About The Inland Empire Gardeners (TIEG)

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.

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 

Benefits of Membership

Membership will entitle you to all club educational programs (our in-depth library, video tapes, hand-outs, and monthly tours). You'll be given invitation to our special events (group garden trips, potlucks, parties, and our Holiday Awards Banquet). You will have the opportunity to be involved in truly innovative programs. 

Club Meetings
TIEG meet monthly (except December) on the first Thursday at 4pm at the Shadle Park Library, 2111 W Wellesley Ave, Spokane, WA 99205. 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. Refreshments. Door Prizes. We would love to see you! Bring a friend!

Community Service 

Garden Expo, Garden of the Month Contest, My Bag Program for Spokane's Foster Children, and YWCA's Alternatives to Domestic Violence Program.  

Garden Tours

We feature monthly activities including tours of our member's gardens, local nurseries, and other special destinations. We sponsor the popular annual Spokane in Bloom Garden Tour. During the summer months we offer Cheap Friday Nite Date Tours. Our Open Garden Program includes private gardens that are open all summer long. 

Groups within the Group 

Gourmet Gardeners - For those members who enjoy cooking and entertaining in their gardeners to share their passion with those of similar interests. 

Movie Fans - You’ll have the opportunity to plan fun, movie going experiences for others and to attend movies shown by your fellow members. What fun! 

Shutterbugs - TIEG's Garden Photography group's purpose is to gain skills and comradeship through photography, and also to improve one's skills in seeing and exploring the world of plants and other things. 

Snoopy’s Great Adventure Fun Club - Group that will do fun things with their dogs.

Meeting MarketPlace 

This is your opportunity to exhibit at one of our monthly meetings at no cost to you. We welcome artists, crafter, farmer market vendors, plant growers, and organizations to take part at no cost. 

Newsflashes  

Email newsflashes are sent out on an as needed basis to keep the membership reminded on upcoming club activities. The monthly newsflash message contains a Calendar of Events of local and regional activities as well as interesting things to read.  

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 is emailed as a PDF file to garden club members. It is also available online but is password protected so it can only be viewed by club members. 

TIEG's Little Free Library
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. Charter #29741. https://littlefreelibrary.org  

1 - What does your garden club do?  
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?
TIEG meets monthly (except December) the 1st Thursday of the month at 4pm at the Shadle Park Library, 2111 W Wellesley Ave, Spokane, WA 99205. Meetings are free and open to the public.    

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. Everyone renews the first of the year regardless to when they joined. Membership cards are available to pick up at any meeting that list discounts offered by local businesses.
 

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, Hawaiian Luau, 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 3rd Saturday in June.   

7 - How is the garden club structured?
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. At the beginning of the year at our January meeting we have an annual Volunteer Faire where you can sign-up for club activities and groups.  
 

10 - What are some of the community projects TIEG supports?
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? Our garden club provides 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” - www.kathrynaalto.com

Joleen 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” - 

https://whereplantsrock.wordpress.com/tag/bruce-bailey

Paul Bannick - Wildlife Photographer, Seattle, WA - “The Owl & The Woodpecker” - www.paulbannick.com

Dr. Marty Becker - Veterinarian, Author, Educator, Media Personality - “The Bond” - www.drmartybecker.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” - https://johnbartramlives.me

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

Scott Calhoun - Landscape Design, Garden Writer, Speaker, Cacti Expert, Photographer, Tucson, AZ - “Hot Gardens: Lessons from the Desert Southwest” - http://zonagardens.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, Seattle, WA - “Gardening with Foliage First” - https://lejardinetdesigns.com

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 - Photographers, Authors, Speakers, Port Townsend, WA - “Grow a Hummingbird Garden”
 

Sam Decker - Young Gardening Wunderkind, Seattle, WA - “South American Plants and then Some”

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

JJ De Sousa - Garden & Interior Designer, Plant Geek, Proprietress Digs Inside & Out, Portland OR - “Fearless Outdoor Entertaining” - https://shopdigsportland.com/pages/our-flagship-shop

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

C.L. Fornari - Speaker, Writer, Radio Talk Show Host, Garden Consultant, Osterville, MA - “The Cocktail Hour Garden: Evening Landscapes to Relax and Entertain” - www.gardenlady.com

John Forti - The Heirloom Gardener, Wellesley, MA - “Historic Gardener” - www.jforti.com

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 Extraordinaire, “Forging a Lasting Peace with Slugs & Snails” - www.davidgeorgegordon.com
 

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

Robin Haglund - Seattle’s Pioneering Garden Coach & Designer - “Growing a Hummingbird Garden Haven” - https://gardenmentors.com

Thor Hanson - Biologist, Award-winning Author, Friday Harbor, WA - “The Triumph of Seeds” - www.thorhanson.net

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” - http://danieljhinkley.com

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

Maurice Horn - co-founder Joy Creek Nursery, Scappoose, OR - “Old Dogs, New Tricks” - www.joycreek.com

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

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

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

Allan Mandell - Garden Photographer, Canada, "Nature & Spirit: Reflections on the Gardens of Kyoto Japan" - www.allanmandell.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, Author, 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” - www.martamcdowell.com

Thomas Mickey - “Communication Professor, Master Gardener, Landscape Designer, Bridgewater, MA - “America's Romance with English Gardens” -- http://americangardening.net/biography

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” - www.mountgardens.com

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” - www.gardensofthewildwildwest.com

Teresa O'Connor - Writer, Author, Consultant - “Medieval Gardens” - http://teresatoconnor.com

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

Becky Sell - Owner, Sedum Chicks Specialty Nursery, Turner, OR - “Hardy Succulents and Sedums” - https://sedumchicks.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” - ww.amystewart.com 

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

Debbie Teashon - Author, Blogger, Photographer, Blaine, WA - “Toasting Your Health from Your Garden to Your Glass” 

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

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 (1st Thursday of the month). tieg@comcast.net. Thank you! 

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 27 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.  

2023 - A Feast for the Senses 

2020/2021/2022 - On the Road Again 

2019 - A Gardener’s World - Oh, the Places You Will Go

2018 - Garden Fiesta - Let’s Party! 

2017 - Gardening thru the Ages - Never Enough Thyme 

2016 - Gardening thru the Ages - Once Upon a Vine

2015 - Gardening - The Reason for the Seasons

2014 - Gardening Inspiration--Let it Grow

2013 - All Creatures Great & Small

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

2011 - Gardening That’s Entertainment--Anything Goes

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

2009 - Gardening Around the World--Floral Domination

2008 - Gardening is Magical--Hocus Crocus

2007 - Flower Power--Gardening is Groovy

2006 - Born to Garden in the USA

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

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

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

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

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

2000 - A Gardener’s Adventure

“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”