SBGS Garden Tours and Classes in 2024

Most SBGS events are offered free and to the public. Membership fees and donations support our educational offerings. Please become a member to aid in these efforts. Sign up for our newsletter at the bottom of this page to get the latest information for upcoming events.

SBGS Events - 2024

We look forward to an education-filled year in 2024. Stay tuned for classes, events, and field trips.

FIELD TRIP To THE GREF GREENHOUSES - May 24th

Have you wondered where the Amazon Spheres plants come from? Where do they keep replacement plants? Join us on our first field trip of the year to Woodinville as we tour the greenhouses that supply the famous spheres in Seattle. This is a feast for plant lovers and those interested in the story behind the amazing plant collections. Tours are free, registration is required below. Group size is limited, so sign up soon for the March or May tour.

What: GREF Greenhouse Tour lead by Brian Collins, Greenhouse Operations Manager

Date: Tuesday, March 19th OR Friday, May 24th

Time: 1 pm to 3 pm

May Registration

Name

First Name

Last Name

Cell Phone Number

We would like a second contact method for last minute changes.

Message

Let us know of any special circumstances

Earth Day in Sammamish

Once again, the SBGS will be attending the Earth Day Celebration in Sammamish. Visit our booth to receive a free plant and seed packet to start your garden. Sign up to become a member! Bring your questions for expert garden advice. Our booth is one of many at the City of Sammamish Earth Day Celebration which includes crafts, activities, a petting zoo and more.

Date: Saturday, April 20th

Time: 11 am to 2 pm

Location: The Lodge at Beaver Lake Park, 25101 SE 24th Street, Sammamish, WA

Lake Wilderness Arboretum Tour - JUNE 26th

The SBGS long-term goal is to be engaged with the City of Sammamish in creating a new botanical park in our community. Join us on a tour of this arboretum and park to see what might be in our future. The tour is free, guided by the Garden Director. Registration is required, car pools are available.

Date: Wednesday, June 26th

Time: 10:30 am to noon

Location: 22520 SE 248th St., Maple Valley, WA

Lake Wilderness Tour

Name

First Name

Last Name

Cell Phone

This allows us to contact you on the day of our tour if needed.

Message

Tell us about any special circumstances and if you would like to be part of a car pool

Additional Attendees

If more than one registration spot, name of additional attendee.

First Name

Last Name

Upcoming Community Garden Events In 2024

Put these dates on your calendar and enjoy the approaching spring. Plant sales are great events to support local hort activities.

April 19th & 20th - Friday, 10 am - 6 pm, Saturday 10 am - 4 pm. Lake Wilderness Arboretum Spring Plant Sale. This two day sale is a wonderful opportunity to learn about and purchase plants from the arboretum nursery and additional plant vendors. Shop for garden art, or just visit to have your questions answered by a Master Gardener.
April 21st - Sunday, 10 am to 2 pm. Hardy Plant Society of Washington Spring Plant Sale. Come to find many hardy perennials and ground covers for shade and sun. Location: CUH (Center for Urban Horticulture), 3501 NE 41st St., Seattle.
April 26 & 27th - 9 am to 2 pm: Lake Washington Institute of Technology Spring Plant Sale 2024. Students grow over a hundred crops that every gardener will want. These include vegetables and herbs that grow exceptionally well in our Northwest Climate. The sale is located on the Kirkland Campus, 11605 132nd Avenue NE in the Horticultural Buildings
May 4th - Saturday, 9 am to 1 pm: The Pine Lake Garden Club is resuming their traditional annual plant sale. Hundreds of plants from natives, specialty plants, perennials, annuals and vegetable starts will be available. Great prices and selections to benefit our community. Come with questions for expert garden advice. Location: Sammamish Presbyterian Church parking lot, 22522 NE Inglewood Hill Road, Sammamish.

What are possible additions to your garden? Spring is a time for planning and planting! Below are some great choices, photos courtesy of Great Plant Picks. From left to right: Daphne odora ‘Aureomarginata’, Rodgersia podophylla, Kalmia latifolia ‘Keepsake’ and Vaccinium ovatum. Local nurseries are still open for business!

kalmia-latifolia-keepsake-jofolkesfromtheweb-01-gpp.jpg

SBGS Volunteer Opportunity - The Garden Progresses

Meet us in the Heritage Garden! Please bring gloves, a bucket, hand tools (some can be provided) and water. Parental consent needed for minors to volunteer. Waiver forms will be at the garden. Questions? Our volunteer email contact is heritage@sammamishbotanical.org. Watch for bulbs popping up as spring arrives. Work parties start on Tuesdays from 10 am to noon, beginning on March 5th, 2024.

To view dates for Saturday work parties, visit our Facebook page, and the Sammamish Volunteer Portal on Galaxy.

Tour the Heritage Garden. Are you part of a group that would like more information on the plants in the garden? You may request a docent tour by email, or fill out our Garden Tour Form.

Interested in offering an educational class to our community?

View our application process for more info. Please apply either online with the form below, or by filling out a PDF application form. Our education committee would like to hear from you!

Class Proposal Application

Name

First Name

Last Name

Phone Number

Mailing Address

Class Title

Category for Class

Describe if class is for children (ages), horticultural, basic gardening, family oriented, garden arts and crafts, edibles/organics or seasonal topic

Estimated Length in Hours

The majority of workshops are 1 to 3 hours, including time for Q&A

Format

Describe if hands-on, a lecture or a demonstration

Target Audience

For youth, please specify one or more of the following: Toddler, PreK, 5-7, 5+, 8-12 or 12+

Number of Participants

What is the minimum and maximum number of participants?

Class Description

This will be used for promotional materials. Please write as a public facing description.

Instructional Material and Equipment

Please specify the materials and equipment you will provide and any materials or equipment you would request SBGS to provide.

Fees for Teaching the Class

Experience and Professional Affiliations

List your experience or qualifications for this class and any professional affiliations you have.

Two references

Provide name, phone number and email address for two references.

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BBG (Bellevue Botanical Garden) education is open for in-person events.

Visit this page to see learning opportunities. The gardens are beautiful in all seasons. Take a walk to experience the garden.

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Washington Native Plant Society: There are a number of online webinars!

Join the trend for expanding native plants in your garden. The WNPS website offers many activities and speakers throughout the state.

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Master Gardeners of King County:

Visit their website for a wealth of garden information with online classes. The Bellevue Demo Garden is a wonderful spot to visit while in the area, developed and maintained by the Master Gardeners.

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Take a nature walk with the family.

Above Photos: Hazel Wolf Wetlands; Beaver Lake and Pine Lake Parks (photos courtesy of City of Sammamish)

We recommend local kid friendly walks in the area. Print our Native Plant Scavenger Hunt and see how many you can identify!

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For a fun project with your family, try this nature art activity for children of all ages. Collect natural materials on nature walks or from your own yard and complete one of our art prompts attached. Full instructions are also provided.

A special thank you to artist and SBGS member Eric Montoya for drawing our prompts. Eric focused on animals we see in Sammamish including the eagle, beaver, hummingbird and blue heron.

Visit our Facebook page, or click here for a printable version of the art project. Have fun collecting. Please share your creations with us on Facebook!