We are delighted to announce the dates for our 2023 educational programs and volunteer events! This year we are increasing the opportunities for learning and sustaining the Children’s Garden by continuing our Saturday schedule, and greatly expanding our weekday offerings!
REGISTRATION:
We require pre-registration for all our free classes and community stewardship events. See the full list of dates below!
- Registration is open for all 2023 stewardship events, and we welcome Master Gardener interns and veterans, P-Patchers, and all interested community members to sign up at our Stewardship SignUp Genius page!
- Registration is now open for our first free class of the year! “Composting with Worm Bins” on Sat. April 8th from 10:00am-11:00am will be taught by Tilth Master Composter Jessica Souyoutlzis, and there is a maximum of 15 attendees, so reserve your spot today at our Free Classes SignUp Genius page!
- Free nature walks will be happening in 2023 also! We’ll be partnering with Beavers NW and other wonderful co-hosts on these fun and educational events. Stay tuned for announcements of nature walk dates and times!
- Registration for all our free classes and nature walks will open at the beginning of the prior month, IE: registration for the May 13th class will open on April 1st, etc.
Schedule of 2nd Saturday classes and stewardship events:
On the 2nd Saturday of each month from April to October, we will host a FREE 1-hr garden class, followed by a 3-hr. community stewardship event. King Co. Master Gardeners will be on hand at each event to answer your home gardening questions too!
- Sat. April 8th:
- Free “Worm Bin Composting” class from 10-11am Free Class SignUp Genius page
- Stewardship from 11am-2pm Stewardship SignUp Genius page
- Sat. May 13th:
- Free “Native Plants and Pollinators” class from 10-11am Free Class SignUp Genius page
- Stewardship from 11am-2pm Stewardship SignUp Genius page
- Sat. June 10th:
- Free “Summer Veggie Gardening” class from 10-11am Free Class SignUp Genius page
- Stewardship from 11am-2pm Stewardship SignUp Genius page
- Sat. July 8th:
- Free class (topic TBA) from 9-10am Free Class SignUp Genius page
- Stewardship from 10am-1pm Stewardship SignUp Genius page
- Sat. August 12th:
- Free “Pollinators in Action” class from 9-10am Free Class SignUp Genius page
- Stewardship from 10am-1pm Stewardship SignUp Genius page
- Sat. Sept. 9th:
- Free class (topic TBA) from 10-11am Free Class SignUp Genius page
- Stewardship from 11am-2pm Stewardship SignUp Genius page
- Sat. Oct. 14th:
- Free “Tending an Orchard Mason Bee Box” class from 10-11am Free Class SignUp Genius page
- Stewardship from 11am-2pm Stewardship SignUp Genius page
Schedule of weekday stewardship opportunities for 1st or 2nd year King Co. Master Gardeners:
These events will be led by a veteran MG to provide new MGs with mentoring and experience in sustainable gardening practices, as well as enhancing their knowledge and confidence to teach these practices to the public. Visit our Stewardship SignUp Genius page to register.
Dates and times:
- Mon. May 1st from 8:30-11:00am
- Mon. May 15th from 8:30-11:00am
- Mon. June 12th from 8:30-11:00am
- Mon. June 26th from 8:30-11:00am
- Mon. July 10th from 8:30-11:00am
- Mon. July 24th from 8:30-11:00am
- Mon. Aug. 7th from 8:30-11:00am
- Mon. Aug. 21st from 8:30-11:00am
- Mon. Sept. 11th from 8:30-11:00am
- Mon. Sept. 25th from 8:30-11:00am
More dates will be added soon!
COVID-SAFE PROTOCOLS:
- At all our classes and stewardship events, we follow guidance from the CDC, WA State and the WSU/Master Gardener Program. If/when that guidance changes, we will adapt our protocols to match.
- At all our classes and stewardship events, we provide a hand-washing sink and soap, as well as hand-sanitizer for attendees and volunteers to use.
- At our stewardship events, we supply all hand tools, but ask that volunteers bring their own garden gloves if they have them. If not, we will supply a freshly-laundered pair to use while you are in the Children’s Garden.
For more information or any questions about our events, please contact the Children’s Garden Committee Volunteer Coordinator Lois Hanson at childrensgardenvolunteering@gmail.com.
What happens at our free classes?
Our teachers are very knowledgeable on their gardening or nature topic, and all classes include hands-on, experiential learning activities that are fun and educational for children and adults. The activities are always relevant to the class topic, such as:
- Guided exploration of the worm bin and log pile to learn about decomposition;
- Guided pollinator identification hunts along the garden paths to learn about bees and other beneficial insects;
- Guided “snack walks” or planting veggie seeds and starts in our p-patch plot to learn about food growing;
- Guided walks through the Magnuson Wetlands to learn about this amazing ecosystem and habitat for the plants, birds, insects, and mammals that thrive there.
What happens at our stewardship events?
Our events are fun for novice gardeners as well as experienced ones, and parents are always welcome to bring their children!
- Typical activities include simple tasks such as planting, fertilizing, and/or pruning plants, weeding and mulching beds and paths, and watering during the summer months;
- We provide individual water and/or juice, and single-serving granola bars or other refreshments, for all stewardship volunteers;
- King Co. Master Gardeners and/or other experienced gardeners are always on hand at each event to guide volunteers, and answer your home gardening questions too!
For more information or any questions about our events, please contact the Children’s Garden Committee Volunteer Coordinator Lois Hanson at childrensgardenvolunteering@gmail.com. Thanks!
We may also be able to schedule a free field trip or custom stewardship event for your scout, campfire, community, family or corporate group during the summer months, with minimum of 2 weeks advance notice. For more information, contact Lois at childrensgardenvolunteering@gmail.com