Woodinville Gardening Seminars and Master Gardener Clinics at the Water District

The , in  partnership with the WSU Extension King County Master Gardener Program, the Saving Water Partnership and Cascade Water Alliance, is offering a series of free seminars to inform local gardeners on varieties of plants that can grow here in Woodinville, and still save water.

Starting on April 21, the seminars will be held at Woodinville Water District, from 10 – 11:30 a.m. Master gardeners will be on hand for a half hour before and after each seminar to answer gardening questions.  Attendance for the seminars is free, but pre-registration is necessary due to space limitations. 

The idea of the seminars grew from a 1992 drought when Seattle Public Utilities, the agency that supplies water to the local water district, implemented mandatory watering restrictions. That didn’t sit well with local gardeners who said they had moved to Woodinville for the large lots enabling them to have large gardens and lawn, so the district started the seminars to help local gardeners save water while still having lush landscapes.

Here is the seminar schedule for Woodinville:

APRIL 21: 10 – 11:30 a.m.

Sustainable Veggie Gardening

Speaker: Emily Bishton, Landscape Designer and Environmental Educator

Growing your own organic food is a fun and delicious way to garden in the Pacific Northwest. Vegetables, berries, and fruit trees need special care to thrive, but your time and effort will pay off with great tasting, nutritious home-grown food. Best of all, food crops can be incorporated into any landscape, large or small! This class will teach you how to make your yard produce great food for you and your family.

MAY 19: 10: – 11:30 a.m.

The Dirt on Dirt

Speaker: Meghan Fuller, Horticulturalist and Landscape Designer

Healthy, beautiful, long-lived plants are the result of healthy soil. Attendees will learn everything they need to know about soil to create an environment where plants will thrive. The class will cover what soil is made of, what lives in healthy soil, the importance of pore space, soil tests, and how to use mulch to improve and protect your soil, while conserving water.

JUNE 16: 10 – 11:30 a.m.

Drip Irrigation 101 – Easy, Cheap & Your Garden Will Love It!

Speaker: Susie Egan, Owner of Cottage Lake Gardens, Master Gardener

Drip irrigation can be 50% more efficient than a regular sprinkler system. This class will teach you how to install a simple, inexpensive drip system without electrical wiring or the need for a professional. Plus, all the components are available at your local hardware or home improvement store. Your plants will be healthier with drip, and you won’t have to worry about dragging around hoses, turning on sprinklers or having your water bill break the bank.

 JULY 21: 10 – 11:30 a.m.

Drought Tolerant Beauties for Sunny Spots

Speaker: Peggy Campbell, Horticulturalist

Switch to sun-loving plants that can tough it out with little water beyond rainfall. Learn how to choose the right plant for the right place and get them off to a good start. Discover ideas for beautiful, trouble-free plants that thrive naturally without irrigation – saving you time and money.

AUGUST 18: 10 – 11:30 a.m.

Title: Natural Yard Care

Speaker: Ladd Smith, Co-Owner of In Harmony or Graham Haroldson, In Harmony

By working with Mother Nature, you can have a great looking landscape that’s easier to care for and healthier for families, pets, wildlife, and our great Northwest environment. Come learn what Natural Yard Care is all about and how to create a healthy, beautiful yard.

ALL SEMINARS WILL BE HELD AT:

17238 NE Woodinville-Duvall Rd, Woodinville, WA 98072

Seminars and Master Gardener Clinic in Building A

TO REGISTER:

All classes are FREE, but there is a room size limit and registration is required. Go to http://savingwater.org/savvygardenerclasses.htm where you will see the class listings and a link to register.