Get a first look at what’s in store for the 2025 WSU Master Gardener Advanced Education Conference! Host Erin chats with the AEC Committee Chair and the Educational Outreach Program Lead about this year’s theme, keynote speakers, exciting workshops, and how gardeners of all backgrounds can get involved. Whether you're a certified Master Gardener or a passionate plant lover, this episode highlights why AEC is a must-attend event for continuing garden education and community connection.

Registration for the WSU Extension Master Gardener Advanced Education Conference 2025 opens on June 1, 2025

For resources, links, a transcript, and more be sure to visit our website at https://evergreenthumb.mastergardenerfoundation.org/episode048/

In this episode, we explore the WSU Extension Master Gardener Program’s Local Food priority—and how growing food close to home can lead to healthier individuals, stronger communities, and a more resilient environment.

I break down how local food connects to sustainable gardening, food access, and community empowerment. Whether you're growing in a backyard, a balcony, or a community garden, discover practical steps you can take to make a meaningful difference through what you grow.

Listen now to learn:

• Why local food matters for health and sustainability

• Gardening practices that support local food systems

• How food gardens contribute to resilient, equitable communities

For resources, links, a transcript, and more be sure to visit our website at https://evergreenthumb.mastergardenerfoundation.org/episode047/

Want to keep your forested property healthy and thriving? In this episode, we chat with Sarah Stewart from WSU Forestry about backyard forest stewardship—covering best practices for managing small woodlands, improving tree health, enhancing wildlife habitat, and building resilience to climate change.   Whether you have a few trees or several acres, this episode is packed with expert insights to help you care for your woodland sustainably.  We also explore the Women Owning Woodlands (WOW) program and how it supports female forest landowners. 

For resources, links, a transcript, and more be sure to visit our website at https://evergreenthumb.mastergardenerfoundation.org/episode046/

A healthy garden is more than just beautiful—it’s biodiverse! In this episode of The Evergreen Thumb, we explore how increasing plant diversity in home gardens, community spaces, and public landscapes can create more resilient ecosystems, healthier soil, and stronger pollinator populations.

Join us as we discuss:

• Why biodiversity is essential for sustainable gardening

• How native plants and layered plantings support wildlife and soil health

• Practical ways to enhance biodiversity—even in small urban spaces

• How plant diversity helps address climate change, pollinator decline, and habitat loss

Whether you're a backyard gardener or working on larger landscapes, this episode offers actionable strategies to support garden resilience and environmental health.

For resources, links, a transcript, and more be sure to visit our website at https://evergreenthumb.mastergardenerfoundation.org/episode045/

In this episode of The Evergreen Thumb Oregon State University Extension’s Wildlife Specialist, Dr. Dana Sanchez, joins host Erin Hoover to discuss strategies for managing wildlife pests (a.k.a. vertebrate pests), in your garden and surrounding areas.  

For resources, links, a transcript, and more be sure to visit our website at https://evergreenthumb.mastergardenerfoundation.org/episode044/

From stress reduction to faster healing times after surgery, being in nearby nature has measurable effects on our well being. Master Gardeners work to foster the connection between people and the natural world to help our communities be able to access nature no matter where they live.

In part two of our Program Priority Series we sit down with Master Gardener Cathi Lamoreux to discuss Nearby Nature.

For resources, links, a transcript, and more be sure to visit our website at https://evergreenthumb.mastergardenerfoundation.org/episode043/

In this episode, we dive into the fascinating world of spiders and their crucial role in garden ecosystems. Learn about common spider species in the Pacific Northwest, including orb-weavers, wolf spiders, and jumping spiders, and how they help gardeners by naturally controlling pest populations.

Expert insights help unravel the mysteries of spider behavior, their impact on pollinators, and ways to create spider-friendly habitats in your garden.

By the end, you'll gain a new appreciation for these eight-legged allies, embracing their role as key players in sustainable gardening and healthy ecosystems.

For resources, links, a transcript, and more be sure to visit our website at https://evergreenthumb.mastergardenerfoundation.org/episode042/

Climate change is reshaping how we garden, from shifting planting zones to increased drought and extreme weather. In this episode, we’re joined by Mike Peronto to explore how the WSU Extension Master Gardener Program’s Climate Change Priority is helping gardeners adapt. Learn practical, science-backed strategies for building climate resilience, improving soil health, conserving water, and selecting plants that thrive in changing conditions.

For resources, links, a transcript, and more be sure to visit our website at https://evergreenthumb.mastergardenerfoundation.org/episode041/

In this episode of The Evergreen Thumb, host Erin Hoover speaks with author and gardening educator Lisa Taylor about the joys and benefits of growing perennial edibles in the Pacific Northwest. They explore a variety of crops, from perennial vegetables like asparagus and rhubarb to fruit-bearing trees and shrubs well-suited to the region's climate. Lisa goes over lesser-known edible perennials, herbs, and her favorite edible perennials in her garden. She not only lists what edible perennials work well in the Pacific Northwest, but she also shares practical tips for incorporating these resilient and sustainable plants into home gardens and landscapes.

In this episode, we dive into the fascinating world of vermicomposting with WSU Extension Master Gardener and Master Composter Recycler Program Coordinator, Jason Adams.

Learn how worms transform kitchen scraps into rich, nutrient-dense compost that boosts soil health and supports sustainable gardening. We discuss the basics of starting and maintaining a worm bin, troubleshooting common issues, and the numerous benefits vermicompost offers to gardens, the environment, and even local food systems. Perfect for gardeners and sustainability enthusiasts looking to reduce waste and enrich their gardens naturally!

For resources, links, a transcript, and more be sure to visit our website at https://evergreenthumb.mastergardenerfoundation.org/episode039/