25th Annual Art by the Bay Arts Festival: Friday through Sunday, July 7-9. A fine arts and live music festival, now in its 25th year, the Art by the Bay Festival includes more than 100 juried artists and craftspeople from around the Northwest, plants and garden art, and gourmet food. Free admission, free parking, free music. Presented by the Stanwood-Camano Arts Guild. Enjoy art booths, a live music stage, and a beer and wine garden featuring local beer and wine makers. Join the Plein Air Painting contests, enjoy tasty food, and visit friendly local merchants and the Guilded Gallery. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.  For a schedule, see https://discoverabbfest.com.

 

Bamboo… Rewarding To Grow, Beautiful And Unique To Your Garden Space: Saturday, July 8. Chris Glatz, a Japanese gardening professional, was the head gardener at the Morikami Museum and Japanese Garden in Delray Beach, FL for 10 years. He will share his experiences and techniques for planting and maintaining bamboo and how it can fit in any garden style, and address the many myths and fears surrounding the use of bamboo. Learn where and how to plant bamboo and appreciate the many varieties of bamboo offered locally. This class is free. 9 a.m. Garden Spot Nursery, Bellingham. Register at (360) 676-5480, www.garden-spot.com.

 

Whatcom Horticultural Society 31st Annual Tour of Private Gardens: Saturday and Sunday, July 8-9. Visit various gardens around Whatcom County. This is a ticketed event. For more information, see whatcomhortsociety.org/garden-tour/.

 

Intro to Permaculture Systems Pt. 1 Soil, Water, Waste, Energy: Saturday, July 8. Join us for the first class in a two part series on Permaculture Systems. Andrew Tuttle, Permaculture Education Student, will teach an introductory class on Permaculture systems. In this class students will learn the basics of the Permaculture approach to soil, water, waste, and energy systems. 10 a.m. Azusa Farm and Gardens, 14904 SR 20 – Mount Vernon. Register at info@azusafarm.com.

 

2017 Goatalympics: Saturday, July 8. Goat events, mega raffle, food trucks, and loads of fun. Goatalympics is all about having fun with pet goats. Come watch goats and their people compete in foot races, obstacle courses and more. Take your guess as to who will win Best Trick, Most Spots, Longest Beard and other exciting contests. Vote in the People’s Choice Awards for Adult and Youth costume contests. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. New Moon Farm, Arlington. For more information, see www.goatalympics.org or call  844-GET-GOAT ext 1.

 

Make & Take A Kokedama Ball: Saturday, July 8. Join us for an after hours event to learn the Japanese tradition of kokedama: Using a moss ball to plant and create a hanging garden. Karyn will show you how to plant using moss as a container, and to care for your new string garden. Wine and light eats will be served. $49 class fee includes all supplies. 5:30 p.m. Garden Spot Nursery, Bellingham. (360) 676-5480, www.garden-spot.com.

 

Beneficial Insects: Saturday, July 8. Want to let Mother Nature take care of your outdoor pest problems? Discover beneficial bugs and utilize them to manage your pests! From lady bugs to nematodes join Chris Morris from Northwest Beneficials to discuss all the useful beneficial insects that we can use in our Pacific NW gardens. 11 a.m. – noon. $8, reservations required. Christianson’s Nursery, Mount Vernon. To register, call (360) 466-3821.

 

Tilth Walk: Season Extension in High Value Specialty Crops: Monday, July 10. This is a Tilth Farm Walk at Growing Washington, a certified organic 70-acre farm that grows over 200 varieties of fruits and vegetables each year that it sells through its CSA program of roughly 1,500 members and at 15 farmers markets in the Puget Sound Region. The farm has six greenhouses and over 20 high tunnels. Enjoy this walk with farmer Clayton Burrows. Live Spanish translation will also be provided by our Northwest Small and Latino Farm Educator, Kate Smith. For event details, see www.seattletilth.org under Farm Walks.

 

Cactus If You Can: Tuesday, July 11. Join us to prickle your senses with all things cactus. We’ll share a cactus story, learn some cactus facts, and upcycle some odds and ends into cacti you can take home and take care of (without the worry of stray prickers). For grades K-5. 10:30 a.m. Everson Library, 104 Kirsch Drive, (360) 966-5100.

 

Free Intro to Water Bath Canning Workshop: Tuesday, July 11. Learn the basics of water bath canning and make your own jams and jellies! WSU Extension Food Preservation Specialist Jennie Bryan-Goforth will demonstrate the process, explain food safety protocols, offer recipes, and answer questions. The water bath method is the easiest and safest type of canning, and can often be accomplished without special equipment. This is a great class for beginners or those who could use a refresher course. 6:30 p.m. Skagit Valley Food Co-op, Room 309. Jennie Bryan-Goforth works with WSU Extension in the Family and Consumer Sciences department, offering a range of classes and workshops relating to health and nutrition, food access, gardening, food preservation, and more.

 

Toward Zero Food Waste workshop: July 12. Sponsored by Sustainable Connection, experts Mark Peterson, Rodd Pemble from SSC, and Holly Bevan-Bumford from Good to Go Meat Pies, will share how you can reduce waste at your business, discuss challenges and solutions, and leave with a specialized TZW Toolkit and resources. 2-4 p.m. Please RSVP to Mark Peterson at Sustainable Connections at Markp@sustainableconnections.org or (360) 647-7093 x116.  While this workshop is tailored to food related businesses, all businesses are welcome.

 

Handmade Journals: Learn to Create and Bind Your Own:  Thursday, July 13. Learn the basics of bookbinding and create your very own handmade buttonhole stitch journal. All supplies are provided. For adults and teens age 13+. Space is limited, registration is required. 3:30-5:15 p.m. Lynden Library, 216 4th Street, (360) 354-4883.

 

Northwest Raspberry Festival: Friday and Saturday, July 14-15. Presented by the Washington Red Raspberries Commission and WECU. Music on two stages, food, kids’ activities, basketball tournament, classic automobiles, 5k fun run (Saturday morning), raspberry treats, crafts, beer garden, raspberry wine tasting and more. Participants can shop at Lynden’s downtown merchants and street vendors at the “Berry Fair” Street Market, and enjoy drinks being served by local restaurants and farms. A pancake breakfast will be held Saturday morning at the Lynden Community Center. For the complete schedule or to register for the fun run, contact the Lynden Chamber of Commerce at (360) 354-5995 or events@lynden.org, or visit www.lynden.org.

 

No Bake Summer Desserts:  Friday, July 14. Want to whip up a fabulous summer dessert without turning on your oven? Recipes shared include a versatile and easy Lemon Curd used to create simple parfaits with Greek yogurt, fresh berries, and granola; a to-die-for peanut butter and chocolate pie in an Oreo crust; a microwave fruit crisp, and more. Class is demonstration only. Space is limited, registration is required, suitable for ages 13 and up. Any children attending with a parent must also be registered. 3-5 p.m. Lynden Library, 216 4th Street, (360) 354-4883. *Please note this event is also held Thursday, July 20 at the Ferndale Library, 2125 Main Street, (360) 384-3647, 6:30 p.m.

 

Nativars: Cultivars of our Native Plants: Saturday, July 15. Nativars are well-adapted natives with improved traits of cultivated plants and they offer the best of both worlds. Scott Conner, a U.W. graduate in Botany, local radio and television personality, business consultant and long-time Nurseryman, will give a live presentation. 11 a.m. – noon. $8, reservations required. Christianson’s Nursery, Mount Vernon. To register, call (360) 466-3821.

 

Reading the Landscape for Permaculture Design: Saturday and Sunday, July 15-16. Come to Inspiration Farm and learn the skills to pattern with your natural landscape to create an integrated systems of abundance and productivity.   $175 registration. Inspiration Farm, Bellingham. See www.inspirationfarm.com or call (360) 398-7061.

 

San Juan Island Lavender Festival: Saturday and Sunday, July 15-16. Tours and exhibits survey the entire process – from field to finished product. The Cutting Field is open for visitors to harvest their own bouquets from the many varieties in bloom. Demonstrations cover topics such as lavender cultivation, harvesting, essential oil distillation, history & uses, cooking with lavender and more. The Craft Tent is open all day long in the fields for adults and children to make wands, wreaths, crowns and more. Enjoy the tastes of lavender, with lavender ice cream, lavender lemonade, cookies, coffee and more. Over 30 local artists will have their work on display and for sale in the fields. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Free admission. Pelindaba Lavender Farm, San Juan Island. See www.pelindabalavender.com.

 

Landscape Design for your ‘Shade Loving Garden’: Saturday, July 15. Everett Chu, certified professional horticulturist, and certified ecoPRO sustainable landscape professional, will display and discuss his tricks of the trade when transforming low light areas into an inspired landscape design. 10 a.m. Azusa Farm and Gardens, 14904 SR 20 – Mount Vernon. Register at info@azusafarm.com.

 

Ice Cream:  Monday, July 17. Who doesn’t love ice cream? Learn to make your own at this fun class with Cindy McKinney. We’ll be demonstrating a trio of delicious frozen treats including a decadent Jack Daniel’s spiked Bourbon/Maple/Bacon ice cream for grown-up taste buds; a sweet and tangy Strawberry Chevre ice cream using local berries and cheese; and a refreshing Blackberry sorbet you’ll want to make all summer long. In addition, we’ll be making a couple of quick ice cream toppings. For adults 21 years and older. Space is limited, contact the library to register. 6:30-8 p.m. Deming Library, 5044 Mt. Baker Highway, (360) 592-2422.

 

Summer Planting for Winter Eating with the Co-op’s Garden Jay: Monday, July 17. Learn which varieties are suitable for this second season, which to start from seed and which to buy starts for, why some things are better planted now than in the spring, how to care for all of it and extend your harvest. Free. 6:30 p.m. Skagit Valley Food Co-op, Room 309.

 

Tomatoes, Salsa, & Relish: Monday, July 17. Learn how to preserve fresh foods safely in this series at WSU Snohomish County Extension’s Evergreen Room in McCollum Park, 600 128th St SE, Everett. Learn how to turn the local abundance of tomatoes and fresh vegetables into jars of color and flavor for the dreary days of winter. Come prepared to cook during the hands-on session and take home a jar of fresh-made salsa. 6:30–9 p.m. In addition, the online course Preserve the Taste of Summer, while a *prerequisite to the three hands-on classes, is also a great stand-alone course on safe home food preservation. $25 per course. Visit PreserveSummer.cahnrs.wsu.edu  to register.

 

Edmonds in Bloom Garden Tour: Sunday, July 19. Self-guided tour exploring gardens at various locations in Edmonds. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. See www.edmondsinbloom.com.

 

Green Cleaning with Michelle Mahler: Tuesday, July 21. Learn to make your own natural cleansing powders and antibacterial sprays with pure Essential Oils, as well as antiviral/antibacterial Therapy Oils. 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. Free. Skagit Valley Coop. Free class and notes/recipes, optional supply fee of $5-10 to make and take a product.

 

Summer Harvest Day 2017: Saturday, July 22. Cloud Mountain Farm Center’s annual open farm day gives visitors a behind-the-scenes experience. Taste freshly harvested fruits and vegetables, see what’s possible to grow in your NW garden, learn how we propagate nursery plants, and explore the orchards. Talk with local beekeepers about pollinators. Bring your garden questions for Center staff and partners. Guided farm walks every hour. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Cloud Mountain Farm Center, Everson. (360) 966-5859, www.cloudmountainfarmcenter.org.

 

Summer Pruning: Saturday, July 22. Christina Pfeiffer, author of Pacific Northwest Month-by-Month Gardening, will demonstrate pruning tactics for summer months that will lessen your workload as fall approaches. 11 a.m. – noon. $8, reservations required. Christianson’s Nursery, Mount Vernon. To register, call (360) 466-3821.

 

Skagit Valley Food Co-op July Summer Garden Party: Saturday, July 22. Join us in the Co-op’s Garden Center for this free, family-friendly event from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Visit with some of our favorite local farmers and producers to share the delights of the season. In addition, stop by C•SQUARE and Third Street Cafe for a Summer Sampling, also11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Visitors can sample baked goods and more from the summer menu, and meet Third Street Cafe’s new Head Chef, Maryna Frederiksen. Skagit Valley Food Co-op, Mount Vernon. For more details, see www.skagitfoodcoop.com/.

 

Annual Orcas Island Cider & Mead Festival: Saturday, July 22. Come taste and learn about some of the best ciders and meads from the Pacific Northwest and beyond. There will be a number of live bands playing on the stage, great food and our wonderful Farmers Market right next door. Orcas Island home brewers, don’t forget to enter your cider in the The Orcas Island Home Brew competition. $10 admission includes tastes and commemorative tasting glass. Adults 21+ only. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. See http://www.orcasislandciderfest.org/festival/.

 

Farm Bureau Picnic: Sunday, July 23.  The local county farm bureaus will have a picnic on Sunday, July 23 at the Sedro Woolley Rodeo Grounds. Whatcom, Island, Skagit, and Snohomish Farm Bureaus will join together from noon to 5 p.m. The guest speaker will be Madi Clark from the Washington Policy Agricultural Research Center. The meal is potluck style. Beverages will be provided by the County Farm Bureaus.

 

Dig into Fall: Fall and Winter Gardens Start in Summer: Monday, July 24. Learn from Valerie Rose why a fall garden must be started in the summer; which varieties are best for late-season harvest; and strategies for protecting your garden from frost and cold. New and experienced gardeners alike will learn how to extend your growing season well into the cold season. 6 p.m. Mount Vernon City Library is hosting a series of gardening programs presented by Skagit County Master Gardeners. For more information about the library’s “Dig into Fall” series, contact Mike Bonacci at 360-336-6209, or check out the library’s website at www.mountvernonwa.gov. Library Resources Room. Free.

 

Miniature Horses:  Tuesday, July 25. See and learn about these amazing animals! Horse crafts, too. For grades K-5. 10:30 a.m. Everson Library, 104 Kirsch Drive, (360) 966-5100.

 

Kids’ Craft Fair: Wednesday, July 26. Homemade crafts and treats made by children. Everything $5 or less. Registration is required, and space is limited. Call the library for more information. Kids ages 5-13 may sell; everyone can shop. 2-4 p.m. Ferndale Library, 2125 Main Street, (360) 384-3647.

 

Recycled Book Crafts: Wednesday, July 26. Teens, create unique book crafts by recycling old and damaged books. From charms to notebooks the possibilities are endless! All supplies are provided but space is limited so registration is required. For teens grade 6-12. 2-4 p.m. Lynden Library, 216 4th Street, (360) 354-4883.

 

“Make It And Take It” Hypertufa Containers: Saturday, July 29. 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. Class fee is $39. 9 a.m. Garden Spot Nursery, Bellingham. (360) 676-5480, www.garden-spot.com.

 

Meals on Wheels Rocks the Farm: Berries, Beats & BBQ: Saturday, July 29. VibrantUSA, Audio Video Excellence, Boundary Bay Brewery, and Dewey Griffin Subaru have teamed up to sponsor a special fundraiser benefiting Meals on Wheels at at Bellingham Country Gardens from 4 – 7 p.m. All proceeds from the event will support Meals on Wheels and More, a program of the Whatcom Council on Aging, a nonprofit organization. Meals on Wheels and More supports home bound adults age 60 and over in Whatcom and San Juan Counties by delivering nutritious meals, serving senior meals at local community centers and senior housing, and providing nutrition education and nutrition case management. Tickets are $20 each advance and are available online at BrownPaperTickets.com and in person at the Bellingham Senior Activity Center, Community Food Co-op, and the VibrantUSA Bellingham office. Tickets are also going to be available at the door for $25. Kids 12 & under are free to enter. For more information, contact (360) 733-4030.

 

 

 

AUGUST

Puget Sound Antique Tractor and Machinery Annual Gas and Steam Show: Aug. 2-5. In connection with the 100 anniversary of the John Deere Tractor our 2017 show featured tractor is John Deere. See displays of cars, trucks, tractors, and engines. Learn how equipment was used in farming and logging. Activities for kids of all ages. Gates open at 7 a.m. until dusk. Berthusen Park, Lynden. Admission $8/adult, $4/ages 8-12, $5/senior. For more information, see www.psatma.com.

 

Intro to Permaculture Systems Pt. 2 Shelter, Plants, Animals & Wildlife:  Saturday, Aug. 5. This is the second class in a two part series on Permaculture systems taught by Andrew Tuttle, Permaculture Education Studen). In this class we will cover the Permaculture approach to shelter, plants, animals, and wildlife. 10 a.m. Azusa Farm and Gardens, 14904 SR 20 – Mount Vernon. Register at info@azusafarm.com.

 

Send event information to editor@grownorthwest.com. Additional events may be posted online at www.grownorthwest.com. Next deadline: July 21. 

 

 

 FARMERS MARKETS

 

WHATCOM

Blaine Gardeners Market: Saturdays 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at H Street Plaza, through October. (360) 332-6484.

Bellingham/Fairhaven Farmers Market: Saturdays 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Depot Market Square, through mid-December. Fairhaven runs noon to 5 p.m. on the Village Green through September. See bellinghamfarmers.org.

Ferndale Farmers Market: Fridays 3-7 p.m. at Centennial Riverwalk Park. See ferndalepublicmarket.org.

Lynden Farmers Market: Thursdays noon to 5 p.m. at 324 Front Street, mid-June through mid-Oct. See lyndenfarmersmarket.com.

The Twin Sisters Market: Saturdays June through October in two locations: Nugents Corner 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and North Fork Library (Kendall) 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. See twinsistersmarket.com.

 

SKAGIT

Anacortes Farmers Market: Saturdays 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Depot, 611 R Avenue, through October. See anacortesfarmersmarket.org.

Bow Farmers Market: Thursdays 1-6 p.m. at Samish Bay Cheese, 15115 Bow Hill Road in Bow, through August. See bowlittlemarket.com.

Burlington Summer Nights: Fridays at 5 p.m. starting July 14 at the Burlington Visitor Center Amphitheater, 520 E Fairhaven Ave, Burlington. See burlingtonwa.gov.

Edison Farmers Market: Sundays 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Edison Granary (kitty corner to the Longhorn), June through September. See the group’s Facebook page.

Marblemount Community Market: See marblemountcommunityhall.org.

Mount Vernon Farmers Market:  Saturdays 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. through mid-October at Waterfront Plaza. The Wednesday market runs 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Hospital on Kinkaid St., June through September. See www.mountvernonfarmersmarket.org.

Sedro-Woolley Farmers Market: Wednesdays 3-7 p.m. at Hammer Heritage Square, corner of Ferry and Metcalf streets, through September. See sedrowoolleyfarmersmarket.com.

 

SNOHOMISH

Arlington Farmers Market: Saturdays at Legion Park, 200 N Olympic Ave, July 1 through Sept. 9. See www.afmwa.org.

Everett Farmers Market: Sundays 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 615 13th St. Boxcar Park, Everett, through Oct. 15. The South Everett Friday Community Farmers Market runs Fridays June 23 through Sept. 8 at 1402 SE Everett Mall Way (Sears parking lot). See everettfarmersmarket.net.

Marysville Farmers Market: Saturdays 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 1035 State Ave. Marysville, June 24 through September. See www.marysvillefarmersmarket.blogspot.com.

Port Susan Farmers Market: Fridays 2-6 p.m. in the parking lot next to the Amtrak Train Station in east Stanwood at 8727 271st St. NW, through Oct. 13. See  portsusan.org.

Snohomish Farmers Market: Thursdays 3 to 7 p.m. at Pearl Street and Cedar Avenue in Snohomish, through September. See snohomishfarmersmarket.com.

 

 

ISLAND

Bayview Farmers Market: Saturdays 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Bayview Corner (Highway 525 and Bayview Road) in Langley, through Oct. 21. See www.bayviewfarmersmarket.com.

Clinton Thursday Market: Thursdays, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Clinton Community Hall, 6411 Central Ave., June 29 through Sept. 3. See clintonthursdaymarket.com.

Coupeville Farmers Market: Saturdays 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the Community Green next to the Coupeville Library, through October. See their Facebook page.

South Whidbey Tilth Farmers Market: Sundays 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 2812 Thompson Road, through mid-October. See southwhidbeytilth.org/market.html.

Oak Harbor Farmers Market: Thursdays 4-7 p.m. State Highway 20, Oak Harbor. See their facebook page.

 

SAN JUAN

Lopez Island Farmers Market: Saturdays 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Lopez Village, through Sept. 9. See lopezfarmersmarket.com.

Orcas Island Farmers Market: Saturdays 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the Village Green in Eastsound, through September. In October and November, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Oddfellows Hall. See orcasislandfarmersmarket.org.

San Juan Farmers Market: Saturdays 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.  at the Brickworks in Friday Harbor, through October. Twice monthly in November and December. See www.sjifarmersmarket.com.