About / Contact

We are all stewards of our Earth.  Let the realization of the interconnectedness of all life guide us to those actions in our gardens and in our lives that protect and support our beautiful planet.  May the material we offer on this website assist you in this worthy endeavor.

TIEG offers many wonderful benefits to its members including an award-winning monthly newsletter, entertaining and educational monthly meetings, fun tours and events, a money-saving membership card, and a diverse garden library.

Our Objectives:

• Build a community of gardeners
• Horticulture education
• Encourage home gardening
• Further city beautification
• Aid in protecting forests, wildlife and birds
• Meet new friends with common interests
• Friendship and fun

TIEG is made up of a group of people who love the beauty of flowers and gardening.  We are all stewards of our Earth. Understanding the interconnectedness of all life guides us in our gardens and in our lives to protect and support our beautiful planet.  

Club Meetings
TIEG meet monthly (except December) on the first Thursday at 6:30pm at CenterPlace, 2426 N. Discovery Pl the Spokane Valley, Washington State.  We have an informative program on some aspect of gardening with refreshments and a short business meeting.  Please feel free to drop in on any meeting.  We would love to see you!! Bring a friend!!

Hi There--We're a Friendly Group! 

Newsletter
The Inland Empire Gardener’s newsletter is called “The Growing News” and is a national award-winning publication.  It is published 11 times a year - with a combined November-December issue.

The newsletter can be emailed as a PDF file to garden club members.  Members also receive Garden Club Newsflashes and emails.  Check out a sample of our newsletter below! 

Join Us - Annual membership into TIEG is $25 - Fill out and return attached form via mail
Club_Flyer.pdf
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Join Now via PayPal

$1.25 service fee included

The Little Free Library’s Mission is to promote literacy and the love of reading by building free book exchanges worldwide and to build a sense of community as we share skills, creativity and wisdom across generations. TIEG is very excited to announce the addition of a Little Free Library and Seed Exchange for our garden club members. If you are in the local Spokane area, please feel free to partake anytime--to give and receive as often as you like. Take a book, leave a book.       

TIEG Free Library endorsed by Cole Burrell


TIEG Free Library endorsed by Riz Reyes
     

FREQUENTLY ASKED TIEG QUESTIONS

1 - What does your garden club do? 
The Inland Empire Gardeners (TIEG) is made up of members who have a passion for growing things.  Our members respect plant life, animals, nature, and the environment.  They feel the need to give back to their community.  Our garden club is made up of individuals with interest in growing, landscaping, wildlife habitats, and the gardening lifestyle.  Members come from all ages, backgrounds, and experiences.
 
2 - How often/when does the club meet?
The Inland Empire Gardeners meet monthly (except December) the 1st Thursday of the month at 6:30pm at CenterPlace, 2426 N. Discovery Place at Mirabeau Point Park in the Spokane Valley, WA (west of the Spokane Valley Mall, across from the YMCA).   

3 - Can both husband and wife join?
Yes, The Inland Empire Gardeners encourage men as well as women members.  Membership is open to anyone with an interest in gardening.  Family memberships are also highly encouraged. 

4 - How much does it cost to join?
$25 annually to receive the garden club newsletter electronically.  The price is $35 if you want newsletter mailed each month for the extra postage and printing costs.  See membership page for more information. 

5 - What are some of your other activities?
In addition to our monthly meetings we have planned garden tours and special events for our garden members such as Garden Teas, a Hawaiian Luau, a Mexican Fiesta, movie nights, Chef in the Garden gourmet dinners, and much more. 

6 - What is TIEG’s claim to fame?
Our biggest accomplishment would be as founders of the Garden Expo, the largest garden show for the gardeners of the Inland Northwest.  We also sponsor the most popular citywide garden tour in the area--Spokane in Bloom.  The Garden Expo is held annually the 2nd Saturday in May.  Spokane in Bloom is held annually the 2nd Saturday in June.  

7 - How is the garden club structured?
The Inland Empire Gardeners (TIEG) has a Board of Directors consisting of President, 1st Vice-President, 2nd Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Newsletter Editor, and 6 Board Members at Large.  TIEG is a local organization headquarters in Spokane Valley, WA and has no affiliation with any national organizations. 

8 - Where does the money for dues go? 
Member dues pay for many things at several levels of the garden club including monthly meetings, activities, and supports community programs. 

9 - How much work will I be expected to do? 
You can do as much or as little as you want.  BUT, the more involved you are, the more you can get out of the experience.

10 - What are some of the community projects TIEG supports?
• Plant a Row for the Hungry
Plant_a_Row_for_the_Hungry.pdf
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• CASA Partners (Court Appointed Special Advocate) My Bag Program for Spokane’s foster kids
• YWCA Safe House for Victims of Domestic Violence
• SpokAnimal among others

11 - Where do I find The Inland Empire Gardeners?
Web - www.tieg.org
TIEG
PO Box 13184
Spokane Valley, WA  99213 
Email - tieg@comcast.net  
Phone - 509-535-8434

12 - What has been the subject of some of the garden club’s past meetings? 
Garden clubs provide stimulating and informative programs for their members on a wide range of topics such as:

Kathryn Aalto - Landscape Designer, Historian, Writer, England - "The Natural World of Winnie the Pooh"

J0leen Adams - American Rose Society Resident - "Tigers in the Garden" - www.rose.org

Bruce Bailey - Heavy Petal Nursery, Moses Lake, WA - “A Container Named Desire, Plant on a Hot Tin Roof, & The Plant Menagerie” - www.heavypetalnursery.com

Paul Bannick - Wildlife Photographer - "The Owl & The Woodpecker" - www.paulbannick.com

Linda Beutler - Pres. NW Clematis Society, Portland Author, Curator - “Nature’s Magical Plants--Vines” - www.rogersonclematiscollection.org

Marianne Binetti - NW Horticulture Expert, Author, Seattle, WA- “Chocolate Gardening: Adding Rich Textures, Sweet Scents & More Fun to your Garden” - www.binettigarden.com

Lorne Blackman - Owner Walla Walla Nursery, Walla Walla, WA - “Great Ornamental Grasses” - www.wallawallanursery.com

Jimi Blake - Stellar Plants Man, Gardener, Visionary, Creator of Hunting Brook Gardens, Wicklow, Ireland - “Herbaceous Perennials from Around the World” - www.huntingbrook.com

Jessica Bloom - Seattle-based Best-selling Author & Landscape Designer - "What the Cluck? Everything You Need to Know for Chicken Gardening" - http://nwbloom.com/blog

Kirk Brown - World-recognized Botanist, Horticulturist, Dramatist, Orefield, PA - "John Bartram Lives--the King's Gardener" 

C Colston Burrell - Avid Plantsman, Garden Designer, Lecturer, Author, Photographer from Virginia - "Literature Into Art: Books That Changed the Way We Garden" -
www.ccolstonburrell.com

Janit Calvo - Two Green Thumbs Miniature Garden Center, Seattle - “It’s a Small World After All” - www.twogreenthumbs.com

Chris Chadwell - Himalayan Plant Hunter/Lecturer - "Plant Hunting in Little Tibet: Flowers Fit for a Dalai Lama" - www.chadwellseeds.co.uk

Linda Chalker Scott, PhD - Assoc. Prof. WSU Extension Urban Horticulturists, “Miracle, Myths, or Marketing--Truth Behind Garden Remedies”- www.extension.org

Karen Chapman - Author, Garden Designer - "Gardening with Foliage First"  

Rosalind Creasy - Landscape Designer & Author, Los Altos, CA - “Edible Landscaping” - www.rosalindcreasy.com

James Luther Davis - Naturalist, Portland Author - "Northwest Nature Guide--a Seasonal Parade of Fascinating Wildlife"

David Deardorff & Kathryn Wadsworth - Port Townsend, WA Photographers, Authors, Speakers - "Grow a Hummingbird Garden"

Bob Denham - Blacksmith, Tool Designer, Owner/Operator Red Pig Tools, Boring, OR - “Tools of the Trade for Gardeners” - www.redpigtools.com

Kelly Dodson & Sue Milliken - Far Reaches Farm, Port Townsend, WA - “Modern Day Plant Hunters: Adventures from Around the World” - www.farreachesfarm.com

Ken Druse - New York-based Garden Author, “The Passion for Gardening” - www.kendruse.typepad.com

Tom Fischer - Editor-in-Chief, Timber Press, Portland, OR - “The Tale Your Garden Tells” - www.timberpress.com

Lorene Edwards Forkner - Seattle-based Garden Writer - “Ornamental Edibles:  For the Adventurous Gardener” - www. plantedathome.com

John Forti - The Heirloom Gardener, Wellesley, MA - "Historic Gardener" - Wellesley, MA

Paul Freed - Herpetologist, Oregon-based Scientist - “Madagascar, the Real Treasure Island”              

Jim Gilbert - One Green World Nursery, Molalla, OR - “Tropical Fruits from Around the World” - www.onegreenworld.com

David George Gordon - Author, Lecturer, Bug Chef Extraordinare, "Forging a Lasting Peace with Slugs & Snails" - www.davidgeorgegordon.com

Richard Greenberg - Seattle's Earth Wizardry Landscape - "Speaking to the Spirit & Psyche of Gardening

Thor Hanson - Biologist, Award-winning Author, Friday Harbor, WA - "The Triumph of Seeds"

Lucy Hardiman - Garden Designer, Portland, OR - “Gardens of England & Why They Still Influence us Today” - www.lucyflora.com

Dan Heims - Writer, President of Terra Nova Nurseries, Canby, OR - “Creative Color--or How Terra Nova Turns Ordinary Plants into Superstars” - www.terranovanurseries.com

John Hershey - Garden-variety Garden Humorist, Columnist, Denver, CO - “Rakish Wit from America’s Least Knowledgeable Gardening Expert” - www.rakishwit.com

Terry Hershey - Inspirational Author/Philosopher - “Disdained Dandelions” - www.terryhershey.com

Dan Hinkley - American Plantsman, Garden Writer, Horticulturist, Nurseryman (best known for establishing Heronswood Nursery) - “Passionate About Perennials” -
www.danielhinkley.com

Barry Hoffer - Owner Maples for All Seasons, Pleasanton, CA - "Gardening with Japanese Maples in the Inland Northwest" - www.maplesforallseasons.com

Dawn Hummel - Journalist, Publicist, Portland, OR - "Gardening thru the Ages, 
 A Retrospective on Frank Lloyd Wright, Ellen Biddle Shipman, and Lord & Schryver Landscapes"

Eamonn Hughes - Hughes Water Gardens, Tualatin, OR - “Take a Walk on the Water Side” - http://www.hugheswatergardens.com

Ed Hume - Founder Hume Seeds, America’s Gardening Icon, Tacoma - “Gardening Ideas from Around the World” - www.humeseeds.com

LaManda Joy - Author, Speaker, Food Gardening Evangelist, Chicago, IL - "Victory Gardens--Blast from the Past"  

Panayoti Kelaidis - Curator of Plant Collections at the Denver Botanic Gardens - “A Lifetime of Plant Exploration”- www.botanicgardens.org

Des Kennedy  - British Columbia Author, Broadcaster, Journalist, Environmental Activist - “Garden Artistry” & special satire “Garden Clubbing”

Graham Kerr - The Galloping Gourmet, National Chef, Personality, Author, Mount Vernon, WA - “My First Kitchen Garden” - www.grahamkerr.com

Linda Larson - The Traveling Gardener - Meza, AZ - "Remarkable Trees" - thetravelinggardener.com

Gary Lewis - Phoenix Perennials Nursery, Vancouver, BC - “Weird & Wonderful Plants of the  World” - www.phoenixperennials.com

Russell Link - Seattle Fish & Wildlife Biologist/Author, “Landscaping for Wildlife in the Pacific NW” 

Sharon Lovejoy - Author, Illustrator, Lecturer, California & Maine - “Art in the Garden” - www.sharonlovejoy.com

Charles Mann - World Renown Garden Photographer, Santa Fe, New Mexico - “Gardens of Japan & England: Contrasting Styles/Philosophies” - www.charlesmannphotography.com 

Billy Martin - Garden Designer/Photographer/Writer/Gongoozler, Australia - “The Wonderful Magic of Gardens, Gardening, & Gardeners”

Keeyla Meadows - Garden Designer, Artist, Berkley, CA - “Fearless Color Gardens” - www.keeylameadows.net 

Kathy Mendelson - Botanist, Horticulture Historian, Seattle - "The Olmsteds in the Northwest: Exploring their Legacy in our Parks & Public Gardens"  

Marta McDowell - History Teacher, Chatham, NJ - "Beatrix Potter's Gardening Life--The Plants & Places That Inspired the Classic Children's Tale" and "All The President's Gardens: Madison's Cabbages to Kennedy's Roses--How the Whitehouse Grounds Have Grown America"

Thomas Mickey - "Communication Professor, Master Gardener, Landscape Designer, Bridgewater, MA - "America's Romance with English Gardens"

Brian Minter - Canada’s Garden guru, Broadcaster, Lecturer, Author - Minter Garden, Chilliwack, BC - “Taking Your Garden to the Next Level”- www.mintergardens.com

Ciscoe Morris - Northwest Gardening Personality/Superstar - “Oolala Roses!” - www.ciscoe.com

Daniel Mount - Botanist, Photographer, Gardener, Farmer, Carnation, WA - "The Story of Plants--The Tulip"

Susan Mulvihill & Pat Munts - Spokane-based Garden Writers - "Northwest Gardener's Handbook: Your Complete Guide" - susansinthegarden.blogspot.com

Debbie Mumm - Artist & Designer, Spokane, WA - “Garden Quilts” - www.debbiemumm.com 

Melinda Myers - Nationally Known Garden Expert, Author, Milwaukee, WI- “Bring the World to Your Backyard--Creating Your Own Backyard Vacationland” - www.melindamyers.com 

Vern Nelson - Writer, The Oregonian - “A Gourmet's Walk through the Kitchen Garden”

Rose Marie Nichols McGee - Author, Nichols Garden Nursery, Albany, OR - “How to Grow More in Containers than You Ever Imagined” - www.nicholsgardennursery.com

Mary Ann Newcomer - Dirt Diva from Boise, ID - "The Tapestry Garden"

Teresa O'Connor - Writer, Author, Consultant - "Medieval Gardens" 

Harry Olson - Master Gardener, Salem, OR - "Gardening with Grafted Vegetables--a Bright Future" 

Angela Overy - Colorado-based Author, “Sex in the Garden”

Jerry Pavia - Garden Photographer, Bonner’s Ferry, ID - “Art in the Garden”

Karen Platt - England Garden Author - “Black Magic and Purple Passion” - www.karenplatt.co.uk

Debra Prinzing - California and Seattle Garden Author - “Dynamic Plant Combinations” - www.debraprinzing.com

Diana Reeck - Owner Collector's Nursery, Battleground, WA - "Pollination & the Sex Life of Plants--So You Think You're Kinky?"

Riz Reyes - Seattle-based Landscape Consultant, Educator - "Year Round Guide to Scensational Plants" - rhrhorticulture.com

Mary Robson - Seattle’s Garden Guru/Author - “Bodacious Bulbs”

Nita-Jo Rountree - Seattle-based garden designer/educator - "Amazing Annuals--Big Bangs for the Bucks" - www.facebook.com/nitajo.rountree

Mary Lou Sanelli - Speaker, Performer, Writer, Dance Instructor, Choreographer, Seattle, WA - “Literature in the Garden” - www.marylousanelli.com

Eagle Song - Professional Chef  & Gourmet Gardener, Seattle, WA - “A Colorful Look at Kitchen Gardens from Around the World”

James Alexander-Sinclair - Garden Designer, Journalist, Broadcaster, Northamptonshire, England -“Dancing with Borders: Gardens to Make the Heart Sing” - www.blackpitts.co.uk 

Richie Steffen - Curator, Elisabeth Miller Botanical Garden, Seattle, WA - “Inspiration in the Responsible Garden” - www.millergarden.org

Phyllis Stephens - Spokane Garden Guru - “Hip Holiday Flowers”

Amy Stewart - California Author, Blogger - “Wicked Plants:  The Weed That Killed Lincoln’s Mother & Other Botanical Atrocities” - www.amystewart.com

Diane Stutzman - Desert Jewels Nursery, Spokane - “Native Perennials for Low-Water Landscapes” - www.desertjewelsnursery.com

Alan Tower - Owner Tower Perennials, Spokane - "Ice Cream: Winter's Treats" - towerflower.com

Cass Turnbull - Plant Amnesty, Seattle, WA - “Change the Way Pruning is Done” - www.plantamnesty.org

Mark Turner - Garden Photographer, Bellingham, WA - “Wildflowers of the Pacific NW” - www.turnerphotographics.com

Kris Wetherbee - Internationally-published Author, Writer, Award-winning Recipe Developer - "Attracting Birds, Butterflies, & Other Winged Wonders to Your Yard" - www.kriswetherbee.com

Marty Wingate - Lecturer, Seattle Columnist, Author - “Botanical Latin--A Rose is a Rosa: Plant Names for Gardeners” - http://passportandseedpackets.com

Chris Woods - Garden Designer, Director, Visionary, Benicia, CA - "The Gardener's Garden--700 Years of History"

Call for Speakers

Are you interested in speaking before The Inland Empire Gardeners of Spokane, WA in the future? Have you seen a speaker who you know would present a fantastic lecture or workshop? Please nominate engaging, dynamic speakers who would be able to present research-based information that would be of interest to gardeners from across broad area of experience. Nominate yourself! Contact us directly if you are a garden speaker. We will be compiling nominations over the coming year, and contacting potential speakers, as we set the program for future meetings (1^st Thursday of the month, except Dec). tieg@comcast.net. Thank you!

TIEG Recommended Links 
 LINKS_Gardening_on_the_Web.pdf
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TIEG VOLUNTEERS OF THE YEAR

Our highest honor - thank you!

2017 - Judy Demand

2016 - Kari Nelson

2015 - Raymond Baugh

2014 - Tyler Beasley

2013 - Barbara Midtbo

2012 - Carol McKenny

At the end of every year TIEG recognizes our highest honor--Volunteer of the Year--past recipients that are still active in the club include Allan Foster, Cindy Hancock, Linda & Kevin Fairhurst, Karen Miller, Tricia Van Leuven (Tabatha & Amanda), Bruce & Rayna Lee Walker, and Wanda Woodbury.  

History - TIEG was founded in June 1994 by a group of friends around a dining room table. They had the idea for a new kind of garden club--Innovative, Creative, Dynamic, and Adventuresome--Men, Women, Families, Couples, Young, Old, Novice or Expert Gardeners. A general interest garden club encompassing veggie lovers, flower fanatics, tree huggers, and the whole wide world of plants, nature, community, and friendship. Many local organizations have come and gone the last 20 years. Times gone by are in the past and the world is a different place. But TIEG continues to grow, create, and thrive thanks to our wonderful, dedicated, and enthusiastic members. 

GARDEN EXPO THEMES - WHICH WAS YOUR FAVORITE?

2000 - A Gardener’s Adventure

2001 - A Gardener’s Odyssey--Going Where No Gardener Has Gone Before

2002 - A Gardener’s Paradise--We’re Tickled Pink Over Gardening

2003 - A Gardener’s Safari--It’s a Jungle Out There

2004 - A Gardener’s Buffet--Gardeners Have Great Taste

2005 - One Green World--It Ain’t Easy Being Green

2006 - Born to Garden in the USA

2007 - Flower Power--Gardening is Groovy

2008 - Gardening is Magical--Hocus Crocus

2009 - Gardening Around the World--Floral Domination

2010 - Gardening in the Wild, Wild West--Giddy Up, Gardeners

2011 - Gardening That’s Entertainment--Anything Goes

2012 - Adventures in G--rrrrdening--A Gardener’s Treasure Trove

2013 - All Creatures Great & Small

2014 - Gardening Inspiration--Let it Grow

2015 - Gardening - The Reason for the Seasons

2016 - Gardening thru the Ages - Once Upon a Vine

2017 - Gardening thru the Ages - Never Enough Thyme

2018 - Garden Fiesta - Let’s Party!

"As a child, one has that magical capacity to move among the many eras of the earth; to see the land as an animal does; to experience the sky from the perspective of a flower or a bee; to feel the earth quiver and breathe beneath us; to know a hundred different smells of mud and listen unselfconsciously to the soughing of the trees." - Valerie Andrews, “A Passion for this Earth”