Name: Official Northwest Flower & Garden Festival
Start: 0001-01-01
End: 0001-01-01
Location: Seattle Convention Center

February 19-23, 2025

Seattle Convention Center

705 Pike Street, Seattle, WA

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These courses are certified for Continuing Education credits via the Washington State Extension Master Gardener program

The Seminars by Category are listed in chronological order. Please check the Seminar Schedule for a full list of ALL our seminars. No ticket refunds for Speaker cancellation.

All seminars at the Northwest Flower & Garden Festival are FREE with your ticket!

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SEMINARS BY CATEGORY LIST

Pruning Trees: Professional Tools and Techniques Allen Taylor - Lead arborist and founder of Conservation Tree Care You might be surprised just how simple tree pruning can be. A small collection of quality tools allows for nearly endless possibilities when caring for your trees. In a market saturated with specialized pruning tools arborists tend to stick with the basics, hand snips, a hand saw, a couple pole tools, and an orchard ladder. The presentation will demonstrate techniques for making quality pruning cuts all while keeping yourself safe. Wednesday, February 19, 2025 / 10:00 AM / DIY Stage	Pruning Trees: Professional Tools and Techniques You might be surprised just how simple tree pruning can be. A small collection of quality tools allows for nearly endless possibilities when caring for your trees. In a market saturated with specialized pruning tools arborists tend to stick with the basics, hand snips, a hand saw, a couple pole tools, and an orchard ladder. The presentation will demonstrate techniques for making quality pruning cuts all while keeping yourself safe. Wednesday, February 19, 2025 10:00 AM
Disease and Death in the Garden: Pathological Musings from a Plant Doctor’s Perspective Jerry Weiland - PhD, plant pathologist at Oregon State University Just as every single human on this planet has gotten sick at one point or another, so has every single plant. Disease and death are a fact of life in our gardens whether we like it or not. But, what exactly are plant diseases and what can we do about them? Join Jerry as he discusses the causes of plant disease, the ecological role that disease plays in the environment, evaluating the impact of disease on plant health, as well as tips for minimizing disease in your own home garden. Wednesday, February 19, 2025 / 10:45 AM / Hood Room	Disease and Death in the Garden: Pathological Musings from a Plant Doctor’s Perspective Just as every single human on this planet has gotten sick at one point or another, so has every single plant. Disease and death are a fact of life in our gardens whether we like it or not. But, what exactly are plant diseases and what can we do about them? Join Jerry as he discusses the causes of plant disease, the ecological role that disease plays in the environment, evaluating the impact of disease on plant health, as well as tips for minimizing disease in your own home garden. Wednesday, February 19, 2025 10:45 AM
Magical Mixes Jacqueline van der Kloet - Author, landscape designer, "Bulb Queen of the Netherlands" Magical Mixes is the story of Jacqueline’s own trial garden in Weesp, a small city in The Netherlands, just east of Amsterdam. Here she has been experimenting with combinations of spring flowering bulbs for more than 30 years. Learn about spring bulb combos, examples of best (and easiest!) bulbs for naturalizing, the “lasagna system” for container plantings and a special, insider tour through her work at Keukenhof - the famous bulb garden of the Netherlands. Wednesday, February 19, 2025 / 11:30 AM / Rainier Room	Magical Mixes Magical Mixes is the story of Jacqueline’s own trial garden in Weesp, a small city in The Netherlands, just east of Amsterdam. Here she has been experimenting with combinations of spring flowering bulbs for more than 30 years. Learn about spring bulb combos, examples of best (and easiest!) bulbs for naturalizing, the “lasagna system” for container plantings and a special, insider tour through her work at Keukenhof - the famous bulb garden of the Netherlands. Wednesday, February 19, 2025 11:30 AM
Basic Propagation Ann M Amato - Horticulturist Much like cooking, the craft of propagation can be engaging, performative AND recipes are often used and, sometimes, altered. Come watch and learn more about this green thumb skillset from a professional propagator who’s propagated thousands of plants for regional nurseries we all know and love. From seeds to cuttings, spores to simple grafts, air layering to division—to answering questions about tissue culture—Ann has seen it all! Please bring your questions. Tools and techniques will be highlighted as well. Wednesday, February 19, 2025 / 11:45 AM / DIY Stage	Basic Propagation Much like cooking, the craft of propagation can be engaging, performative AND recipes are often used and, sometimes, altered. Come watch and learn more about this green thumb skillset from a professional propagator who’s propagated thousands of plants for regional nurseries we all know and love. From seeds to cuttings, spores to simple grafts, air layering to division—to answering questions about tissue culture—Ann has seen it all! Please bring your questions. Tools and techniques will be highlighted as well. Wednesday, February 19, 2025 11:45 AM
Great Plant Picks: Plants for Pollinators Richie Steffen - Executive Director for the Elisabeth C. Miller Botanical Garden Our gardens are built for beauty but serve as a resource for our regional wildlife. Our gardens can be a haven for honeybees and native pollinators with the addition of a varied and diverse selection of plants. Great Plant Picks (www.greatplantpicks.org ) is a regional resource that focuses on plants that thrive in our maritime Pacific Northwest climate. Learn about some of the best performing pollinator friendly plants that will flourish in your garden and how to create a space that encourages healthy pollinator populations. Wednesday, February 19, 2025 / 1:00 PM / Main Stage	Great Plant Picks: Plants for Pollinators Our gardens are built for beauty but serve as a resource for our regional wildlife. Our gardens can be a haven for honeybees and native pollinators with the addition of a varied and diverse selection of plants. Great Plant Picks (www.greatplantpicks.org ) is a regional resource that focuses on plants that thrive in our maritime Pacific Northwest climate. Learn about some of the best performing pollinator friendly plants that will flourish in your garden and how to create a space that encourages healthy pollinator populations. Wednesday, February 19, 2025 1:00 PM
Sun and Shade Perennials: I like it, I love it, I want more of it... Tony Avent - Author, owner Garden Delights Nursery What’s new, exciting - and sometimes overlooked- in the perennial world. New plants are entering the market at a pace comparable to the plant-mad Victorian era of the 1800s. Some new introductions make excellent garden plants, while others are overhyped duds. We’ll explore some of our favorites for both sun and shade from our garden trials. Wednesday, February 19, 2025 / 2:30 PM / Rainier Room	Sun and Shade Perennials: I like it, I love it, I want more of it... What’s new, exciting - and sometimes overlooked- in the perennial world. New plants are entering the market at a pace comparable to the plant-mad Victorian era of the 1800s. Some new introductions make excellent garden plants, while others are overhyped duds. We’ll explore some of our favorites for both sun and shade from our garden trials. Wednesday, February 19, 2025 2:30 PM
Designing with Deer-Resistant Flowers Karen Chapman - Author, landscape designer, travel guide & owner of Le Jardinet What does “deer resistance” really look like? It’s much more than just a shopping list. Join Karen Chapman to learn the concepts behind combining favorite deer-resistant flowers, perhaps with other plants you already have, to create artistic, multi-season vignettes that you’ll love but the deer won’t. With examples for both hot sunny areas and dry shade learn strategies to transform your garden into one you can be proud of but that the deer will leave alone. Wednesday, February 19, 2025 / 2:45 PM / Hood Room	Designing with Deer-Resistant Flowers What does “deer resistance” really look like? It’s much more than just a shopping list. Join Karen Chapman to learn the concepts behind combining favorite deer-resistant flowers, perhaps with other plants you already have, to create artistic, multi-season vignettes that you’ll love but the deer won’t. With examples for both hot sunny areas and dry shade learn strategies to transform your garden into one you can be proud of but that the deer will leave alone. Wednesday, February 19, 2025 2:45 PM
Get Bossy with Your Bulbs: Divide, Force, and Plant Successively for a Colorful, Bloom-filled Garden Sean and Allison McManus - Owners/hosts Spoken Garden, Authors The First Time Gardener Be the boss of your bulbs by learning how to divide them, force them to bloom early, and plant them successively. Take advantage of how bulbs reproduce in your garden and learn how to divide or separate bulbs like daffodils, tulips, dahlias, bearded iris, gladiolus, and more, so you can spread them around your garden, share them with friends or family, or create new container designs without spending money on more bulbs. Discover how to force your bulbs to bloom early to get a jump on the growing season. Also, learn which specific bulbs you can plant successively throughout the summer to have months of blooms. Wednesday, February 19, 2025 / 3:15 PM / DIY Stage	Get Bossy with Your Bulbs: Divide, Force, and Plant Successively for a Colorful, Bloom-filled Garden Be the boss of your bulbs by learning how to divide them, force them to bloom early, and plant them successively. Take advantage of how bulbs reproduce in your garden and learn how to divide or separate bulbs like daffodils, tulips, dahlias, bearded iris, gladiolus, and more, so you can spread them around your garden, share them with friends or family, or create new container designs without spending money on more bulbs. Discover how to force your bulbs to bloom early to get a jump on the growing season. Also, learn which specific bulbs you can plant successively throughout the summer to have months of blooms. Wednesday, February 19, 2025 3:15 PM
Small Space Solutions with Epic Gardening: Trellis Tricks Wendi Phan - Founder It's Wendiland on social media Join the team from Epic Gardening and their friends for a daily dose of Small Space Solutions. Each day at 4pm on the Main Stage, tips and tricks will be provided to gardeners working with limited gardening space. From growing your own groceries to grow bags to trellising, smart seed starting for smaller plants to containers that go-go-go... join this fun, interactive session daily and enjoy new ideas and insights from the experts at Epic Gardening! Wednesday, February 19, 2025 / 4:00 PM / Main Stage	Small Space Solutions with Epic Gardening: Trellis Tricks Join the team from Epic Gardening and their friends for a daily dose of Small Space Solutions. Each day at 4pm on the Main Stage, tips and tricks will be provided to gardeners working with limited gardening space. From growing your own groceries to grow bags to trellising, smart seed starting for smaller plants to containers that go-go-go... join this fun, interactive session daily and enjoy new ideas and insights from the experts at Epic Gardening! Wednesday, February 19, 2025 4:00 PM
How to Become a Resilient Gardener Kim Stoddart - Award-winning UK journalist and authority on resilient gardening. Editor Amateur Gardening magazine. Resilience in the garden is as much about the gardener's inner approach to it as nurturing plants in a new reality. Join resilient garden expert, Kim Stoddard, for all the how-to's for your garden and your heart as we, as humans, navigate this shift in our world and our gardens. Wednesday, February 19, 2025 / 4:00 PM / Hood Room	How to Become a Resilient Gardener Resilience in the garden is as much about the gardener's inner approach to it as nurturing plants in a new reality. Join resilient garden expert, Kim Stoddard, for all the how-to's for your garden and your heart as we, as humans, navigate this shift in our world and our gardens. Wednesday, February 19, 2025 4:00 PM
Alternative Orchid Growing Techniques Joseph J Grienauer - Owner Emerald City Orchids This session will start with standard practices for orchid growing in pots and quickly move into alternative methods of growing orchids, with physical demonstrations for different methods. These will include examples of mounted orchids and a mounting demonstration, water culture orchids, and growing in a basket. The session will also address the differences in growing inside a home near a window, under lights, in a greenhouse, terrariums, and other types of environments. Wednesday, February 19, 2025 / 5:00 PM / DIY Stage	Alternative Orchid Growing Techniques This session will start with standard practices for orchid growing in pots and quickly move into alternative methods of growing orchids, with physical demonstrations for different methods. These will include examples of mounted orchids and a mounting demonstration, water culture orchids, and growing in a basket. The session will also address the differences in growing inside a home near a window, under lights, in a greenhouse, terrariums, and other types of environments. Wednesday, February 19, 2025 5:00 PM
PNW Month-by-Month Gardening: Tips for Cultivating a More Resilient Garden Christina Pfeiffer - Seattle based author and horticulture educator In gardening, as with many things in life, timing can be everything. Some of our long time “tried and true” methods may no longer be as effective as in the past. Long time favorite garden plants and native species may now struggle. This talk will highlight how to optimize key garden tasks and timing for more sustainable and healthy landscapes. Wednesday, February 19, 2025 / 5:00 PM / Hood Room	PNW Month-by-Month Gardening: Tips for Cultivating a More Resilient Garden In gardening, as with many things in life, timing can be everything. Some of our long time “tried and true” methods may no longer be as effective as in the past. Long time favorite garden plants and native species may now struggle. This talk will highlight how to optimize key garden tasks and timing for more sustainable and healthy landscapes. Wednesday, February 19, 2025 5:00 PM
Boost Biodiversity in Your Garden with Insect-Friendly Habitat Amy Campion - Co-author Gardening in the Pacific Northwest: The Complete Homeowner's Guide News of crashing insect populations may make you feel hopeless about the future. However, there are many things you can do to make a real difference in improving insect biodiversity where you live. In this talk, you'll learn simple steps you can take to create more insect-friendly habitat in your garden, and you'll meet some of the fascinating creatures that show up when you welcome them in. Wednesday, February 19, 2025 / 12:00 PM / Hood Room	Boost Biodiversity in Your Garden with Insect-Friendly Habitat News of crashing insect populations may make you feel hopeless about the future. However, there are many things you can do to make a real difference in improving insect biodiversity where you live. In this talk, you'll learn simple steps you can take to create more insect-friendly habitat in your garden, and you'll meet some of the fascinating creatures that show up when you welcome them in. Wednesday, February 19, 2025 12:00 PM
Companion Planting - Facts or Folklore? Linda Chalker-Scott - Author, Ph.D. in Horticulture, ISA and ASCA consulting arborist, WSU Professor Companion planting is a legitimate horticultural practice that uses ecological principles of beneficial plant relationships to enhance establishment and survival of desired plants. The concept has been misapplied by those who have assigned zodiac, occult, or other pseudoscientific qualities to plants, which creates confusion for home gardeners. This session explains the science behind companion planting, while debunking misconceptions found in numerous popular gardening books and websites. Gardeners who use companion planting in a scientifically sound manner can improve plant health and productivity, decrease damage from insects and disease, and decrease the need for pesticides and fertilizers—all part of Integrated Pest Management (IPM). Thursday, February 20, 2025 / 9:30 AM / Hood Room	Companion Planting - Facts or Folklore? Companion planting is a legitimate horticultural practice that uses ecological principles of beneficial plant relationships to enhance establishment and survival of desired plants. The concept has been misapplied by those who have assigned zodiac, occult, or other pseudoscientific qualities to plants, which creates confusion for home gardeners. This session explains the science behind companion planting, while debunking misconceptions found in numerous popular gardening books and websites. Gardeners who use companion planting in a scientifically sound manner can improve plant health and productivity, decrease damage from insects and disease, and decrease the need for pesticides and fertilizers—all part of Integrated Pest Management (IPM). Thursday, February 20, 2025 9:30 AM
Toolbox Essentials - Must Have Tools for Container Gardening Cindy Funes - Container Designer, Owner Garden Revelry LLC, President, Digging In Association Cindy shares her wisdom accumulated as a successful container designer and business owner for 18 years. Save time, effort and frustration by using the tools the pros use. In this DIY session, Cindy shares her favorite gardening tools and how to use them. Learn the benefits of proper selection of use to rev up your container design projects. Whether you're planting two porch pots on either side of your door or running your own design business, this memorable presentation will make your (container design) life easier for years to come. Thursday, February 20, 2025 / 10:00 AM / DIY Stage	Toolbox Essentials - Must Have Tools for Container Gardening Cindy shares her wisdom accumulated as a successful container designer and business owner for 18 years. Save time, effort and frustration by using the tools the pros use. In this DIY session, Cindy shares her favorite gardening tools and how to use them. Learn the benefits of proper selection of use to rev up your container design projects. Whether you're planting two porch pots on either side of your door or running your own design business, this memorable presentation will make your (container design) life easier for years to come. Thursday, February 20, 2025 10:00 AM
Five Years/Five Projects Jacqueline van der Kloet - Author, landscape designer, "Bulb Queen of the Netherlands" The highlights of five different projects in different countries. Each of the projects took Jacqueline almost a year to design, plant and experience the first results. They all feature a base of perennial plants, accompanied by combinations of spring flowering bulbs. Only one of these projects was a temporary one. The remaining four still exist and even get better during their growth. Get the inside scoop on beautiful gardens worldwide: Schloss Ippenburg, a privately owned small castle in Bad Essen, Germany Grote Kerkplein, a public green area around the oldest church of Rotterdam Shinko Central Square, a public park/green walkway near the centre of Yokohama Park of Dutch Dreams, a public park and tribute to Piet Oudolf in Doetinchem, The Netherlands The Lurie Garden in Millennium Park, Chicago, USA Thursday, February 20, 2025 / 1:00 PM / Rainier Room	Five Years/Five Projects The highlights of five different projects in different countries. Each of the projects took Jacqueline almost a year to design, plant and experience the first results. They all feature a base of perennial plants, accompanied by combinations of spring flowering bulbs. Only one of these projects was a temporary one. The remaining four still exist and even get better during their growth. Get the inside scoop on beautiful gardens worldwide: Schloss Ippenburg, a privately owned small castle in Bad Essen, Germany Grote Kerkplein, a public green area around the oldest church of Rotterdam Shinko Central Square, a public park/green walkway near the centre of Yokohama Park of Dutch Dreams, a public park and tribute to Piet Oudolf in Doetinchem, The Netherlands The Lurie Garden in Millennium Park, Chicago, USA Thursday, February 20, 2025 1:00 PM
Secrets of a Plant Whisperer Anne Biklé - Gardener, soil health expert, co-author of The Hidden Half of Nature and What Your Food Ate Gardeners often underestimate the power of the plants in their beloved gardens to take care of themselves. In this session, find out how to tap into what plants know about how to thrive in a "stuck-in-place" lifestyle and reap the rewards of a vibrant and resilient garden. Gain the know-how and confidence to tweak your gardening practices so they work with the green bodies of plants and the unique setting of your garden. In large part, plant health and beauty stem from the symbiotic relationships plants cultivate with the microbes and other life forms in the soil. Plants in your garden can feed fungi in exchange for much-needed nutrients. They recruit bacteria to live inside their roots that have the power to repel and vanquish soil pathogens. Symbioses between plants and other parts of the natural world are among the oldest interactions we know about in the history of life—and they matter immensely for plant health and well-being, the soil, and our planet at large. Learning how to get in on the conversations and relationships that plants strike up with soil life and their fellow plants is the pathway to enriching a gardener's repertoire and expertise. This is the secret to the good looks, functions, and feel we all want in our gardens. You just need to know how plants think and talk. Soon enough you’ll be coaxing your plants into rambunctious growth or nursing them back from the edge of death whether petunias in a window box or your favorite towering tree. Thursday, February 20, 2025 / 1:15 PM / Hood Room	Secrets of a Plant Whisperer Gardeners often underestimate the power of the plants in their beloved gardens to take care of themselves. In this session, find out how to tap into what plants know about how to thrive in a "stuck-in-place" lifestyle and reap the rewards of a vibrant and resilient garden. Gain the know-how and confidence to tweak your gardening practices so they work with the green bodies of plants and the unique setting of your garden. In large part, plant health and beauty stem from the symbiotic relationships plants cultivate with the microbes and other life forms in the soil. Plants in your garden can feed fungi in exchange for much-needed nutrients. They recruit bacteria to live inside their roots that have the power to repel and vanquish soil pathogens. Symbioses between plants and other parts of the natural world are among the oldest interactions we know about in the history of life—and they matter immensely for plant health and well-being, the soil, and our planet at large. Learning how to get in on the conversations and relationships that plants strike up with soil life and their fellow plants is the pathway to enriching a gardener's repertoire and expertise. This is the secret to the good looks, functions, and feel we all want in our gardens. You just need to know how plants think and talk. Soon enough you’ll be coaxing your plants into rambunctious growth or nursing them back from the edge of death whether petunias in a window box or your favorite towering tree. Thursday, February 20, 2025 1:15 PM
Party Crashers: Self Seeding Annuals C.L. Fornari - Author of eight books, host of GardenLine on WXTK (Cape Cod, Massachusetts) award-winning podcast co-host Plantrama You didn’t invite them to your garden party but they came anyway. Maybe they arrived with another plant, or had been invited to the celebration in previous seasons. Now they show up every summer whether summoned or not. Yet these Party Crashers arrive so colorfully dressed, and with such spirit, that you allow some of them to stay. This talk is about self-seeding annuals that can’t resist a good gathering. It’s also about the gardener being a good host; how to recognize which plants will be the life of the party, and which ones we should escort off the premises. This talk will be especially interesting for those who love free plants and flexible gardening. Thursday, February 20, 2025 / 2:45 PM / Hood Room	Party Crashers: Self Seeding Annuals You didn’t invite them to your garden party but they came anyway. Maybe they arrived with another plant, or had been invited to the celebration in previous seasons. Now they show up every summer whether summoned or not. Yet these Party Crashers arrive so colorfully dressed, and with such spirit, that you allow some of them to stay. This talk is about self-seeding annuals that can’t resist a good gathering. It’s also about the gardener being a good host; how to recognize which plants will be the life of the party, and which ones we should escort off the premises. This talk will be especially interesting for those who love free plants and flexible gardening. Thursday, February 20, 2025 2:45 PM
Container Conundrums: Mastering the Art of Extreme Design Christina Salwitz - Award-winning garden writer and author, Container and Landscape Designer Mary-Kate Mackey - Award-winning author, speaker and educator Fabulous containers are the finishing touch to any garden, but sometimes they need to be placed in extreme locations—blaring hot sun, deep shade, or high winds. The Personal Garden Coach Christina Salwitz and garden author Mary-Kate Mackey have teamed up to present the techniques to unleash your creativity in challenging garden spaces. The talk will include choice plant combinations and innovative solutions for these situations, as well as practical maintenance tips for your extreme garden masterpieces. Thursday, February 20, 2025 / 4:30 PM / Rainier Room	Container Conundrums: Mastering the Art of Extreme Design Fabulous containers are the finishing touch to any garden, but sometimes they need to be placed in extreme locations—blaring hot sun, deep shade, or high winds. The Personal Garden Coach Christina Salwitz and garden author Mary-Kate Mackey have teamed up to present the techniques to unleash your creativity in challenging garden spaces. The talk will include choice plant combinations and innovative solutions for these situations, as well as practical maintenance tips for your extreme garden masterpieces. Thursday, February 20, 2025 4:30 PM
Gardening with PNW Hardy Native Annuals Paul Bonine - Native plant grower, expert and owner Xera Plants, Portland, Oregon Discover the history and overview of native hardy annuals, a class of plants whose native territory has shrunk to endangered levels. Often overlooked and forgotten, this category of plant is equally important to native pollinators as all other categories combined - trees, shrubs, perennials. They were once widespread and, aside from their importance to pollinators< they have beautiful and practical uses in the garden. They may be employed as a winter weed blocking cover crop for example. Paul will show you where to get plants and seed, how to identify them, (and their seedlings) and how to save seed and insure that they self sow. They have specific requirements for germination and I'll unlock all of those secrets to ensure success. This is a precious and important class of native plants that should be included in every Pacific Northwest garden. Thursday, February 20, 2025 / 12:00 PM / Hood Room	Gardening with PNW Hardy Native Annuals Discover the history and overview of native hardy annuals, a class of plants whose native territory has shrunk to endangered levels. Often overlooked and forgotten, this category of plant is equally important to native pollinators as all other categories combined - trees, shrubs, perennials. They were once widespread and, aside from their importance to pollinators< they have beautiful and practical uses in the garden. They may be employed as a winter weed blocking cover crop for example. Paul will show you where to get plants and seed, how to identify them, (and their seedlings) and how to save seed and insure that they self sow. They have specific requirements for germination and I'll unlock all of those secrets to ensure success. This is a precious and important class of native plants that should be included in every Pacific Northwest garden. Thursday, February 20, 2025 12:00 PM
The Easiest Seed-Starting: Winter Sowing and Seed Snails Erica Browne Grivas - Lifestyle journalist Indoor seed sowing can be fun, but seedlings often need special lights, constant monitoring, regular potting up to larger pots, and then hardening off. It can take over your house – and life - for months as your kitchen is lit with eery purple light and counters are swallowed by plants. What if you could sow your seeds outdoors, wait until the seeds come up, and transplant once? Enter the magic of winter sowing. It lets you plant seeds from late winter through spring no matter how cold it gets. By creating a sheltered area with upcycled milk jugs or plastic storage bins, potted seeds can even sit in the snow – if we get any. As a bonus you’ll grow hardier, tougher plants than if grown indoors. Simply keep seedlings watered and away from high temperatures, and the seeds come up when the conditions are right. With winter sowing, you can plant once – no potting up - and transplant directly when plants reach 2-4” tall. They are already hardened off! Learn which plants work best in the Pacific Northwest, how to time your sowing, and get ready to try this stellar timesaving technique. Seed snails are a new viral method that saves so much space. Created by Farida Sober in the UK, you roll up your seeds and potting mix, fitting many more seeds than in a potting tray, with no repotting necessary. Works indoors or out! Friday, February 21, 2025 / 10:00 AM / DIY Stage	The Easiest Seed-Starting: Winter Sowing and Seed Snails Indoor seed sowing can be fun, but seedlings often need special lights, constant monitoring, regular potting up to larger pots, and then hardening off. It can take over your house – and life - for months as your kitchen is lit with eery purple light and counters are swallowed by plants. What if you could sow your seeds outdoors, wait until the seeds come up, and transplant once? Enter the magic of winter sowing. It lets you plant seeds from late winter through spring no matter how cold it gets. By creating a sheltered area with upcycled milk jugs or plastic storage bins, potted seeds can even sit in the snow – if we get any. As a bonus you’ll grow hardier, tougher plants than if grown indoors. Simply keep seedlings watered and away from high temperatures, and the seeds come up when the conditions are right. With winter sowing, you can plant once – no potting up - and transplant directly when plants reach 2-4” tall. They are already hardened off! Learn which plants work best in the Pacific Northwest, how to time your sowing, and get ready to try this stellar timesaving technique. Seed snails are a new viral method that saves so much space. Created by Farida Sober in the UK, you roll up your seeds and potting mix, fitting many more seeds than in a potting tray, with no repotting necessary. Works indoors or out! Friday, February 21, 2025 10:00 AM
Designing and Planting Your Shade Garden Jenny Rose Carey - Renowned gardener, educator, historian, and author This seminar will take the gardener through the stages from planning to the selection of plants that will thrive in shade conditions to the steps needed for successful planting. Shade gardens can bring special delight to any garden area. The keys to success for your shade gardens are good design and proper planting. Jenny Rose will take you through the easy-to-follow steps for planting a successful shade garden. Friday, February 21, 2025 / 10:45 AM / Hood Room	Designing and Planting Your Shade Garden This seminar will take the gardener through the stages from planning to the selection of plants that will thrive in shade conditions to the steps needed for successful planting. Shade gardens can bring special delight to any garden area. The keys to success for your shade gardens are good design and proper planting. Jenny Rose will take you through the easy-to-follow steps for planting a successful shade garden. Friday, February 21, 2025 10:45 AM
Embrace the Unusual: Underused Oddballs and Forgotten Classic Plants You Should Grow Erin Schanen - Gardener, writer, video creator and founder of The Impatient Gardener There is a whole world of delightful plants out there that you probably won't find at the garden center, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't be growing them. Spice up your plant palette with excellent and unusual plants—many of which can be grown from seed—to create a garden that has the neighbors asking, "What IS that?" Friday, February 21, 2025 / 1:15 PM / Hood Room	Embrace the Unusual: Underused Oddballs and Forgotten Classic Plants You Should Grow There is a whole world of delightful plants out there that you probably won't find at the garden center, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't be growing them. Spice up your plant palette with excellent and unusual plants—many of which can be grown from seed—to create a garden that has the neighbors asking, "What IS that?" Friday, February 21, 2025 1:15 PM
Mini Meadows: Grow a Little Patch of Colorful Flowers Anywhere around Your Yard Mike Lizotte - Author, "Seed Man" and owner of American Meadows The word “meadow” conjures images of wide expanses of land, but a mini meadow — a kind of informal flower garden started with seed sown directly into the soil — can be any size; plus, it’s fun, easy to grow, and good for the planet. With as little as 50 square feet and for less than $20, gardeners can plant a colorful meadow that demands little in the way of space, mowing, or maintenance, uses less water than a traditional lawn, and provides habitat for pollinators — not to mention a natural exploration space for children. Friday, February 21, 2025 / 2:45 PM / Hood Room	Mini Meadows: Grow a Little Patch of Colorful Flowers Anywhere around Your Yard The word “meadow” conjures images of wide expanses of land, but a mini meadow — a kind of informal flower garden started with seed sown directly into the soil — can be any size; plus, it’s fun, easy to grow, and good for the planet. With as little as 50 square feet and for less than $20, gardeners can plant a colorful meadow that demands little in the way of space, mowing, or maintenance, uses less water than a traditional lawn, and provides habitat for pollinators — not to mention a natural exploration space for children. Friday, February 21, 2025 2:45 PM
Seed Starting for Small Spaces Kevin Espiritu - Founder & CEO of Epic Gardening Jacques Lyakov - Garden Hermit at Epic Gardening Join the team from Epic Gardening and their friends for a daily dose of Small Space Solutions. Each day at 4pm on the Main Stage, tips and tricks will be provided to gardeners working with limited gardening space. From growing your own groceries to grow bags to trellising, smart seed starting for smaller plants to containers that go-go-go... join this fun, interactive session daily and enjoy new ideas and insights from the experts at Epic Gardening! Friday, February 21, 2025 / 4:00 PM / Main Stage	Seed Starting for Small Spaces Join the team from Epic Gardening and their friends for a daily dose of Small Space Solutions. Each day at 4pm on the Main Stage, tips and tricks will be provided to gardeners working with limited gardening space. From growing your own groceries to grow bags to trellising, smart seed starting for smaller plants to containers that go-go-go... join this fun, interactive session daily and enjoy new ideas and insights from the experts at Epic Gardening! Friday, February 21, 2025 4:00 PM
The Water-Smart Garden: Strategies to Use Water Efficiently in a Changing Climate Noelle Johnson - Conserve Water, Cultivate Beauty It's time to talk about how much water we are using in our gardens. Groundwater supplies throughout the country are decreasing quickly due to drought and water overuse. Many regions are experiencing higher temperatures and less rain, which means that we are having to water our plants more. Water is being pumped from groundwater supplies, often faster than it is replaced, in both dry climate regions and those that experience higher rainfall amounts. In short, we are using more water than is being replenished, which isn't sustainable. Household water use for the lawn and plants around your home is higher than you think—ranging from 30% to 70%. The good news is that you can have a garden that uses water efficiently by taking strategic steps toward a more sustainable future. From your plant choices, soil amendments, and where you place your plants to exploring efficient irrigation methods and rain harvesting - there are many ways to decrease your reliance on supplemental water for your plants. We will also discuss waterwise techniques for container gardens and vegetable gardening. Overuse of water invites us to re-examine our relationship with water and not take it for granted. You'll come away with actionable steps that can be implemented in your own outdoor spaces. Friday, February 21, 2025 / 4:00 PM / Hood Room	The Water-Smart Garden: Strategies to Use Water Efficiently in a Changing Climate It's time to talk about how much water we are using in our gardens. Groundwater supplies throughout the country are decreasing quickly due to drought and water overuse. Many regions are experiencing higher temperatures and less rain, which means that we are having to water our plants more. Water is being pumped from groundwater supplies, often faster than it is replaced, in both dry climate regions and those that experience higher rainfall amounts. In short, we are using more water than is being replenished, which isn't sustainable. Household water use for the lawn and plants around your home is higher than you think—ranging from 30% to 70%. The good news is that you can have a garden that uses water efficiently by taking strategic steps toward a more sustainable future. From your plant choices, soil amendments, and where you place your plants to exploring efficient irrigation methods and rain harvesting - there are many ways to decrease your reliance on supplemental water for your plants. We will also discuss waterwise techniques for container gardens and vegetable gardening. Overuse of water invites us to re-examine our relationship with water and not take it for granted. You'll come away with actionable steps that can be implemented in your own outdoor spaces. Friday, February 21, 2025 4:00 PM
Aging Gracefully in the Garden Patrick R. Ryan - Master Gardener, musician and education specialist at Alaska Botanical Garden Gardening is a healthy, stimulating physical activity that can be enjoyed by older people. The garden, equipment and tools can all be modified to suit the needs of older people. Gardening increases levels of physical activity, and maintains mobility and flexibility. Having to adjust physical activities due to aging can be a difficult pill to swallow, so come see an actual living senior citizen/gardener who is still learning to adapt to his changing abilities. With practical advice and a nod to gravity, you will leave with new ideas to help you continue doing what you love." Friday, February 21, 2025 / 4:30 PM / Rainier Room	Aging Gracefully in the Garden Gardening is a healthy, stimulating physical activity that can be enjoyed by older people. The garden, equipment and tools can all be modified to suit the needs of older people. Gardening increases levels of physical activity, and maintains mobility and flexibility. Having to adjust physical activities due to aging can be a difficult pill to swallow, so come see an actual living senior citizen/gardener who is still learning to adapt to his changing abilities. With practical advice and a nod to gravity, you will leave with new ideas to help you continue doing what you love." Friday, February 21, 2025 4:30 PM
Trending Houseplant Propagation Techniques Lindsay Sisti - Author The Ultimate Guide to Houseplant Propagation, founder All the Plant Babies, LLC As certain plants gain popularity over time, so do the techniques that people use to create more of them. In this seminar, learn the anatomy of three popular houseplants: the ZZ plant, string of hearts, and the Alocasia. The session will then guide the audience step-by-step through how to propagate each one using popular and effective propagation techniques. This includes ZZ plant leaflet propagation, the string of hearts “butterfly technique" and alocasia corm propagation. Gain a first hand understanding of why each of these techniques went viral on social media and how they can work for your houseplants... Friday, February 21, 2025 / 5:00 PM / DIY Stage	Trending Houseplant Propagation Techniques As certain plants gain popularity over time, so do the techniques that people use to create more of them. In this seminar, learn the anatomy of three popular houseplants: the ZZ plant, string of hearts, and the Alocasia. The session will then guide the audience step-by-step through how to propagate each one using popular and effective propagation techniques. This includes ZZ plant leaflet propagation, the string of hearts “butterfly technique" and alocasia corm propagation. Gain a first hand understanding of why each of these techniques went viral on social media and how they can work for your houseplants... Friday, February 21, 2025 5:00 PM
Five Gardening Rules to Ignore David Mizejewski - Naturalist, author and television presenter with the National Wildlife Federation Beautiful gardens and well-designed landscapes are pleasing to the eye and give us a place to enjoy nature, right? Wrong. Though it might look green and natural, the standard American landscape is anything but and often does more harm than good to our planet. But it doesn't have to be that way! National Wildlife Federation Naturalist David Mizejewski will break down the five common gardening practices that hurt the natural world and offer alternatives that will help you create the perfect slice of nature, right outside your door for you and the wildlife that calls your space home, too. Saturday, February 22, 2025 / 10:00 AM / Rainier Room	Five Gardening Rules to Ignore Beautiful gardens and well-designed landscapes are pleasing to the eye and give us a place to enjoy nature, right? Wrong. Though it might look green and natural, the standard American landscape is anything but and often does more harm than good to our planet. But it doesn't have to be that way! National Wildlife Federation Naturalist David Mizejewski will break down the five common gardening practices that hurt the natural world and offer alternatives that will help you create the perfect slice of nature, right outside your door for you and the wildlife that calls your space home, too. Saturday, February 22, 2025 10:00 AM
Gravel Gardening Andrew Bunting - Vice President of Horticulture at Pennsylvania Horticulture Society In this presentation, join Andrew Bunting, Vice President of Horticulture at the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society as he explores gravel gardening, a new water-wise alternative to more traditional garden design and landscaping approaches. Learn about the many aesthetic and ecological benefits of gravel gardens, including offering an easy stormwater management solution, creating habitat for vital pollinators, and providing hardiness and resiliency, while also adding drama and ornament in the garden. The presentation will showcase examples of the versatility and beauty of gravel gardens ranging from Bunting’s own award-winning home garden Belvidere, alongside corporate campuses and other non- residential locations. You will learn how to establish gravel gardens from conception to final execution and will acquire information for key considerations such as infrastructure, plant choices, planting approaches, material selections, and planting design. Saturday, February 22, 2025 / 11:30 AM / Rainier Room	Gravel Gardening In this presentation, join Andrew Bunting, Vice President of Horticulture at the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society as he explores gravel gardening, a new water-wise alternative to more traditional garden design and landscaping approaches. Learn about the many aesthetic and ecological benefits of gravel gardens, including offering an easy stormwater management solution, creating habitat for vital pollinators, and providing hardiness and resiliency, while also adding drama and ornament in the garden. The presentation will showcase examples of the versatility and beauty of gravel gardens ranging from Bunting’s own award-winning home garden Belvidere, alongside corporate campuses and other non- residential locations. You will learn how to establish gravel gardens from conception to final execution and will acquire information for key considerations such as infrastructure, plant choices, planting approaches, material selections, and planting design. Saturday, February 22, 2025 11:30 AM
A Perfect Combination: Creating Stunning Container Arrangements with Houseplants Kamili Bell Hill - Planterior designer, author, founder of PlantBlerd In this presentation, Kamili will share the art of designing beautiful container arrangements using houseplants that share the same watering and lighting needs. Florists and big box stores often sell beautiful plant arrangements with plants whose needs are incompatible, and of course the arrangement ends up killing at least one of the plants. This session reveals how to select and combine plants that not only look great together but also thrive together. After picking compatible plants, Kamili will demonstrate how to arrange them for an eye-catching plant display in any space. Saturday, February 22, 2025 / 11:45 AM / DIY Stage	A Perfect Combination: Creating Stunning Container Arrangements with Houseplants In this presentation, Kamili will share the art of designing beautiful container arrangements using houseplants that share the same watering and lighting needs. Florists and big box stores often sell beautiful plant arrangements with plants whose needs are incompatible, and of course the arrangement ends up killing at least one of the plants. This session reveals how to select and combine plants that not only look great together but also thrive together. After picking compatible plants, Kamili will demonstrate how to arrange them for an eye-catching plant display in any space. Saturday, February 22, 2025 11:45 AM
Dishing Dirt with Bess and Richie – The Best and Worst for 2025 Bess Bronstein - horticultural consultant/educator and ISA Certified Arborist® Richie Steffen - ED for the Elisabeth C. Miller Botanical Garden. What are the best plants and garden tips for the upcoming spring? Come and hear what Bess and Richie have to say about it in this interactive, audience-centric talk. Bess Bronstein, an arborist, educator, and lecturer along with Richie Steffen, executive director of the Elisabeth C Miller Botanical Garden are ready to give their unbiased opinion on the what is good for the garden and what is a waste of time. Their horticultural knowledge is immense, and they are ready to solve your garden issues. Saturday, February 22, 2025 / 1:00 PM / Main Stage	Dishing Dirt with Bess and Richie – The Best and Worst for 2025 What are the best plants and garden tips for the upcoming spring? Come and hear what Bess and Richie have to say about it in this interactive, audience-centric talk. Bess Bronstein, an arborist, educator, and lecturer along with Richie Steffen, executive director of the Elisabeth C Miller Botanical Garden are ready to give their unbiased opinion on the what is good for the garden and what is a waste of time. Their horticultural knowledge is immense, and they are ready to solve your garden issues. Saturday, February 22, 2025 1:00 PM
Tips and Ideas to Make Your Garden More Interesting Ciscoe Morris - Beloved author, television and radio host, newspaper columnist and garden celebrity Whether you have a small garden or a grand estate, learn how to spice it up. Ciscoe will talk about how to incorporate art, water features, hardscape, rare plants and other attractions to make your garden the jewel of the neighborhood. Sharing insights gathered from decades of gardening experience, garden travel and being in on the newest trends and ideas, you'll thank Cisco every time you enjoy your "newly spicy" garden spaces. Saturday, February 22, 2025 / 1:00 PM / Rainier Room	Tips and Ideas to Make Your Garden More Interesting Whether you have a small garden or a grand estate, learn how to spice it up. Ciscoe will talk about how to incorporate art, water features, hardscape, rare plants and other attractions to make your garden the jewel of the neighborhood. Sharing insights gathered from decades of gardening experience, garden travel and being in on the newest trends and ideas, you'll thank Cisco every time you enjoy your "newly spicy" garden spaces. Saturday, February 22, 2025 1:00 PM
Urban and Small Space Gardening Kathy Jentz - Author, editor and publisher of Washington Gardener Magazine, host of GardenDC Podcast Teresa Speight - Proud Native Washingtonian (DC), a mother, Grandmother, Steward of our Land, Garden Writer Do you live in an urban setting? Do you have little space to garden? Turn your growing dreams into reality and build a gorgeous and unique garden that showcases your personal style while still being functional and productive. Kathy Jentz and Teri Speight, authors of "The Urban Garden: 101 Ways to Grow Food and Beauty in the City" share their inspiring and practical tips to build your own home paradise. Saturday, February 22, 2025 / 1:15 PM / Hood Room	Urban and Small Space Gardening Do you live in an urban setting? Do you have little space to garden? Turn your growing dreams into reality and build a gorgeous and unique garden that showcases your personal style while still being functional and productive. Kathy Jentz and Teri Speight, authors of "The Urban Garden: 101 Ways to Grow Food and Beauty in the City" share their inspiring and practical tips to build your own home paradise. Saturday, February 22, 2025 1:15 PM
Succulent Secrets: Leaf Your Worries Behind Abby Perry - Founder/owner of Abby's Garden Parties, Master Gardener Join Abby for expert tips on both the design and care of succulent plants and arrangements. As a Master Gardener, she will guide you through the principles of creating stunning succulent arrangements using the "thriller, filler, and spiller" technique, ensuring your plants not only survive but thrive. Additionally, the session will cover essential care practices to keep any succulent healthy and vibrant. Whether you're a novice or an experienced gardener, you'll leave equipped with the knowledge to cultivate beautiful and resilient succulent displays Saturday, February 22, 2025 / 1:30 PM / DIY Stage	Succulent Secrets: Leaf Your Worries Behind Join Abby for expert tips on both the design and care of succulent plants and arrangements. As a Master Gardener, she will guide you through the principles of creating stunning succulent arrangements using the "thriller, filler, and spiller" technique, ensuring your plants not only survive but thrive. Additionally, the session will cover essential care practices to keep any succulent healthy and vibrant. Whether you're a novice or an experienced gardener, you'll leave equipped with the knowledge to cultivate beautiful and resilient succulent displays Saturday, February 22, 2025 1:30 PM
Excellent Epiphytes Ellen Zachos - award-winning author, speaker, and podcaster What is an epiphyte? In nature, epiphytes grow on other plants. But epiphytes aren’t parasites; they don’t steal nutrition from their host plants. Because of their unusual growth habit, many epiphytes make exceptional, drought-tolerant, low maintenance house plants. Discover several groups of epiphytes recommended for in-home growing, including Hoyas (fragrant flowering vines), Rhipsalis (flowering cacti), bromeliads, and some surprisingly tough ferns and orchids. Saturday, February 22, 2025 / 1:45 PM / Plant Academy	Excellent Epiphytes What is an epiphyte? In nature, epiphytes grow on other plants. But epiphytes aren’t parasites; they don’t steal nutrition from their host plants. Because of their unusual growth habit, many epiphytes make exceptional, drought-tolerant, low maintenance house plants. Discover several groups of epiphytes recommended for in-home growing, including Hoyas (fragrant flowering vines), Rhipsalis (flowering cacti), bromeliads, and some surprisingly tough ferns and orchids. Saturday, February 22, 2025 1:45 PM
History in Bloom: Finding Harmony in Your Home's Architecture and Garden Design Elizabeth and Ethan Finkelstein - Authors, HGTV stars, founders of Cheap Old Houses The aesthetics of a historic home's exterior can inform our approach to landscape design. Together, let's explore common historical architectural styles found in and around Seattle and the Pacific Northwest, and discuss how plantings can be used to enhance their character-defining features. Saturday, February 22, 2025 / 2:30 PM / Rainier Room	History in Bloom: Finding Harmony in Your Home's Architecture and Garden Design The aesthetics of a historic home's exterior can inform our approach to landscape design. Together, let's explore common historical architectural styles found in and around Seattle and the Pacific Northwest, and discuss how plantings can be used to enhance their character-defining features. Saturday, February 22, 2025 2:30 PM
Vermicomposting Ann M. Amato - Horticulturist Composting with worms turns household food and paper waste into something far more valuable for your garden. In addition to being a soil amendment that improves your soil, it’s also a rich fertilizer. This presentation will present the differences between traditional compost and vermicompost, as well as different ways to incorporate vermicomposting systems into your living spaces. This can be a great way to produce less waste, and it may even inspire some to eat better so you’ll be better able to provide your worm bin with the best possible scraps to keep it productive and healthy. We’ll also discuss common mistakes to avoid losing worm colonies. Saturday, February 22, 2025 / 3:15 PM / DIY Stage	Vermicomposting Composting with worms turns household food and paper waste into something far more valuable for your garden. In addition to being a soil amendment that improves your soil, it’s also a rich fertilizer. This presentation will present the differences between traditional compost and vermicompost, as well as different ways to incorporate vermicomposting systems into your living spaces. This can be a great way to produce less waste, and it may even inspire some to eat better so you’ll be better able to provide your worm bin with the best possible scraps to keep it productive and healthy. We’ll also discuss common mistakes to avoid losing worm colonies. Saturday, February 22, 2025 3:15 PM
Dry Gardening in the Pacific Northwest: Tips, Tricks and Plant Selection Ideas Bryon Jones - Horticulturist/Arborist Lead - Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium in Tacoma, Washington Let’s talk about Dry Gardening! What plants do you plant when it rains less? How do you prepare your garden for warmer Pacific Northwest Summers? Why would you want to understand the soils your plants thrive in? Come join Bryon as he dives deeper into understanding how you too can create beautiful spaces and be successful with Dry Gardening. Saturday, February 22, 2025 / 12:00 PM / Hood Room	Dry Gardening in the Pacific Northwest: Tips, Tricks and Plant Selection Ideas Let’s talk about Dry Gardening! What plants do you plant when it rains less? How do you prepare your garden for warmer Pacific Northwest Summers? Why would you want to understand the soils your plants thrive in? Come join Bryon as he dives deeper into understanding how you too can create beautiful spaces and be successful with Dry Gardening. Saturday, February 22, 2025 12:00 PM
Replace the Grocery Store with Your Vegetable Garden Bailey Van Tassel - Writer, author, founder of The Kitchen Garden Society In this hands-on planning session learn how to map out your vegetable garden to replace the grocery store. In addition to key takeaways to map out your veg garden, you'll learn about companions, prioritizing plants, ROI for each plant, quantities based on your family size plus effective spacing. A live demonstration for an audience member's garden will showcase how to do this. Sunday, February 23, 2025 / 10:00 AM / DIY Stage	Replace the Grocery Store with Your Vegetable Garden In this hands-on planning session learn how to map out your vegetable garden to replace the grocery store. In addition to key takeaways to map out your veg garden, you'll learn about companions, prioritizing plants, ROI for each plant, quantities based on your family size plus effective spacing. A live demonstration for an audience member's garden will showcase how to do this. Sunday, February 23, 2025 10:00 AM