FREE: Savvy Gardener Fall Classes

Dazzling Dry Shade Combinations
Saturday, September 13 10 – 11:30 am
Swanson’s Nursery, 9701 15th Ave NW, Seattle
Taught by Peggy Campbell

Discover plants that grow in dry shade under trees, eaves, and in areas you are tired of watering. Peggy Campbell will show some of her favorites to brighten shady spots. In this 90 minute class, you’ll gather simple solutions for bare areas, lawn alternatives, and seasonal color. And you will learn easy steps to help these plants thrive.


Fall Plant Palettes for a Drought Tolerant Garden
Saturday, September 27 10 am – noon or 1 – 3 pm
Shoreline (directions will be sent to registered students)
Taught by Stacie Crooks, Crooks Garden Design

Experience Stacie Crooks’ colorful garden and learn first hand how to transform a resource-intensive lawn into tapestries of drought tolerant plantings. Using plants that lend color and structure year round, Stacie has created a garden that not only gets national attention for its beauty, but also fits her busy schedule. Look for photos of Stacie's garden in the October issue of Fine Gardening.

Pre-registration required. Attendees must reside in the Saving Water Partnership service area. Click here to see service area: http://savingwater.org/about_partners.htm. Please note that this class is for gardeners who have a basic knowledge of plant types and their names. Since we have a small class size, please register if you have not seen Stacie's garden before.

Register via the Garden Hotline by calling (206) 633-0224 or emailing help@gardenhotline.org. Please provide your address, email and phone number to receive the class location and confirmation.

Fall Backyard Habitat Workshop!

Join Woodland Park Zoo, National Wildlife Federation, Seattle Audubon Society and Washington Native Plant Society for this informative workshop on creating a backyard wildlife habitat. Meet experts and get hands-on experience that will show you how to attract birds and other wildlife to your backyard, select and care for native plants, recognize and remove invasive plants species, conserve water, manage your backyard without the use of chemical herbicides and pesticides, place feeders and bird houses, get your yard, schoolground or community garden certified as a Backyard Habitat.

This is a four-part workshop:

• Monday, September 22, 2008 from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.
• Monday, September 29, 2008 from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.
• Monday, October 6, 2008 from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.
• Saturday, October 11, 2008 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Cost: $75 (or $140 for couples); $50 for Phinney Neighborhood Association members

To register, see the zoo's website: http://www.zoo.org/educate/adult/workshops.html
For more information , please contact us at 206.548.2424 or jenny.mears@zoo.org.

10% off native plants at Pipers Creek Nursery!

Go Natives! specializing in native plants for the Puget Sound is now located at Pipers Creek Nursery and will have more natives for your garden. Now available on their website, a downloadable coupon good for 10% off your entire order of plants and trees!

Record the Ribbit! Saturday, May 3rd

Leap into spring with your family and friends by celebrating FrogWatch 2008: Record the Ribbit on Saturday, May 3rd. This one-day event is easy, free and a perfect way for people of all ages to learn about the frogs and toads that live in our region. To participate, just visit www.nwf.org/ribbit, to learn about amphibians in our region by listening to their calls and viewing photos of local species. Then head outside on a nature walk – ideally, right around dusk when frogs are most likely to be calling. When you’re finished, come back to the Record the Ribbit website to share your sightings online.

Record the Ribbit is a special event of FrogWatch USA, the popular citizen-science amphibian monitoring program managed by the National Wildlife Federation in partnership with the United States Geological Survey. By participating in this long-term amphibian study, you have the opportunity to be directly involved in gathering information that can ultimately lead to practical and workable ways to help stop the decline of these important species.

Native Plant Appreciation Week: April 27th - May 3rd

This week is a celebration of the amazing diversity of Washington’s over 3000 native plant species that inhabit deserts, rain forests, high alpine environments, river valleys, and even backyard landscapes. Native plant ecosystems are critical to sustaining our native wildlife and the quality of Washington’s environment. The Washington Native Plant Society provides a website highlighting events scheduled for the week and links to other participating organizations’ websites.

Northwest Natural Yard Days: April 15 to May 15

Northwest Natural Yard Days (NNYD) is a partnership of local government agencies, cities and local water providers. The goal of this popular program is to encourage residents of King County and surrounding areas to practice natural yard care. This is done through discounts on natural yard care product sales in the spring each year. For more information, see King County's Northwest Natural Yard Days website.

Backyard Habitat workshop and two Evening Classes at Woodland Park Zoo

Backyard Habitat Workshop
Four-part Workshop:
Monday, April 7, 2008 from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.
Monday, April 14, 2008 from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.
Monday, April 21, 2008 from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.
Saturday, April 26, 2008 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Would you like to attract wildlife to your backyard? Please join Woodland Park Zoo, National Wildlife Federation, Seattle Audubon Society and Washington Native Plant Society for a workshop on creating a backyard wildlife habitat. A "backyard habitat" can be a small space, schoolyard or community garden.

YOU can make a difference for Wildlife - Habitat Begins at Home!
Cost: $55 (or $100 per couple); $35 for Phinney Neighborhood Association members

Water Features for Wildlife
Evening class: Wednesday, May 21, 2008 from 7:00 to 9:30 p.m. Cost: $20
Clean, fresh water is a crucial part of any habitat. Join Woodland Park Zoo and Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife staff in learning about the variety of ways you can provide water for urban wildlife in your own backyard. You'll see examples of different types of water features, such as ponds, birdbaths and fountains. You'll also learn about the natural history of local amphibians and how to provide habitat for these sensitive animals.

Are Weeds Taking Over Your Backyard?
Evening class: Wednesday, May 28, 2008 from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. Cost: $20
Weeds are tough invaders that can quickly dominate your backyard. These non-native, invasive plants crowd out native plants that provide habitat for wildlife and some of them can harm you and your children and even your pets. All noxious weeds are hard to control and will only get worse if you leave them alone. Join Woodland Park Zoo and King County's Noxious Weed Control Program to learn more about the threats noxious weeds pose, as well as how to identify and eradicate some of our area's worst noxious weeds.

To register for the workshop or classes: download application form from Woodland Park Zoo's website: http://www.zoo.org/educate/adult/workshops.html

Questions? Call or email Jenny Mears at 206-548-2557 or jenny.mears@zoo.org