The Labor Day weekend marks the start of the First Saturday series of gardening clinics to be hosted by the WSU Master Gardeners of Grays Harbor and Pacific Counties.

It is mid-August, and, as I sit on the porch in the late afternoon sun, my eyes wander over the garden, enjoying the last of the summer flowers. I see the fading stems of summer bulbs and the barren ground that hides the tulips and daffodils of spring. While the produce harvest goes on, and there are bulbs yet to bloom, I know that September will be a busy time in my garden.

If you are not quite sure what needs to be done in your garden, then Saturday Sept. 3 is a date to mark on your calendar. The WSU Master Gardeners of Grays Harbor and Pacific Counties will be in their Demonstration Garden at the Elma fairgrounds to teach you all about plant division and propagation. You will learn how to divide bulbs, ground covers such as astilbe, and iris and to take cuttings from geraniums, fuchsias and conifers.

This two-hour class begins at 10 a.m. Plan to dress for the weather and bring gardening gloves and a tote bag, because you will be taking home some new plants for your own garden.

Learning to divide and propagate means you will be able to share your garden with others, and that makes us all happy gardeners!

Master Gardener Charlene Magneson

For more information, contact Cindy Burton: cindyaburton@comcast.net