Master Gardeners are volunteers trained by Washington State University to provide free research-based, environmentally-friendly gardening information to the public.

South King County residents interested in becoming a Master Gardener are invited to an orientation meeting on Wednesday, August 13, at 7:00 p.m. at the Federal Way Library. The library is located at 34200 1st Way South in Federal Way.

Local Master Gardeners staff information booths at the Federal Way Farmers Market on Saturdays from 10:00 to 2:00 and the Auburn Farmers Market on Sundays from 10:00 to 3:00. They answer gardening questions, help select appropriate plants, identify plants and the insects and diseases that affect them, and provide recommendations on how to care for yards and gardens.

The King County Master Gardener program is popular and there are typically more applicants each year than there are spaces in the training class. Residents can enhance the chance of being accepted in the program by learning more about it before applying. The meeting will discuss what Master Gardeners do, the training available to them and what program coordinators look for in applicants. Applications for the 2015 King County Master Gardener class will be available.

For more information contact Joyce Harms, coordinator of the Federal Way/Auburn Master Gardener group, at 253-740-8260 or joyceharms@comcast.net.