Biweekly Update for January 13, 2026
- Brenda Bye
- Jan 13
- 7 min read
President’s Message
Happy New Year, BCMGA Master Gardeners!
This is the first of many letters I will write to you as president of our association in 2026. For those Master Gardeners I haven’t yet met, here’s a little bit of information about me: I completed my Master Gardener training in 2023, and yes, I do feel like I’m still running to catch up! I grew up in a rural town of about 8,000 people in western PA and moved to Portland when I was 18. My husband and I moved south to the Bay Area 16 years later, where we raised our son, before relocating to beautiful Corvallis during the pandemic. I’m a partially retired healthcare writer and editor. And I’ve been an avid backyard gardener for decades. I hope to serve the association well while learning lots more about gardening during my tenure as president.
One of the things I love most about being a Master Gardener is the impressive array of educational opportunities offered by BCMGA just when I want them most—in the quiet of winter. This year is no exception—by the end of February BCMGA members can easily fulfill our continuing education hours via the following main events:
Doug Tallamy talk. Treasurer Janet Magedanz has worked diligently to bring Doug Tallamy to the CH2M Hill Alumni Center on January 24. An entomologist, ecologist, and conservationist, Professor Tallamy is a cofounder of Homegrown National Parks and the author of several books, including “Nature’s Best Hope.” He’ll be speaking about how we can all make a difference in helping to restore and protect nature through the choices we make in our own landscapes.
Gearing Up for Gardening takes place at the public library from noon to 1 pm every Tuesday in January and February. It is a free lecture series sponsored by BCMGA. Chair Cheryl Stratton has created a dynamic list of topics and speakers this year. Over the next few weeks, you can learn all about hosting Blue Orchard Mason bees, as well as upping your gardening game with mulches.
Registration opened earlier this month for Insights into Gardening, a 1-day conference on February 7 that provides classes, practical gardening advice, camaraderie, and inspiration for new and experienced gardeners. Chairs Lynne Trimpe and Jana Tindall, along with the Insights committee, have curated 16 class options, all taught by local experts. This incredibly well-organized conference also features exhibitors, a bookstore, and raffle. And did someone say cookies?!
Bear in mind, too, that our monthly membership meetings, under the helm of Vice Presidents Laura Horsey and Christine Welsch, are another way to earn education credits throughout the year. The meetings, usually held on the third Monday evening of the month, feature guest speakers and an opportunity to get to know your fellow master gardeners. The first membership meeting of 2026 takes place in February.
And last, four 2026 Public Seed Library Presentations, a collaborative effort between the Benton County Public Library and the Corvallis Sustainability Coalition, take place on Thursday afternoons at the library in January and February. Spearheaded, organized and run by Master Gardener Jill Farrow, the presentations this year are eligible for BCMGA continuing education credits.
Phew—an astoundingly impressive lineup! Thank you to all who put in so much work to make these events happen. I hope to see you at one or more of the BCMGA events taking place throughout the remainder of winter. If you see me, introduce yourself!
Jill Lodwig, BCMGA President
BCMGA Association Activities
✏️ How Can I Help? How We Can Save Nature in Our Own Yards
A Talk by Dr. Doug Tallamy
Author, Entomologist, and Professor, University of Delaware
Learn simple, effective steps to help restore and protect nature through the choices we make in our own landscapes with acclaimed author and entomologist Dr. Doug Tallamy, founder of Homegrown National Park.
You’ll Learn:
Creating wildlife-friendly habitat
Why native plants and keystone species matter
How insects and plants support healthy bird populations
Event Details:
Saturday, Jan. 24, 1–2 p.m. (doors open noon; book signing follows)
CH2M Hill Alumni Center, 725 SW 26th St., Corvallis
Tickets: $20 advance | $25 at the door | All are welcome
Get tickets: www.bentonmg.org/doug-tallamy
Questions: bcmgatallamy@gmail.com
✏️ CGET Planning Meeting. You are encouraged to attend the upcoming CGET planning meeting to select this year's garden education events. This committee is vital to our Master Gardener mission of spreading evidence based garden knowledge in our community. Plus the activities are just as much for for the Master Gardeners as the public who attend.
Thursday January 13, 2026 at 6PM
Reach out to CGET Chair, Lauren McQuade for a Zoom invite
✏️ Insights into Gardening Conference – Saturday, February 7, 2026
Join us for the 35th Annual Insights into Gardening Conference! This is BCMGA’s premier educational event, offering 16 diverse classes designed for gardeners of all experience levels. Attendees can earn Continuing Education hours while exploring a variety of topics. We have exciting local exhibitors, a bookstore and raffle.
Location: LaSells Stewart Center, OSU Campus
Cost: $45 with optional $17 lunch. Parking is free on Saturday.
Volunteers are essential for making this event go smoothly. Please consider pitching in to bake cookies, monitor doors, or assist with cleanup. There’s a role for everyone. Sign up via Signup Genius.
Questions about volunteering? Contact Susan Hoffman at shoff@peak.org or text/call 541-602-4504. Leave a message and she will get back to you.
Continuing Education Opportunities
These are approved by OSU Extension for CE Credit
✏️ Gearing Up for Gardening 2026 - These free events are co-sponsored by the Benton County Master Gardener Association and the Corvallis-Benton County Public Library.
Where: Benton County Public Library
When: Tuesdays in January and February from 12 to 1 PM
January 20, 2026 from 12:00 to 1:00 PM
Mulch Matters: Beyond Bark
Signe Danler from OSU Extension and Benton Master Gardener. Learn everything you want to know about garden mulch.
January 27, 2026 from 12:00 to 1:00 PM
Perennials are Us!
With Shay Bogan with Peoria Gardens Inc. Learn more about old favorites and new and interesting plants.
✏️ 2026 Public Seed Library Lecture Series - PSL is a collaborative project of the Corvallis Sustainability Coalition and the Benton County Public Library with educational support from BCMGA. For details please reach out to Jill Farrow.
January 22, 2026 from 1:00 to 2:30 PM
Legumes: Food for the Body, the Spirit, and the Soil
Garden educator Darren Morgan of Shonnard’s Nursery shares practical tips and insights for growing edible and ornamental beans and peas that also improve the soil.
January 29, 2026 from 1:00 to 2:30 PM
Helping Mason and Native Bees Thrive in Your Garden
Presented by Linn County Master Gardeners Pollinator experts will teach you about managing mason bees as well as gardening for native ground nesting bees.
February 12, 2026 from 1:00 to 2:30 PM
Growing Greens Through Four Seasons
Learn from Master Gardener Janet Throop how to grow a variety of greens throughout the year.
February 19, 2026 from 1:00 to 2:30 PM
Plants to Attract Birds to Your Garden
Darren Morgan of Shonnards will teach you how to tailor your garden ecosystem to welcome birds with food and shelter using a variety of trees, shrubs and flowers.
Volunteer Opportunities
These activities are approved by OSU Extension for volunteer hours
✏️ Public Seed Library Volunteer Opportunities are now posted. In addition to the lectures mentioned above the seed library also hosts vegetable clinic table sessions and seed sharing events. They also need help keeping their inventory stocked.
Pop-Up Veg Garden Clinic - Sign up here
Seed Sharing Table - Sign up here
Seed Rack Stocking - Sign up here
✏️ Planning to take cuttings or divide your houseplants this winter? The BCMGA Plant Sale welcomes donations of houseplants for our May sale! All donated plants must be healthy, robust, and free of pests and disease. Spindly or overgrown plants do not sell well.
If you have houseplants you’re willing to donate to the Houseplant Sale area that weekend, please contact Lisa Borgerson by mid-April with the name(s) of your plants. Lisa manages our inventory and will let you know whether your plant is a good fit for the sale. At this time, we do not need additional jade plants or Christmas cactus. Need pots or soil? Contact Leslie Hauser.
✏️ 2026 Plant Desk Sign Up Has Been Posted - Shifts at the Extension Office help desk are open, morning and afternoon on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The slower winter season makes an excellent time to read in our library, practice working with the microscope, or getting refresher training on aspects you’d like to know better. Please sign up when you can! 2026 Signup Genius
Extension News
✏️ Volunteer Hub troubles? Office Specialist, Laurie Gibson has put together a guide for completing your yearly OSU Extension paperwork and background check. The guide was included as an attachment with the newsletter.
If you have additional questions you can reach Laurie at laurie.gibson@oregonstate.edu
✏️ The application for the 2026 Master Gardener Training is open until January 26! Please share this information with other gardeners who are passionate about learning and sharing their garden know-how.
Application link: https://beav.es/LBMGAPP2026
✏️ Extended Trainees: Know someone who didn’t finish the training but would like to, please reach out to Otillia Schreuder to get put on the extended trainee interest list. If you know
someone with additional questions, please reach out to Otillia Schreuder at
✏️ Committee Fair: Committee fair on April 12 from 6:00 pm- 8:00 pm at the Benton County Extension Office Sunset Room. It is open to trainees and returning Master Gardeners. If you have a committee and you would like to be present, put it on your calendar. Information for how to get involved will come out soon.
✏️ Benton County Social will be on June 2 from 6:00 pm- 8:00 pm at the Benton County Extension Office Sunset Room. The social will be open to both trainees and returning Master Gardeners. Information for how to get involved will come out soon.
✏️ General Knowledge Class: The general knowledge classes for trainees will be open to both trainees and returning Master Gardeners. Information will come out soon.
✏️ Community Events and News
These activities are not sponsored by BCMGA but are of possible interest to members
✏️Corvallis Sustainability Coalition is our community partner with the Public Seed Library. This group also has informational lectures and social activities monthly. This month includes lectures about Jackson-Fraizer Wetland as well as Riparian Vegetation Management. To learn more see their Calendar and website.
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