During the month of March, North City Water District is thrilled to present not one, but TWO FREE Savvy Gardener classes here in our main conference room in Shoreline. The class at the end of March was designed with kids in mind… including all sorts of hands-on fun!
FIRST CLASS:
The Down and Dirty: Soil Building Secrets for Greener Gardens
Thursday March 9, 2017
6:30–8:00 pm
at North City Water District
1519 NE 177th Street in Shoreline
Click for directions >
How do you grow more productive, greener, and healthier gardens, with less time and money? The secret is in the soil: healthy, living soil, that is. Join Ea Murphy, soil scientist and author of Building Soil: A Down-to-Earth Approach, to unlock the secrets for bringing soils to life and grow naturally productive gardens. In this class learn how to recognize healthy soil, feed and nourish the soil food web, and build soil fertility using natural strategies and techniques available to every gardener. Get down to the ground level for a soil-eyed view that will change the way you grow. Light snacks including fresh fruit, crackers and coffee/teas will be available. Registration required… see contact info at the bottom of this article.
About The Presenter:
Ea (Elizabeth) Murphy is a soil scientist and author of Building Soil: A Down-to-Earth Approach (Cool Springs Press, 2015). Her passion for growing food led to a master’s degree from University of California, Davis, where she researched the fundamentals of soil organic matter and sustainable ways to improve it. She has worked on farms, with urban gardens, in environmental restoration, in agroecological research, and as a faculty instructor for Oregon State University Extension.
With twenty years of hands-on practical experience and the latest research in soil health to back her up, she shares the simple truth that to grow more, we need to do less. She has shared the message of living soil with audiences across the country, including appearances on King 5’s New Day Northwest, WHYY’s You Bet Your Garden, and PRI’s Science Friday.
Based in Tacoma, Washington, Ea offers classes and workshops, one-on-one consultation services, and online soil and garden support and resources at her website www.dirtsecrets.com. One thing she believes: the future health of our planet depends on us all bringing soil to life, wherever we are.
SECOND CLASS:
Creating a Snack-Walk Garden – hands-on and kid-friendly!
Wednesday March 29, 2017
6:00–7:30 pm
at North City Water District
1519 NE 177th Street in Shoreline
Click for directions >
Learn which vegetables, fruits, herbs, and other plants are easy to grow in the family garden, inspire the imagination, are safe for children and pets, and fun to touch, smell, and taste on frequent “snack walks”! This class is designed for our young Savvy Gardeners and their parents: hands-on and kid-friendly! Light snacks including fresh fruit, crackers and coffee/teas will be available. Registration required… see contact info at the bottom of this article.
About The Presenter:
Emily Bishton is an environmental educator and landscape designer who has gardened organically for 35 years. Since 1997, she has specialized in creating wildlife-friendly and child-friendly gardens, and edible landscapes throughout the Seattle area. During that time, she has also taught gardening and environmental education programs throughout the Puget Sound region, reaching a wide range of audiences from elementary school and community college students to homeowners and professional landscaper.
Her public landscape projects have included the Magnuson Community Center Bird-Friendly Landscape and Resource Conservation Landscape, the Orca at Whitworth School Garden, and Bradner Gardens Park Winter Interest Garden.
Emily is also the Director and Lead Instructor for Magnuson Nature Programs, which provides hands-on outdoor gardening and nature education for children, adults, and families.
CLASS REGISTRATION:
Both classes are free, but you must register to attend. Simply send an email to theresah@northcitywater.org or call our main office at 206.362.8100.