Free Events!

We are delighted to be hosting educational programs and volunteer events again this year! We have increased the opportunities for learning and sustaining the Children’s Garden by continuing our free 2nd Saturday event schedule, and greatly expanded opportunities for free weekday stewardship days and nighttime nature walks!

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 our September 9th and October 14th 2023 stewardship events, and we welcome Master Gardener interns and veterans, P-Patchers, and all interested community members to register at our Stewardship SignUp Genius page!
  • Registration is now open for our last class of 2023 on Saturday Oct. 14th at 10am: “Tending an orchard mason bee box”. We invite you to register at our Free Class SignUp Genius page

Schedule of all remaining 2nd Saturday classes and stewardship events:

  • Sat. Oct. 14th:
    • Free “Tending an Orchard Mason Bee Box” class with Seattle Tree Fruit Society expert Trent Elwing from 10-11am: Come learn about mason bees from Trent Elwing of Seattle Tree Fruit Society, a solitary-bee keeper with years of experience. During this class you’ll learn about the life cycle of this important little pollinator, where they live, and how to take care of them in your garden. See mason-bee cocoons up close and learn what to look out for to keep mason bees healthy and happy. Families of all experience levels, ages, and abilities are invited to our classes. Registration is open now on our Free Classes SignUp Genius page.
  • Sat. Oct. 14th:

Schedule of remaining weekday stewardship opportunities for 1st or 2nd year King Co. Master Gardeners:

These events are led by a veteran MG, to provide new MGs with mentoring and experience in sustainable gardening practices, as well as to enhance their knowledge and confidence to teach these practices to the public. Registration is open now for all dates! Visit our Stewardship SignUp Genius page to register.

Dates and times:

  • Mon. Sept. 11th from 8:30-11:00am
  • Mon. Sept. 25th from 8:30-11:00am

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 stewardship 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