La Conner Daffodil Festival: Month-long festival celebrating the beauty of locally grown daffodils and community events including the Dandy Daffodil Tweed Ride and 52nd Annual Smelt Derby hosted by the Rotary Club of La Conner. For details, and to see the Daffodil Bloom Map to know where fields are blooming, visit www.lovelaconner.com.

 

Growing Tree Fruit with Gary Moulton: Wednesday, March 1.  This Growing Groceries program offers the basics of tree fruit production including variety and rootstock selection, nutrient management, and basic care with Instructor Gary Moulton. 7-9:30 p.m. WSU Snohomish County Extension’s Cougar Auditorium in McCollum Park, 600 128th St SE, Everett. $20 per person. Register online at GrowingGroceries.eventbrite.com.

 

Spring Book Sale: Friends of the Bellingham Public Library: Thursday through Saturday, March 2-4. Large selection of books and media for all ages. Most items are only $1. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday and Friday, and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. Central Library, 210 Central Avenue, Bellingham. All proceeds benefit the library.

 

Roast Vegetable Feast: Thursday, March 2. Wellness Chef Kate MacKenzie demonstrates three dishes. Cost is $39. 6:30-9 p.m. Cordata Co-op Local Roots Room, Bellingham. www.communityfood.coop.

 

38th annual Whatcom County Home and Garden Show: Friday through Sunday, March 3-5. Visit with home, garden, speciality and service vendors and get some great ideas for your next project. Sponsored by the Building Industry Association of Whatcom County. Northwest Washington Fairgrounds, 1775 Front St, Lynden. Presented by the Building Industry Association of Whatcom County. Adult/$8, Seniors/$7, Under 16/free. For more information, see www.biawc.com.

 

WACK Clay Extravaganza: Saturday, March 4. The Whatcom Artists of Clay & Kiln (WACK) presents their annual festival of clay featuring over 35 local vending artists, artist demonstrations, clay competitions and public hands-on area. Plus, food trucks and information about local ceramics classes. Depot Market Square, 1100 Railroad Avenue, Bellingham. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. See www.whatcomartistsofclayandkiln.org.

 

Winter Field Day: Pears: Saturday, March 4. Presented by the Western Washington Fruit Research Foundation (WWFRF) with the WSU Research and Extension Center in Mount Vernon. Learn information about pests, pear, quince, and fruit preservation and storage. Workshops and demonstrations available. Rootstock, scion wood, and grafting will be for sale. Take a self-guided tours of the 6-acre Fruit Display Garden, containing the one of the largest and most varied collections of antique apple trees in Western Washington. Admission is free to members of WWFRF; non-members are $15 individual or $30 family. 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Registration begins at 8:30 am. Please see http://nwfruit.org/winter-field-day for more information.  16650 State Route 536, Mount Vernon.

 

Chick 101 Class: Saturday, March 4. Get started in raising your own chickens. Learn what is right for you and get answers to your questions during this informative class. 1-2 p.m. Free. Country Store, 900 Riverside Drive, Mount Vernon.

 

11th Annual Winter Festival: Saturday and Sunday, March 4-5. The Winter Festival celebrates the range and depth of Hellebores, in full bloom from January through April. Skagit Gardens’ horticulturist  Katie Miller will discuss hellebores and their hardy characteristics at 11 a.m.  Keynote Speaker and noted horticulturist Riz Reyes will discuss different types of hellebores and how to use them in the garden, cut arrangements and containers, at 1 p.m. Complementary reservations suggested: (360) 466-3821. Christianson’s Nursery, Mount Vernon.

 

Red Cross Emergency Preparedness: Saturday, March 4. Learn about emergency preparedness, local natural hazards, how to build inexpensive and effective disaster kits, and more at this disaster preparedness workshop provided by the American Red Cross. Complimentary take-home materials will include basic first aid kits and disaster preparedness calendars. All ages. The Red Cross will teach a youth preparedness program for ages 7-12 simultaneously with this Emergency Preparedness program for teens and adults.  Noon. Blaine Library, 610 3rd Street, (360) 305-3637.

 

Spring Garden Prep – Soils and more: Saturday, March 4. Join the Master Gardeners to find out the best tips and tricks for a successful summer garden. Learn about soil prep, planting temperature, pest control and more. 1 p.m. Lynden Library, 216 4th Street, (360) 354-4883.

 

Growing Small Fruits: Saturday, March 4. This workshop will focus on techniques for growing small fruiting plants, like blueberries, raspberries and blackberries, strawberries, and kiwis. $10 per person or $8 each for 2 or more people, registration recommended. 1:30 p.m. Cloud Mountain Farm Center, 6906 Goodwin Road, Everson. (360) 966-5859, cloudmountainfarmcenter.org.

 

Whidbey Gardening Workshop: Saturday, March 4. Providing gardening advice and education in gardening practices to beginner to advanced gardeners in Island County and the Puget Sound region. This workshop is produced and presented by the Island County Master Gardener Foundation at Oak Harbor High School. Keynote address by Lucy Hardiman, nationally recognized garden designer, writer, educator and speaker. A total of 49 classes are available over three sessions; 21 classes are new this year. Free coffee;  optional lunch for $12. Visit the Vendor Marketplace and explore educational exhibits. Registration is $40 pre-registration, $45 at door. See whidbeygardeningworkshop.org.

 

Penn Cove MusselFest: Saturday and Sunday, March 4-5. “Bold, briny and blue,” the world famous mussels will be the centerpiece of two days of festivities, including chowder tasting and mussel eating competitions, farm tours and activities for all ages. Chowder tasting and more in Coupeville. See www.thepenncovemusselsfestival.com.

 

The ABC’s of Dwarf Conifers: Saturday, March 4. You can count on conifers to provide 12 full months of color. Join Ginger as she introduces her favorites for 2017.  Free. 9 a.m. The Garden Spot Nursery, Bellingham, (360) 676-5480.

 

Contemporary Shibori Dyeing: Saturday March 4. Shibori is a Japanese tie–dyeing technique which involves folding, twisting or bunching cloth and binding it, then dyeing it. Instructor Seiko Purdue leads this class. $40. 1:30 p.m. Ragfinery, Bellingham. Ragfinery.com.

 

Whatcom County Dahlia Society March Meeting: Monday, March 6.  Wayne Loubagh from the Northwest Federation of Dahlia Growers is the guest speaker. 7-9 p.m. Laurel Grange, 6172 Guide Meridian, Bellingham. Free. Refreshments served. Contact wcdspublicity@gmail.com.

 

Essential Remedies: Winter Skincare from Nature with Michelle Mahler: Monday, March 6. Learn to make luxurious and healing skin care products. 6:30 p.m. Free. Optional $10-20 supply fee. Skagit Valley Co-op, Room 309, Mount Vernon.

 

Edible Shoreline Foraging with Jennifer Hahn: Tuesday, March 7. Mount Vernon City Library presents a series of winter programs called “Science in our Back Yard.” Forager, writer, wilderness guide and researcher Jennifer Hahn will share a slideshow on wild foods. 6:30 p.m. Free. Mount Vernon Library. Signed books will be available afterward: PACIFIC FEAST: A Cook’s Guide to Wild Foraging and Cuisine (Skipstone, 2010) and SPIRITED WATERS: Soloing South Through the Inside Passage (Mountaineers, 2009). 20 percent of book sales will benefit the library.

 

Genealogy – Constructing Your Family History Puzzle with Eric and Karen Stroschein: Wednesday, March 8. Come experience the simplicity and the complexity of building a family history puzzle. 6:30 p.m. Free. Skagit Valley Co-op, Room 309, Mount Vernon.

 

Kombucha and Fermentation: Wednesday, March 8. Sample flavors and learn how to make kombucha. Presented by Blaine C.O.R.E. (Community Orchards for Resources and Education).  4 p.m. Blaine Library, 610 3rd Street, (360) 305-3637.

 

Snohomish County Mycological Society: Human-Fungal Relations: Wednesday, March 8.  Larry Millman will present his speech, “Human-Fungal Relations,” after a short business meeting.  7:30 p.m. in the Baker Community Center, 1401 Poplar, Everett. For more information, see www.scmsfungi.org.

 

16th Annual Everett Home & Garden Show: Friday through Sunday, March 10-12. Visit with companies from Snohomish County offering Spring and Summer home improvement ideas. Whispering Pines Landscape will feature an incredible backyard patio landscape display. Steve Smith, of Sunnyside Nursery, returns as a keynote speaker. Lawn and garden speakers will discuss topics including perfect perennials and bulbs for summer, beneficial bugs, key tips for starting roses, mole control, fruit trees and berry bushes, organic gardening, spring lawn care, growing in pots and more. Visit Mark Eatman’s The Montana Dinosaur exhibit with his unique collection of rare prehistoric displays. Hours are Friday noon to 7 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $7 adults, $6.50 seniors ages 55 and older, $2 military/families with ID, and free for youth 16 and under. For more information, see everetthomeandgardenshow.com.

 

Anacortes Winter Farmers Market: Saturday, March 11. Held the second Saturday of each month. 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. inside the Depot building. For more details, see anacortesfarmersmarket.org.

 

Pruning 101: Saturday, March 11. Discover which tools to use, why prune, what decisions are needed depending on the growth habits of your trees/bushes. Presented by Blaine C.O.R.E. 10 a.m. Blaine Library, 610 3rd Street, (360) 305-3637.

 

2nd annual Small Farm Expo: Saturday, March 11. This open house event will include indoor and outdoor exhibits demonstrating agricultural technology, products and services, as well as seminars and field demonstrations. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Haggen Expo Building, NW WA Fairground, Lynden. For more details, see www.whatcomcd.org/small-farm-expo.

 

Make it and Take it: Hypertufa Containers: Saturday, March 11. Make your own old English style hypertufa trough in this hands-on class with Kim. Create your own planter, just like the old stone sinks that have been used to grow plants for centuries. $39. 9 a.m. The Garden Spot Nursery, Bellingham, (360) 676-5480.

 

Learn to Grow Organic Fruit at Home: Saturday, March 11. Learn how to keep your trees and berry plants healthy and productive. This workshop will cover the most common pest and disease issues of our area, and how to deal with them effectively. $10 per person or $8 each for 2 or more people, registration recommended. 10:30 a.m. Cloud Mountain Farm Center, 6906 Goodwin Road, Everson. (360) 966-5859, cloudmountainfarmcenter.org.

 

Growing Apples and Pears: Saturday, March 11. This class will cover growing techniques and pruning methods for apple and pear trees. $10 per person or $8 each for 2 or more people, registration recommended. 1:30 p.m. Cloud Mountain Farm Center, 6906 Goodwin Road, Everson. (360) 966-5859, cloudmountainfarmcenter.org.

 

Starting, Planting and Staking Dahlias Made Easy: Saturday, March 11. Learn how to grow floriferous dahlias from tubers, cuttings and seedlings using inexpensive grow lights and propagation mats. John and Kathy Willson, former owners of popular Swede Hill Dahlia Sunflower Farm, will teach you fool proof methods for getting your plants off to a great growing season. $8. 11 a.m. to noon, Christianson’s Nursery, 15806 Best Road, Mount Vernon. Reservations required at (360) 466-3821.  www.ChristiansonsNursery.com.

 

Sewing Bootcamp: Saturdays, March 11 & 18. Get familiar with the care and use of a sewing machine, solve basic sewing problems, and take accurate body measurements with Instructor Brigitte Parra. 10 a.m. $75. Ragfinery, Bellingham. www.ragfinery.com.

 

Introduction to Weaving: Saturdays, March 11, 18 & 25. Learn to weave using a floor loom with Aurora Lindquist. Plan a weaving project and what materials to use, warp a loom, and create your own rug. 10 a.m. Cost is $88. Ragfinery, Bellingham. www.ragfinery.com.

 

Ladies Night Out: Moon of the Chinook Wind: Saturday, March 11. Let’s explore what spring means to you, discover what’s so magical and irritating about pollen and enjoy a reflective moment in the moonlight. 5-7 p.m. Suggested donation $12 (women only). Email Program Coordinator Holly Roger at holly@wildwhatcom.org.

 

Hearty Soups and Stews: Wednesday, March 15. Learn delicious soups with Cindy McKinney. 6:30 p.m. $35. Downtown Co-op Connections Building, Bellingham. See http://communityfood.coop/events.

 

No-Sew Braided Rugs: Wednesday, March 15. Come learn how to craft a beautiful no sew braided rug with Instructor Kirsten Wert. 6 p.m. $22. Ragfinery, Bellingham. www.ragfinery.com.

 

31st annual Lynden Spring Craft and Antique Show: Thursday through Saturday, March 16-18. Approximately 100 northwest artists, crafters and producers will be at the show, featuring handcrafted wares, home and garden décor, gourmet treats, vintage treasures, repurposed items and much more. 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday  and Friday, and 10 a.m. to 5p.m. Saturday. Admission is $6 for adults, $5 for Seniors (60+), and free for children 12 and under. For details, see www.LyndenCraftAntiqueShow.com or visit the Facebook page.

 

How Social is Your Farm? Thursday, March 16. Guest Speaker Erin Vincent, Community Relations Director with the Dairy Farmers of Washington, will present a workshop style social media training. Up-to-date information regarding today’s digital consumer and input for how you might reach those consumers online. 6:30 – 8 p.m. Glen Echo Community Club, Everson. For more details, see www.whatcomcd.org/node/201.

 

Planning for Natural Green Burial with Jodie Buller: Thursday, March 16. Discuss professional and family-led options for end of life. Jodie Buller has worked with White Eagle Memorial Preserve, a Conservation Burial Ground certified by the Green Burial Council, since 2013. 6:30 p.m. Free. Skagit Valley Co-op Room 309, Mount Vernon.

 

36th Annual Quilters’s Anonymous Quilt Show: Friday through Sunday, March 17-19. Visit the largest annual quilt show in the area with over 500 quilts expected in a dozen different categories, from traditional styles to art quilts and other innovative designs. This year’s Featured Artist is Barbara Lambrecht. Quilts, fabrics, and other quilt-related goods will be available for purchase from the vendors in our merchant mall. Free demonstrations will be offered each day. Admission $8. Friday and Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Evergreen State Fairgrounds, 14405 179th Ave SE, Monroe.

 

Local Food Works! and Deming Library hosting Spring Gardening Workshop: Saturday, March 18. Join Master Gardener Jeff Dodson to discuss managing pests and disease in your garden, during his presentation “Controlling Diseases of Vegetables and Other Herbaceous Plants.” This talk includes a lot of reference pictures. 11-12:30 p.m. A Seed Exchange and Giveaway table follows from 12:30-1:30 p.m. Bring seeds and/or plants to share, browse the free seeds, and tour the Library Learning Garden. Deming Library, 5044 Mt Baker Highway, Deming, (360) 305-3600.

 

The Best of Dan Hinkley Collection: Saturday, March 18. Tadd Storrer, horticulturist and representative of Monrovia Nursery, brings all the new Dan Hinkley introductions from around the world,  along with the stories behind them. 9 a.m.  Garden Spot Nursery, Bellingham, (360) 676-5480.

 

Bellingham Winter Farmers Market: Saturday, March 18. Produce, foods, crafts and more. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Depot Market Square. This is the final winter monthly market. The 2017 regular season opens in April! See bellinghamfarmers.org.

 

Meet Your Farmer CSA Fair: Saturday, March 18. Meet farmers, learn about Community Supported Agriculture (CSAs), have a chance at prize giveaways, and more. Stop by the booth a the Bellingham Farmers Market at Depot Market Square, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. For details, see https://sustainableconnections.org/events/.

 

Whatcom Farm Forestry Tree Sale: Saturday, March 18. Varieties of trees available for sale, including: Sitka Spruce, Norway Spruce, Colorado Blue Spruce, Shore Pine, Mugho Pine, Grand Fir, Noble Fir, Douglas Fir, Fraser Fir, Western Red Cedar, Concolor Fir, Deodar Cedar, Western Hemlock, Giant Sequoia, and Japanese Larch. $1 each. 10 a.m. to noon. Northwest Washington Fairgrounds in the Henry Jansen Agricultural Center. For more information, call (360) 671-6988.

 

Skillshare: Basic Carpentry/Tool Sharpening: Saturday, March 18. Keith Witter shows basic carpentry skills by building a sawhorse. Bring your own tools to learn how to sharpen them. Keith is a retired boat builder, woodworker, gardener, and mushroom enthusiast. Presented by Chuckanut Transition. Alger Community Hall, 18735 Parkview Lane. See www.chuckanuttransition.com.

 

Master Gardeners Present: Propagation:  Saturday, March 18. The WSU Island County Master Gardeners will feature Dave Thomas and will cover Propagation. Free. 1-3 p.m. Country Store, Oak Harbor, 31686 SR 20.

 

What to do When… A Calendar of Sustainable Gardening Techniques: Saturday, March 18. Christina Pfeiffer will show you the right techniques at the right times in the growing season to maximize results. Christina’s new book, “Month-By-Month Gardening Pacific Northwest” will be available for purchase before and after class. $8. 11 a.m. Christianson’s Nursery 15806 Best Road, Mount Vernon. Reservations required at (360) 466-3821. See www.ChristiansonsNursery.com.

 

Growing Wine Grapes: Saturday, March 18. Learn an overview of how to grow wine grapes in our cool climate. Discuss soil requirements, pruning techniques, pest management and harvesting. The workshop will take place in the vineyard. $10 per person or $8 each for 2 or more people, registration recommended. 10:30 a.m. Cloud Mountain Farm Center, 6906 Goodwin Road, Everson. (360) 966-5859, cloudmountainfarmcenter.org.

 

Winter Propagation: Grafting and Hardwood Cuttings: Saturday, March 18. Learn how to propagate fruit trees and other woody plants during the dormant season using grafting and hardwood cuttings Registration is required, $30 workshop fee. 1:30 p.m.  Cloud Mountain Farm Center, 6906 Goodwin Road, Everson. (360) 966-5859, cloudmountainfarmcenter.org.

 

Creating Green Cleaners: Saturday, March 18.  Participants will get to make and take their own disinfectant to get them started on the road to greener cleaning. Registration required. 2 p.m. South Whatcom Library, 10 Barn View Ct., Sudden Valley, Gate 2, Bellingham, (360) 305-3632.

 

Introduction to Solar Power: Saturday, March 18. Discuss an overview of solar energy, and learn about the facts and myths regarding potential costs, rebates and installation. 1 p.m. Sumas Library, 451 2nd St., (360) 988-2501.

 

Dealing with Winter Damage in Your Landscape: Monday, March 20. Did winter weather take its toll on your landscape? Learn workable solutions and tips to help you. Presented by Diana Wisen,  Skagit County Master Gardener. Part of the Dig into Spring series hosted by the Mount Vernon City Library. 6-7:30 p.m. in the Resources Room.

 

Chef Breakfast: The State of Shellfish: Wednesday, March 22. A new quarterly series for all chefs, food buyers, and food businesses of all kinds. Includes a family style breakfast, networking, and a speaker. Cost is $25, free for Chefs Collective members. For details, see sustainableconnections.org/events/.

 

Seed Starting & Growing Transplants: Wednesday, March 22. In this Growing Groceries program, learn how to save money by growing your own transplants. Learn proper seeding, raising, and transplanting techniques with Kate Ryan, owner and grower for Soil Sisters Plants & Produce in Monroe. $20. 7-9:30 p.m. WSU Snohomish County Extension’s Cougar Auditorium in McCollum Park, 600 128th St SE, Everett. Register online at GrowingGroceries.eventbrite.com. For more information, call (425) 357-6024.

 

Reusable Produce Bags: Wednesday, March 22. Learn to sew simple fabric bags to replace plastic bags with Instructor Eliza Andrews. 6 p.m. Cost is $17. Ragfinery, Bellingham. www.ragfinery.com.

 

Starting Your Vegetable Garden: Wednesday, March 22 and Saturday, March 25. Discover the right plant for the right place, how to plot sun patterns, test and amend the soil, and more. Presented by Blaine Community Orchards for Resources and Education (CORE). Wednesday at 4 p.m. and Saturday at 10 a.m. Blaine Library, 610 3rd Street, (360) 305-3637.

 

Thirty-Minute Meals: Thursday, March 23. Cindy McKinney shows off fabulous meals you can cook in practically no time. 6:30 p.m. Downtown Co-op Connections Building, Bellingham.  $39. Sign up at http://communityfood.coop/events.

 

Kids OUT! Edible Nettles!: Thursday, March 23. For kids in grades 1-5, this program ventures out into the Hundred Acre Woods to explore spring and nettles in particular. 1:30-5:30 p.m. $55. For more information or to register, see www.wildwhatcom.org/join-an-outing.

 

37th Annual SICBA Home & Garden Show: Friday through Sunday, March 24-26. Visit over 120 vendors, seminars all weekend, live music, and food trucks. Check out a new Lego Build contest for adults and kids, and see the playhouses being raffled off for charity. Adult admission is $7, Senior & Military is $5, and 15 and under are free. Friday hours noon to 7 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Skagit County Fairgrounds, 1410 Virginia St., Mount Vernon.  For more details, see www.sicba.org.

 

Annual Native Plant Sale: Saturday, March 25. Whatcom Conservation District’s Annual Native Plant Sale provides low cost, native plants to the residents and visitors of Whatcom County. Roughly 40 species of native, bare-root, conservation grade trees and shrubs plus potted perennials are available at a great price. Local specialty nurseries participate and sell additional native and other unique species. Local vendors and community groups also on site. Come see the new mobile Watershed Explorer in action. 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Whatcom Community College, Bellingham. For more details, see whatcomcd.org/plant-sale or the Facebook event at https://www.facebook.com/events/462434157260269/.

 

29th Annual Fairhaven Plant and Tree Sale: Saturday, March 25. Visit with local and regional plant nurseries. Vendors donate a portion of sales to Fairhaven Neighbors, which uses proceeds for neighborhood projects and to help support other local non-profits. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Hillcrest Chapel parking lot (corner of Old Fairhaven Parkway and 14th Street, Bellingham). Sponsored by Fairhaven Neighbors. For more information: Facebook.com/FairhavenPlantAndTreeSale or contact Thom Prichard at (360) 671-5517.

 

Growing Table Grapes: Saturday, March 25. Learn about trellis design, pruning and training, and about fertility and pest management methods. Discuss varieties that work in our cool summer climate, including some new, just released varieties. Be prepared to be outside. 10:30 a.m. $10 per person or $8 each for 2 or more people, registration recommended. Cloud Mountain Farm Center, 6906 Goodwin Road, Everson. (360) 966-5859, cloudmountainfarmcenter.org.

 

Renovate Your Older Fruit Trees: Saturday, March 25. Learn how to apply pruning techniques to make your trees more manageable and productive. Be prepared to be outside. Class is at Hovander Homestead Park in Ferndale. $10 per person or $8 each for 2 or more people, registration required. 2 p.m. Contact Cloud Mountain Farm Center at (360) 966-5859.

 

 

Composting and the Soil Food Web: Saturday, March 25. Learn how to feed your soil throughout the year using materials from your own garden. Paige will take you through the basics of composting for small and large spaces and introduce you to the major microbial, fungi, and insect players. Free.  9 a.m. The Garden Spot Nursery, Bellingham, (360) 676-5480.

 

Livestock Guardian Dogs: Saturday, March 25. Learn the answers to your questions about Livestock Guardian Dogs with Laura Faley of Hidden Meadow Ranch. 1-4 p.m. at the Qualco Energy Conference Room, 18117 203rd St. SE Monroe (just off SR 203). Faley is a Livestock Advisor for Skagit, Island, and Snohomish counties. Cost is $25 per farm (up to two) or $15 per person. Register online at LGD.eventbrite.com. For more information, contact Kate Ryan, kate.ryan@wsu.edu, (425) 357-6024.

 

Apps and Snaps for iPhone and iPad Gardeners: Saturday, March 25. John and Kathy Willson explain how they use the iPhone and iPad to capture and archive the beauty of gardens around the world. Take home skills with five new apps to immediately grow and harvest your garden photography skills. An alternative is available for Android users. 11 a.m. $8.  Christianson’s Nursery, 15806 Best Road, Mount Vernon.  Reservations required: (360) 466-3821,  ChristiansonsNursery.com.

 

Spring Equinox Night Prowl: Saturday, March 25. Spend this spring evening exploring nature under the darkness of a waning moon, with Whatcom Wild. 6:30-8:30 p.m. Squires Lake. Suggested donation: Adults (18+)/$12, Children (ages 4-17)/$8, and free for kids 3 and under.Email Program Coordinator, Holly Roger, at holly@wildwhatcom.org.

 

Growing Vegetables in Small Spaces: Monday, March 27. Learn how you can be successful with square-foot gardening and container gardening, including vertical  planting as well. Presented by Harriet Custer-Skagit County Master Gardener. Part of the Dig into Spring series hosted by the Mount Vernon City Library. 6:00-7:30 p.m. in the Resources Room.

 

Rent Mason Bees: Wednesday, March 29.  Rent Mason Bees is a western Washington-based company that rents bees to backyard gardeners and orchardists. This year, Christianson’s Nursery is an official pick up and drop off location. RentMasonBees.com supplies pollination kits which contain safe, local bees for gardeners, fruit growers and farmers. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Christianson’s Nursery, 15806 Best Road, Mount Vernon, (360) 466-3821, www.ChristiansonsNursery.com.

 

Felted Spring Flowers: Wednesday, March 29. Take felted sweaters and transform them into hair accessories, hat pins and more with Instructor Natalia Robinson. 6 p.m. $22. Ragfinery, Bellingham. www.ragfinery.com.

 

Good Bugs, Bad Bugs, & Pollinators: Wednesday, March 29. Did you know that less than 1% of the insect species in the world are the so-called bad bugs that eat us, our livestock, and/or our food? The other 99% are necessary to keeping a healthy environment in our gardens. They help pollinate our crops, eat the bad bugs, and help keep our gardens healthy in many ways. Learn who’s who and how to put the good guys to work. 7-9:30 p.m. WSU Snohomish County Extension’s Cougar Auditorium in McCollum Park, 600 128th St SE, Everett. $20. Register at GrowingGroceries.eventbrite.com.

 

Growing Alliances Fundraising Dinner and Silent Auction: Wednesday, March 29. Growing Alliances is throwing a fundraiser for this summer’s fostered youth employment program to build and maintain raised beds for low income households. Their mission is to “provide youth in foster care with vocational opportunities in urban agriculture, as they transition towards independence.” Food prepared by local chefs, a silent auction with donations from local businesses and artists, information, music, and more. 5:30-8:30 p.m. YWCA Ballroom, Bellingham. Suggested donation $40. Purchase tickets at growingalliances.org/. For questions, contact Kali Crow-Liester at info@growingalliance.org or (206) 595-6878.

 

Stitching the Fabric of Difference: Our American Quilt:  Thursday, March 30. Join your neighbors for pizza dinner and conversation to explore our differences and discover the bonds we share in the greater Foothills community rural life. Facilitated by Jillian Froebe and Elizabeth Kerwin, we will begin to set the tone for our Community American Quilt Project. Guest speaker Sheryl Fullner will share the history of community quilt making. This Quilt Project is sponsored through a grant from the Whatcom Community Foundation and the Friends of the Deming Library. 6:30 p.m. Deming Library, 5044 Mt. Baker Highway, (360) 592-2422.

 

Passive House Design with Russ Weiser: Thursday, March 30. Join Architect and Certified Passive House Consultant Russ Weiser for an introduction to Passive House design and Certification. Learn how residential and commercial buildings have been constructed to this standard, cutting heating bills, and see how your existing building stacks up in terms of energy use. Learn about improvements that could help reduce consumption. Free. 6:30 p.m. Skagit Valley Co-op, Room 309, Mount Vernon.