January 04, 2017

What is Garden Spark?

Inspired by the idea of house concerts -- performances in private homes, which support musicians and give a small audience an up-close and personal musical experience -- in 2017 I began hosting a series of garden talks by top-notch design speakers out of my home. I called it Garden Spark.

Garden Spark talks are for anyone with an interest in gardening, garden design, and learning from design experts. You won't find anything else like this in Austin! I know because I'm always looking for garden presentations geared to avid and experienced gardeners, by well-known designers and authors, and they just don't come around that often.

To attract excellent speakers and design experts, I'm paying them a fair speaker fee, raised through ticket sales. For the cost of a movie, drink, and popcorn, you can hear entertaining and thoughtful speakers sharing their design ideas. I organize 3 to 5 talks per season, held at Barton Springs Nursery's outdoor classroom on Thursday evenings.

Get info about the 2023-24 schedule here!

How to Attend

Talks are limited-attendance events and generally sell out within just a few days -- or even a few hours. I open ticket sales to subscribers first, so please join the Garden Spark email list in order to receive these early notifications. Simply click this link and ask to be added. I'll never share or sell your email address.

When I launched the Garden Spark talk series, I was sure there was an unmet need in Austin for engaging and thought-provoking talks about garden design. The response has been greater than I hoped. My thanks to all who have attended a talk and to the speakers who've shared their ideas and knowledge with us. Your participation is helping to broaden the conversation about garden design in our community!

Past Lineups

2023-24 Garden Spark Schedule

2022-23 Garden Spark Schedule

2021-22 Garden Spark Schedule

2020 Garden Spark Schedule

2019 Garden Spark Schedule

2018 Garden Spark Schedule

2017 Garden Spark Schedule

Read more about Garden Spark

Read more about Garden Spark

Garden Spark talk with Karen Chapman is an early sell-out

July 17, 2017 When I launched the Garden Spark talk series six months ago, I was sure there was an unmet need in Austin for people who wanted to hear top-notch designers and authors speak about garden design. So far I’ve brought in landscape architect James deGrey David and designer/author ...

Next Garden Spark talk is my own, includes book and garden tour

April 01, 2017After hosting two other speakers this spring (Scott Ogden and James David), I’ve decided to offer a talk of my own for my fledgling Garden Spark series. On May 18, I’ll present “Water-Saving Gardens That Wow,” which will also include a signed copy of The Water-Saving Garden and ...

Garden Spark design talk with James deGrey David, and you’re invited!

February 08, 2017Update 2/8/17: ***THIS EVENT IS NOW SOLD OUT. If you’d like to hear about future Garden Spark talks, please get on the mailing list. Send me an email and let me know you’d like to be added to the email list.*** Garden of James deGrey David and Gary ...

Garden Spark talks kick off with Scott Ogden, and you’re invited!

January 05, 2017 Inspired by the idea of house concerts — performances in private homes, which support musicians and give a small audience an up-close and personal musical experience — I’ve decided to host a series of garden talks by well-known design speakers out of my home, and I’m calling ...