2026 Speakers Bureau Library

These are talks on growing food both veggies and small fruits, building soil health including composting and attracting pollinators to your garden.

Synopsis: We will cover the general needs and wants of small fruits and berries in the Pacific Northwest. We will also take a deeper dive and cover some specifics for selected fruits and berries. Then we’ll take a look as some of the lesser-known and more unusual fruits and cover their needs including pruning and fertilizing.

Synopsis: A Feast for the Senses: Growing and Enjoying Herbs in Your Garden. The presentation covers: Herbs in a Pot: Getting Started with Fresh Herbs, Herbs on the Patio: The Compact French Garden, Herbs in a Formal Garden: The Checkerboard Approach, and Herbs in a Spiral: A Modern Solution to Water and Space Conservation.

…From Planting to Harvesting
Synopsis: Unlock the secrets to growing your own delicious, garlic in this hands-on, beginner-friendly class. Whether you’re planting in a garden bed or containers, you’ll learn everything you need to know to successfully grow garlic from start to finish. We’ll cover garlic varieties, planting times, soil preparation, fertilization, watering, pest control, and when and how to harvest and cure your crop for long-term storage.

Synopsis: This interactive presentation will provide attendees with an ability to discern between native and non-native bees.  Attendees will learn simple strategies to put in place in their home garden to attract and support native bees.

Synopsis: Soil is alive. Learn how to create great soil by using compost and working with mother nature. It’s about creating sustainable and healthy soil that makes your garden grow. 

Synopsis: This presentation focuses on learning ways to become resilient in the face of climate change. Growing a vegetable garden with EASE involves Evaluating your carbon footprint, Adapting to climate change realities, Sustaining soil health and Enjoying your garden!

Synopsis: Want to grow more plants without spending a dime? Join us and discover the secrets to harvesting your own seeds! Learn how to select the best plants for seed saving, choose the highest quality seeds, and master drying and storage techniques. Plus, find out how seed saving contributes to a healthier, more biodiverse garden. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to grow your own garden – naturally and sustainably!

These are talks on how to adjust your gardening practices to align with our changing climate including water wise gardening and maintaining clean water.

Synopsis: Increasing tree canopies in urban areas is an important tool in the fight against a warming climate. This presentation presents an award winning way of creating fast growing, ‘micro’ forests in urban areas. It is called the Miyawaki Method, after its initial pioneer. Includes pictures of successful Miyawaki forests from around the world and right here in the Pacific Northwest.

Synopsis: Rain gardens are strategically placed depressions designed to capture and filter stormwater runoff. Plants, soil, and soil microbes come to the rescue to effectively remove pollutants like excess nutrients and heavy metals, improving water quality. Diverting stormwater to rain gardens instead of urban drainage systems helps reduce flooding, recharge groundwater, and create beautiful, biodiverse landscapes.

Talks include the health benefits of engaging with nature, wild fire preparedness for your home and encouraging plant biodiversity.

Synopsis: Container gardening is a fantastic way to grow plants in a limited space, bringing beauty and fresh produce right to your doorstep! This presentation will cover: choosing the right containers, selecting appropriate plants, understanding soil and watering needs, and providing essential nutrients.

Synopsis: Who doesn’t love dahlias? This class covers how to grow healthy, vibrant dahlias – when to plant your tubers, why pinching your plants produces more blooms, and navigating common challenges.  Practical advice will include watering and fertilization needs and tuber over-wintering options to set you up with the confidence to grow a garden bursting with beautiful dahlias to enjoy mid-summer into the fall.

Embracing Native Plants in your Garden
Synopsis: Ready to increase your landscape’s biodiversity and grow more Natives in your garden while supporting our birds and native pollinators? Curious which native plants might work best in your garden? Attendees will learn basic design principles to incorporate our vast array of PNW natives into their new, existing, or small spaces. Gardening with native plants can be beautiful and beneficial.

Synopsis: The “Right Plant, Right Place” principle focuses on matching a plant’s specific needs to the unique conditions of its environment.  Site analysis is a vital step of garden design and gardening that helps you understand your site and select plants that will naturally thrive, leading to a healthier and more beautiful garden with less stress, maintenance, and cost.

Synopsis: Learn about noxious weeds in Pierce County, how weeds are classified by the Pierce County Weed Control Board and what their classifications mean. Then we will dive deeper into English Ivy: why is it considered noxious and what you can do to mitigate its impact on our environment.