The MGs have been partnering with Garden by the Sea over the years to allow gardeners and the community to “look over their shoulders” as they conduct research on coastal gardening issues such as perennial and annual vegetables for cool climates and pollinator plants that attract bees and butterflies. One of their plots over the last two years was dedicated to a NASA project using ozone sensitive plants that are affected by higher ozone levels before humans, animals or other plants notice a problem.

Thanks to the efforts of the North Beach Master Gardeners, the garden has two beautiful new hooped garden plots. MGs added resistant covers on top of the two of their four Demonstration Beds that have been part of the Garden by the Sea for the last 3 years. The covers are made with a double layer of UV protected 6ml plastic over PVC supports on a frame of treated lumber. These structures will create a greenhouse effect to keep the plants warm allowing them to garden well into the winter months.

The new hooped gardens, sometimes referred to as cold frames or cloche houses, will be used this fall and winter to grow two different cover cops. Cover crops are used as “green manure” which transfers valuable nutrients into the soil naturally. In the late winter/early spring, the plants will be turned back into the soil to decompose before new crops are planted. Already the MGs have sprouts of fava beans, crimson clover and daikon radishes coming up strong!

North Beach MGs have an ongoing partnership with a local hardware store to offer plant clinics to answer questions regarding plants and gardening for the public. When possible, they offer workshops in the garden on specific topics for gardening on the coast.

Watch for more exciting news about what’s happening in the garden by checking out our
WSU Master Gardeners of Grays Harbor and Pacific Counties Facebook page.