Washington State University Master Gardeners On the Road Tours
Prospective nursery owner?Join us for one of our tours to a multitude of different ornamental production firms here in the Pacific Northwest. Suggest one that you would like to tour and we will try to set up a visit. |
Since the year 2001, WSU Master Gardeners have organized tours for themselves as well as the general public to area nurseries, garden centers, and public gardens in southwest Washington and northwest Oregon. Tours are designed to offer an educational overview of the horticultural industries and public supported gardens that are commonly found in the Pacific Northwest.
By traveling along side a group of skilled and trained volunteers, tour participants can gain a firsthand understanding of the issues related to ornamental plant production, marketing, pest management, and appropriate plant selection. Field tours are one of the best methods for enabling participants to put into practice in their own yards and gardens the most sustainable practices possible. Guided tours have attracted a diverse audience of participants, some of whom have gone onto to enroll in the WSU Master Gardener program. We have also seen tour participants go on to establish their own horticultural business as a result of touring one of the inspirational establishments that have been visited.
Tours for 2006
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The On the Road Tour team, which consists of 10 dedicated volunteers, has planned a season long itinerary for 2006. Plans include visits to:
- A Japanese theme tour in March
- The Boxwoods Gardens in Wilsonville, Oregon in April,
- The Oregon Garden in Silverton, Oregon in mid-May,
- The Berry Botanical Garden in southeast Portland, Oregon in September.
Check back on this web site periodically for further details as they emerge. The Tour Committee advertises the upcoming events through flyers, mailings to WSU WSU Master Gardeners, email, and in the Inspirations section of the Columbian Newspaper.
Tour History
In previous years volunteers have organized trips to visit the Classical Chinese Garden in Portland, Joy Creek Nursery in Scappoose Oregon, Tsugawa Nursery in Woodland, Washington, and Cistus Design and Blue Heron Herbary both located on Sauvie Island west of Portland. We have toured some the largest commercial ornamental production firms in the Willamette Valley including Monrovia Nursery, Edmunds Roses, and Glen Walters Nursery.
Tour Logistics
All tours have been thoroughly planned, and pre-toured by organizers, in order to ensure a well-run event. We utilize safe, accessible vans, driven by responsible volunteers, and provide for the comfort of participants by stopping for meals and stretch breaks. In general, tours leave Vancouver in early morning and return by late afternoon. Participants are asked to bring clothing appropriate for the weather and a pair of walking shoes. Don’t forget your camera and notebook to record the details of your trip!
Registration
The price of tour registration is $20, which covers the cost of transportation and insurance. Meals are not included. There is a lunch site selected for each tour, either for enjoying your prepared sack lunch, or a restaurant to enjoy. Pre-registration is required. On the Road Tours are limited to 30 participants and usually fill up quickly. In order to register for a tour contact Terry Porter at the WSU Research and Extension Unit at 1919 NE 78th St. in Vancouver by calling 576-6030, ext. 10. For further information on the details of the tours call the Extension office at 397-6060, ext. 7718 or send an e-mail question to Carolyn Gordon. Tours may be paid for by check or credit card (no cash please). Checks are to be made out to ‘WSU’.
Music in the Garden
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The Tour team has also taken on the role of organizing a series of open garden tours in southwest Washington. Gardens have been selected on the basis of beauty and accessibility. The team arranges for live musicians to play throughout the day as people wander among the landscape and visit with one another. Come join us for a serine and lovely way to spend a summer afternoon!
For the year 2006 the On the Road Tour Team consists of the following volunteers:
Pam Rice, Team leader
Celeste Lindsay, WSU Master Gardener Program Assistant
DJ Miles
Karen Plitt
Janice Ferguson
Neil Neumann
Ray Peterson
Mary Jo Piazza
Steve Tubbs
Linda Bailey