From The Ground & Up
Garden Workshop
Come learn with the Master (Gardeners, that is!) In order to keep their certification, Master Gardeners must take yearly ‘Continuing Education’ (CE). From The Ground & Up was created to keep Pierce County Master Gardeners up on the latest in gardening.
Now, we are opening that training to the Public! So, if you are a gardening enthusiast and want to brush up on your gardening skills, read on.
More Information
Agenda:
- 7:45-8:50am Check-in and Welcome
- 8:50-9:50am Keynote – WA Stormwater Center
- 10:00-11:00am
- Priscilla Jaeger – Lawns & The European Chafer
- Guy Bengtson – The Begonia
- Don Pruett Jr. – It’s About What’s Below Your Feet
- Troy Picou – Citrus Plants, Plus More
- 11:10am-12:10pm
- James Moore – Wildfire preparedness
- Shari Roberts – Bloom 101: A Gardener’s guide to growing Dahlias
- 11:10am-12:10pm (continued)
- Diana Wisen – Midnight Marauders: Managing Slugs & Snails
- Lisa Taylor – Feel Better, Garden for Life!
- 12:10-12:30pm Bring your own Lunch
- 12:40-1:40pm Keynote – Cecilia Monahan
Shadow Lake Nature Preserve , Bog - 1:50-2:50pm
- Lisa Taylor – Made in the Shade:
Two Dozen Native Plants that Thrive in Low Light - James Moore – All about Bio Char
- Diana Wisen – Poisonous Plants in Your Own Backyard
- Tana Hasart-Aligning Permaculture and Priorities;
Designing for Abundance (ends at 3:00pm)
- Lisa Taylor – Made in the Shade:
Additional information on Workshop topics below
Do a little book shopping during breaks!
If dozens of presentations on a wide range of topical gardening issues isn’t enough to boggle the mind, we also have a wide range of gardening books available for sale during breaks throughout the workshop!
2026 Workshop Topics – additional detail
Under our theme of Gardening for Life, this year we are presenting workshops on a wide range of topics important to Pierce gardeners. In addition, we have woven in topics relating to our changing climate and how local gardeners can begin to prepare for what is to come. Check below for talks of interest to you.
Keynote:
WA Stormwater Center
WA Stormwater Center
The Washington Stormwater Center is a collaboration between Washington State University and University of Washington. Our mission is to provide stormwater management solutions and leadership through research, training, and education. We envision a future where communities are knowledgeable about stormwater research and apply planning and tools to minimize flooding, protect clean water, and promote thriving ecosystems.
The Begonia
Guy Bengtson
Known as The Angry Gardener, Guy combines humor, experience, and hands-on knowledge to inspire others to grow with confidence—whether cultivating a lush patio oasis or expanding a rare plant collection one propagation at a time. His mission is simple: to help others discover their own passion for plants and fuel it every day.
Citrus Plants, Plus More
Troy Picou
Caring for citrus plants brings a special kind of satisfaction that unfolds slowly. There’s something deeply rewarding about watching buds form, and finally seeing bright fruit ripen under your care. Citrus plants also give back in tangible ways: fragrant blossoms, fresh flavors, and a sense of accomplishment you can see and taste. Whether you’re a beginner or experienced gardener, nurturing citrus can turn an ordinary space into something vibrant and alive.
Bloom 101: A Gardener’s guide to growing Dahlias
Shari Roberts
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
Feel Better, Garden for Life!
Lisa Taylor
Want to feel better and have more energy and focus? Join Lisa Taylor, garden speaker extraordinaire, in an inspirational session all about increasing the benefits of growing plants and tending a garden. Explore simple practices that can increase the physical, mental and spiritual benefits of working in the garden. Learn ways to prepare for work, how to use tools and adaptive strategies to match all abilities. Discover some easy-to-grow vegetables and herbs that will nourish your body and thrill your taste buds.
Made in the Shade:
Two Dozen Native Plants that Thrive in Low Light
Lisa Taylor
Brighten those shady spots in your garden with easy-to-grow native plants that thrive in less than five hours of sunlight. This presentation will cover a wide range of options—from groundcovers and perennials to shrubs and trees—all well-suited for urban landscapes. Learn how choosing the right plants can enhance biodiversity, support local wildlife, and create a thriving, low-light garden space
Aligning Permaculture & Priorities: Designing for Abundance
Tana Hasart
Want to know the basics of permaculture and why these principles are even more important today? Come to listen, apply, and leave with a basic design plan for a space of your choosing through this hands on experience! Participants will learn how permaculture principles and the WSU Extension Master Gardeners priorities align and complement each other. Using this information, each person will begin to create their own landscape. Expand your knowledge, exercise your creativity, and be prepared to dream!
Lawns & The European Chafer
Priscilla Jaeger
If your lawn looks like it’s been attacked overnight, the culprit isn’t the crows—it’s the European chafer, an invasive beetle spreading across Washington. Its root-feeding grubs weaken turf, while crows, raccoons, and other wildlife dig them up in search of a meal—acting as natural pest control. In this talk, you’ll learn how to identify chafer damage, time control methods effectively, and create a more resilient landscape that’s less vulnerable to pests. A quick, practical look at what’s happening beneath your lawn—and how to respond.
It’s About What’s Below Your Feet
Don Pruett Jr.
Learn the components of a good soil. Soil is alive and crucial for a good plant-growing environment. The shake jar test will be demonstrated to help identify the components that make a rich soil. Then we will apply this information to the soil triangle to help identify different types of soil. The types of soil amendments necessary to correct imbalanced soils will be discussed. Composting will also be explored since it is an easy way to help amend all soil types. Additionally, we will discuss the importance of getting your soil tested.
Wildfire preparedness
James Moore
James [or a DNR/Fire District Rep] will be giving a talk on the basics of wildfire preparedness around the home. The first 100 feet around a building is the most critical to inspect, taking care to choose fire resistant plants, building materials, and keeping a close eye on available fuels all while being as cost effective as possible. Free Wildfire Ready Neighbors visit signups will be available alongside information on how your community can receive thousands of dollars in grant funds to become more wildfire resilient.
Midnight Marauders: Managing Slugs & Snails
Diana Wisen
Getting rid of snails and slugs in the Pacific Northwest takes persistence, but it can protect your garden and save your plants. The damp climate they love also means you need a steady routine. Diana will take you through best practices for getting on top of these meddlesome critters.
Keynote: Shadow Lake Nature Preserve , Bog
Cecilia Monahan
Cecilia Monahan is an established restoration ecologist, wildlife biologist and environmental artist. She oversees all the ecological restoration and research that is performed at SHADOW Lake Nature Preserve a 134 acre nature preserve and home to a 10,000 year old peat bog. With over 95% of Washington peat bogs lost to harvesting, draining and development, SHADOW Lake Peat Bog provides ecosystem services, carbon sequestration, picturesque landscapes and a biodiversity hotspot.
All about Bio Char
James Moore
ames will be giving a talk on the basics of biochar including safety, uses, and local rules concerning Ring of Fire Flame Cap kilns. Although an ancient concept, biochar kilns have only recently been given the green light by Washington State legislature, paving the way for community members to experiment with biochar’s multitude of potential uses and decrease their wildfire fuel load.
Poisonous Plants in Your Own Backyard
Diana Wisen
Discover the hidden dangers growing just steps from your door. Poisonous Plants in Your Own Backyard reveals common yet hazardous species lurking in everyday landscapes, from ornamental favorites to wild invaders. Learn how to identify, avoid, and safely manage these plants while protecting your family, pets, and community. This engaging presentation blends practical tips with eye-opening facts, turning your outdoor space into a place of awareness, confidence, and safer enjoyment for everyone in every season.
Frequently asked questions:
A: Next to nothing, BUT…. Our service provider requires compensation for handling the booking. So, the “Please Pay what you can” field requires a minimum of $1 to be able to register. Please enter from $1 up to any amount. Our Foundation would love you if you upped your contribution as these funds support future classes.