Master Gardener Foundation of Lewis County
Central to the Master Gardener Mission is to provide horticulture and environmental stewardship education within our community. In order to reach as many people as we can, we provide this education free of charge.
As a land grant University with many federally funded programs, Washington State University is restricted in what activities they can fund. Hence the need for this Foundation.
Below is an overview of the programs we fund here in Lewis County.
Plant and Insect Clinic
Have a gardening question? Get answers from certified Master Gardeners at one of our in-person plant and insect diagnostic clinics. We staff several clinics across the county with trained volunteers who will help you get the answers to your pesky gardening problems.
Our Foundation funds all the research materials and free handouts required to make our Plant and Insect Clinic a valuable – and free – gardening resource in Lewis County.
Current Plant and Insect Clinic Hours:
Monday through Wednesday
9AM-3PM
Location
WSU Lewis County Extension Office
351 NW North Street, Chehalis, WA 98532-1900
Demonstration Gardens
We operate five demonstration gardens in Lewis County. These are our living classrooms where we put research into action and deliver some of our free community classes. In addition, our gardens are a place where you can informally tour to pick up on gardening ideas, we demonstrate raised bed gardening, irrigation systems, water wise plantings, and much, much more.
Our Foundation funds all the expenses it takes to run these fully functioning gardens. Everything from tools to seeds and soil, from pots to irrigation infrastructure. It takes a lot to run these gardens, but we believe that getting hands-on with gardening is the best way to learn.
Youth Outreach
Our youth garden program at Toledo Elementary is a living classroom where students bring science and sustainability lessons to life. Guided by Master Gardeners, kids get hands-on experience planting, nurturing, and harvesting crops while deepening their understanding of soil health, ecosystems, and food production. It’s learning that grows beyond the classroom—rooted in teamwork, curiosity, and connection to nature.
Speakers Bureau
Master Gardeners prepare and deliver presentations to a variety of organizations across the county who are interested in the latest science-backed developments in horticulture and environmental stewardship.
These presentations are offered for free (but our Foundation is more than happy for any donation you feel is warranted!) and the expenses to develop and deliver the presentations are covered by our Foundation.
