Speakers

Don't Treat Your Soil Like Dirt

February 17, 2026:  Liz Knight

We all know we should add compost and mulch to our gardens….but why? What is the actual science behind these practices? It turns out there’s a thriving ecosystem beneath our feet – bacteria, fungi, protozoa, and nematodes – that work together to support healthy plants.

Based on the book Teaming with Microbes; The Organic Gardener’s Guide to the Soil Food Web by Jeff Lowenfels and Wayne Lewis, this presentation breaks down the science of soil biology into practical advice any gardener can use.

By "teaming with microbes" instead of relying on synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, you create a self-sustaining, resilient garden that practically grows itself.

Bio:  When our speaker Liz Knight retired after a 40-year career in market research, she threw herself headlong into learning everything she could about plants and gardening.

She became a Master Gardener in 2019 and took their advanced training course in 2020-2021. After serving as a mentor for 6 years, she is now part of the team who designs and delivers the Master Gardener basic training course. She is also a tour guide at Darts Hill, where she is responsible for all plant labelling and for maintaining their extensive plant inventory. Liz was President of the South Surrey Garden Club from 2023 to 2025, and is the current Communications Director for the club.

Forever in My Garden - strategies to improve balance

June 16, 2026:  Debbie Cheong