LONGVIEW — WSU Master Gardeners present weekly free online programs on Tuesdays at noon.

April 1: The Invisible Workers that make great soil — Great gardening starts with good soil that has the right pH and nutrient levels, but how does it all work together? WSU Master Gardener Dara Reynolds will discuss soil microbes and how they work to create usable resources for plants. Learn about how the living portion of the soil works to enrich the environment and provides for a successful garden.

April 8: Starting a Garden — WSU Master Gardener Adam Weeks will discuss what to do in your vegetable garden to plan and prepare it for planting. You will learn when to plant, how to get an early start, and what it takes to maintain healthy plants to get a great harvest.

April 15: Companion Planting — For generations, gardeners have used companion planting based on unreliable speculation, folklore and pseudo-science, hoping to enhance their gardens’ productivity. However, new scientific advancements in interplanting and intercropping have revitalized the concept. In today’s presentation, WSU Master Gardener Terrie Phillips will explore the incredible benefits of modern companion planting, including soil health improvement, biological control enhancement and effective pest, weed and disease management in backyard gardens.

April 22: Attracting Pollinators to Your Garden — Master Gardener Catherine will discuss the converting your garden and yard into a pollinator paradise by knowing their life cycles. Drawing from her firsthand experience, she’ll provide insights into reshaping your yard into a thriving environment for pollinating insects.

April 29: Protecting Pollinators — We’re all aiming to entice pollinators to our garden, but what are the methods that help them thrive? A key principle is to minimize or eliminate pesticide use. WSU Master Gardener Alice Slusher will talk about methods to detect garden issues early and will suggest safer chemical alternatives that pose minimal harm to our little garden allies.

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.