Now that your green spaces have been put to bed until spring, it’s time to cozy up in a comfy chair and bone up on your gardening knowledge for next year. And what better way to get that wisdom than to pick the ever-verdant brains of your friendly plant pros! Join Master Gardeners Susan Kalmar, Shelly Deisch and Jan Danford for the Green Thumb Education Series presentation “Best Books for Gardeners,” for a panel discussion on an eclectic assortment of gardening books, interesting reads and topical references for your wintertime perusal.

Find out more on their all-time favorite titles, which books they love to gift and which ones to borrow from the library. “If you have a natural curiosity and love to read, this will be a fun presentation,” Susan said. In addition, a recommended book list will be available that includes great gardening references and additional titles reviewed in the Master Gardener Between the Vines newsletter over the past few years.

Susan has been a WSU Master Gardener since 2017. She loves learning through research and experimentation and enjoys working with the community. Susan is a regular volunteer at the multi-faceted Woodcock Demonstration Garden, dabbling in succulents, berries and greenhouse horticulture. Other hobbies include a serious addiction to houseplants and reading. Currently Susan is delving into the art of plant propagation.

Shelly is a recent resident of Clallam County as well, moving from the Black Hills of South Dakota. She is a retired wildlife biologist specializing in habitats from bats to elk. She is learning about native plants on the Olympic Peninsula to convert a disastrous lawn into a native landscape for birds and pollinators, especially bumble bees.

Jan joined Clallam County Master Gardeners in 2014. She began mentoring the Sequim Boys and Girls Club Gardening Club in 2015, helping the kids learn all phases of growing a garden as well as enjoying the harvest. Jan chaired the Woodcock Garden Operating Committee successfully for several years. She was the 2014 Intern of the Year and the 2016 Master Gardener of the Year. Jan received the Golden Trowel Lifetime Achievement Award in 2021.

The Green Thumb Education Series presentation “Best Books for Gardeners” will be held in person on Thursday, November 14th from noon – 1:00 p.m. at St. Andrews Episcopal Church, 510 E. Park Avenue in Port Angeles.

Or you may join via Zoom from PC, Mac, Linux, iOS or Android:

https://wsu.zoom.us/j/93629898830?pwd=UnRkYjdwSGNmTnA4Y2hxVFBuRHVkZz09
Meeting ID: 936 2989 8830
Passcode: 676224
Or join by phone: 253-215-8782

The Green Thumb Education Series, sponsored by the Washington State University Clallam County Master Gardeners, is held on the second and fourth Thursday of each month through October. In November, December, and January, one lecture is offered. Scheduled presentations are subject to change. Visit the WSU Extension Clallam County website calendar for the latest information on upcoming presentations. For questions, call 360-565-2678.