Food Security Talks
Presentations on growing food both veggies and small fruits, building soil health including composting and attracting pollinators to your garden.
Vegetable Gardening Choices for the PNW
Are you ready to grow vegetables that will thrive in our maritime climate? Whether you want to grow tomatoes or potatoes, peppers or root vegetables, leafy greens or more, you’ll learn the best varieties to plant, as well as techniques to help your garden flourish.
Square Foot Gardening
Who doesn’t want more garden-fresh food with less effort? Square foot gardening can help you make the most of the space that you have, plus save you time, effort, and water. Learn how to plan, plant, and care for your square foot garden.
Successfully Growing Tomatoes in the PNW
Do you want to grow mouth-watering tomatoes in our maritime PNW climate? Learn expert tips for making the most of our cooler and shorter growing season, and help your tomatoes flourish.
Small Fruits and Berries
Have you been dreaming of backyard berries? Learn how to grow and maintain small fruits and berries in the Pacific Northwest, including how to prune and fertilize them. Dive deep on strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries, as well as discover some lesser-known and more unusual fruits.
Growing and Enjoying Herbs
Whether you have a few pots on your patio or multiple garden beds, you can grow herbs! Learn how to use the space you have to start your herb garden, and enjoy fresh herbs both in the garden and in your kitchen..
Perennial Food Crops
Plant once and harvest for years! Many fruits, vegetables, and herbs are perennials that will come back year after year. Learn how to include these plants in your garden for some lower effort food, plus improved soil health and biodiversity.
Growing Garlic 101
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.
Winter Vegetable Gardening
Would you like food from your garden year-round? Winter and spring harvests are possible with some planning and preparation. Learn more about November to February gardening and share your experiences and tips.
Attracting Bees to your Garden Oasis
Want to save the bees? Learn the differences between native and non-native bees in this interactive presentation, and leave with simple strategies to attract and support native bees in your own garden.
Pollinators
If we want food in our gardens, we need our pollinators! Learn what pollinators do, the effects of climate change on pollinators, and how you can support pollinators in your own backyard.
Composting Your Way
Want to compost but not sure you have enough room? Discover the many different methods of composting, including ones that need very little or no outdoor space. Learn about the different techniques, challenges, and solutions, plus how to use your compost to feed your plants and improve soil health.
Compost and Soil: It’s All About What’s Below Your Feet
Soil is alive, and healthy soil is what makes your garden grow! Learn how to create great soil by using compost and working with mother nature.
Composting
What is compost, and how is it made? Find out what it takes to make compost in your backyard. Learn the difference between hot and cold composting, as well as how to use compost in your garden beds.
Vermicomposting
Vermicomposting turns your kitchen scraps into nutrient-rich soil using the power of worms! Discover this simple, odor-free, and eco-friendly way to recycle food waste right at home. Watch nature’s recyclers in action while reducing landfill waste and creating something valuable for your plants.
Veggie Gardening with EASE
Our climate may be changing, but you can keep growing with EASE! Learn all about the steps to vegetable gardening with EASE: Evaluating your carbon footprint, Adapting to climate change realities, Sustaining soil health, and Enjoying your garden.
Seed Saving
Want to grow more plants without spending a dime? Learn how to select the best plants for seed saving, choose the highest quality seeds, and master drying and storage techniques. Bonus: discover how seed saving contributes to a healthier, more biodiverse garden.
Resilient Gardening Talks:
These are talks on how to adjust your gardening practices to align with our changing climate including water wise gardening and maintaining clean water.
What’s Tearing Up Your Lawn?
The European Chafer Problem
Are crows and raccoons tearing up your lawn? A tiny beetle – the European Chafer – is likely to blame. Learn how to identify an infestation, follow the beetle’s seasonal life cycle, and understand action thresholds so you know when — and when not — to treat.
Are crows and raccoons tearing up your lawn? A tiny beetle – the European Chafer – is likely to blame. Learn how to identify an infestation, follow the beetle’s seasonal life cycle, and understand action thresholds so you know when — and when not — to treat.
Room to Resist:
Defensible Zones and Wildfire Safety
Is your yard ready for wildfire season? Learn about landscaping methods and solutions to minimize wildfire risks to your home and property, including fire-resistant plants to incorporate into your space.
The Resilient Yard
Are your yard and garden set up for our changing climate? Discover simple steps for designing and maintaining your yard to handle climate change, from lawn maintenance to garden bed design and growing veggies.
More Trees, Please!
Did you know that increasing tree canopies in urban areas can help fight climate change? The Miyawaki Method, one of the most effective tree planting methods, can be used to create fast-growing micro-forests anywhere! Discover this award-winning way of planting trees used around the world, including in the Pacific Northwest.
Veggie Gardening with EASE
Our climate may be changing, but you can keep growing with EASE! Learn all about the steps to vegetable gardening with EASE: Evaluating your carbon footprint, Adapting to climate change realities, Sustaining soil health, and Enjoying your garden.
Reimagining Your Lawn
Are you thinking about transforming your lawn to save time and money? Learn how we got to the modern ‘putting green’ lawn, and explore more sustainable alternatives that may be better suited to the way you live today.
The Science of Rain Gardens
What are rain gardens and why do we need them? Learn what stormwater runoff is, and how strategically placed rain gardens can help remove pollutants, reduce flooding, and create beautiful, biodiverse landscapes.
People & Plants:
Talks include the health benefits of engaging with nature, wild fire preparedness for your home and encouraging plant biodiversity.
Container Gardening
Container gardening is a fantastic way to grow plants in a limited space, bringing beauty and fresh produce right to your doorstep! Learn how to choose the right containers, select appropriate plants, and understand soil and watering needs.
Seed Saving
Want to grow more plants without spending a dime? Learn how to select the best plants for seed saving, choose the highest quality seeds, and master drying and storage techniques. Bonus: discover how seed saving contributes to a healthier, more biodiverse garden.
Bloom 101: Gardeners Guide to growing Dahlias
Who doesn’t love dahlias? Learn how to grow healthy, vibrant dahlias – when to plant your tubers, why pinching your plants produces more blooms, and overwintering options. Build your confidence with practical advice so you’re ready to face common challenges and enjoy a garden full of dahlias.
Unbeatable Plants for the Maritime Northwest
Are you starting a garden, but aren’t sure what to grow? Discover exceptional, reliable, and easy-to-grow plants for home gardeners. Learn the history of and lessons learned from the Puyallup Demonstration Garden’s Great Plant Picks berms, and leave ready to select the right plants for your space.
Rooted in the PNW:
Embracing Native Plants in your Garden
Ready to support our birds and native pollinators and increase your landscape’s biodiversity? Curious which native plants might work best in your garden? Discover basic design principles to incorporate our vast array of PNW natives into your space, no matter the size.
Ready to support our birds and native pollinators and increase your landscape’s biodiversity? Curious which native plants might work best in your garden? Discover basic design principles to incorporate our vast array of PNW natives into your space, no matter the size.
Cultivate Joy: Growing a cut flower garden
Do you dream of growing and harvesting your own beautiful bouquets to enjoy indoors and share with others? Learn the basics of a successful cut flower garden, including how to select, grow, and harvest flowers that thrive in our PNW summers and do well in a vase.
Right Plant, Right Place
Want a healthier and more beautiful garden with less stress, maintenance, and cost? The “Right Plant, Right Place” principle can help you! Build a thriving garden by learning how to assess and understand your garden site and match a plant’s specific needs to the unique conditions of its environment.
Year Round Bulbs
Bulbs aren’t just for spring! In the unique climate of the Pacific Northwest, we have bulbs that can bloom nearly every month of the year. Discover how to create your own vibrant, year-round bulb garden, and get ready to grow beauty in every season.
Winter is Coming…
…Keep the color Coming Back
Don’t say goodbye to your favorite annuals each fall! Learn simple, effective methods to overwinter begonias and geraniums so you can enjoy them year after year. Discover multiple techniques—from storing dormant tubers to keeping container plants alive indoors—as well as easy tips to multiply your plants with minimal effort.
Don’t say goodbye to your favorite annuals each fall! Learn simple, effective methods to overwinter begonias and geraniums so you can enjoy them year after year. Discover multiple techniques—from storing dormant tubers to keeping container plants alive indoors—as well as easy tips to multiply your plants with minimal effort.
The Great Divide: Prepping Dahlias for Next Season
Calling all dahlia lovers! Discover how to keep your dahlias blooming year-after-year by properly overwintering your tubers. Learn best practices to minimize the spread of virus and disease when harvesting flowers and dividing tuber clumps.
Gardening without Barriers
Want to start a garden, but not sure that you have the time, space, money, or physical agility? Discover tools, tips, and techniques to make gardening accessible for you.
Noxious Neighbors:
English Ivy
Is your English Ivy taking over? Learn what a noxious weed is, how weeds are classified by the Pierce County Weed Control Board, and what those categories mean. Find out why English Ivy is considered noxious and what you can do about it.
Dealing with Deer in the Garden
Have deer been snacking on your vegetables or roses? Learn more about the habits and appetite of deer, as well as what to do – and what not to do – to reduce their impact on your garden.
Organic Pest Control
What is a pest? Learn the steps to identify, prevent, and discourage pests in your garden. Understand long-term management versus quick fix methods of pest control, and how to balance pest management with environmental impact.