Free gardening classes at the Northshore Utility District building in Kenmore

The Northshore Utility District and the Saving Water Partnership are sponsoring free classes to help residents save water, save money and help the environment at the same time.

The classes are taught by local master gardeners and landscape pros and are held from 6:30-8 p.m. at the Northshore Utility District building in Kenmore, located at 6830 NE 185th St.

The “Less Work, Better Gardens the Natural Way” class with Ladd Smith, co-owner of In-Harmony Sustainable Landscapes, will take place on April 11.Gardens will be beautiful with less effort when residents work with Mother Nature. Join Smith, a master gardener, and learn about healthy soils, efficient watering and natural yard care techniques that can beautify a garden.

The “Container Gardening – Dos and Don’ts” class with radio host, author, columnist Marianne Binetti, will take place on April 25. Don’t have a ton of space to garden? Want to liven up that porch or deck? Popular gardening educator Marianne Binetti will share her tricks for growing glorious gardens in compact containers. Learn the most sustainable ways to fertilize, water, and design with containers.

And finally, the “Creating a Snack-Walk Garden” family-friendly class with landscape designer and environmental educator Emily Bishton, will take place on May 9. This class is designed for young savvy gardeners and their parents. It is hands on and child friendly. Learn which vegetables, fruits, herbs, and other plants are easy to grow in the family garden, inspire the imagination, are safe for children and pets to touch, smell, and taste on frequent “snack walks”. This class includes lots of pictures and hands-on activities.