A half day gardening workshop will be held in Moses Lake on Saturday, April 21 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Columbia Basin Technical Skills Center, 900 E. Yonezawa Blvd. The event is organized jointly by the Grant-Adams Master Gardeners and the Grant County Conservation District. The theme for the 2018 event is Swing into Spring.

A trio of accomplished speakers is scheduled. Allan Felsot, a Washington State University Entomology and Environmental Toxicologist from Richland, will discuss pesticides in the garden. He will talk about whether pesticides are needed, whether it pays to use them, explain the principles of Integrated Pest Management for home gardens, and how to read a chemical product label and implement the directions explained.

Second on the docket is Karen Lewis, the Regional Tree Fruit Extension Agent, who will speak about managing home orchards. Karen’s talk is centered on: “Fruit Trees in Your landscape? It’s Complicated.” Lewis will focus on the challenges in growing and maintaining fruit trees in home gardens.

Linda Chalker-Scott will close the program out with a fascinating talk on dispelling common garden myths. Linda Chalker-Scott is a Washington State University Horticulture Professor whose topic is titled, “Garden Zombies: Horticultural Myths That Will Not Die.” The talk will provide home gardeners with guidelines to evaluate articles, books and electronic resources on products and practices of interest objectively.

The event will be accompanied by door prizes, a vendor marketplace and refreshments provided free of charge. Space is limited, so applicants are encouraged to pre-register as soon as possible through Grant County Conservation District by calling (509) 765-9618, by signing up in person at the Conservation District office at 1107 S. Juniper Dr., Moses Lake, or by registering online at: www.columbiabasincds.org.

For answers to gardening questions, contact the Master Gardeners at the WSU Grant-Adams Extension office at 754-2011, Ext. 4313 or email your gardening questions to ga.mgvolunteers@wsu.edu. Visit our web page at grant-adams.wsu.edu.

Extension programs and employment are available to all without discrimination. Evidence of noncompliance may be reported through your local Extension office.