Swansons Nursery - Seattle's Favorite Garden Center
Swansons Nursery - Seminars and Events
Community Calendar - Click Here!Seminars & Events
Winter 2009 - 2010

CLASSES - are free and are scheduled for about 1 hour
unless otherwise stated.

Every Tuesday 10am - Noon
Ikebana Class
Master Ikebana artist, Megumi Schacher
, teaches an ongoing class every Tuesday morning. Sogetsu Ikebana uses local materials in an accessible style that is appropriate in any setting. Megumi provides all the plant material you will need to create a beautiful arrangement for your home. Participants must call Megumi at (425) 744-9751 by the Tuesday before their first class to reserve a place and ensure materials will be available for them. Class fee: $25 per session


Sat. March 13, 10:00 am
Early Spring Vegetables
It’s time to get planting! Join Candy at Swansons to learn how to extend the harvest potential of your vegetable garden with cool weather crops. Soil preparation, cold protection, indoor and outdoor sowing times and what types of vegetables to plant now will be discussed. FREE

Sat. to Sun. March 20 - 21, (Sat. Noon - 6), (Sun. 9:00 - 4:00 pm)
Seattle African Violet & Gesneriad Society - Plant Show & Sale
Join us for the Annual African Violet Plant Sale & Show at Swansons. Hours are Noon to six, Saturday, with sales open at 9 am. Sunday hours are nine to four. For more information contact: Jim Lambert lamberjam@gmail.com
Phone number:206-329-7835

Sat. March, 20 10:00 am
Keeping a Small Flock of Hens
Jennifer Carlson, a landscape designer and educator in Seattle, has enjoyed keeping a small flock of hens since 1979. She will share how to raise healthy chickens, chicken housing options, and placement of the coop in your urban garden. Jennifer’s company Haven Illustrated, LLC specializes in sustainable landscape design such as rainwater harvesting, green roofs, rain gardens, and urban agriculture.

Sun. March 21, 10:00 am
Gardening 101
Gardening 101, 102, and 103 series by Meghan Fuller, Landscape Designer and Maintenance Manager at Rock Solid Landscapes and part-time Swansons employee. Megan has the experience and enthusiasm to help and inspire new gardeners. These three classes cover everything you need to know to create a thriving garden. Years of gardening experience is not required to be successful, but you do need to understand some basics. People are welcome to attend just one or all three classes.

 101 covers important gardening terms, mulch, and soil.
 102 (April 3) addresses light, plant selection, planting, and watering.
 103 (April 11) covers tools and year-round maintenance and care of your garden.

Sat. March 27, 10:00 am
Vegetable Gardening in Containers
Bowls, pots, old shoes and elegant ceramics are all ‘fair game’ for planting up a containerized vegetable garden. Containers are a perfect way to keep edibles nearby the kitchen or BBQ area as well as a solution for gardeners limited to deck and patio growing spaces. Soil, fertilizer and varieties will be discussed. Vertical and horizontal approaches will give gardeners a great start to the season. FREE


Sat. April 3, 10:00 am
Gardening 102
A continuation of the Gardening Series with Meghan Fuller. Not required to attend previous session to join us. Gardening 102 addresses light. Plant selection, and watering.

Sat. April 10, 10:00 am
Native plants: Combining Beauty with Water Conservation
Peggy Campbell will share her favorite native plants that add color and texture, thrive in NW gardens and attract wildlife. Discover how proper soil preparation, mulching, and watering will help your plants grow, save water, and reduce summer maintenance. Sponsored by Seattle Public Utilities and the Saving Water Partnership

Sun. April 11, 11:00 am
Gardening 103
A continuation of the Gardening Series with Meghan Fuller. Not required to attend previous session to join us. This class covers tools, year-round maintenance and care of your garden.

Sat. April 17, 10:00 am
Ornamental Edibles: pretty tasty
Part I: Saturday, April 17 at Swansons Nursery, 9701 15th Ave NW (no registration required)
Part II: Saturday, May 1 in Lorene Edward Forkner's garden (see registration directions below)
FREE, Must attend Part I (first class) in order to go to Part II - second class (garden tour)
Combine beauty and flavor in this year’s plants. Lorene Edwards Forkner will show you how edible plants can be ornamental and the needs they have for best flavor and nutrition. Find out how to employ strategic garden planning, build healthy soil, mulch with the right materials and practice effective watering. You’ll enjoy delicious food while conserving resources, time and money.
This is a two-part class that will take place at Swansons Nursery and in the speaker’s garden. To attend the class in Lorene’s garden, you must pre-register by calling or emailing the Garden Hotline ph: (206) 633-0224 or help@gardenhotline.org and attend the classroom session at Swansons. The location of Lorene’s garden will be provided at the Swansons’ class. Sponsored by Seattle Public Utilities and the Saving Water Partnership. Please provide your address, email and phone number to receive the class confirmation.

Sat. April 24, 10:00 am
Tomatoes
Details TBA

Sun. April 25, 11:00 am
Spring into Summer with Container Design
In this seminar, you will receive helpful tips and loads of inspiration for creating a container planting that is designed to transition beautifully into the summer months. Special focus will be paid to choosing dazzling color combinations of foliage and flowers as well as fragrance. Led by Amy Ockerlander, artist and environmental educator, Seattle Tilth and the Garden Hotline.