I would like to thank the many businesses that helped support the WSU Island County Master Gardeners’ 2008 Whidbey Gardening Workshop held in March in Coupeville. The workshop was a grand success which included 56 classes, several educational and static displays, nursery and gardening booths, and a fantastic raffle.

As the raffle coordinator I was amazed at the generous support received. Through this community support the Master Gardeners are able to give back by establishing volunteer projects like the educational gardens at Greenbank Farm, the Children’s Garden in Oak Harbor, Coupeville Rain Garden, weekly plant clinics held from March through September at various locations, other sustainable gardening advice and several other ongoing and planned projects.

A big thank you to the following businesses: Gene’s Art & Frames, Whidbey Pies Cafe, Discount Party Store, The Greenhouse Florist, Webb’s Department Store, Island Adventures Whale Watching, Whidbey Coffee, Ace Hardware (Freeland), Whidbey Island Soap Company, Mystic Sea Charters, Ruby Sue’s Tea & Treasures, Nibbles Specialty Bakery, Skagit Farmers Supply, San Remo Restaurant, Master Gardener Magazine, Angelie’s Interiors & Gifts, Greenbank Cheese & Specialties, The BBQ Joint, Wind & Tide Bookshop, Tastefully Simple, Trattoria Giuseppe Italian Restaurant, Big Kmart, ALBE (Willow Twig Furniture), Cultus Bay Nursery, Horse Tales Nursery, Whidbey Wild Bird Store, Mailliard’s Landing Nursery, Swede Hill Dahlia Sunflower Farm, Chocolate Flower Farm, Rose Hip Farm & Nursery, Lavender Wind Farm, Liberty Glass Design, Whidbey Island Bank, Whidbey Tel Com, Diamond Rentals, and the Hummingbird Farm Nursery.

The Master Gardeners are already planning for the 2009 Whidbey Gardening Workshop. See you then.

Darline Troyer

Oak Harbor