming Perennials for Color from Spring to Fall” at 10 a.m. $5-$20 admission for lecture. Plant sale 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Clackamas Community College, Gregory Forum, 19600 Molalla Ave. Oregon City. Information: Aubrey Hornor at aubrey.hornor@hardyplantsociety.org or https://www.hardyplantsociety.org/2025-plantfest.
Portland Dahlia Society Annual Show: Noon-5 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Sunday. At this showcase of dahlias, visitors can admire prize-winning flowers, learn about dahlia cultivation and connect with fellow flower enthusiasts. Oaks Amusement Park – Dance Pavilion, 7805 S.E. Oaks Park Way; portlanddahlia.com
Returning Fire to the Landscape Workshop: 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Join Cuauhtemoc Villa, a Taino, Aztec, and Mayan living soil educator, to learn how to create microbial-rich biochar and prepare “compost tea” using effective microorganisms. These techniques can be applied to home gardens, and participants are encouraged to bring a bottle to take home a sample of the compost tea to start their own composting system. Leach Botanical Garden, 6704 S.E. 122nd Ave. emswcd.org/event
TUESDAY, OCT. 7
Rainwater Harvesting for Landscape Use: 7-8 p.m. Join the Washington County Master Gardener Association for a Zoom webinar presented by Lincoln County Master Gardener Ann Geyer, who will introduce the basic concepts of how to collect, store, and distribute rainwater. For more information and to register, visit washingtoncountymastergardeners.org
THURSDAY, OCT. 9
Portland Fermentation Festival: 6-9 p.m. Also known as Stinkfest, this festival is Portland’s annual celebration of fermented food and drink. Sample everything from kimchi and miso to cheeses and kombucha while connecting with fellow fermentation enthusiasts. The event features DIY fermentation demos, including a special sour pickle demo by DILLON T. PICKLE and festival co-founder Liz Crain at 6:30pm. $15 advance, $20 cash at door, children 12 and younger free. Ecotrust’s Irving Studio Suite (ground floor), 721 N.W. Ninth Ave. Purchase tickets here and visit portlandfermentationfestival.com for more information.
WEDNESDAY, OCT. 15
Meet the Pollinators: 6-8:30 p.m. Learn how pollinators have evolved to find the perfect flower for their needs. $20-$30. Leach Botanical Garden, 12323 S.E. Claybourne St.; leachgarden.org
SATURDAY, OCT. 18
Fall into Gardening: 8:30 a.m.-noon. Join Clackamas County Master Gardeners and attend garden lectures, ask questions, and browse hands-on gardening displays. Bring your vegetable and flower bed soils for free pH testing. Milwaukie Community Center, 5440 S.E. Kellogg Creek Drive; Cmastergardeners.org.
Mason Bees Unwrapped: The Art & Science of Cocoon Harvesting: 9:30-11:30 a.m. Join WSU Master Gardener Anne Bulger for an interactive workshop exploring these non-stinging, native pollinators. (Bring your own nesting materials to harvest, if you like.) In the Hazel Dell area (exact location available upon registration). Advanced registration is required. Contact: Erika.d.johnson@wsu.edu or 564-397-5738. For more info about workshops visit http://extension.wsu.edu/clark/gardening/workshops-events/.
Lawn Be Gone! Now What? 10 a.m.-noon. Join the Washington County Master Gardeners for a free in person class thatwill cover methods to remove turf and look at what to do next. OSU Extension Master Gardener Volunteers Susan Albright, Tamara Newton Baker and Lisa Barnhart will lead you through the steps and answer questions. PCC Rock Creek, Bldg. 4, Room 103 and WCMGA Education Garden, 17705 NW Springville Road; washingtoncountymastergardeners.org.
ONGOING
78th Street Heritage Farm Walking Tours: Various dates and times through Oct. 11. Stroll the farm with a knowledgeable docent and learn about the property’s storied history and its role in horticulture education, agricultural research, food security and community enrichment. 1919 N.E. 78th St., Vancouver; registration required at eventbrite.com; visit extension.wsu.edu, email erika.d.johnson@wsu.edu or call 564-397-5738.
Tea Ceremony Demonstration: Various dates and times through Oct. 18. Portland Japanese Garden will offer free public demonstrations of chado in the tea garden. Chado, the way of tea, is intrinsically linked to Japanese gardens and understanding the kokoro (heart) of Japanese gardening. Included with $22.50 daily admission; 611 S.W. Kingston Ave.; japanesegarden.org.
Pittock Mansion Behind-the-scenes & Architecture Tours: Various dates and times through Nov. 9. Take a guided tour through areas not ordinarily open to the public or learn about the mansion’s architectural story with a focus on design, craftsmanship and decorative arts. $23 general admission to museum included in tour tickets; 3229 N.W. Pittock Drive; pittockmansion.org.
What’s New Garden Tour: 10:30 a.m.-noon. third Friday of the month. Learn about the Leach Botanical Garden’s history, new additions, heritage trees, seasonal plants, habitat restoration and more. $13 includes garden admission; Leach Botanical Garden, 12323 S.E. Claybourne St.; leachgarden.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 Tuesdays in March, April, September, October and November. Enjoy discussions of irises with guest speakers. Ainsworth House, 19130 Lot Whitcomb Drive, Oregon City; greaterportlandirissociety.org.
Walk With a Friend at Tualatin Hills Nature Park: 9 a.m. first Wednesdays and third Sundays. 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.
Happy Valley Garden Club monthly meeting: 9 a.m.-noon second Tuesdays. Happy Valley Baptist Church, 14095 S.E. King Road, Happy Valley.
Canby Garden Club monthly meeting: 1 p.m. second Tuesdays. Canby Public Library, 220 N.E. Second St.; canbygardenclub.com.
Introduction to Ikebana: 1-3 p.m. second Tuesdays. Become knowledgeable about basic concepts, techniques, tools, equipment and care for ikebana. $50 includes instruction, plant material and containers for practice. Gresham Japanese Garden, 219 S. Main Ave., Gresham; GreshamJapaneseGarden.org.
Portland Dahlia Society monthly meeting: 7 p.m. second Tuesdays, February through November. Take part in a discussion of seasonal topics. Oaks Park Dance Pavilion, 7805 S.E. Oaks Park Way; portlanddahlia.com.
Oregon Fuchsia Society monthly meeting: 7 p.m. third Tuesdays. Western Seminary (Bueermann Hall), 5511 S.E. Hawthorne Blvd.; oregonfuchsiasociety.com.
Beaverton Garden Club monthly meeting: 9-11 a.m. second Thursdays except July and August. Nexus Church, 12555 S.W. 22nd St., Beaverton; beavertongardenclub.org.
Estacada Garden Club monthly meeting: 1-3 p.m. second Thursdays. Estacada Public Library, 825 N.W. Wade St.
The Art of Bonsai: 6-8 p.m. third Thursdays and 1-3 p.m. third Saturdays. Instructor Bobby Curttright will guide you through the creation of a bonsai project. $45 includes instruction, plant, container, soil and all materials. Gresham Japanese Garden, 219 S. Main Ave., Gresham; GreshamJapaneseGarden.org.
If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our User Agreement and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.