Orcas Island Garden Club upcoming fall events

Flower Pressing Workshop with Tony Suruda

Saturday, August 22nd

1:30 pm at the Orcas Library

In this workshop participants will use microwave oven presses to dry flowers and leaves. The club will provide mounting materials to make custom bookmarks and drinks coasters. There is no charge for this workshop and members are welcome to bring their own plant materials and a guest.  

Participation is limited to 12 so be sure and register early by emailing Tony Suruda at treasuregarden@gmail.com to reserve your spot!

He’ll provide information regarding what sort of flowers are suitable for the microwave presses. The club will have rose petals and asparagus ferns available. Tony adds, “If the flower and leaf fairies are favorable we’ll raffle off a microwave flower press!”

Monday, September 1st

2 pm at the Orcas Library

Come discuss the wonderful world of fungi! Author, Doug Bierend’s book, In Search of Mycotopia, delivers a fascinating look into the essential, often-overlooked kingdom of fungi. Bierend guides readers through the vast ways mushrooms impact our world, from ecology and medicine to pop culture and fermentation. The book features the community of passionate citizen scientists and microbe devotees unlocking this kingdom’s future potential. It is an entertaining, eye-opening read for anyone curious about Earth’s hidden natural networks.

Find this delightful book at Darvill’s or the Library & join us!

OIGC First Newsletter of the Season Publish Date

Tuesday, September 8th

The Island Gardener was launched when we needed community connection more than ever. It provides an upbeat, engaging, fun and informative source of valuable information. Today, our goal remains the same and supports the mission of our garden club which is to stimulate knowledge and love of gardening. Our monthly communication features educational articles, member spotlights, stories both current and past, upcoming events, helpful resource ideas for your garden and much more.

Hands On Workshop Growing Mushrooms in a 5 Gallon Bucket with Alex Winstead

Tuesday, September 8th

1:00 am, location TBD

Growing mushrooms can be challenging, but it doesn’t have to be. If you’re looking for a simple, low-cost way to grow mushrooms at home, the bucket method is a great choice. It doesn’t require any special skills or equipment, and it produces high yields of mushrooms. Learn how to grow Oyster Mushrooms in a bucket with Alex Winstead, owner of Bellingham’s Cascadia Mushrooms. Oysters are good candidates for this method since they are easier to grow, more aggressive, and less sensitive about growing conditions. 

Interested? Email Laura Walker at oigcprez@gmail.com.

Growing Mushrooms in the Pacific Northwest Presentation

Wednesday, September 9th

10:00 am at The Orcas Center and on Zoom

Kick off the year with our first program! We are excited to welcome Alex Winstead, owner of Bellingham’s Cascadia Mushrooms. Alex will share expert tips on growing your own mushrooms and explain how fungi act as powerful allies in your garden. You will also learn practical ways to integrate mushrooms into your current gardening plans. Come early at 9:30 for coffee and socializing.

3-D Mushroom Felting Workshop with Mandy Troxel

Friday, September 11th, 4-7 pm at 4th Seed Farm

Sunday, September 13th, 2-5 pm at 4th Seed Farm

Fungi Felters Unite! We’ll be making a little sculptured homage to the mushrooms of the Pacific Northwest, with a special nod to the Orcas Island Garden Club, whose calendar also includes some mushroom related talks and workshops earlier in the week. 

Your mushroom sculpture will include but not be limited to a sculpture of the Amanita Muscaria and a little more flora and fauna of the felted forest floor for flair.

Two different dates are offered with a bonus add on class for wet felting. Class cost is $40 and limited to 8 participants per class.

For more information and to RSVP:

https://www.mandytroxel.com/workshops