From Garden to Plate: Fresh Produce Swaps, Helpful Classes & Resources
Posted on July 31, 2024 at 5:25 am
Produce Swaps at Libraries
Throughout the months of August and September, you can bring in extra produce (fresh only) from your garden to share with others in the community and take home something different from another garden.
So, if your garden’s bounty is overflowing, consider dropping off your extras at one of these three libraries:
The produce swap donations are available during open hours at all three libraries. Any leftovers will be delivered to a local food bank in the community.
Upcoming Gardening Programs
During A Walk Through the Night Garden, discover what you need to create a night garden, including fragrant plants, white flowers, lighting, and moon gardening. This program for adults is presented by Steve Nokes, WSU Extension Spokane County Master Gardener Volunteer, and doesn’t require registration.
A Walk Through the Night Garden
SPOKANE VALLEY
Wednesday, Aug 28, 6:30–7:30pm
NORTH SPOKANE
Tuesday, Sep 10, 6:30–7:30pm
CHENEY
Wednesday, Sep 18, 6:30–7:30pm
Bring amazing native pollinators—bumblebees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and more—to your yard. During Gardening For Pollinators, learn easy stewardship strategies you can implement immediately. The Pollinator PACT has four simple steps: Protect from pesticides, Attract in all seasons, Cultivate a new garden ethic, and Tell others. Gain a new appreciation for these hardworking beneficial creatures, along with specific recommendations you can implement this season and going forward.
This program is for adults, doesn’t require registration, and is presented by Lynn Meyers, WSU Extension Spokane County Master Gardener Volunteer.
Gardening For Pollinators
SPOKANE VALLEY
Thursday, Sep 5, 6–7pm
CHENEY
Saturday, Sep 14, 1–2pm
OTIS ORCHARDS
Saturday, Sep 21, 1–2pm
In the Winterizing Roses class presented by Steve Nokes, you can learn techniques to take proper care of roses to both prepare for winter as well as during this unpredictable season in the Pacific Northwest. This program is for adults and doesn’t require registration.
Winterizing Roses
NORTH SPOKANE
Tuesday, Sep 24, 6:30–7:30pm
Need assistance identifying a garden pest or determining why a plant is not thriving? Drop by the WSU Extension Master Gardeners Plant Clinic to get help with a wide variety of horticulture issues:
- Plant selection, installation, and maintenance
- Plant problem diagnosis and treatment
- Environmentally sound gardening practices
- Pest identification and management
- Effective landscaping practices
Due to limited space, any samples for pest identification should be in a 1-gallon or smaller plastic zipper bag. For additional information about preparing a sample for pest identification, call 509.477.2181 or email mastergardener@spokanecounty.org.
WSU Extension Master Gardeners Plant Clinic
CHENEY
Friday, Aug 2, Aug 16, Sep 6 & Sep 20, 1–5pm
Our Seed Libraries
Late summer and fall are the perfect times to save seeds to bring (or return to) the library. Our seed libraries accept heirloom vegetable, herb, and flower seed donations year-round, during open hours. We can accept seed donations at any of our libraries, and they will be routed to one of our four seed libraries.
Be sure to clearly separate and label the seeds you bring to the library for donation. You can get seed envelopes from any of our seed libraries, or use your own envelope or zippered bag. Please bring seed donations into the library to hand to staff, and do not place seed donations in our book drops.
Gardening Booklists
The following lists of staff picks include some great titles, both in print and digital, that have tips for gardening and ideas for creating nutritious meals from your crop.
- Gardening for All Seasons
- Agriculture & Nutrition: Food for Our Table (OverDrive list)
- Gardening titles found on the list Be a Citizen Scientist! (OverDrive list)
- Cultivate This! From Garden to Table (OverDrive list)
- To start planning for next year’s garden with the list Spring Gardening
Seed Saving Videos
If saving seeds is new for you, view our seed saving videos on our Gardening & Urban Farming playlist to get started with some popular varieties.
Online Resources for Gardening
Hobbies & Crafts Source
Discover how-to instructions, creative ideas, and helpful videos for hobby enthusiasts, crafters, and anyone looking to try a new creative project. You can browse by category to find topics and projects that interest you. A search for gardening brings up topics such as gardening for wild bees, gardening with deer, growing from seeds with children, guerrilla gardening, and much more.
Hobbies & Crafts Source includes digital magazines, books, and other sources of information for just about any craft, hobby, and recreation activity you can think of. For some interests, you’ll find video and images to help you with your projects and to learn more.
Explore Hobbies & Crafts Source today!
Flipster
Browse, download, and read magazines anywhere and at any time with Flipster. You can look through digital magazines by category or by latest issue and search for a specific magazine. With over 90 popular titles to choose from, including Fine Gardening, Better Homes & Gardens, Country Living, and Hobby Farms, you’re sure to find something you’ll enjoy reading.
The Flipster app offers on-the-go access for your smartphone and tablet. Or use a web browser on your computer for reading and viewing. The navigation and zoom functions make this resource easy to use.
Explore digital magazines with Flipster today!
Tags: adults, booklists, books, food, gardening, produce, produce swap, seed library, seed saving
