Natural Yardcare Workshops

Four workshops on natural yard care are scheduled in September and October at the Redmond Senior Center, from 7 to 8:30pm. The workshops are free and can be taken individually or as a group, but preregistration is required.

The topics range from sustainable gardening to worm bin composting and promise to be fun and informative. To preregister, contact the Redmond Parks & Recreation office, online through www.redmond.gov or by phone at 425-556-2300.

Sustainable Gardening

• September 22
• Ladd Smith, co-owner of In Harmony Sustainable Landscapes, will teach the steps to creating a sustainable landscape and garden, reducing its carbon footprint and helping eliminate toxins in the environment.

Gardening with Native Plants

• September 29
• Susie Egan, owner of Cottage Lake Gardens, will focus on the trend toward planting native plants to create a beautiful and earth-friendly garden. She will teach which native plants work best in urban gardens, providing the added benefit of shelter and food for wildlife.

Garden Design the Natural Yard Care Way

• October 6
• Instructor Doug Rice, a landscape architect and garden designer, will teach the five steps of Natural Yard Care design, to lessen the maintenance and work of the northwest garden. In addition, he will give tips on how to create street appeal.

Worm Bin Composting

• October 13
• Worm bins decompose fruits, vegetables, eggshells, pasta, breads, coffee grounds, tea bags and much more. This class offers information and answers about the benefits of worm bins and how to use and maintain them. Participants will have a chance to win a free three-stacking tray Worm Box Composting system (worms not included).