One fact gardeners must realize on Whidbey Island is that the island isn’t the same from one end to the other.

Clinton, for instance, averages much more rainfall per year than Coupeville or Oak Harbor.

“There are a range of conditions on Whidbey just like there are anywhere else,” said Marty Wingate, Seattle author and popular speaker on gardening. “There are drier parts of the island and wetter parts of the island.”

Providing helpful gardening knowledge to newcomers to Whidbey is one of the themes of the Whidbey Gardeners Workshop that takes place at Oak Harbor High School Saturday.

The workshop, put on by the Island County Master Gardeners, features 39 classes and 18 new instructors and will run from 9:30 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. Working to keep the material fresh, 13 new classes are offered this year.

Assisting the gardener new to Whidbey is a predominant theme. Many classes are designed to give gardeners insight into the island’s climate, soil, hydrology and wildlife, among other areas.

Wingate will be the workshop’s keynote speaker with her theme focusing on “Choosing the right plants for your Northwest garden.”

The cost for the workshop is $45 at the door Saturday with more information at www.whidbeygardeningworkshop.org

One class, “New to Gardening on Whidbey Island,” came about after a survey revealed that one out of every four attendees at the event last year was new to the island.

A panel of experts will talk about unique gardening and growing conditions on Whidbey.

Nic Loyd, a weather specialist from Washington State University’s AgWeatherNet will share information on how a weather station in Coupeville can help gardeners on the island.