The Lewis-Clark Valley has a growing season of over 200 days. Home gardeners and local commercial enterprises take advantage of the extended growing season in a variety of horticultural interests. A wide range of gardening inquiries are answered annually concerning plant variety selection, culture, husbandry, and pest control by our master gardeners and horticulture staff. The UI/Nez Perce County Extension Horticultural Advisory Committee plays a pivotal role in identifying and prioritizing programming, classes, and seminars to meet the educational needs of the community.
Plant Clinic
One of the best places to get common-sense answers for your gardening questions is the Plant Clinic, which operates during the growing season beginning the first week of May. Drop by the Plant Clinic on Tuesdays between 9:00am and 11:30am at the University of Idaho/Nez Perce County Extension Office, 1239 Idaho Street, Lewiston, Idaho.
Horticulture Sample Submission Guidelines
Soil Sample Submission Guidelines--"How to take a soil sample"
Master Gardener Program
The University of Idaho Master Gardener Program is an educational opportunity designed to meet the gardening information needs of the community. The program's purpose is to more effectively extend technical assistance and provide information in the areas of home horticulture to people within the community through the use of qualified volunteers.
Individuals who are interested in becoming Master Gardener volunteers must have the enthusiasm, commitment and time to volunteer; enjoy working with plants and people of all ages; a strong interest in horticulture or home gardening; and be willing to communicate and share knowledge effectively with others.
DIY: Gardening
Each month a different gardening topic will be explored, including when and how to incorporate it into your own garden! (Do it yourself!)
June 16th -- Beneficial Insects/Pest Control
A hands-on fieldtrip in the garden with Dr. Ed Bechinski
August 18th -- Root Cellaring/Food Preservation
September 15th -- Season Extension
October 20th -- Growing Garlic
All classes will be held on Saturdays’ from 10 am –noon in the NPC Extension office, 1239 Idaho Street, Lewiston, Idaho, unless otherwise noted. Additional hands-on and fieldtrips may be available! For pre-registration or more information, call 208-799-3096 or email to
UI/Nez Perce County Extension.
"How Things Grow" Orchard's Elementary Pumpkin Project
In early spring Lewiston Orchards Elementary 4th graders learn “How Things Grow” by participating in the University of Idaho Extension
Pumpkin Project.
The students make their own seed-starting pots from recycled newspaper and care for pumpkin transplants from seed to the pumpkin patch. The 4th graders track the growth of both their seeds and themselves by making daily observations and journal entries about their observations. In late spring, students spend half a day at the Osborn Community Garden located within the boundaries of Modie Park. Students receive a park tour including the green roof structure, butterfly garden, and fitness walking path before ending their tour by transplanting their seedlings into the pumpkin patch.
As 5th graders, the students return to the pumpkin patch and harvest their pumpkins in early November then decorate and donate them to the Lewis-Clark State College, Latina Sorority
“Save the Pumpkin” community event. Orchard’s 5th graders and their families are invited to take part in the event, where pumpkin and apple pies are made from scratch for distribution to the community via local food banks, meals-on-wheels programs, and at senior meal sites.
The
Pumpkin Project program ends with the 5th grade students sharing pies they made from pumpkins they grew and telling their "pumpkin story” to local elders at the Orchard’s Senior Meal site.
Click here for more information on the
Pumpkin Project
Click here to learn more about
"Save the Pumpkin" and how to get involved
Xeriscape Garden
A low water use demonstration garden is located next to the Nez Perce County Extension office in Lewiston, Idaho. The garden’s purpose is to demonstrate traditional and alternative means of landscaping with low water use and drought tolerant plants. A plant list is available at the extension office or by
clicking here.
Modie Park Conservancy
Ruth Rowell Modie Wildlife Park
Ruth Rowell Modie Park is a green belt approximately one half mile long between 8th Street and 14th Street and between 18th and Vineyard Avenues in Lewiston, Idaho. Landmarks on 8th Street are the Idaho State Veterans’ Home parking lot and Osborns’ Vineyards.
Backyard Harvest
Share the harvest—When all your wonderful gardening efforts start producing more than you can use or preserve, consider donating the excess to your local food bank, soup kitchen, or service organization to help feed America’s hungry
