Learn to Landscape with Less Water
Our free, online Waterwise Yard Seminars are taught by local landscape and horticultural professionals. Get your landscaping questions answered and learn how to keep your yard looking great while using less water. Seminar topics range from low-water landscape design, xeric plant selection, smart irrigation, and more. Both novice and advanced gardeners are sure to learn something new. Seminars are held virtually, via Zoom.
Sign up to receive updates and reminders for the 2025 seminar season.
Learn and Grow with our Seminar Series
New this year, we’re offering series-based seminars designed to help you master key topics step-by-step! Build your knowledge and confidence by progressing through 3-part sessions focused on creating a stunning, waterwise yard.
Check out this year’s offerings, and be sure to register for all seminars in a series to continue learning throughout the season:
🌱 Turf Transformation – Explore how to transform your turf yard to a waterwise space with Planting a Native Grass Lawn (completed), Turf Transformation: Planning and Removal (completed), and Turf Transformation: Converting the Space.
🌼 Xeriscaping Basics (completed) – Learn the principles of xeriscaping with Intro To Xeriscape, Getting to Know Colorado Native Plants, and Right Plant, Right Place… Right Practice!.
💧 Smart Irrigation (completed)- Take a deeper dive into smart water usage in your yard with Getting to Know Your Sprinkler System, Improving Your Sprinkler System, and Perennial Garden Irrigation.
This Year’s Seminars
Bees! & Other Pollinators Too
Tues. May 20, 2025 | 6:30-8:00 PM MT
In honor of World Bee Day, let’s look at some of the most common species you may be able to attract. This seminar will touch on honeybees, beekeeping, native bees in Colorado, and plants that provide good habitat for bees and other pollinators too. Great for all levels of gardeners.
Presented by Cassey Anderson of CSU Extension
Sponsored by:
Vegetable Garden Care Through the Seasons | El Cuidado del Jardín de Vegetales a lo Largo de las Estaciones
Thurs. May 22, 2025 | 6:30-8:00 PM MT
*Live Spanish translation is available during this seminar!
Once your veggie garden is established, the work is far from over! In this webinar, Jessica Romer will discuss all the important aspects of caring for your garden throughout the season. You can expect to learn about mulching, weeding, pests and diseases, and even how to continue your garden into the fall. Great for beginner gardeners.
¡Una vez establecido el jardín de vegetales, el trabajo acaba de empezar! En este
webinar, Jessica Romer cubrirá todos los aspectos importantes del cuidado de su jardín durante toda la temporada. Podrá aprender sobre el mantillo, el desmalezado, las plagas y enfermedades, e incluso cómo mantener su jardín en otoño. Ideal para los jardineros principiantes.
Presented by Jessica Romer
Sponsored by:
Waterwise Gardening at Higher Elevations
Wed. May 28, 2025 | 6:30-8:00 PM MT
Gardening in the mountains can pose many challenges, but can also be quite rewarding. In this seminar, Irene Shonle will discuss how to choose the most successful plants for higher elevations, evaluate your yard to plant the right plant in the right place, reduce water usage, and deal with critters. Great for all levels of gardeners.
Presented by Irene Shonle
Sponsored by:
Favorite Rock Garden Plants
Wed. June 4, 2025 | 6:30-8:00 PM MT
Water conservation brings us to xeriscapes, and xeriscapes lend themselves to rock gardens. We’ll discuss a bit about what a rock garden really is- why it doesn’t mean all gravel, but more plants – and spend the rest of the time talking plants with garden designer Kenton Seth and author of the rock garden book The Crevice Garden. We’ll focus on easy, high-performance plants and where to get them on the front range and beyond. Great for all levels of gardeners.
Presented by Kenton Seth of Paintbrush Gardens
Compost and Soil Health
Tues. June 10, 2025 | 6:30-8:00 PM MT
Why is compost so hot? Rutger Myers will discuss why compost and soil health are the foundations of a home garden. You can expect to learn how to make compost in your back yard, how to use compost in your garden and why healthy soil can save the world. Great for beginner gardeners.
Presented by Rutger Myers of Eco-Cycle
Insect Visitors in Your Garden: Friend or Foe? | Los Insectos Que Visitan su Jardín: ¿Amigos o Enemigos?
Tues. June 24, 2025 | 6:30-8:00 PM MT
*Live Spanish translation is available during this seminar!
How many aphids can a ladybug eat? Colorado gardens have a wide diversity of insect and arthropod visitors, each playing a key role in the garden ecosystem – yes, even wasps have their purpose! This seminar will go over a broad range of garden insects and arthropods, their role in the ecosystem, and if they are a friend or foe. We will cover the benefits insects and arthropods provide, as well as management options for some of the common pests and invasive species we find in the garden. Great for all levels of gardeners.
¿Cuántos áfidos puede comer una mariquita? Los jardines de Colorado tienen una amplia diversidad de insectos y artrópodos que los visitan, y cada uno tiene un papel clave en el ecosistema de los jardines; es así, ¡hasta las avispas tienen su razón de ser! Este seminario cubrirá una amplia gama de insectos y artrópodos del jardín, su papel en el ecosistema, y si son amigos o enemigos. Cubriremos los beneficios que brindan los insectos y artrópodos, así como las opciones de manejo para algunas de las plagas y especies invasoras frecuentes que encontramos en el jardín. Ideal para todos los niveles de jardineros.
Presented by Lisa Mason of CSU Extension
Sustainable High Altitude Gardening with Colorado Native Plants
Thurs. June 26, 2025 | 6:30-8:00 PM MT
Gardening in the high country means your garden is a lot closer to the wildlands. Gardening with native plants is essential for successful high elevation gardening, but sometimes native plants are hard to find in the nurseries. In this webinar, we will explore how a seasonal approach to native plant gardening can start a native plant revolution in your community. Great for all levels of gardeners.
Presented by Maggie Gaddis of Colorado Native Plant Society
Compost and Soil Health: A Deeper Dive
Tues. July 8, 2025 | 6:30-8:00 PM MT
In this session, we will talk about the benefits of compost and organic matter in soil. The session will explain the roles of soil microbes in building resilient soil, which can absorb and retain water and nutrients, reducing water usage and eliminating the need for chemical fertilizers. We will also talk about how healthy soil is the foundation of a healthy planet. Great for all levels of gardeners.
Presented by Rutger Myers of Eco-Cycle
Sponsored by:
Turf Transformation: Converting the Space
Tues. July 15, 2025 | 6:30-8:00 PM MT
Take the next step in your turf transformation! Learn about best substrates, planting tips and tricks, and the importance of converting your irrigation during the turf removal process. Great for intermediate level gardeners.
🌱 This seminar is part of our Turf Transformation series.
Presented by Hayden Bernot of Resource Central
Sponsored by:
Perennials and Late-Summer Planting and Care
Thurs. August 7, 2025 | 6:30-8:00 PM MT
While many of your plants shine in the spring and summer, don’t forget about plants that can add a lot of impact and color to your landscape in the late summer and fall. Not only is there a great selection of perennials that flower, but some even have wonderful leaf color. Late summer and fall are also great times to plant, do clean-up, and general maintenance before winter. Great for beginner gardeners.
Presented by Alison O’Connor of CSU Extension in Larimer County
Sponsored by:
Defensible Space: Using Firewise Landscaping
Wed. August 13, 2025 | 6:30-8:00 PM MT
Join Wildfire Mitigation Specialist, Leslie Brodhead, to learn how to use firewise landscaping in the first 100 feet around your home to lessen your wildfire risk. Great for all levels of gardeners.
Presented by Leslie Brodhead of Wildfire Advice LLC
Sponsored by:
Putting the Garden to Bed: Master Gardener Q&A
Tues. August 19, 2025 | 6:30-8:00 PM MT
Set the stage for a successful growing season next year with proper fall clean-up techniques. Master Gardener volunteers from CSU Extension Boulder County will cover the basics and answer your fall gardening questions. Great for all levels of gardeners.
Presented by Master Gardeners of CSU Extension Boulder County
Sponsored by:
Pollinator-Minded Fall/Winter Garden Care
Wed. August 27, 2025 | 6:30-8:00 PM MT
So you’ve planted your flowers and the pollinators have arrived to sample the goods – a proud moment! But will the little ones continue to approve of your garden when temperatures drop and seasons shift? Join in for an exploration of what it REALLY means to garden for pollinators and the little guys, and explore techniques and approaches to Fall and Winter care of your space. Great for all levels of gardeners.
Presented by Ashley White of the Butterfly Pavilion
Sponsored by:
February 4, 2025 | Intro to Xeriscape by Curtis Manning
February 13, 2025 | Trees and Waterwise Landscaping by Eric Hammond
February 18, 2025 | Designing Rain Gardens: A Permaculture Perspective by Amy Scanes-Wolfe
February 25, 2025 | Planting a Native Grass Lawn by Catherine Moravec
March 6, 2025 | Getting to Know Your Sprinkler System by Resource Central
March 11, 2025 | Getting to Know Colorado Native Plants by Deryn Davidson
March 19, 2025 | Spring Maintenance: Prepping Your Space For Waterwise Planting by Joe Schneider
March 25, 2025 | Fire-Resilient Landscaping: Design and Materials by Christine Woods
March 27, 2025 | Introducing the DIY Landscape Transformation Guide by Ali Colbert, Bea Stratton, and Jenna Battson
April 3, 2025 | Improving Your Sprinkler System by Resource Central
April 10, 2025 | Creating Pollinator, Edible, and Nature-Connected Gardens & Landscapes by Aaron Michael
April 16, 2025 | Right Plant, Right Place… Right Practice! by Laura Swain
April 22, 2025 | Earth Day for Pollinators by Cassey Anderson
April 24, 2025 | Considering the Needs of Trees in Waterwise Landscapes by Alison O’Connor
April 29, 2025 | Preparing for Spring in the Garden: Master Gardener Q&A by CSU Master Gardeners
May 8, 2025 | Perennial Garden Irrigation / Riego de jardines perennes by John Murgel
May 13, 2025 | Turf Transformation: Planning and Removal by Jess Crowley
Community Reviews
4.6 star rating overall
“I’ve watched or listened to as many of these seminars as I could and find them so useful. I always have a take away. Thank you!”
Seminar Participant, 2024
“Thank you, that was extremely informative! I learned so many interesting tips and so much valuable information. Really amazing presentation and presenter!”
Seminar Participant, 2024
“This presentation was very skillfully done. Well organized, great visual aids, easy to understand. I learned so much!”
Seminar Participant, 2024
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