County of San Diego’s Watershed Protection Program
Adult Education Workshops
Thanks to the County of San Diego’s Watershed Protection Program, we’re excited to announce the return of free workshops at the Garden! Join us for the first two and get ready for more to come, they’re going to be great! We have 10 workshops planned for the 2025-2026 fiscal year. These classes will take place during our Water District Wave-In Day! Come enjoy a fun-filled day featuring water-saving techniques, partner organization tables, family activities, and a free County of San Diego sponsored program.
All classes will take place indoors at the Sam Ciccati Education Center, unless otherwise noted. Stay tuned for the full schedule and join us in making a positive impact—right from your own backyard!
Living with Fire: Water-Wise Native Landscapes for Beauty and Practicality
with Licensed Landscape Contractor Greg Rubin
Saturday, September 27
10:00AM-12:30PM
Based on real-world experience in nearly 2 dozen fire events, this presentation will cover the latest protocols for creating beautiful yet functional native landscapes in fire-prone areas.
Planting Slopes for Beauty, Stability and Resiliency
with Master Gardener Debby Dunn
Saturday, October 25th
9:30AM-11:00AM
This workshop will teach you how to design and plant on slopes using water-wise plants that thrive in San Diego’s climate. You’ll discover how to create gardens that not only protect our watershed, but also bring beauty, biodiversity, and long-term slope stabilization to your landscape.
How to Hire a Landscaper and Save Money
with Ms. Smarty-Plants
Saturday January 31
10:00am-12:30pm
Learn how to ask the right questions, plan your projects effectively, and save money along the way. We’ll cover everything from choosing the right landscaper to making the most of available rebates and incentives.
Planting Slopes for Beauty, Resiliency, and Stability
with Master Gardener Debby Dunn
(2nd chance if you missed the 1st one!)
Saturday, February 28
9:30am-11:00am
This workshop will teach you how to design and plant on slopes using water-wise plants that thrive in San Diego’s climate. You’ll discover how to create gardens that not only protect our watershed, but also bring beauty, biodiversity, and long-term slope stabilization to your landscape.
Irrigation 101: How Much and How Often?
With Richard Restuccia
Saturday March 7
10:00am-11:00am
Learn the basics of water-efficient irrigation! Discover how to determine your plants’ water needs, measure what your system delivers, and use that knowledge to program your controller effectively. Perfect for beginners. Led by Richard Restuccia, acclaimed author of Waterwise Gardening, this class shows you how to grow a thriving, water-wise landscape while using less water.
Irrigation 102: How Long and How Much?
Fine-Tuning Your System with Richard Restuccia
Saturday March 28
10:00am-11:00am: Irrigation 101
Take a hands-on look at irrigation components and maintenance practices that keep your system running smoothly. Explore spray heads, rotors, drip irrigation, and valves, plus get on-site help adjusting heads, troubleshooting, and setting seasonal schedules.
Native Habitat Restoration in San Diego
with San Diego Canyonlands
Saturday April 18
9:30am-11:00am
Join San Diego Canyonlands to learn about native habitat restoration across San Diego county. We will cover the ecology of our canyons, home hardening and creating defensible space against wildfire, and how you can make a difference in your environment.
How to Hire a Landscaper and Save Money
With Ms. Smarty-Plants
(2nd chance if you missed the 1st one!)
Saturday April, 25
10:00am-12:30pm
Learn how to ask the right questions, plan your projects effectively, and save money along the way. We’ll cover everything from choosing the right landscaper to making the most of available rebates and incentives.
Rain Barrels and Beyond: How to Harvest Rainwater for Your Home and Garden
With Rodney Feddema
Saturday May, 30
10:00am-11:00am
Discover how easy it is to collect and reuse rainwater with a simple rain barrel system. This workshop walks you through the basics of setup, maintenance, and best practices for using harvested rainwater in your home and garden.