2012 Seminar Schedule

Wednesday  |  Thursday  |  Friday  |  Saturday  |  Sunday

Full Schedule - Click here to download the full seminar schedule.
Click on a day above to view this years schedule. 

2012 Northwest Flower & Garden Show brings wit and wisdom from gardening stars from around the U.S.

See it…learn it…do it!  When you dig into our FREE seminars and demonstrations you’ll learn how to turn your garden dreams into reality. Whether you’re a novice gardener or a seasoned veteran, our expert Speakers will give you ideas and inspiration for creating gracious outdoor living spaces and luscious, sustainable gardens. It’s all included in your ticket price, drop in and discover something new from our 75 Speakers at the 2012 garden show.

Edible gardening is once again a big focus of the seminars, with 30 presentations devoted to all aspects of growing a bountiful harvest. From starting seeds, to correctly harvesting what you’ve grown, and every topic in between, our top authors and experts will help you create healthy and delicious gardens, whether you’re gardening on acres or just a few square feet.

The show’s acclaimed seminars moved to the new state-of-the-art Conference Center in 2011, to rave reviews. Audiences gave it two thumbs up – way up! They loved the spacious rooms, with good lighting and acoustics, comfortable seats, and best of all – no seminar passes and no lines.

Subaru returns to the seminar program presenting “Growing a Greener World – Gardening to Make a Difference” with Joe Lamp’l, producer and host of the PBS series by the same name. Joe will be speaking on Friday and Saturday at the show and signing his books afterwards at the Subaru garden on the skybridge.

The 2012 Show Judges’ seminars draw from their extensive knowledge on different topics. Stephen Orr, Editorial Director for Gardening for Martha Stewart Living and author of Tomorrow’s Garden: Design and Inspiration for a New Age of Sustainable Gardening will focus on how to garden sustainably – and beautifully. Steve Aitken, editor of Fine Gardening magazine, will share stunning plant combinations and the secrets to good garden design. Rosalind Creasy, the author of the award-winning Edible Landscaping and the leading authority on edible gardening, will inspire audiences to start growing edibles and heirloom flowers.

Some of the nationally-known celebrities coming to the show include Jamie Durie, Australia’s leading gardening personality and host of HGTV’s “The Outdoor Room;” television’s original celebrity chef, the  former ‘Galloping Gourmet’ Graham Kerr; David Mizejewski, author and TV personality for the National Wildlife Federation; Charlie Nardozzi, Vermont TV/radio host and author of Vegetable Gardening for Dummies; Milwaukee’s popular Melinda Myers, TV/radio host, author and columnist; Ohio landscape architect  Jennifer Bartley, author of Kitchen Gardener’s Handbook and Designing the New Kitchen Garden; garden writer and photographer Richard Bitner, author of the best-selling Conifers for Gardens: An Illustrated Encyclopedia; Ohio’s Jennifer Bartley, author of The Kitchen Gardener’s Handbook; and Diane Ott Whealy, co-founder the Seed Savers Exchange and author of Gathering: Memoir of a Seed Saver.

Other new Speakers who have a huge following on social media include Billy Goodnick, a designer, writer, and Fine Gardening magazine blogger, known to his fans as “Garden Wise Guy;” Helen Yoest, a garden designer, writer and field editor for many national magazines; Barbara Wise, author of the upcoming new book, Container Gardening for All Seasons, which is launching at the show; Heavy Petal Nursery owner Bruce Bailey, from Moses Lake, “where plants rock;” and Stacy Walters, a kinesiotherapist and master gardener who created Fit to Garden.

Popular Northwest gardening celebrities speaking in 2012 include Dan Hinkley, Val Easton, Lucy Hardiman, Ciscoe Morris, Marianne Binetti, Jessi Bloom, Debra Prinzing, Marty Wingate, Richie Steffen and Lorene Edwards Forkner. New local speakers this year include Kelly Dodson and Sue Milliken, Colin McCrate, Annette Cottrell, Jennifer Hahn, Vanca Lumsden, and Charles Needle.

The ‘Rockin’ Robin’ Sprout Stage in the children’s PlayGarden will present lively musical entertainment every show day at 10:30 am, 12:30 pm and 2:30 pm that is sure to have children dancing and laughing. Acclaimed Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter Caspar Babypants; children’s musician Nancy Stewart; and the musical duo “Your Imaginary Friend” will be performing, along with the Seattle Tilth troupe. Visit the show website for details.

With 61 author book signings after the seminars, you’ll be able to add the hottest new titles to your garden book library. Meet your favorite author and have your books signed at our Book Signing Station, conveniently located in the Conference Center adjacent to all three seminar rooms.