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.
Online classes
In response to Gov. Inslee’s Stay Home, Stay Healthy order we are offering some gardening classes online.
Attracting bees and butterflies to your garden
Presenter: Ladd Smith, co-owner of In Harmony Sustainable Landscapes
Come learn the small footsteps you can take to bring more wildlife to your yard. Butterflies, bees and birds bring movement, color and pollination qualities to our gardens. Along with learning how easy it is to make a big difference in your garden, you will be given plant lists that attract these special creatures. Also, attracting specific bird types and their needs will be discussed.
Tuesday, May 19
6:30 – 8:00 pm
To register and receive a link to join the class, call (425) 430-7287 or email limhoff@rentonwa.gov
Hosted by: City of Renton
Location: Online via Zoom meeting
Less work, better gardens the natural way
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.
Wednesday, May 27
6:30 – 8:00 pm
To register and receive a link to join the class, call (425) 430-7287 or email limhoff@rentonwa.gov
Hosted by: City of Renton
Location: Online via Zoom meeting
Thursday, June 11
5:00 – 6:30 pm
To register and receive a link to join the class, call 425-255-9600 or email info@kcwd90.com
Hosted by: King County Water District 90
Location: Online via Zoom meeting
Sustainable garden design
Presenter: Emily Bishton, Landscape designer and environmental educator
Do you have a wish list of activities you would like to be able to do in your garden such as growing food, dining, attracting wildlife, improving the view, screening utility poles and traffic, or increasing your outdoor storage space? Consider using low-maintenance sustainable design methods. Emily Bishton will provide step-by-step approaches to analyze existing garden conditions such as sun, soil, water, and human elements, and turn your project into a beautiful low-maintenance landscape that meets your needs!
Thursday, July 16
5:00 – 6:30 pm
To register and receive a link to join the class, call 425-255-9600 or email info@kcwd90.com
Hosted by: King County Water District 90
Location: Online via Zoom meeting
About Zoom
Attending a class using Zoom is easy and free. On the day of the class, check your email (and your spam filter too, just in case) for an email containing a link to join the class.
Using a desktop computer, laptop, or tablet click the “Join Zoom Meeting” link just before the class start time. We will open the class 15 minutes early to allow for any last minute technical adjustments.
You will be able to see and hear the presenter and a slide show. Attendees will be able to ask questions through the chat feature but will not be able to share audio or video.
In-person classes
Water smart gardening
Presenter: Jessi Bloom, best-selling author and owner/lead designer of N.W. Bloom EcoLogical Landscapes
Smart watering can mean using nature to water your garden! Gardening in the Pacific Northwest presents many water related challenges – from too much stormwater and drainage problems to several months of drought. Join Jessi Bloom to learn the basics of rain gardens, rain collection, drainage solutions, and great plants for every garden.
Thursday, October 8
6:30 – 8:00 pm
To register, call (206) 362-8100 or email theresah@northcitywater.org
Location: North City Water District, 1519 NE 177th St., Shoreline, WA 98155
Four seasons of color: the year-round garden
Presenter: Marianne Binetti, author and NW horticultural expert
Learn design and planting tips to make your landscape attractive all year long. You will learn secrets for less maintenance and more color using garden art and structures with ideas from show gardens from around the world.
Thursday, September 3
5:00 – 6:30 pm
To register, call (425) 255-9600 or email info@kcwd90.com
Location: King County Water District 90, 15606 SE 128th St., Renton, WA 98059