History of the Spring Garden Fair

In 1992, many water utilities in the area had to ask our customers to observe mandatory watering restrictions.  Many Woodinville Water District customers called or came in to tell us that they moved to our service area to have a larger landscape because they loved gardening.  They had invested thousands of dollars in their landscapes and when we told them to not irrigate, they felt we were telling them to do something that would reduce the value of their property.  We let them know that curtailment was not the same as water efficiency and that if circumstances warrant it, we would need to ask for curtailment.  But at the same time, Woodinville Water Districts Board of Commissioners and staff became determined to show customers how they could develop their landscapes into healthy, water efficient landscapes that could withstand periods of drought. 

In fall, 1993 Woodinville Water District took out a large area of grass at the District office and installed a waterwise demonstration garden to give customers a place to go to see different techniques used in the development of a waterwise landscape.   

In spring, 1994, we held our first Spring Garden Fair and had a ribbon-cutting ceremony to open our waterwise garden.  Our garden designers were on hand to answer questions and we had master composters on hand to talk about the advantages of compost in the soil.  We have held the Spring Garden Fair each year, bringing in professionals to give information to customers at the beginning of the gardening season and to answer our customers’ questions.   

In 2000, our waterwise garden had to be dismantled for the construction of a new building.  With our mature plants we helped several area schools develop or augment waterwise gardens at their facilities.  We moved our Spring Garden Fair to Woodmoor Elementary School in Bothell and partnered with Northshore Utility District.  We had developed two waterwise garden areas at the school after applying for and receiving funding from King County’s Watershed Action Grant Program. 

Woodmoor proved to be an excellent site for our growing fair.  We added two new partners in subsequent years, the Saving Water Partnership and the City of Bothell.  After the fair in 2007, we asked the Cascade Water Alliance to join our efforts and they agreed.  With this new partnership, our fair outgrew the capabilities of Woodmoor and we moved our fair to the new Redmond City Hall campus. 

This year’s event is filled with incredibly talented horticulture speakers.  We have many agencies who have agreed to be on hand to provide customers with information and answer questions.  There are mulch mowing demonstration, compost bins, rain barrels and plants for sale and fun children’s activities and displays.  Our customers have told us year after year that they keep coming back because the fair gives them the information they need to develop their landscape into one that is both beautiful and environmentally friendly.  In addition, the event inspires them at the beginning of the gardening season.   

Debbie Rannfeldt, Woodinville Water District

Public Information Coordinator and Spring Garden Fair Founder

Some Highlights From Previous Years

The 2010 Spring Garden fair set new records for attendees.  Over 1000 visitors enjoyed the fair on the beautiful University of Washington Bothell campus.  Our ever expanding list of exhibitors, plant sales, and other vendors lined the main walkway of campus and offered up some great deals and an amazing amount of information.  Most of the 10 garden seminars were standing room only and participant feedback included many comments like Carol Johnsons, "I can't wait to get home and put some of these ideas to work."

2009 ~ The 2009 Spring Garden Fair started off a little chilly and a bit blustery, but by days end the City of Redmond’s beautiful City Hall Campus had seen nearly 1000 people visit the fair.  The “hard core” garden crowd was intermingled with young families enjoying face painting and building bird houses.  Even a number of cyclists peddled over to enjoy the 5 informative garden seminars presented by Jennifer Carlson, David McDonald, Marianne Binetti, Mike Brioli, and Ciscoe Morris with a little help from Meeghan Black.

2008 ~ This marked the first year that the fair moved locations and was held at the City of Redmond's City Hall Campus.   Over 800 guests enjoyed our newly expanded plant sale and some dynamic speakers like: (Click on the speakers name to link to the video.)

Dan Hinkley  The Exuberant Drought Tolerant Garden

Marianne Binetti  The Peaceful Garden ~ Stop Fighting Mother Nature and Father Time

Ladd Smith  Natural Yard Care

Janet Sailer  Smart Watering ~ Maximizing Irrigation System Efficiency

Ciscoe Morris  My Favorite Drought Tolerant Plants

Greg Rabourn Honey I shrunk the Lawn

David McDonald  Growing Healthy Soil

2007 ~ The 2007 Spring Garden Fair was the last year that the fair was held at Woodmoor Elementary School.  (Many thanks to the School staff that helped make the fair possible.)  With a record number of attendees it became clear that the Fair had out grown our facility.  Woodmoor Elementary had been a gracious hosting site for many years but with the growth in attendance and new hosts coming on board it was time to say goodbye.   

2005 ~ The rain, the cold, the mulch riot.  Ok it wasn't really a riot, but in 2005 our free bags of Cedar Grove Compost caused quite a disturbance.  Visitors couldn't get enough and our volunteer staff wore themselves out loading bags of mulch into trunks, backseats and even a bicycle basket.  (Not recommended).