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Thursday, June 19, 2008
Last updated 11:44 a.m. PT

Garden Calendar

Send calendar items four weeks before the event to Northwest Gardens, P.O. Box 1909, Seattle, WA 98111-1909; fax: 206-448-8216, Attn: Northwest Gardens; e-mail: nwgardens@seattlepi.com.

CLASSES

ONGOING Bellevue Botanical Garden: 12001 Main St., Bellevue. Free. 425-452-2750; bellevuebotanical.org.

Garden d'Lights: Learn to make flower lights the Bellevue Botanical Garden way. The classes are low-cost or free to members, but what is created stays at the garden to be enjoyed by others. Call or click for dates and times.

JUNE 29 Dig: 19028 Vashon Highway S.W., Vashon Island. Dress for the weather. Registration required: 206-463-5096; dignursery.com.

1 p.m. -- Rock Walls with Ross Johnson: Explore the wide variety of uses for natural stone. Hands-on techniques, tips and tools will be discussed and demonstrated. Free.

SUN Emery's Garden: 2829 164th St. S.W., Lynnwood, 425-743-4555; emerysgarden.com .

Noon -- Good Gardening, Healthy Body: Join physical therapist Julie Jacobs, for an informative presentation on smart and healthy gardening practices.

THURS Floral Design Institute: 911 Western Ave., Suite 575; 800-819-8089; flowerschool.com. Cost includes all materials.

6:30 p.m. -- Entertaining With Summer Flowers: Using summer blossoms, fruits and vegetables found at the local farmers market, learn how to create the setting for a spectacular summer patio party and a summer party centerpiece. $55.

JUNE 26 Lakewold Gardens: 12317 Gravelly Lake Drive S.W., Lakewood. 253-584-4106 ext. 109; lakewoldgardens.org.

3:30 p.m. -- Lakewold's Rose and Cutting Gardens: David Baird, owner of Fairie Gardens, a specialty nursery and design service, will talk about modern and historical English gardens, and follow up with an educational tour of Lakewold's cutting garden. Please R.S.V.P.

SAT Molbak's: 13625 N.E. 175th St., Woodinville. 425-483-5000; molbaks.com.

11 a.m. -- Invite the Birds to Your Yard: Seattle Audubon Society's Neil Zimmerman will talk about how to create the best environment for the birds in your yard.

1 p.m. -- Wings of Beauty - Attracting Butterflies to Your Garden: Butterfly expert and photographer Idie Ulsh will teach you how to start a butterfly garden and help those butterflies flourish in your own yard.

SAT/WED Seattle Tilth: To register: 206-633-0451 ext. 1; seattletilth.org.

Saturday, 11 a.m. -- Growing Heat-Loving Crops: Let the Tilth experts teach you a few tricks to getting these heat crops to perform. Seattle Tilth Demonstration Garden at Bradner Gardens Park, 1733 Bradner Place S. $15; $20 for nonmembers.

Wednesday, 5 p.m. -- Container Veggie Gardening: Apartment and condominium dwellers can learn how to grow food on their balcony or windowsill. Victor Steinbrueck Park, 2001 Western Ave. To register: 206-633-5045 ext. 2. Free.

ONGOING Sogetsu Ikebana: Nobuko Relnick offers flower-arrangement classes Tuesdays, 1-3 p.m. and 6:30-8:30 p.m., at 19112 152nd Ave. N.E., Woodinville, and Thursdays at 5 p.m. at Pottery Northwest, 226 First Ave. N. $20, plus $7 materials fee. 425-489-1992; nrelnick@comcast.net.

SUN/JUNE 29 Swanson's Nursery: Classes are free unless otherwise noted. 9701 15th Ave. N.W. 206-782-2543; www.swansonsnursery.com.

Sunday, 2 p.m. -- Container Design: Carrie Becker, garden designer and co-founder of the Bellevue Botanical Garden Perennial Border, changes scale to demonstrate design for a container.

June 29, 10 a.m. -- Xeriscaping: Swanson's Ben Mark shares his wide knowledge of drought-tolerant plants from all over the world, that are appropriate for use in xeriscaping.

MON UW Botanic Gardens: Center for Urban Horticulture, 3501 N.E. 41st St., Seattle. 206-685-8033; www.uwbotanicgardens.org

7 p.m. -- Green Your Home: Learn real-world strategies for greening up your building, remodeling or buying project; and find out how to identify the right shade of green for you, your resources and your schedule. $12.

JUNE 28 Windmill Gardens: 5823 160th Ave. E., Sumner. Register: 253-863-5843; windmillgarden.com.

10 a.m. -- Make Fountains for Your Garden: Learn all the aspects of making a fountain, whatever the size, from Mark the Pond Guy. Free.

ETC.

ONGOING Arboretum Foundation: 206-325-4510; www.arboretumfoundation.org.

Through June 16 -- The Pacific Northwest Gardens competition is accepting entries from home gardeners in King, Pierce and Snohomish Counties plus Bainbridge Island. Prizes include trips to London and San Francisco, $500 cash, and gift certificates to Swanson's Nursery.

JUNE 28/29 Emery's Garden: 2829 164th St. S.W., Lynnwood, 425-743-4555; emerysgarden.com .

June 28, 11 a.m., June 29, 1 p.m., Annual Lavender Festival: Featuring music, refreshments and classes that celebrate this aromatic and easy to grow plant. Lavender recipes, crafts, gifts and accessories will be available.

SAT Molbak's: 13625 N.E. 175th St., Woodinville. 425-483-5000; molbaks.com.

11 a.m.-3 p.m. -- Seattle Audubon Society Info Table: Seattle Audubon will be at an information table in the garden store to answer questions about Northwest birds and butterflies.

THURS Plant Amnesty: Information: 206-783-9813; plantamnesty.org.

9 a.m.-3 p.m. -- Arbor Day in June: PlantAmnesty arborists representing several Seattle area tree services will donate a day of free tree pruning for several trees in front of the Good Shepherd Center. The public is invited for tree biology pop quizzes, tree-coloring books, and other arboreal information. 4649 Sunnyside Ave. N.

MON Puget Sound Bonsai Association: Information: psba.us.

7 p.m. -- A meeting at the University of Washington Center for Urban Horticulture, 3501 N.E. 41st St. Visitors are welcome to attend one meeting with no admission charge.

SAT/JUNE 28 Sky Nursery: 18528 Aurora Ave. N. Shoreline, 206-546-4851, skynursery.com.

Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. -- English Roses for Northwest Gardens: Luke Stimson of David Austin Roses will give a bit of history on the David Austin rose breeding program and work with you to select the best varieties for your garden situation and tastes.

June 28, 1 p.m. -- Container Gardening with Ed Hume: Gardening expert Ed Hume will be on hand to broadcast his radio show, answer your gardening questions and sign copies of his book, "Gardening with Ed Hume: Northwest Gardening Made Easy."

MASTER GARDENERS

JUNE 28 King County Master Gardener Foundation Talk: Master Gardener Demonstration Garden, 15500 S.E. 16th St. Bellevue. Information: Mary Osborne, 425-485-5942.

10:30 a.m. -- Tackling Tough Weeds and Other Naughty Plants

ONGOING Squak Mt. Greenhouses and Nursery: 7600 Renton-Issaquah Road S.E., Issaquah. Register: 425-392-1025; squakmtnursery.com.

Saturdays through July, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. -- Return of the Master Gardeners: Trained by horticultural experts from WSU, King County Cooperative Extension and the USDA, Master Gardeners will offer advice on insects, disease, pruning, gardening techniques, soil building and more.

ANSWER LINES

ONGOING Food and Yard Waste: Eggshells, potato peels and other fruits and vegetables, along with bread, pasta, grains, napkins, pizza boxes and other food-soiled paper can be made into compost instead of being sent to the landfill. You either can place them in your food and yard waste cart or dispose of food waste through home composting. To learn more about home composting, call or e-mail the Natural Lawn and Garden Hotline. 206-633-0224 or info@lawnandgardenhotline.org.

ONGOING Natural Lawn and Garden Hot Line: Educators help with gardening and composting questions. Sponsored by Seattle Public Utilities. 206-633-0224; info@lawnandgardenhotline.org.

ONGOING King County: Your questions answered. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday, except holidays. 206-296-3440. Information: king.wsu.edu.

PLANT SALES

ONGOING Lake Wilderness Arboretum: Saturdays, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., browse through a great selection of perennials, natives, shade plants and more in the nursery. 22520 S.E. 248th St., Maple Valley. 425-413-2572; lakewildernessarboretum.org.

ONGOING Pat Calvert Greenhouse/Plant Donations Nursery: The Pat Calvert Greenhouse has plants propagated from the Washington Park Arboretum collection for sale Tuesdays, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., at the Graham Visitors Center east entrance. The Plant Donations Nursery, which sells plants donated by area gardeners, is open for sales on Wednesdays and second Saturdays, through October, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. 2300 Arboretum Drive E. 206-325-4510; www.arboretumfoundation.org.

TOURS

SAT Little and Lewis Garden: The 2008 season will be the Little and Lewis' last at their internationally known location. Owners are designing a smaller garden/gallery at a new Bainbridge Island location. 9 a.m.-2 p.m., 1940 Wing Point Way, Bainbridge Island. 206-842-8327; littleandlewis.com.

SAT Port Townsend Secret Garden Tour: Six private gardens in and around Port Townsend, open to the public and each highlighting sustainable gardening, in the annual self-guided tour sponsored by WSU Jefferson County Master Gardeners. $15; $20 at the door if still available. 360-765-4717; mg.jefferson.wsu.edu.

SAT Seattle Opera Guild: The tour includes eight homes and gardens in Capitol Hill, all within easy walking distance. The tour also will feature tours and refreshments at the Volunteer Park Conservatory, a tour of Volunteer Park by Friends of Olmsted Parks and pot planting demonstrations by Wells-Medina Nursery. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. $30. 206-232-8723; goto.seattlepi.com/r1475.

SAT Whidbey Island Garden Tour: Five unique, beautiful residential gardens. 10 a.m.-4 p.m., $20. wigt.org.

SAT/SUN Vashon Island: Five gardens with art; free seminars. $25, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunset Garden Gala on Friday features the garden of Terry Hershey, $55. Blue Heron Arts Center, 206-463-5131, vashonalliedarts.org.

JUNE 28/ONGOING Evergreen Arboretum and Gardens: Docent-lead tours, 2 p.m. Saturdays through Sept. 6, rain or shine. Other days and groups by appointment. 145 Alverson Blvd., Everett. 425-257-8597; evergreenarboretum.com.

JUNE 28 Gardens of Merit Tour: A Self-guided tour of six Everett gardens. 11 a.m.-4 p.m., $10. evergreenarboretum.com/tickets.asp.

JUNE 29 Bellevue Philharmonic League: "Symphony of Gardens Tour," featuring five beautiful, unique private gardens in Kirkland and Redmond. The tour is self-guided and artists will be painting in the gardens and discussing their artwork. 11 a.m.-4 p.m., $25. 425-455-4171.

JUNE 29 E.B. Dunn Historic Garden Trust: A tour of Northwest Seattle estate gardens featuring three private estates in the Highlands benefiting Dunn Gardens. 1:30-5 p.m., $100; $150 for nonmembers. R.S.V.P.: 206-362-0933; dunngardens.org.

JUNE 29 Skagit Symphony : "Gardens of Note," an exclusive garden tour of seven unique gardens with historical character reflective of Skagit Valley's agricultural origin. 11 a.m.-5 p.m., $25. 360-848-9336; SkagitSymphony.com.

ONGOING 21 Acres Farm Tour: The first Saturday of each month, walk the trails, meander through the wildlife corridor and see what's growing on the farm. 11 a.m., free. 13701 N.E. 171st St., Woodinville. 206-442-2061; 21Acres.org.

ONGOING Bastyr University: Medicinal Herb Garden and Reflexology Path. Features botanicals used in both Western and Asian natural medicine. Free self-guided tours anytime, always open. Guided tours also available. 14500 Juanita Drive N.E., behind the campus. 425-602-3272; bastyr.edu.

SAT/ONGOING Bellevue Botanical Garden: Perennials, Japanese-style garden, alpine rock garden, woodland trees and native Northwest plants in a 36-acre destination garden. Dawn to dusk. Free docent-led tours Saturdays and Sundays at 2 p.m. 12001 Main St., Bellevue. Free. 425-452-2750; bellevuebotanical.org.

Saturday, 1 p.m. -- Bellevue Botanical Garden Plant ID Tour: Join docents for a special tour of the gardens, identifying and highlighting plants in bloom at this time of the year. Free, 425-451-3755.

ONGOING Bloedel Reserve: Reservations are required to tour the 150-acre reserve, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Wednesday-Sunday year-round, except federal holidays. 7571 N.E. Dolphin Drive, Bainbridge Island. 206-842-7631; bloedelreserve.org.

ONGOING Chase Garden: Gardens are open to the public for self-guided tours. Fridays and Saturdays 10 a.m.-3 p.m. $5. 16015 264th St. E., Orting. 206-242-4040; chasegarden.org.

ONGOING Dunn Gardens: North Seattle gardens are open to the public for guided tours only, Thursday 1 p.m., Friday 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., and Saturday 10 a.m. Reservations required. $7-$10, children under 12 not permitted. 206-362-0933; info@dunngardens.org or dunngardens.org.

ONGOING Highline SeaTac Botanical Garden: Four acres of gardens includes cottage, Japanese and rose gardens, and displays of iris and day lilies. Open daily during daylight hours. Free. Private guided group tours available; North SeaTac Community Center, 13735 24th Ave. S. 206-824-7222; highlinegarden.org.

ONGOING Lake Wilderness Arboretum: A 40-acre arboretum with formal gardens and trails for walking, jogging and bicycling. Ongoing lectures and workshops open to the public. Docent tours on every third Saturday of the month, starting at the gazebo at 10 a.m. Open daily during daylight hours. 22520 S.E. 248th St., Maple Valley. 425-413-2572; lakewildernessarboretum.org.

ONGOING Lakewold Gardens: The 10-acre garden estate offers a haven of gardening delights, historical features, statuary, landscape architecture by Thomas Church and a Georgian-style mansion. 10 a.m.-4 p.m., $5 general, $3 seniors, students, military and groups (10+), members of the Friends of Lakewold and children under 12 are free. 12317 Gravelly Lake Drive S.W., Lakewood. 253-584-4106; lakewoldgardens.org.

ONGOING PowellsWood: This 40-acre private garden is open to the public Tuesday-Thursday, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Also open for special events and by appointment. 430 S. Dash Point Road, Federal Way. $5. 253-529-1620; powellswood.org.

ONGOING Rhododendron Species Botanical Garden: This 22-acre garden features trees, shrubs, perennials and bulbs, plus a gift shop and plant sales. Friday-Wednesday, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. $3.50, $2.50 for seniors and students 12 and older, free under 12; guided tours and group rates are available. Weyerhaeuser corporate campus, 2525 S. 336th St., Federal Way. 253-838-4646 (from Seattle), 253-927-6960 (from Tacoma), 253-661-9377 (gift shop); www.rhodygarden.org.

ONGOING Seattle Chinese Garden: Free guided tours the second Saturday of every month beginning at 10 a.m. at the Chan Education Center with a slide presentation and discussion of the significance of gardens in Chinese culture. South Seattle Community College, 6000 16th Ave. S.W., north parking lot entrance. 206-282-8040; seattlechinesegarden.org.

ONGOING Seattle Japanese Garden: A 3.5-acre formal garden designed and constructed under the supervision of world-renowned Japanese garden designer Juki Iida in 1960. Free tours with regular garden admission Wednesdays, 12:30 p.m., Saturdays and Sundays, 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. and Mondays, 12:30 p.m. $3-$5. 1075 Lake Washington Blvd. E. 206-684-4725; goto.seattlepi.com/r1414.

ONGOING Volunteer Park Conservatory: Open daily, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., on holidays, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Docents lead 30- to 60-minute group tours that cover conservatory plant collections, architectural history, plant acquisition, production and more, Tuesdays-Thursdays and Saturdays, at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.; 1400 E. Galer St. $25 per group; free for K-12 students; Reservations required. 206-322-4112; volunteerparkconservatory.org.

ONGOING Waterwise Demonstration Garden: Self-guided tours showcase plants and gardening methods that conserve water. Guided tours available for groups of 12 or more with advance registration. Open during daylight hours, free. Covington Water District, 18631 S.E. 300th Place, Covington. 253-631-0565 ext. 170; CovingtonWater.com.

ONGOING Washington Park Arboretum: Weekend Walks. The 60- to 90-minute walks are on the first and third Sundays of each month at 1 p.m. and are led by trained guides focusing on seasonal interest in the Arboretum, native plants or Foster Island ecology. Departs from the Graham Visitors Center. Dress for the weather. Free. 2300 Arboretum Drive E. 206-685-8033; www.uwbotanicgardens.org.

ONGOING Weyerhaeuser's Pacific Rim Bonsai Collection: Guided Tour, Sundays at noon. Learn the history of the collection and the horticultural and artist elements for creating and maintaining these pieces of living art. 33663 Weyerhaeuser Way S., Federal Way. Free. 253-924-5206; weyerhaeuser.com/bonsai.

VOLUNTEERING

ONGOING NPA Borders at the Bellevue Botanical Garden: People with all gardening skill levels are welcome to learn hands-on perennial care. Bring your small hand tools. The second Sunday of every month, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. and fourth Thursday, 10:30-2:30 pm, 12001 Main St. Information: 425-647-6004; info@northwestperennialalliance.org.

ONGOING Interbay Food Bank Garden: Learn how to grow fresh organic vegetables and help feed the hungry, rain or shine, every Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. 206-234-2861; interbayfoodbank@hotmail.com.

ONGOING Chase Garden: Greet visitors to the garden for self-guided tours, Fridays or Saturdays. 16015 264th St. E., Orting. 253-848-8398; chasegarden.org.

ONGOING Seattle Tilth: Volunteers needed for many different positions, including to lead the Earth Steward Garden Tours in the Children's Garden, a fun, hands-on garden field trip for preschool through sixth grade at the Good Shepherd Center, 4649 Sunnyside Ave. N. Training is free. 206-633-0451 ext. 2; seattletilth.org.

ONGOING Highline Botanical Rose Garden: Work with consulting rosarians from local societies and learn how to grow roses organically. Lori White, 206-248-5372.

ONGOING Waterwise Demonstration Garden: Adults are needed to care for the garden at the Bellevue Botanical Garden. Learn natural gardening techniques you can apply at home. Get hands-on experience soil building, composting and caring for a wide variety of plants. Volunteer days are held spring through fall on the first and third Wednesday of each month 1-3 p.m. Training provided. Bellevue Utilities, 425-452-4127; or pburgess@bellevuewa.gov.

ONGOING Dunn Gardens docent program: Trains docents to lead small public tours through the historic gardens. 206-362-0933; info@dunngardens.org or dunngardens.org.

ONGOING Washington Park Arboretum: Guides are needed to lead educational tours. Guides are asked to commit to one three-hour shift a week for 10 weeks in the fall or spring. Information: 206-543-8801; www.uwbotanicgardens.org, or uwbgeduc@u.Washington.edu. Also, volunteers are needed for weeding, mulching, planting, pruning and other horticulture activities, Tuesdays, 12:30-3:30 p.m., year-round. Hand tools and work gloves provided. Contact David Zuckerman, grounds supervisor, 206-616-4050.

ONGOING Rhododendron Species Botanical Garden: Training provided and work shifts flexible to accommodate personal schedules. Opportunities include gift shop sales, tour guides, gardening, grant writing, clerical, building maintenance and more. 253-838-4646 (from Seattle), 253-927-6960 (from Tacoma); rhodygarden.org.

ONGOING Bellevue Botanical Garden Society: Volunteers needed for special events, cashiering in the gift shop, data entry, docents (guiding tours), and to work with kids and assist staff teachers for the Living Lab Youth Education Program. Training provided. 425-451-3755; bellevuebotanical.org.

ONGOING Evergreen Arboretum and Gardens: Volunteers needed for scheduled work parties, garden maintenance at the Arboretum, Legion Park, 145 Alverson Blvd., Everett. 425-257-8597; evergreenarboretum.com.

ONGOING Kruckeberg Botanic Garden: Volunteers needed to help in various ways, including hospitality, garden maintenance and docents. 20312 15th Ave. N.W., Shoreline. kruckeberg.org; 206-542-4777.

ONGOING Columbia Lutheran Home: Now recruiting volunteers to help with gardening at Columbia Lutheran Home, 4700 Phinney Ave. N. Ellen Murray, 206-632-7400; columbialutheranhome.com.

ONGOING Lake Wilderness Arboretum: Learn gardening skills and meet like-minded people. Volunteer days are held every Wednesday, Thursday and the first Saturday of the month, 9 a.m.-noon, at 22520 S.E. 248th St., Maple Valley. Advance contact not required. 425-413-2572; lakewildernessarboretum.org.

ONGOING Volunteer Park Conservatory: Opportunities to help in the Gift Shop and Resource Center; horticultural knowledge helpful but not necessary. Volunteers commit to a three-hour shift once or twice a month, after two to three training sessions. 206-322-4112; foc@volunteerparkconservatory.org.

ONGOING King County Greenhouse and Nursery: Pot native trees and shrubs, and move soil and plants into the nursery for future restoration projects. All ages, no experience necessary. Every Saturday 9 a.m.-1 p.m. in Renton/Maple Valley area. Tina Miller, tina.miller@metrokc.gov or 206-296-2990.

ONGOING Volunteers for Outdoor Washington: Help restore Iron Goat Trail. Times and dates vary. Bring lunch, rain gear, long-sleeved shirts, and water. trailvolunteers.org/calendar.asp.

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