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. Early registration is recommended as many classes fill up fast.
Small-Space Food Gardening
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.
Date: Saturday, March 15
Time: 2 – 3:30 pm
Location: West Seattle Nursery and Garden Center
Presenter: Alex Soleil, Tilth Alliance
To register: sign up online
Questions? Email info@westseattlenursery.com or call (206) 935-9276
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Drip Irrigation for Home Gardeners
Learn how easy it is to water your garden with water-efficient drip irrigation! Even though our Pacific Northwest maritime climate is known for its rain, our summers are not. We still need to water our crops, thirsty ornamentals, and container gardens. Be smart with your resources and learn how to maximize the water you use in your landscape.
Date: Sunday, March 23
Time: 1 – 2:30 pm
Location: West Seattle Nursery and Garden Center
Presenter: Chris Hoffer, Tilth Alliance
To register: sign up online
Questions? Email info@westseattlenursery.com or call (206) 935-9276
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Sustainable Gardening: A Better Way to Beautiful!
It’s possible! Enjoy a healthier garden with easy-care plants, fewer weeds, and less watering– without all the chemicals! Gardening expert Peggy Campbell provides successful techniques and practical tips for transitioning your garden to a sustainable one, while helping you discover how to select plants that will thrive for you.
Date: Wednesday, April 2
Time: 6:30 – 8 pm
Location: North City Water District
Presenter: Peggy Campbell, horticulturist
To register: Email customerservice@northcitywater.org or call (206) 362-8100
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Automatic Sprinkler Systems – How to Water Your Yard and Garden Efficiently
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 Efficiency 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 water meter to check for leaks.
Date: Wednesday, April 9
Time: 6 – 7:30 pm
Location: Join via Zoom link that will be sent after you register
Presenter: Mark Guthrie, Landscape Water Efficiency Program Manager for the Saving Water Partnership, ecoPRO Certified Landscape Professional, and Certified Landscape Irrigation Auditor
To register: Sign up online
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Incredible Edibles: Grow Your Own!
Growing your own food is fun and delicious! It can be a great way to connect with nature and to enjoy healthy, organic produce that is good for you and the environment. In this class, we’ll go over the basics of organic vegetable gardening and share tips for how to get an abundant harvest while also conserving water. This class will include an interactive lecture with a slideshow, and time for questions and answers.
Date: Thursday, April 24
Time: 6 – 7:30 pm
Location: Join via Zoom link that will be sent after you register
Presenter: Marni Sorin, educator for Tilth Alliance, dedicated expert in sustainable and organic food gardening
To register: Email kirstena@kcwd90.com or call (425) 255-9600
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Composting and Amendments the Natural Way
Just like us, gardens need food to thrive, and the best nutrition feeds both plants and the soil. Compost and organic amendments in the garden are the tried-and-true way to do this but cover crops and garden residues also offer valuable nourishment. This class explores how to best use compost, amendments, and so-called garden “waste” to meet the nutritional needs of your soil and your plants. We’ll cover tips for building better compost, the pros and cons of organic materials in your own backyard, and natural solutions to maximize garden nourishment.
Date: Wednesday, May 7
Time: 6 – 7:30 pm
Location: Renton Community Center, Room A
Presenter: Ea Murphy, soil scientist and author
To register: Sign up online using the course ID 24642
Questions? Email Lauren at limhoff@rentonwa.gov or call (425) 430-7287
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Attracting Bees and Butterflies to Your Garden
Learn the small steps you can take to bring more wildlife to your yard. Butterflies, bees, and birds bring movement, color, and pollination qualities to our gardens. Ladd will share which plants will attract these special creatures and how to care for them!
Date: Tuesday, May 13
Time: 6:30 – 8 pm
Location: North City Water District
Presenter: Ladd Smith, co-owner of In Harmony Sustainable Landscapes
To register: Email customerservice@northcitywater.org or call (206) 362-8100
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Attracting Bees and Butterflies to Your Garden
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.
Date: Wednesday, May 14
Time: 6 – 7 pm
Location: Join via Zoom link that will be sent after you register
Presenter: Ladd Smith, co-owner of In Harmony Sustainable Landscapes
To register: Email kirstena@kcwd90.com or call (425) 255-9600
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Incredible Edibles: Grow Your Own!
Growing your own food is fun and delicious! It can be a great way to connect with nature and to enjoy healthy, organic produce that is good for you and the environment. In this class, we’ll go over the basics of organic vegetable gardening and share tips for how to get an abundant harvest while also conserving water. This class will include an interactive lecture with a slideshow, and time for questions and answers.
Date: Wednesday, May 21
Time: 6 – 7:30 pm
Location: Join via Zoom link that will be sent after you register
Presenter: Marni Sorin, educator for Tilth Alliance, dedicated experts in sustainable and organic food gardening.
To register: Sign up online using the course ID 24650
Questions? Email Lauren at limhoff@rentonwa.gov or call (425) 430-7287
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Top 10 Eco-Gardening Hacks
This class will cover the top 10 issues that PNW gardeners face and their simple solutions or “hacks.” We’ll discuss topics such as problem weeds, watering techniques, easy edibles, common bugs, and how to make the most of your garden. If you take care of your garden, it will take care of you!
Date: Tuesday, June 3
Time: 6 – 7:30 pm
Location: Join via Zoom link that will be sent after you register
Presenter: Jessi Bloom, best-selling author and owner/lead designer of NW Bloom EcoLogical Landscapes
To register: Sign up online using the course ID 24652
Questions? Email Lauren at limhoff@rentonwa.gov or call (425) 430-7287
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Knockout Gardens: Winning the War on Water Use with Great Plants and Techniques
Get inspired by plants that make a knockout statement when grown together. Learn how to create stunning plant marriages; how to use short plants to support taller specimens to avoid stakes or ties; and how to use trees and large shrubs already in your landscape as focal points to create gardens with seasonal interest that will knock your socks off.
Date: Wednesday, June 4
Time: 6:30 – 8 pm
Location: North City Water District
Presenter: Marianne Binetti, author, NW horticultural expert, syndicated columnist, TV and radio host
To register: Email customerservice@northcitywater.org or call (206) 362-8100
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Top 10 Eco-Gardening Hacks
This class will cover the top 10 issues that PNW gardeners face and their simple solutions or “hacks.” We’ll discuss topics such as problem weeds, watering techniques, easy edibles, common bugs, and how to make the most of your garden. If you take care of your garden, it will take care of you!
Date: Thursday, June 12
Time: 6 – 7 pm
Location: Join via Zoom link that will be sent after you register
Presenter: Jessi Bloom, best-selling author and owner/lead designer of N.W. Bloom EcoLogical Landscapes
To register: Email kirstena@kcwd90.com or call (425) 255-9600
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Container Gardening Do’s and Don’ts
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.
Date: Wednesday, June 25
Time: 6:30 – 8 pm
Location: Join via Zoom link that will be sent after you register
Presenter: Marianne Binetti, author, NW horticultural expert, syndicated columnist, and TV and radio host
To register: Email kirstena@kcwd90.com or call (425) 255-9600
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For other local class offerings, please click on the following links:
