Date: Saturday, February 28, 2026

Time: 3:00 - 3:30 PM

Location: Heber-Overgaard Fire Station, 2061 Lumber Valley Rd, Overgaard, AZ

Come discover the most fun (and best-kept secret!) of gardening in the high country—seed starting! Whether you’re a first-timer or a seasoned grower, you’ll learn how to turn tiny seeds into thriving plants. You’ll leave ready (and excited!) to start your own seedlings at home—with pro tips, planting hacks, and inspiration galore. You'll also learn about soil-blocking for seed starting and an alternative method called snail-plant starting, a great way to start many plants in a small space without needing many pots or gardening supplies.

You’ll learn:

Five easy, no-fail strategies for seed-starting success (no fancy equipment required!)
Which seeds to start—and when to give your plants the perfect head start
Creative DIY seed-starting setups, from recycled containers to grow lights on a budget
How to test seed viability (so you don’t waste time on duds)
Watering, fertilizing, and light tips for strong, healthy seedlings
Transplanting secrets: how and when to move your starts outdoors safely
Master the basics of soil blocking, including tips for forming durable, healthy soil blocks.
Bonus: Fun ways to label, track, and organize your seeds like a pro, and recipes for DIY soil-blocking.
Take-home inspiration: Seed-starting calendar template, germination chart, and a few starter seeds to get you growing!

About the Speakers:

Bonnie Leedy is an Arizona Certified Master Gardener and has been growing here in Heber-Overgaard for six years. She loves the rewards of growing from seed, starting to preserving her produce, and every step in between. Come benefit from her research, mistakes, and successes, and learn how to grow in our high-country area.
Katy Neild grew up gardening, harvesting, and preserving at the feet of her grandmother in Northern New York. Most of her gardening experience has been in New York and Pennsylvania, but she has loved the challenge of learning to garden (more or less) successfully in Heber-Overgaard, and recently became an Arizona Certified Master Gardener for High Elevations. She enjoys sharing her garden and skills with others.
Colleen Halverson was an original member of our Community Garden, and although she has had gardens on and off for years, she has learned so much from her fellow gardeners here. She says, "I didn’t know what I didn’t know." She's excited to show us an inexpensive new way to start seeds.

Exchange: Free for Garden Members + Friends of the Garden.

Non-members: Suggested donation of $5.

Good Bug, Bad Bugs & What To Do About Them

A practical class on preventing and managing garden pests and diseases naturally.