October 10, 2026 from 9:00am to Noon at the Milwaukie Center
5440 SE Kellogg Creek Drive in Milwaukie
~ Doors open at 8:30 ~
The morning will feature informative classes, displays and free pH soil testing. This event is sponsored by the Clackamas County Master Gardener™ Association and is FREE and open to the public.
Sessions will be 45 minutes with time for Q & A before the next talk begins:
- 9:00 – Unlock Autumn’s Black Gold – Your Ultimate Fall Composting Guide presented by Master Gardener Volunteer Michelle Morley
- Don’t let your fall leaves go to waste! Turn autumn’s abundance into nutrient-rich soil for a thriving spring garden. In this practical class, you’ll learn how to master the perfect balance of “greens” and “browns,” handle heavy Pacific Northwest leaves without creating a soggy mess, and weatherproof your pile against winter rains. We will also cover how to blend your compost with quality amendments to fix heavy clay and improve soil structure. Whether you are a beginner or looking to troubleshoot a stalled pile, join us to discover how easy it is to brew your own backyard “black gold.”
- 10:00 – Putting Your Garden to Bed a talk by Gentiana Loeffler, Professor of Horticulture at Clackamas Community College
- It’s the end of the garden season but there is a lot you can do now to benefit your garden through the winter and into the next growing season. We’ll talk about how to continue building healthy soil, support beneficial insects and wildlife, manage pests and disease, and prolong the life of your tools. Let’s enjoy this slower, cooler season outside.
- 11:00 – Ruggedize Your Garden – a presentation by Brooke Edmunds, Associate Professor (Practice) in the Department of Horticulture at Oregon State University and the OSU Extension Community Horticulturist in Marion and Polk counties.
- Many of us witness firsthand the impact of extreme weather events and climate change in our gardens. In this presentation, you’ll discover practical ideas to help your garden withstand these challenging conditions and thrive. We’ll explore the resources available to support gardeners, including the OSU Extension Garden Future website and other valuable organizations and community groups.
More expert garden advice will be available too:
- Free pH Soil Testing (9:00 – noon): For step-by-step instructions click here. Limit of up to 4 samples per client please.
- Let’s talk Plants (8:30 – noon): Master Gardeners will be on hand and eager to talk all things plants, pests and insects.
- Educational Displays: Three dimensional displays covering timely garden subjects.
OSU Extension Service Master Gardeners are volunteer educators, neighbors, and on-the-ground researchers who serve their community with solid training in science-based, sustainable gardening and a love of lifelong learning. Each Fall into Gardening class offers gardening know-how that is proven and practical.
OSU Extension Service prohibits discrimination in all its programs, services, activities, and materials. Accommodation requests related to a disability should be made by 9/30/25 to catalina.santamaria@oregonstate.edu
Clackamas County Master Gardener™ Association 