Garden Planner

October 5
The Northwest Perennial Alliance hosts Dr. Magnus Lidén, director of Sweden’s Uppsala Botanic Garden and Linnaeus Garden, speaking at the University of Washington about Carl Linnaeus, who created the modern system of plant and animal classification. Tickets are $10. Details: (425) 647-6004.

October 6
The Western Washington Fruit Research Foundation’s Fall Field Day includes U-pick produce; information on preservation, storage, home wine and cider production; and an “espalier symposium” at the foundation’s display garden in Mount Vernon. Cost is $15. Details: (206) 789-1106.

October 6 & 7
Alpacas, horses, cattle, shellfish, lavender, rhododendrons and organic fruits and vegetables in the fields of about 20 island farms await public visitors on the Whidbey Island Farm Tour. Tour is free. Details: (360) 678-4708.

October 6, 7, 13, 14, 20 & 21
Molbak’s Fall Festival features a theatrical performance of “Little Red Riding Hood” and includes a non-perishable food drive to support Hope Link. Details: (425) 398-5138.

October 7
The Arboretum Foundation’s Fall Bulb and Plant Sale includes spring-blooming bulbs, ferns, hostas, perennials and other plants. Admission is free. Details: (206) 325-4510.

October 6–31
October Classes at Emery’s Garden include Bird Lover’s Weekend, Container Weekend and much more. Tickets are free. Details: (425) 743-4555.

October 10
Author and Hudson River Valley’s Loomis Creek Nursery manager Bob Hyland presents “Designing Borders for Sun and Shade” at the Center for Urban Horticulture. Tickets are $10. Details: (206) 780-8172 or northwesthort.org

October 13
Barbara Ogaard speaks on “Bats and Other Gothic Delights” at Swansons Nursery. Admission is free. Details: (206) 782-2543.

October 13 & 14
The Puget Sound Mycological Society’s Wild Mushroom Exhibit features more than 200 varieties, cooking demonstrations and mushroom-related books and gifts at the Center for Urban Horticulture. Admission is $7. Details: (206) 522-6031.

October 13 & 27
Garden-lifestyle retailer Smith & Hawken and Sunset Magazine present, “Bulb Forcing,” a seminar instructing on how you can get your bulbs blooming all year long. Admission is free. Details: (206) 985-8613.

October 14
Cass Turnbull, whose Plant Amnesty turns 20 this month, presents a slide-show lecture about “Five Easy Plants to Prune” at Warren G. Magnuson Park. Admission is $10. Details: (206) 783-9813.

October 20
The Central Puget Sound Chapter of the Washington Native Plant Society holds its fall Native Seed, Bulb and Plant Sale at Warren G. Magnuson Park. (206) 527-3210.

October 27
The Northwest Perennial Alliance hosts “Color, Texture and Light: Create the Wow Factor in Your Garden,” a symposium with garden professionals from Virginia, California and England, at Bastyr University in Kenmore. Registration is $100. Details: (425) 647-6004.

October 27 & 28
Make scarecrows, decorate pumpkins, get lost in the hay maze and race vegetable cars at Swansons Nursery’s fall festival. Suggested donation is $10. Details: (206) 782-2543.