2025 PNW Garden Savvy
Welcome to the new PNW Garden Savvy!! (formerly known as BDG Workshops) This is your online Saturday morning go to for lively garden education while you enjoy your morning coffee or tea. While we have a new name, we will continue to provide timely, pertinent science based horticultural education.
PNW Garden Savvy classes are held Saturdays from 9:30 to 10:30 AM from January through October each year. They are held online via the Zoom platform. Registrants will receive Zoom instructions to access the online class via email prior to the presentation. The classes are recorded and recordings will be made available to all registrants. Handouts, if provided, are linked for each class.
Note: In some cases, speakers may have restricted the availability of recordings, and this information is provided with the registration information.
Cost: Advance registration is required for these classes. The class fees help the Master Gardener Foundation support the activities of the WSU Extension Master Gardener program in King County. Registration links for each class and for each series are included below.
Per class fee. The fee for each class will be $8.00.
Series subscription fee. There will be three series.
Each series has 6 classes and will be offered at a discounted subscription price of $38.00.
Series 1: January 11 to March 22, 2025
Series 2: April 12 to June 7, 2025
Series 3: September 6 to October 25, 2025
Financial Need Fee Waivers. Financial Need Fee Waivers are available for all classes. To request a waiver, complete and submit the request form prior to registering. The link to the waiver request form will be distributed by email about a week before each class is held. Please note that Financial Need Fee Waivers may not be used for a series subscription.
Land Acknowledgement
We acknowledge that we are gathered on the sacred lands of the Coast Salish Peoples who have lived along the shores of the Central Salish Sea since time immemorial. We honor all First Peoples indigenous to the place we now call King County – their ancestors and descendants who have cared for these sacred lands and waters for thousands of years. We give thanks to the Duwamish, Muckleshoot, Snoqualmie, Stillaguamish, and Tulalip Tribes for sharing their ancestral lands and watersheds with us, and we embrace our responsibility to help protect and restore them for future generations.
Contact us: If you have questions about these classes, you may contact us at PNWGardenSavvy@mgfkc.com.
2025 Series 1
2025 Series 1 (6 classes):
PNW Garden Savvy classes from January 1 to March 22, 2025.
Registration is available for all the classes in Series 1 at one time. The cost is $38.00.
Jan. 11, 2025
Tips for New and Experienced Gardeners. Speaker: Bruce Bennett, Extension Master Gardener.
Presentation: This class will provide new gardeners with introductory information that has been revised through WSU and OSU research and by the speaker’s professional practice for the past twenty years. As plants and weather change over the years, so do the growing guidelines. So, even experienced gardeners can use a refresher class. Topics include new garden prep, different garden options, typical gardening mistakes, and other relevant topics.
Jan. 25, 2025
Growing Roses in Today’s World. Speaker: Michele Thomas, Extension Master Gardener.
Presentation: Just in time for spring, this class will provide a history of roses, the most popular rose types, and roses best suited for our changing climate. Site selection (including different climates in King County), soil prep, and planting instructions will be discussed. Pruning, spring and fall rose care, and disease and pest management will also be addressed. Get ready for a successful season of roses.
Feb. 8, 2025
Balcony to Backyard: Climate Adapted Gardening in the PNW. Speaker: Del Brummet, Head Gardener, Elisabeth C. Miller Botanical Garden.
Presentation: Del Brummet, head gardener of the Elisabeth C Miller Botanical Garden, will take you on a journey through the building and maintenance of his low water home garden. What techniques help to grow and establish a variety of plants with lower water needs? How do you pick plants for narrow spaces with shifting light throughout the year? Del’s garden features a variety of native plants combined with exotics which work together to create year-round interest while being mindful of ecological practices. From the extremely sunny back patio to the shaded under cedar section there should be something to learn for all gardeners.
Feb. 22, 2025
Wildlife Friendly Gardening for Natural Pest Control. Speaker: Laura Matter, Natural Yard Care Program Director, Tilth Alliance.
Presentation: When you create a wildlife friendly habitat for birds and insects, they in turn will provide you with natural pest and weed control.This class will teach you about the plants and design techniques that attract these delightful creatures to visit and live in your backyard.
Mar. 8, 2025
Best but Unusual Companion Plants for Rhododendrons. Speaker: Atsuko Gibson, Nursery Manager Rhododendron Species Botanical Garden.
Presentation: Whether your rhododendrons are big or small, there are always some plants that can be grown with them. Atsuko will introduce you to unusual perennials that pair well with your existing rhododendron plantings, or in a trough or large container planting.
Mar. 22, 2025
Mastering Mason Bees: Essential Insights for Successful Spring Pollination. Speaker: Dave Hunter, Founder and Owner of Crown Bees.
Presentation: Join Dave Hunter, a renowned local mason bee expert and the owner of Crown Bees, for an enlightening session designed for master gardeners. In this workshop, Dave will share his extensive knowledge on how to harmonize with nature to maximize the success of spring pollination with local native mason bee. Learn practical strategies and gain valuable insights that you can apply and pass on to others, ensuring a thriving and productive gardening season.
2025 Series 2
Registration Not Available
2025 Series 2 (6 classes):
PNW Garden Savvy classes from April 12 to June 7, 2025. Registration is available for all the classes in Series 2 at one time. The cost is $38.00.
Apr. 12, 2025
Registration Not Available
2025 Series 2 (6 classes):
Gardening with Children. Speaker: Pauline O’Rourke, Extension Master Gardener and Instructor “Living Lab” and “Kids in the Garden” classes at the Bellevue Botanical Garden.
Presentation: TBD
Apr. 26, 2025
Registration Not Available
Plant It Where the Sun Don’t Shine. Speaker: Greg Butler, Garden Designer and Educator.
Presentation: TBD
May 3, 2025
Registration Not Available
Protecting our Unsung Heroes, our Pollinators. Speaker: Sue Melgaard, Extension Master Gardener
Presentation: TBD
May 17, 2025
Registration Not Available
Understanding King County Soils for Better Gardening. Speaker: Gary Hergert, Professor Emeritus, UNL Agronomy-Horticulture.
Presentation: TBD
May 31, 2025
Registration Not Available
Rain Gardens. Speaker: Gary Fredericks, Extension Master Gardener.
Presentation: TBD
Jun. 7, 2025
Registration Not Available
Deer Resistant Gardening. Speaker: Adam Romero, Extension Master Gardener.
Presentation: TBD
2025 Series 3
Registration Not Available
2025 Series 3 (6 classes):
PNW Garden Savvy classes from September 6 to October 25, 2025. Registration is available for all the classes in Series 3 at one time. The cost is $38.00.
Sept. 6, 2025
Registration Not Available
Lovely Lawn Alternatives. Speaker: Sue Goetz, Horticulturist, Garden Designer.
Presentation: TBD
Sept. 13, 2025
Registration Not Available
Propagation from Cuttings: A Practical Approach for Roses and Perennials. Speaker: Jason Crouch, Owner Fraser Valley Rose Farm.
Presentation: TBD
Sept. 27, 2025
Registration Not Available
Fall Groundwork in the Natural Garden. Speaker: Laura Matter, Seattle Tilth.
Presentation: TBD
Oct. 4, 2025
Registration Not Available
Creating a Cut Flower Garden. Speaker: Colleen Donahue, Extension Master Gardener.
Presentation: TBD
Oct. 18, 2025
Registration Not Available
How to combine perennials, shrubs, and small trees for garden color throughout the year. Speaker: Cleo Raulerson, Extension Master Gardener.
Presentation: TBD
Oct. 25, 2025
Registration Not Available
Creating a Happy Home for Houseplants. Speaker: Ann Amato, Production Manager at Secret Garden Growers, Propagation Asst. at Little Prince of Oregon.
Presentation: TBD
WSU extension programs and employment are available to all without discrimination. Evidence of noncompliance may be reported through our local extension office. Reasonable accommodations will be made for persons with disabilities and special needs; contact the WSU Extension King County office at king.mg@wsu.edu at least two weeks prior to the event.