Events are free unless noted. Please email calendar submissions at least two weeks in advance to eventsbestbets@oregonian.com.
ONGOING
Story and Stroll: 11 a.m.-12:15 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays through Sept. 27. This program integrates nature exploration, art, literature, movement and outdoor play. Register in the Nature Center 30 minutes before the program starts. Tryon Creek State Natural Area, 11321 S.W. Terwilliger Blvd.; oregonstateparks.org
Free Garden Tours at Pittock Mansion: 11 a.m.-2 p.m. second and fourth Saturdays of each month through Sept. 28. OSU Master Gardeners lead 30-minute informational tours, focusing on plants and garden areas while providing a glimpse into the Pittocks’ contributions to Portland’s gardens. 3229 N.W. Pittock Drive; pittockmansion.org
Guided Tours of Hoyt Arboretum: 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays through Oct. 27. Learn about the collection and have a walk among the trees. Free for members, $3 for nonmembers; registration not required; Hoyt Arboretum, 4000 S.W. Fairview Blvd.; hoytarboretum.org, or 503-865-8733
Family Bird Walk: 10-11:30 a.m. the second Saturday of each month through October. Take a guided birding hike with the whole family. Binoculars and field guides available, or bring your own; $7; Hoyt Arboretum, 4000 S.W. Fairview Blvd.; hoytarboretum.org, or 503-865-8733
Plant Walk: 2-2:45 p.m. Tuesdays through Dec. 3. Explore Lan Su Chinese Garden to learn about the history and cultural significance of the garden’s plants along with tips about their care. Free with membership or admission; Lan Su Chinese Garden, 239 N.W. Everett St.; lansugarden.org, or 503-228-8131.
Wednesday Morning Honey Bee Hikes: 10-11 a.m. through Dec. 11. Look for wildlife, listen to the wind and creek, water the Children’s Discovery Garden, read a story and craft something fun. 2-5 years accompanied by adult; $3 per child, non-walkers and adults free. Leach Botanical Garden, 6704 S.E. 122nd Ave.; leachgarden.org, or 503-823-1671.
FRIDAY, SEPT. 13
John and Lilla Leach’s Wedding Anniversary Celebration: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Commemorate the creators of Leach Botanical Garden with a stone cabin open house, treasure hunt, light refreshments and historical displays in the manor house. Leach Botanical Garden, 6704 S.E. 122nd Ave.; leachgarden.org, 503-823-1671
SATURDAY, SEPT. 14
Bonsai Jamboree: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Enjoy a marketplace, classes, demonstrations and more. $5, 12 and under free, additional fees for hands-on classes which include plants and materials; Milwaukie Community Center, 5440 S.E. Kellogg Creek Drive; portlandbonsai.org
Washington County Master Gardener Association Learning Garden Open House: 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Tour the Learning Garden for planting and growing ideas covering natives, small fruits, perennials, herbs and vegetables. Master Gardeners available to answer questions, free workshops and activities for families. Learning Garden at Jenkins Estate, 8005 S.W. Grabhorn Road, Beaverton; washingtoncountymastergardeners.org
Oregon State Federation of Garden Clubs’ (OSFGC) Fall Garden Fair: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 14-15. Enjoy eight workshops, a floral design show, floriculture and horticulture exhibits, plant and garden vendors, children’s crafts and more. Free for members, $8-$14 garden admission covers all events; The Oregon Garden, 879 W. Main St., Silverton; oregongarden.org or oregongardenclubs.org
Growing Cover Crops in the Home Garden: 10:30 a.m.-noon. Learn about the benefits of growing cover crops, including how to select the right type for your space and needs, when and how to sow your seeds, and what to do with your crop in the spring. Battle Ground Community Library, 1207 S.E. Eighth Way; extension.wsu.edu, 360-397-6060, ext. 5738 or email erika.d.johnson@wsu.edu
Portland Rose Society Fall Rose Show: Noon-8 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 14-15. Explore the variety of roses from micro-minis to standard blooms and learn about their care. Entries will be accepted 6:30-9:30 a.m. Saturday (awards at 3 p.m.). Lloyd Center (second floor near Ulta Beauty), 2201 Lloyd Center; portlandrosesociety.org
TUESDAY, SEPT. 17
Garden Tour and Wellness Walk: 10-11:30 a.m. Gather in the Stenzel Garden for a garden tour followed by a neighborhood naturewalk. Legacy Good Samaritan Medical Center, 1015 N.W. 22nd Ave.; legacyhealth.org/gardens, or 503-413-6507.
WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 18
Mutualism, Deception and Self Defense: 7-8:30 p.m. Learn about “the complex dance of co-evolution in insects and plants” and some of the fascinating and intricate ways in which they have evolved to affect each other’s traits and behaviors. Reservations required: $15, $10 for Leach Garden Friends; Leach Botanical Garden, 6704 S.E. 122nd Ave.; leachgarden.org, or 503-823-1671.
THURSDAY, SEPT. 19
Portland Chapter American Rhododendron Society Meeting: 7-9 p.m. Participate in a cuttings exchange after a presentation about Humboldt Botanical Garden in Eureka, Calif. All Saints Episcopal Church, 4033 S.E. Woodstock Blvd.; rhodies.org
SATURDAY, SEPT. 21
Greater Portland Iris Society Plant Sale: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 21-22. Focus iris to be Siberian, Spuria, Japanese and others. Dividing and rejuvenating your bearded and beardless iris hands-on class 1 p.m. Saturday, register at portlandnursery.com/events; Portland Nursery, 5050 S.E. Stark St.; 360-835-1016 or greaterportlandirissociety.org
CLAY_TOPIA: Dog Bowl: 10-11:30 a.m. Join local artist Paige Wright for a plant-nursery-inspired clay workshop and learn to make a ceramic vessel of your own. $40; Pomarius Nursery, 1920 N.W. 18th Ave.; pomariusnursery.com, or 503-490-6866.
SATURDAY, SEPT. 28
Introduction to Plant Propagation: 10-11:30 a.m. Join a hands-on workshop with instruction on basic propagation techniques and take home two plants. $5 registration required: bpt.me/4295396; 564-397-5738 or email erika.d.johnson@wsu.edu
SUNDAY, SEPT. 29
Ecodyeing Silk Scarves Workshop: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Textile artist Anna Zell will lead you step-by-step through the eco-printing process. At the end of the day, take home your own silk noil and crepe de chine or charmeuse silk scarf. $125, registration required: lbg.yapsody.com; Leach Botanical Garden, 6704 S.E. 122nd Ave.; leachgarden.org, or 503-823-1671.
Low Water Gardening: 1-3 p.m. Take part in a workshop covering amending soils, appropriate plant choices and combining plants for year-round interest. $15 includes 30% discount on plant purchases; Joy Creek Nursery, 20300 N.W. Watson Road, Scappoose; 503-543-7474 or joycreek.com
TUESDAY, OCT. 1
Drought Tolerant Plants for a Water Wise World: 6:50 p.m. Learn the difference between drought tolerant and drought resistant plants, and why incorporating them in the landscape is crucial. City of Beaverton, Griffith Park Building, Room 330, 4755 S.W. Griffith Drive; washingtoncountymastergardeners.org
THURSDAY, OCT. 3
All Things Fall, an On The Road Tour: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Explore Pomarius Nursery in Northwest Portland, Shorty’s Nursery, which focuses on regionally-grown plants, and Joe’s Place Farm, featuring produce grown in Vancouver. $35 registration required by Sept. 23: bpt.me/4328095; Van transportation from Enterprise Rent-A-Car, 9319 N.E. Highway 99, Hazel Dell; Lunch on your own at Lapellah in Vancouver; 360-397-6060, ext. 5738 or email erika.d.johnson@wsu.edu
CLAY_TOPIA: Oktoberfest Stein Making: 4-5:30 p.m. Join local artist Paige Wright for a clay workshop and make a ceramic vessel of your own. $50; Pomarius Nursery, 1920 N.W. 18th Ave.; pomariusnursery.com, or 503-490-6866.
SATURDAY, OCT. 5
Fall into Gardening: 9 a.m.-noon. Learn to identify, harvest and prepare nutritious, delicious, and abundant edible wild plants. Visit educational displays and take free classes. Milwaukie Center, 5440 S.E. Kellogg Creek Drive; cmastergardeners.org
Tualatin Hills Nature Center Fall Native Plant Sale: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Select from a variety of trees, shrubs and flowering plants with the help of staff and volunteers. 15655 S.W. Millikan Way, Beaverton; thprd.org
Guided Tour of Leach Botanical Garden: 11 a.m.-noon. See what’s blooming and of seasonal interest. No registration required. Leach Botanical Garden, 6704 S.E. 122nd Ave.; leachgarden.org, or 503-823-1671.
Get Wrapped Up in Kokedama Workshop: 11 a.m. Design and build your own ornamental plant arrangement. $10 base charge; Pomarius Nursery, 1920 N.W. 18th Ave.; pomariusnursery.com, or 503-490-6866.
-- Corey Sheldon
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