Gardening Classes

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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.

Container Gardening Do’s and Don’ts

Presenter: Marianne Binetti, author, NW horticultural expert, syndicated columnist, TV and radio host

Don’t have a ton of space to garden? Want to liven up your porch or deck?  Popular gardening educator Marianne Binetti will share her tricks for growing glorious gardens in compact containers.  Learn the most sustainable ways to fertilize, water, and design with containers.

Saturday, May 27th
1 – 2 pm
To register: Email events@molbaks.com
Location: Molbak’s Garden + Home
13625 NE 175th St.
Woodinville, WA 98072

Four Seasons of Color: The Year-Round Garden  

Presenter: Marianne Binetti, author, NW horticultural expert, syndicated columnist, TV and radio host

Learn design and planting tips to make your landscape attractive all year long. You will learn secrets for less maintenance and more color suing garden art and structures with ideas from show gardens from around the world.  

Wednesday, May 31st
6:30 – 8 pm 
To Register: Email customerservice@northcitywater.org or call (206) 362-8100  
Location: North City Water District 
1519 NE 177th St. 
Shoreline, WA 98155  

Plant this, not that!

Presenter: Marianne Binetti, author, NW horticultural expert, syndicated columnist, TV and radio host

Gardening in the PNW is full of challenges and opportunities! Wonder what plants thrive best in our climate? What “popular” plants turn out as troublemakers over time? Join Northwest horticultural expert and author, Marianne Binetti, for this informative class covering the best plant picks to help you avoid problems and common mistakes in creating beautiful gardens and landscapes.

Saturday, June 3rd
10 -11 am
To register: Email events@molbaks.com
Location: Molbak’s Garden + Home
13625 NE 175th St.
Woodinville, WA 98072

Automatic Sprinkler Systems: How to Water Your Yard and Garden Efficiently 

Presenter: Mark Guthrie, Landscape Water Conservation Program Manager at the Saving Water Partnership, ecoPRO Certified Sustainable Landscaper 

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, June 6th
4:30 – 6 pm
To register: email kcwd20@kcwd20.com or call (206) 243-3990
Location: King County Water District 20
12606 1st Ave S
Burien, WA 98168  

Thursday, June 15th
5:30 – 7 pm
To register: email kirstena@kcwd90.com or call (425) 255-9600
Location: King County Water District 90
15606 SE 128th St. 
Renton, WA 98059  

Gardening on the Dark Side: Made in the Shade Gardening Ideas 

Presenter: Marianne Binetti, author, NW horticultural expert, syndicated columnist, TV and radio host

Garden ideas for the shade will light up your landscape with ideas for growing shade loving shrubs that glow with golden foliage, slug and deer resistant perennials for summer color under trees and includes tips for a lawn or lawn substitute in the shady areas of your garden. The recommended plants and ideas will also be part of an “Unthirsty Garden” so you won’t be spending the summer dragging a hose around.  

Thursday, July 13th
5:30-7 pm
To register: email kirstena@kcwd90.com or call (425) 255-9600
To participate: join online via Zoom or in-person at our watch party
Watch party location: King County Water District 90
15606 SE 128th St. 
Renton, WA 98059 

Drought Recovery and Developing a Resilient Landscape 

Presenter: Ladd Smith, co-owner of In Harmony Sustainable Landscapes 

Use fall and winter to prepare for spring gardening! Ladd Smith will teach fall gardening practices that will help your garden recover from the summer heat and stress.  These methods will also minimize spring gardening labor, such as creating healthy soil, planting to take advantage of the fall and winter rains, directing storm water in the winter for garden use, and getting rid of pests using non-pesticide options. 

Wednesday, August 16th
5:30 – 7 pm
To register: email kirstena@kcwd90.com or call (425) 255-9600
Location: King County Water District 90
15606 SE 128th St. 
Renton, WA 98059 

Favorite Northwest Natives 

Presenter: Greg Rabourn, educator and radio personality 

Native plants adapted to our soil and climate solve many landscape woes—less watering, less need for pesticides and fertilizers, and less chance of introduction and spread of invasive species. They also attract valuable native wildlife. You’ll come away with design tips and species recommendations to make your own northwest native haven. Discover just how beautiful, sustainable, and low-maintenance gardening can be with native plants! 

Thursday, September 14th
6:30 – 8 pm
To Register: email customerservice@northcitywater.org or call (206) 362-8100  
Location: North City Water District 
1519 NE 177th St. 
Shoreline, WA 98155  

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! Ladd will teach fall natural yard care techniques that will ease your spring labor. Learn what to do if you have poor soil, how to improve your soil with mulch, the benefits of trees and native plants, and the best practices for planting in the fall.

Tuesday, September 19th
4:30 – 6 pm
To register: email kcwd20@kcwd20.com or call (206) 243-3990
Location: King County Water District 20
12606 1st Ave S
Burien, WA 98168