Small Space Gardening | Northwest Flower & Garden Festival

February 18-22, 2026

Seattle Convention Center

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Don’t let a small footprint limit your gardening dreams! Enjoy sessions with leaders in the small space gardening community to find new ways to grow beyond limitations…

The Seminars by Category are listed in chronological order. Please check the Seminar Schedule for a full list of all our seminars. No ticket refunds for Speaker cancellation.

All seminars at the Northwest Flower & Garden Festival are FREE with your ticket!

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Wake up Sleepy Heads! Overwintering Fuchsias in Pots & Containers R. Theo Margelony - Fuchsia Authority, Writer, Speaker Don’t toss those potted fuchsias when winter arrives! They’re surprisingly easy to overwinter and bring back for another season of garden magic. In this practical and encouraging session, attendees will learn simple techniques to help fuchsias thrive year after year... from preparing plants for dormancy to waking them up for spring. The session also covers easy propagation methods to multiply your collection and fill the garden with even more of these eye-catching, elegant blooms. A little care now means months of color and charm to come. Wednesday, February 18, 2026 / 3:15pm / DIY Stage	Wake up Sleepy Heads! Overwintering Fuchsias in Pots & Containers Don’t toss those potted fuchsias when winter arrives! They’re surprisingly easy to overwinter and bring back for another season of garden magic. In this practical and encouraging session, attendees will learn simple techniques to help fuchsias thrive year after year... from preparing plants for dormancy to waking them up for spring. The session also covers easy propagation methods to multiply your collection and fill the garden with even more of these eye-catching, elegant blooms. A little care now means months of color and charm to come. Wednesday, February 18, 2026 3:15pm

Gardening for Gut Health: Small Space Strategies to Improve Your Microbiome Grace Hensley - Certified Horticulturist, Photographer, Science Communicator You don’t need a large garden to make a big impact on your health. In this inspiring seminar, attendees will learn how small spaces (kitchen counters, patios, balcony planters) can become thriving sources of nourishment. Microbiome gardening expert Grace Hensley shares practical ways to grow sprouts, herbs, and vegetables to support both soil health and personal well-being. Drawing from scientific insight and her own healing journey as a cancer survivor, Grace introduces powerhouse crops and easy fermenting techniques that boost gut health, resilience, and joy in every harvest—no matter the size of your garden. Wednesday, February 18, 2026 / 4:30pm / Adams Room	Gardening for Gut Health: Small Space Strategies to Improve Your Microbiome You don’t need a large garden to make a big impact on your health. In this inspiring seminar, attendees will learn how small spaces (kitchen counters, patios, balcony planters) can become thriving sources of nourishment. Microbiome gardening expert Grace Hensley shares practical ways to grow sprouts, herbs, and vegetables to support both soil health and personal well-being. Drawing from scientific insight and her own healing journey as a cancer survivor, Grace introduces powerhouse crops and easy fermenting techniques that boost gut health, resilience, and joy in every harvest—no matter the size of your garden. Wednesday, February 18, 2026 4:30pm

Rock Solid Patrick Ryan - Garden Writer, Educator, Alaska Master Gardener Discover the timeless appeal of hypertufa—the lightweight, stone-like material perfect for crafting garden troughs and containers. In this live demonstration, Patrick will share step-by-step techniques for mixing, molding, and finishing hypertufa to create durable planters that look like natural stone. Attendees will learn about texture and curing. Combining creativity and craftsmanship, this session offers inspiration for adding a rustic, handmade touch to any garden space. Wednesday, February 18, 2026 / 5:00pm / DIY Stage	Rock Solid Discover the timeless appeal of hypertufa—the lightweight, stone-like material perfect for crafting garden troughs and containers. In this live demonstration, Patrick will share step-by-step techniques for mixing, molding, and finishing hypertufa to create durable planters that look like natural stone. Attendees will learn about texture and curing. Combining creativity and craftsmanship, this session offers inspiration for adding a rustic, handmade touch to any garden space. Wednesday, February 18, 2026 5:00pm

All About Seeds Anza Muenchow - Educator, Farmer, Garden Community Advocate Successful gardens begin with understanding seeds—their structure, timing, and potential. In this session, attendees will learn the fundamentals of seed anatomy and explore practical techniques for starting seeds both indoors and outdoors. From mastering the right timing to planning for early and late season crops, participants will gain strategies used by skilled growers to extend harvests and improve yields. Whether nurturing a few trays on a windowsill or preparing beds in the garden, this session offers the knowledge and confidence to start strong - and grow successfully - from seed to harvest. Thursday, February 19, 2026 / 10:15am / DIY Stage	All About Seeds Successful gardens begin with understanding seeds—their structure, timing, and potential. In this session, attendees will learn the fundamentals of seed anatomy and explore practical techniques for starting seeds both indoors and outdoors. From mastering the right timing to planning for early and late season crops, participants will gain strategies used by skilled growers to extend harvests and improve yields. Whether nurturing a few trays on a windowsill or preparing beds in the garden, this session offers the knowledge and confidence to start strong - and grow successfully - from seed to harvest. Thursday, February 19, 2026 10:15am

20 Years of Rooftop Gardening at Portland's Noble Rot Marc Boucher-Colbert - Garden Specialist, Educator, Urban Agriculture Innovator High above Portland’s east side, rooftop gardener Marc Boucher-Colbert has spent two decades growing gourmet produce in just inches of soil. In this fascinating seminar, he shares the fundamentals of rooftop gardening—how to design productive systems in limited space and experiment successfully with shallow growing depths. Attendees will also learn how Marc’s collaboration with the chef team at Noble Rot demonstrates a forward-thinking model for sustainable, hyper-local food production. Practical, inspiring, and deliciously creative, this session reimagines what’s possible when innovation meets the urban skyline. Thursday, February 19, 2026 / 10:30am / Adams Room	20 Years of Rooftop Gardening at Portland's Noble Rot High above Portland’s east side, rooftop gardener Marc Boucher-Colbert has spent two decades growing gourmet produce in just inches of soil. In this fascinating seminar, he shares the fundamentals of rooftop gardening—how to design productive systems in limited space and experiment successfully with shallow growing depths. Attendees will also learn how Marc’s collaboration with the chef team at Noble Rot demonstrates a forward-thinking model for sustainable, hyper-local food production. Practical, inspiring, and deliciously creative, this session reimagines what’s possible when innovation meets the urban skyline. Thursday, February 19, 2026 10:30am

Operating Instructions for the (Occasionally Overwhelmed) Gardener Lorene Edwards Forkner - Artist, Author, Garden Journalist Gardeners are dreamers, always brimming with ideas and inspiration. But with so many possibilities, enthusiasm can quickly turn into overwhelm and fatigue. In this thoughtful and practical session, Lorene shares three simple questions to ask before beginning your next project... questions that bring clarity, focus, and joy back to the process. Learn how to create personal, meaningful growing spaces that fit your llife like a favorite garden glove. Thursday, February 19, 2026 / 2:45pm / Hood Room	Operating Instructions for the (Occasionally Overwhelmed) Gardener Gardeners are dreamers, always brimming with ideas and inspiration. But with so many possibilities, enthusiasm can quickly turn into overwhelm and fatigue. In this thoughtful and practical session, Lorene shares three simple questions to ask before beginning your next project... questions that bring clarity, focus, and joy back to the process. Learn how to create personal, meaningful growing spaces that fit your llife like a favorite garden glove. Thursday, February 19, 2026 2:45pm

Mounting Epiphytic Plants Jessica Scovel - Houseplant Expert, Owner of Buds Interior Plant Design Tropical plants like orchids and staghorn ferns have a unique way of growing - attached to the trunks and branches of trees rather than rooted in soil. In this live demonstration, watch how these remarkable epiphytes can be mounted onto wood to create striking, living works of art. The session highlights materials, techniques, and care tips for keeping mounted plants healthy and vibrant indoors. Inspiring and informative, it offers a glimpse into how nature’s most inventive growers can become beautiful, sustainable décor in any home. Thursday, February 19, 2026 / 5:00pm / DIY Stage	Mounting Epiphytic Plants Tropical plants like orchids and staghorn ferns have a unique way of growing - attached to the trunks and branches of trees rather than rooted in soil. In this live demonstration, watch how these remarkable epiphytes can be mounted onto wood to create striking, living works of art. The session highlights materials, techniques, and care tips for keeping mounted plants healthy and vibrant indoors. Inspiring and informative, it offers a glimpse into how nature’s most inventive growers can become beautiful, sustainable décor in any home. Thursday, February 19, 2026 5:00pm

The Continuous Vegetable Garden Charlie Nardozzi - Author, Emmy Winning TV Personality Many gardeners love growing vegetables but struggle with the “boom and bust” cycle of harvests, the cost of new seeds and transplants, and the constant reset each spring. This session introduces the idea of a Continuous Vegetable Garden... one designed for steady production with less effort. Attendees will learn how to include perennial vegetables and herbs, encourage self-sowing crops, and save their own seeds. You'll also learn about compact fruit options, ecological gardening methods, and design strategies for a harvest that lasts from early spring through fall. Charlie's talk is sponsored by Velcro.com. Saturday, February 21, 2026 / 11:30am / Rainier Room	The Continuous Vegetable Garden Many gardeners love growing vegetables but struggle with the “boom and bust” cycle of harvests, the cost of new seeds and transplants, and the constant reset each spring. This session introduces the idea of a Continuous Vegetable Garden... one designed for steady production with less effort. Attendees will learn how to include perennial vegetables and herbs, encourage self-sowing crops, and save their own seeds. You'll also learn about compact fruit options, ecological gardening methods, and design strategies for a harvest that lasts from early spring through fall. Charlie's talk is sponsored by Velcro.com. Saturday, February 21, 2026 11:30am

Grow This- Make That! Herb Gardens on a Theme Sue Goetz - Award-winning Garden Designer, Author, Speaker Come for the show—and the smell! In this creative DIY session, attendees will explore themed herb gardens that awaken the senses and inspire everyday living. Learn how to grow and harvest easy, versatile herbs for aromatherapy, skincare, culinary creations, cocktails, smoothies, and edible flowers. With planting tips, simple recipes, and fresh ideas for mixing herbs by purpose, Grow This – Make That! celebrates the joy of growing for both beauty and function. Discover what your garden can do for you today! Saturday, February 21, 2026 / 11:45am / DIY stage	Grow This- Make That! Herb Gardens on a Theme Come for the show—and the smell! In this creative DIY session, attendees will explore themed herb gardens that awaken the senses and inspire everyday living. Learn how to grow and harvest easy, versatile herbs for aromatherapy, skincare, culinary creations, cocktails, smoothies, and edible flowers. With planting tips, simple recipes, and fresh ideas for mixing herbs by purpose, Grow This – Make That! celebrates the joy of growing for both beauty and function. Discover what your garden can do for you today! Saturday, February 21, 2026 11:45am

The Modern Potager: Blending Food, Flowers & Function Chia-Ming Ro - Garden Designer, Founder of Coastal Homestead Step into the world of the modern potager—a garden that’s as beautiful as it is bountiful. This seminar explores how to weave edibles, herbs, and flowers into intentional, visually striking layouts that nourish both body and spirit. Attendees will learn how to plan raised beds, pair plants for beauty and productivity, and create pollinator-friendly borders that thrive across the seasons. With practical inspiration and timeless design ideas, this session invites gardeners to bring farm-to-table flair and artistry to their own backyards. Saturday, February 21, 2026 / 12:00pm / Adams room	The Modern Potager: Blending Food, Flowers & Function Step into the world of the modern potager—a garden that’s as beautiful as it is bountiful. This seminar explores how to weave edibles, herbs, and flowers into intentional, visually striking layouts that nourish both body and spirit. Attendees will learn how to plan raised beds, pair plants for beauty and productivity, and create pollinator-friendly borders that thrive across the seasons. With practical inspiration and timeless design ideas, this session invites gardeners to bring farm-to-table flair and artistry to their own backyards. Saturday, February 21, 2026 12:00pm

The Joy of Garden Breaks After Dark Perla Curbelo-Santiago - Award-winning Gardening Communicator, Author, Wellness Advocate Step into The Joy of Garden Breaks After Dark and rediscover your outdoor space under the stars. In this immersive session, author Perla Sofía Curbelo-Santiago (¡Verdura!, Quarto, 2024) invites attendees to experience the garden after sunset through storytelling, tropical Caribbean soundscapes, and creative inspiration. Discover how evening nature breaks can restore well-being, how plants and wildlife transform at night, and what you can do to protect the beauty of darkness from light pollution. Blending science, art, and mindfulness, this sensory journey celebrates the wonder and renewal found only in the nighttime garden. Saturday, February 21, 2026 / 1:30pm / DIY stage	The Joy of Garden Breaks After Dark Step into The Joy of Garden Breaks After Dark and rediscover your outdoor space under the stars. In this immersive session, author Perla Sofía Curbelo-Santiago (¡Verdura!, Quarto, 2024) invites attendees to experience the garden after sunset through storytelling, tropical Caribbean soundscapes, and creative inspiration. Discover how evening nature breaks can restore well-being, how plants and wildlife transform at night, and what you can do to protect the beauty of darkness from light pollution. Blending science, art, and mindfulness, this sensory journey celebrates the wonder and renewal found only in the nighttime garden. Saturday, February 21, 2026 1:30pm

Organic Farmer Techniques for Thriving Backyard Gardens Scott Pessarra - Farmer, Educator, Founder of Mindful Farmer Discover how regenerative farming principles can turn any backyard into a thriving, low-input food system. In this practical and inspiring seminar, organic grower and educator Sean Pessarra, founder of Mindful Farmer, shares techniques adapted from professional agriculture for the home garden. Attendees will learn about no-till bed preparation, targeted organic fertilization, cover cropping, and natural pest and weed management, along with ways to attract beneficial wildlife through native habitat design. Grounded in sustainability and simplicity, this session offers clear guidance to help gardeners grow more while giving back to the land. Sunday, February 22, 2026 / 1:15pm / Hood Room	Organic Farmer Techniques for Thriving Backyard Gardens Discover how regenerative farming principles can turn any backyard into a thriving, low-input food system. In this practical and inspiring seminar, organic grower and educator Sean Pessarra, founder of Mindful Farmer, shares techniques adapted from professional agriculture for the home garden. Attendees will learn about no-till bed preparation, targeted organic fertilization, cover cropping, and natural pest and weed management, along with ways to attract beneficial wildlife through native habitat design. Grounded in sustainability and simplicity, this session offers clear guidance to help gardeners grow more while giving back to the land. Sunday, February 22, 2026 1:15pm

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