2011 Garden Fair Schedule of Events

9:30am–10:30 am               

Lasagna Gardening - Marianne Binetti

Learn the secret of layering food, flowers, and foliage into a small space.  (The secret is making lasagna soil by layering green and brown material so your soil holds more moisture.)

10:00 am – 11:00 am 

The Keys to Sustainability: Building Healthy Soil and Natural Yard Care  - Emily Bishton

This workshop will teach you about the natural, tried-and-true techniques for soil-building, choosing the right plants, fertilizing and watering lawns and garden beds, and managing pests, weeds, and diseases.  The presentation includes a PowerPoint, a hands-on display of soil amendments and mulches, plus printed information for all attendees on soil amendment techniques and resources. 

11:00 am – 12:00 pm 

Fun in the Sun: Waterwise Gardening for the Pacific Northwest  - Richie Steffen

Smart water use is essential for today’s landscape.  Over the years Great Plant Picks has assembled a beautiful array of hardy and drought tolerant selections for our region’s gardens.  Learn about the best selections for sunny, dry spots to provide year round interest as well as bright splashes of seasonal color.  The new 2011 list of Great Plant Picks will be available along with copies of the new poster and additional handouts listing drought tolerant plants for various garden sites.

11:30 pm – 12:30 pm 

Sustainable Vegetable Gardening - Ladd Smith

We already know that home grown food tastes better, is fresher and is more nutritious.  Now there are many more reasons people are growing more of their own food.  We want to be more sustainable, we want to know where our food is coming from and we want to reduce our carbon footprint.  This talk will get you started towards producing food from your own garden. You will learn how to get started, the basics of natural pest control, companion planting and intensive gardening.  We will also discuss CSA and Planting a Row for the Hungry campaign. 

12:30 pm – 2:30 pm

The Dirt on Dirt - Meghan Fuller

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

1:00 pm–2:00 pm 

Converting Your Irrigation System to Drip - Paula Anderson

 

You will learn easy step-by-step directions for converting an area, such as a shrub bed or vegetable garden, to drip irrigation.  Class attendees will receive an instructional DVD on drip irrigation.

2:00 pm – 3:00 pm 

Create a Nature-Loving Garden - Ciscoe Morris & Meeghan Black

Learn how to create an attractive, yet sustainable garden that will attract wildlife, including hummingbirds and beneficial insects.  Design tips, plants and environmentally friendly maintenance ideas to help you garden with nature rather than against it.

2:30 pm – 3:30 pm 

Maximizing Home Water Conservation  - Mike Brent

Learn how to find and fix leaks and make simple repairs and upgrades to save money and resources in your home.