2026 San Juan County WSU Master Gardeners
Garden Workshop Series
Welcome to our annual Garden Workshop Series, held in October over two weeks and presented as Zoom webinars so that you can enjoy the lectures from the comfort of your home. The series includes 4 one-hour presentations with additional time for questions and discussion. Our speakers are scientists, authors, naturalists, professional gardeners, and accomplished Master Gardeners who will share their knowledge, experience, and beautiful photographs of plants, flowers, birds and bees, and garden pests. Registration ends on October 15.
Presentations will be recorded, and paid registrants may view them until November 30, 2026. We'll send a link to the recording after each presentation. Please be advised that unforeseen technical difficulties may occur, so we can't guarantee a recording for each session.
Presentations will be recorded, and paid registrants may view them until November 30, 2026. We'll send a link to the recording after each presentation. Please be advised that unforeseen technical difficulties may occur, so we can't guarantee a recording for each session.
2026 Garden Workshop Schedule
TUESDAY OCTOBER 20
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12pm - 1:15pm
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Keynote: Native by Design: Reimagine Beauty with More Habitat, Less Lawn
Eileen Stark In the face of disappearing biodiversity, gardeners can play a crucial role in slowing the rate of extinction. Reestablishment of local native plants—that are the basis of healthy food webs—sustains life, sequesters carbon, negates the need for chemicals, manages water, and offers other rich rewards. In this presentation, learn how to garden with an ecological focus by utilizing design principles of native gardening, minimizing lawn, choosing and arranging native plants in their natural associations and according to site conditions, and using humane practices. Discover, through stunning photographs, some of the wildlife—from little-known pollinators to beautiful birds—that native designs support. Look at your landscape with fresh eyes and create a place that is vibrant, functional, and beautiful.
Eileen Stark is a Portland-based ecological landscape designer, consultant, author and photographer. Her academic background includes studies in biology, wildlife ecology and landscape design. A deeply committed conservationist, she strives to create awareness of the myriad creatures with which we share this fragile planet. Her popular book, Real Gardens Grow Natives: Design, Plant, & Enjoy a Healthy Northwest Garden, is a passionate guide to gardening for both biodiversity and beauty west of the Cascades. Visit her website at realgardensgrownatives.com. |
THURSDAY OCTOBER 22
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12pm - 1:15pm
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Water-Wise Gardening in the Pacific Northwest
Laura Cooper, Snohomish County Master Gardener The Water-Wise Gardening presentation will give an overview of what climate change is; planning and design of a water-wise garden, including how to reduce water usage, and what plants are good choices for reducing water consumption.
Laura Cooper has been a Master Gardener since 2015. She enjoys growing vegetables, small fruits and tree fruit. In the past couple of years, she has become fascinated by carnivorous plants and grows them in a bog. She volunteers in the office clinic in spring and summer. She also coordinates speakers, and enjoys doing some speaking herself. |
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TUESDAY OCTOBER 27
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12pm - 1:15pm
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Horticultural Therapy or Therapeutic Horticulture? Understanding the Distinction in Practice
Elizabeth (Leah) R.M. Diehl RLA, HTM, PhD Horticultural therapy and therapeutic horticulture are often used interchangeably—but they are not the same. In this interactive webinar, we’ll “dig” into what distinguishes these two approaches, from structure and intent to outcomes and populations served. Through clear definitions and engaging examples drawn from a variety of client groups, participants will learn how each practice is applied in real settings. Whether you’re new to the field or refining your programs, this session will help you confidently identify and communicate the differences.
Elizabeth (Leah) Diehl, RLA, HTM is Director of Therapeutic Horticulture and Lecturer in the Environmental Horticulture Department at the University of Florida. She is a licensed landscape architect, master gardener, and professionally registered horticultural therapist. She developed and teaches an undergraduate certificate program in horticultural therapy at UF, conducts research, and runs therapeutic horticulture programming for diverse populations, where she trains and manages clients, students, and volunteers. Current research explores the effects of a structured therapeutic horticulture program on student stress, anxiety, and academic resilience. Other areas of research and collaboration include the effects of therapeutic horticulture on care partner burden, low back pain, and women with cancer. Leah began her work in horticultural therapy in Chicago in 1993, and has given lectures, workshops, and trainings on therapeutic horticulture, healing gardens, and related topics throughout the U.S. and abroad. |
THURSDAY OCTOBER 29
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12pm - 1:15pm
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Hardy Geraniums: Waterwise Beauties
Judy Cumming, San Juan County Master Gardener Not only do hardy geraniums make the WSU list of Hardy Plants for Waterwise Landscapes, they have many other gifts to bring to our Pacific Northwest gardens. Learn what qualifies these lovely plants as well as others as waterwise and why you might want to incorporate them into your resilient landscape.
A fourth-generation backyard gardener, Judy Cumming became a San Juan County Master Gardener Volunteer in 2009 after a career in accounting for non-profits, small business owners, land conservation and public accounting. Growing up in Northern California with a legacy of gardening, Judy has been learning all she can about gardening on San Juan Island, Washington since she and her family relocated there in 1976. Beauty and sustainability in year-round gardening continue to interest and excite her. |