The Saving Water Partnership sponsors free gardening classes in the spring and fall to help you create and maintain beautiful, healthy landscapes that use water wisely. Please use the contact information provided for each class to register. Early registration is recommended as many classes fill up fast.
Automatic sprinkler systems: how to water your yard and garden efficiently
Presenter: Mark Guthrie, conservation program manager with the Saving Water Partnership
Have an in-ground irrigation system? Thinking about installing one? Do you want to reduce your water bill while maintaining a beautiful garden and landscape? Mark Guthrie, Landscape Water Conservation Program Manager for the Saving Water Partnership, will explain how you can make your irrigation system more efficient and use less water. Topics include how to set your irrigation timer, choosing the best irrigation equipment for watering plants, and how to use your meter to look for leaks.
Tuesday, May 24
5 – 6:30 pm
To register: call (425) 255-9600 or email info@kcwd90.com
Location: King County Water District No. 90
15606 SE 128th St
Renton, WA 98059
Small-space food gardening
ONLINE CLASS
Presenter: Marni Sorin, educator with the Tilth Alliance
Grow your own healthy, organic food in small spaces suited to your landscape. Container gardening is great for beginners, apartment dwellers, and anyone looking to add extra space or variety to their garden. This class will teach you how to grow herbs, small fruits, and summer veggies. This class includes how to choose the right container, where to put it, soil prep, and maintenance.
Tuesday, May 31
6 – 7:30 pm
To register: call 425-430-7287, or email limhoff@rentonwa.gov
Location: The class is virtual. A link to the class will be sent out by email on the day of the class. Hosted by City of Renton.
Small-space food gardening
Presenter: Marni Sorin, educator with the Tilth Alliance
Grow your own healthy, organic food in small spaces suited to your landscape. Container gardening is great for beginners, apartment dwellers, and anyone looking to add extra space or variety to their garden. This class will teach you how to grow herbs, small fruits, and summer veggies. This class includes how to choose the right container, where to put it, soil prep, and maintenance.
Tuesday, June 14
5 – 6:30 pm
To register: call (425) 255-9600 or email info@kcwd90.com
Location: King County Water District No. 90
15606 SE 128th St
Renton, WA 98059
Weed wars: winning the battle without chemical warfare
Presenter: Marianne Binetti, author and Pacific Northwest horticultural expert
During this entertaining class you will learn that there are many ways to control unwanted plants in your garden without resorting to herbicide sprays as a first choice. Mulches, ground covers, hand tools, native plants are just some of the ideas that will be covered with a lighthearted and fun way of looking at volunteer plants. Included will be warnings of some plants not to plant that can become invasive, some weeds to just learn to love and some weeds that are so noxious they must be eradicated immediately. The goal is to arm the gardener with different ideas, tools and attitudes about those unwanted weeds in your outdoor space.
Thursday, June 23
6:30 – 8 pm
To register: call (206) 362-8100 or community@northcitywater.org
Location: North City Water District
1519 NE 177th St.
Shoreline, WA 98155
Proven tips and techniques for first-time gardeners
ONLINE CLASS
Presenter: Peggy Campbell, horticulturist
Get started with simple and fun tips for a beautiful, sustainable and low-maintenance garden. Peggy shares basic techniques that are easy on you and the environment. Discover how to keep weeds out, pests at bay, water use low, and have color year-round.
Tuesday, June 28
5:30 – 7 pm
To register: call (425) 255-9600 or email info@kcwd90.com
Location: The class is virtual. A link to the class will be sent out by email on the day of the class. Hosted by King County Water District No. 90.
Less work, better gardens the natural way
ONLINE CLASS
Presenter: Ladd Smith, co-owner of In Harmony Sustainable Landscapes
Come learn how you can become a more successful gardener and do it with less work. Your garden will be more beautiful, and you will have more joy in it when you learn how to work with Mother Nature. Building healthy soils, watering the right amount and other natural yard care topics will be covered.
Tuesday, July 12th
6 to 7:30 pm
To register: fill out this online form, call (206) 684-5955, or email mark.guthrie@seattle.gov
Location: The class is virtual. A link to the class will be sent out by email on the day of the class. Hosted by Northshore Utility District.
Fall and winter chores to make your spring gardening easier
Presenter: Ladd Smith, co-owner of In Harmony Sustainable Landscapes
The fall is the best time to prepare for the spring! Learn fall natural yard care techniques that will ease your spring labor, like soil preparation, mulching, and planting new plants.
Wednesday, September 7
5 – 6:30 pm
To register: call (425) 255-9600 or email info@kcwd90.com
Location: King County Water District No. 90
15606 SE 128th St
Renton, WA 98059
Thursday, September 22
6:30 – 8 pm
To register: call (206) 362-8100 or email community@northcitywater.org
Location: North City Water District
1519 NE 177th St
Shoreline, WA 98155