LONGVIEW — On Tuesdays at noon WSU Master Gardeners present weekly online free programs, and there also are occasional in-person classes available for those able to travel to Longview. (The following courses are online unless otherwise noted.)

March 4, Saturday, 10 a.m.: Raising Mason Bees (in-person) — Billie Bevers, WSU Master Gardener, will discuss the skills needed for raising mason bees. Orchard mason bees are highly effective pollinators that are very non-aggressive and become active in early spring. The the2-hour class covers equipment, seasonal management, bee biology, and management of pests. Participants will receive a mason bee house and cocoons of hibernating mason bees. Enrollment is limited to 30 people (walk-ins cannot be admitted). The cost for the course is $30 per person. All attendees must pre-register and pay online. We cannot accept checks or cash at the workshop raising-mason-bees-2023.cheddarup.com. The class will be held in Longview, and the location will be provided after you have registered.

March 7, noon: Growing Strawberries — Do you want to grow strawberries this year but have questions. WSU Master Gardener Billie Bevers will be presenting classes on how to successfully grow strawberries.

March 11, noon: Live Willow Weaving (in-person) — Do you want to try your hand at something new? How about live willow weaving? WSU Master Gardeners Ann and Russ Kastberg will introduce you to live willow weaving inspired by Denmark’s Lisselotte Larsen’s Tivoli Gardens creations. You start with sticks and end up with a perennial plant for your deck, garden or to give as a gift. We provide willow switches, a pot, soil, and directions. You provide clippers and gloves. The workshop will be held in Longview. You will be given the location after you have registered. Walk-ins cannot be admitted. Enrollment is limited to 6 people. The cost is $10. All attendees must pre-register and pay online: live-willow-weaving.cheddarup.com. However, there will be an option on the online site during checkout to mail or drop off a check at our office. We cannot accept checks or cash at the workshop. The workshop is sponsored by Washington State University Extension Master Gardeners.

March 14, noon: Growing Blueberries — Do you want to grow blueberries this year but have questions. WSU Master Gardener Art Fuller will be presenting on how to successfully grow blueberries. Learn which varieties do well in this area, how to plant them and take care of them for a successful crop.

March 21, noon: Easier Gardening Ideas — You love gardening, but your body seems to ache more this year. Need a solution? WSU Master Gardeners Dale Wheeler and Cheryl Coddington will provide you tips to put less strain on your body while gardening. Learn ways to garden that will avoid stress and muscle ache

March 28, noon: Controlling Spring Weeds — Sometimes plantings will slip into our beautiful garden plants and become noxious bullies. WSU Master Gardener and Cowlitz County Noxious Weed Coordinator Jennifer Mendoza will talk about these problem weeds in the spring and what to do about them.

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No need to register for online programs, just pop in. Connection information (sign up for the necessary Zoom account at zoom.us), then join from PC, Mac, Linux, iOS, or Android at wsu.zoom.us/j/7756056320?pwd=RzVxbTl0dXpyUjJjSDdsWnJuTXdydz09

The meeting ID is 775 605 6320 and the password is 12345.

To participate by phone, call 1-253-215-8782. For help or for more information, call Gary Fredricks at garyf@wsu.edu or 360-577-3014 Ext. 3.