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Eco Gardener Program

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THE LILLIAN KAWASAKI ECO GARDENER PROGRAM 

Make your beautiful garden the envy of your neighbors while simultaneously saving water and creating a productive ecosystem in your backyard! The Lillian Kawasaki Eco Gardener Program teaches homeowners about the multiple benefits of planting a sustainable garden through a series of in-person classes. Whether you attend one or all of them, you are certain to walk away with knowledge about sustainable garden design concepts as well as plant and material selections for creating an attractive, water efficient garden. All classes are FREE.

The Eco Gardener program educates residents on four popular topics: sustainable landscape design, drought-tolerant plants, edible gardening, and irrigation basics. For a brief introduction into all four topics at once, try our Water Efficient Gardening class. See descriptions of each class below, then click the sign-up button when you are ready to register! If you’d like to sign up for our mailing list or are interested in hosting a workshop in your community, please use the sign up bottom to contact us.

UPCOMING CLASSES

WRD appreciates your interest in our Eco Gardener Program! To register for an in-person, virtual, or on-demand class, please choose from the selections below. You can attend one, or attend them all!
 

In-Person Classes 

We value everyone's safety, therefore, please adhere to the safety protocols that each venue requests. 

RSVP HERE 
 

  • Sat, Sep 23 | 10am - 11:30am | Benefits of CA Native Plants - Outdoor Workshop
    LA Neighborhood Land Trust Fellowship Garden of Love at Holmes:
    11745 Holmes Avenue, Willowbrook, CA 90059
    TO RSVP: CALL (213) 574-0912
     
  • Sat, Oct 7 | 10am - 11:30am | Creating Healthy Soils - Outdoor Workshop
    LA Neighborhood Land Trust Fremont Wellness Center & Community Garden:
    7821 South Avalon Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90003
    TO RSVP: CALL (213) 574-0912
     
  • Wed, Oct 4 | 2:00pm - 3:30pm  | Creating Healthy Soils - Outdoor Workshop
    Rancho Los Cerritos, 4600 Virginia Road, Long Beach, CA 90807
     
  • Wed, Oct 11 | 2:00pm - 3:30pm  | How to Prune CA Native Plants - Outdoor Workshop
    Rancho Los Cerritos, 4600 Virginia Road, Long Beach, CA 90807
     
  • Wed, Oct 18 | 2:00pm - 3:30pm  | Urban Eco Gardener - Indoor Class
    Rancho Los Cerritos, 4600 Virginia Road, Long Beach, CA 90807
     
  • Sat, Oct 28 | 10:00am - 12:00pm  | Edible Gardening
    Madrona Marsh Nature Center, 3201 Plaza del Amo, Torrance, CA 90503
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VIRTUAL CLASSES 

Our virtual classes are a great way to get started without having to leave your house! Each webinar is taught by an expert horticulturalist who can answer all your gardening questions. Please choose from the list of classes below and RSVP to get a Zoom meeting link for the webinar. See you online!

  • There are no virtual classes scheduled at this time. 
     

ON-DEMAND CLASSES

For On-Demand videos tutorials, please use the form link below to register or add your name to our Eco Gardener mailing list and be alerted for future classes. If you would like to host a class in your city, you can also use this form to request more information on partnering with WRD.

Sign Up for an On-Demand Class
 

 VIDEO TUTORIALS

Watch Our 5-Minute Tutorials 

Ready to make a change but not sure where to start? Take a look at these water-saving How-To videos. They are available in both English and Spanish.

  1. Drip Conversion How-To Video: Learn how to convert your overhead spray irrigation into a drip irrigation system. 
  2. Installing a Smart Irrigation Controller How-To Video: Learn how to switch out your controller for a smart controller that responds to  your unique landscape features and even the weather forecast. 
  3. How to Isolate a Water Leak How-To Video: Learn how to use your water meter to look for leaks inside and outdoors.
  4. How to Replace a Toilet Flapper How-To Video: Learn how to replace the flapper in your toilet tank.

 

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

Leak Detection Class 
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Irrigation leaks just the size of a dime will waste nearly 6,300 gallons of water per month. Inefficient toilets can waste up to 13,000 gallons per year. The Eco Gardener Leak Detection virtual class will help participants identify and fix water leaks, leading to the conservation of thousands of gallons of water, savings on your water bill, and protection from water damage in your home and garden. With the proper training and tools, leaks can be fixed before they become a costly issue!

Sustainable Landscape Design 
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Look to nature for the answer! This class explores the philosophy of natural watershed design which uses minimal resources while increasing the aesthetics, and possibly the value, of your property. 

Participants learn how to conduct a thorough site analysis using the principles of planting design and assessing different materials available for use. Visual examples of design styles using various spaces, color schemes and levels of hardscape are shown throughout. An overview of plant selections including drought-tolerant plants and California native plants prepare you to make your backyard a water-saving sanctuary.

Edible Gardening 
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Turn part of your ordinary landscape into a lush edible garden. Use your water in a way that will benefit you and your family while creating a sustainable environment that you can be proud of.

This workshop shares tips on how to analyze and enhance your soil, as well as how to maximize the productivity of your garden through planning, design, composting and localized irrigation. Learn the fundamentals of propagation and pruning while understanding how to identify and address pest issues. It’s easy to select the right “crop” of fruits, herbs and veggies for your needs, all while having fun in the garden!

Drought Tolerant Plants 
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With an average of only 14” of rainfall per year in the LA area, it doesn’t make sense to have gardens that require daily watering. Planting a drought-tolerant garden can alleviate the high demand on our precious water resources while saving you money! With many options to choose from, it’s easy to get creative with your eco-friendly garden.

Before diving into the needs and benefits of drought-tolerant plants and California native plants, this workshop examines planting and pruning fundamentals including plant nomenclature (naming), sizing and spacing, growing habits, root systems, pests and diseases, and maintenance considerations. Visual examples of various trees, shrubs and ground covers that are readily available in California and well-suited for the region will assist homeowners in confidently making plant selections for their water-wise landscape.

Irrigation Basics 
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Imagine 50% of all the drinking water from the faucets at home that you pay for being thrown outside—you couldn’t use it to shower, clean, cook or stay hydrated. That’s exactly what we do here in Southern California in efforts to keep our yards looking lush, but it doesn’t have to be this way. Learn how to get the most out of your irrigation system so that we can conserve water, live more sustainably, and save money while we’re at it.

This workshop will familiarize participants with the components and the layout of a residential irrigation system while teaching them about the installation and maintenance of an efficient, well-managed irrigation system. Troubleshooting the most common irrigation problems that occur will also be covered, leaving homeowners ready to tackle many maintenance issues that may arise.

Water Efficient Gardening 
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Looking to take it all in on one day? This workshop combines the pertinent information from the four popular topics into one 4-hour workshop. Participants will get a basic understanding of how to approach sustainable landscape design and optimize their soils, as well as the value of water management techniques through smart plant selection and efficient irrigation. Taken together these pillars turn your yard into a beautiful, water-smart landscape and a productive ecosystem.

Winter Gardening 
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In coastal Southern California, we are lucky to garden yearround. For native plants in the region, the wet winter months is like their springtime! 

This class helps participants make a plan for winter gardening and leaves plenty of time for questions from the audience. From pruning and modified watering schedules, to planting your new CA native plants, we'll teach you how to put the winter months to good use!