Throughout this site there are links to documents of various file types. Please contact our Statewide Program Leader if you require this information in a different format.
Gardening Resources
Gardening in Washington State
Gardening in Washington State helps you navigate the hundreds of free Publications that WSU Extension maintains on all things gardening.
Local Plant Clinics
Extension Master Gardeners offer free plant clinics throughout the state of Washington. Find one in your county.
Hortsense
Hortsense is a WSU website containing home gardener fact sheets for managing plant problems with Integrated Pest Management (IPM), including cultural controls and Washington-registered pesticides.
WSU Gardening Publications
Free gardening publications from Washington State University. WSU Extension Publications|Search
Growing Your Own
Published by Oregon State University, Growing Your Own is now available as a bilingual publication in Spanish and English! It provides basic advice on a wide range of topics related to vegetable gardening, including composting, container gardens, fall/winter gardens, fertilizing, insect pests, plant diseases, planting guidelines, raised beds, site selection, slugs, soil improvement, tilling, warm-season crops, watering, and weeds.
Growing Your Own (English version)
Su Propio Cultivo (Spanish version of Growing Your Own)
Growing Your Own print version available to purchase
Pestsense
Pestsense is intended to provide information on how to manage common indoor pest problems using integrated pest management or IPM.
Grow Smart Grow Safe
Sponsored by Thurston County, Grow Smart, Grow Safe (growsmartgrowsafe.org) provides home gardener information resources including pesticide product hazard ratings, Integrated Pest Management, pesticide alternatives.
Home Gardener’s Guide to Soils and Fertilizers
From novice to advanced, all home gardeners should get to know their soil: the nuts and bolts of soil, and how to make it better, included here. Download the Home Gardener’s Guide to Soils and Fertilizers (.pdf).
USDA Hardiness Zone Map
The USDA Hardiness Zone Map is the standard by which gardeners can determine which plants are most likely to thrive at a location.
Backyard Fruit Tree Spray Schedules
Home gardeners can help protect agriculture in Washington State by properly maintaining their backyard fruit trees.
The spray recommendations for home garden fruit trees list of PDFs shows the suggested spray schedules for each tree crop.
Washington State University Plant Pest Diagnostic Clinic
The Washington State University Plant Pest Diagnostic Clinic is dedicated to serving the state of Washington and its citizens by providing the highest quality service by providing plant disease and disorder diagnosis, pest identification, and management strategies.
WSU Puyallup Plant and Insect Diagnostic Lab
The Washington State University Puyallup Plant & Insect Diagnostic Laboratory is committed to helping the citizens of Washington State resolve their troubles with plants and insects through accurate problem diagnoses.
Pest Leaflet Series
Pest Leaflet Series | Plant Clinic Site | Washington State University The Pest Leaf Series (PLS) was initiated in the WSU Puyallup Plant & Insect Diagnostic Laboratory to produce brief “bulletins” on problems frequently received at the laboratory, for which no formal extension bulletins or other readily available information exists. The PLS covers insect problems, diseases, abiotic problems, and other miscellaneous situations on which we are regularly asked to provide information.
Come learn with us!
The WSU Extension Master Gardener Advanced Education Conference (AEC) is open to all garden enthusiasts!
To further the training of volunteers and keep them abreast of cutting-edge horticultural science, the Master Gardener Foundation of Washington State partners with the WSU Extension Master Gardener Program to produce the AEC. This educational event is just one way we strive to ensure that when you reach out to your local Extension Master Gardeners, you are assured of getting innovative, unbiased, scientifically supported advice.
Online Training
Urban & Community Tree Stewardship Training
This self-paced, five-module online WSU advanced training program for veteran MGs is approved for 20 hours of CE reportable only upon completion of all modules. The cost is $150, and registration is ongoing. Urban and Community Tree Stewardship Training – Master Gardener Program (wsu.edu)
Rain Garden Online Training for Non-Professionals
Rain gardens fit under the umbrella of practices called Low Impact Development (LID). LID practices use processes that occur naturally in the ecosystem to sustainably manage toxic urban stormwater.
This is a free online self-paced introductory course to rain garden planning, construction, plant selection, and maintenance for non-professionals. The course is intended for homeowners and rain garden enthusiasts interested in managing excess stormwater on their property. It is offered through the Washington Stormwater Center.
Veteran Master Gardeners will earn 8 CE hours upon completion of all modules.
Rain Garden Online Training | Master Gardener Program | Washington State University (wsu.edu)
