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Washington State University

Demonstration Gardens in Thurston County

Program Contact: WSU Master Gardener Question/Answer Clinic
(360) 867-2163 • master@co.thurston.wa.us

Closed Loop Park, Dirt Works and Olympia Farmers Market- Gallacci Garden are three demonstration/learning gardens located in Thurston County. The land they occupy is provided by Thurston County, City of Olympia and the Port of Olympia. They are developed and maintained by the WSU Master Gardener and Master Recycler Composter volunteers of Thurston County.

The gardens provide a special setting used for educating the community on best landscape management practices. Especially those that reduce impacts on land and water resources. To achieve this earth-friendly goal, Thurston County WSU Master Gardeners and Master Recycler Composter volunteers emphasize:

  • Selection of plant material that is disease resistant and insect tolerant
  • Proper soil preparation
  • Proper planting techniques
  • Integrated pest management (IPM) techniques and plant health care
  • Water conservation via drip irrigation systems that are operated based on measured rainfall and soil moisture levels
  • Composting to conserve valuable landfill space and turn garden wastes into valuable organic matter
  • Suppression of weeds via mulches and hand pulling

Information learned will help those make more informed decisions in creating their own successful home landscapes. It is also a place where we test out different plants and come up with specific recommendations for our local area. Come get inspired!

Master Recycler Composter volunteers also demonstrate a variety of composting options at Dirt Works and Closed Loop Park gardens.  Composting workshops are presented by Master Recycler Composter volunteers at these sites.

Do you have a plant problem? Possibly a plant is eaten-up by bugs or diseases? Maybe you have a plant or weed you cannot identify? Or, you have a spot in your garden and you need advice on what to plant? That’s where the WSU Master Gardener volunteers of Thurston County can help. Contact our Question & Answer Clinic via email at master@co.thurston.wa.us.

The Gardens and Clinics are operated by WSU and Thurston County trained volunteers. These volunteers can only provide information to home gardeners. Commercial farms and businesses need to contact the Extension office for help, 360-867-2162.

For Events and Workshops at Thurston County Demonstration Gardens, visit our Events and Outreach page. Link: https://extension.wsu.edu/thurston/gardening/community-events-and-outreach/


Olympia Farmers Market Garden

Olympia Farmers Market GardenThe Garden, called Gallacci Gardens at the request of the Farmers Market board, originally consisted of plants donated by the vendors and the Market itself. Today this garden gem show examples of how to use small spaces for maximum efficiency in gardening and composting. Come wander the paths, learn something new, and enjoy this garden oasis in the city.

Hours: The garden is open from dawn until dusk, year round. When available WSU Master Gardeners and/or Thurston County Master Recycler Composters serve in the garden.

Directions: 700 Capitol Way N, Olympia WA 98501

The Market is located at the north end of Capitol Way in downtown Olympia.  The Olympia Farmers Market Garden is located at the east end of the market.

Click here for location on Google Maps


Closed Loop Park

Closed Loop Park

The Closed Loop Park Demonstration Garden is developed and maintained by Thurston County Solid Waste Division and WSU Thurston County Extension – Master Gardeners and Master Recycler Composters.

This ornamental garden is an excellent example of how we can reuse a former landfill site. It sits on only 18 inches of soil above an impermeable protective liner to nourish a wide variety of plants, shrubs, and trees.  Come out and stroll through the two-acre garden and view over 100 varieties of sedum and peonies.

In addition, Closed Loop Park also houses test beds for several “Great Plant Picks,” a large composting demonstration area, native gardens, a quiet picnic area among the beds, and a gazebo for relaxing. Please note that Closed Loop Park is not a dog friendly garden. The garden has been here for over 25 years and some of the plants are part of a long-term trial so they can’t be removed.  We encourage you to visit the Thurston County Dog Park which is adjacent to Closed Loop Park.

Hours:  Closed Loop Park is open dawn to dusk, seven days a week.

When available, WSU Master Gardeners and Master Recycler Composter volunteers serve in the garden on Friday and Saturdays from 9am to 1pm.

Directions:  2420 Hogum Bay Rd. NE, Lacey WA 98516

Closed Loop Park is located inside the Thurston County Waste and Recovery Center (WARC) off of Hogum Bay Road. Take Exit 111 off of I-5, and travel north and turn right into the WARC entrance. Look for signs.

Click here for location on Google Maps


Dirt Works Demonstration Garden – Composting Demo – Plant Nursery – Food Bank Garden

Dirt Works Demonstration and Composting GardenDirt Works garden was developed through a partnership with the City of Olympia and is located inside Yauger Park in West Olympia. Dirt Works highlights garden examples as well as yard waste and worm composting operations. Garden examples include water-wise, native, mixed border, shade, rose, fruit, vegetable, rain and sensory gardens.

On average 2,500 pounds of food is grown yearly from 35 raised-beds, a berry patch, small orchard and grape arbor. The bounty raised from the garden is donated to the Thurston County Food Bank.

Dirt Works Garden hosts our summer Children’s Program for children ages 4 to 12. Visit our Workshop & Events page of this website to learn more.

It is also home to our plant nursery. Volunteers host twice a month plant sales, a fundraiser of the Master Gardener Foundation of Thurston County. Great plants are available at great prices, and all proceeds from the sale go toward supporting the WSU Master Gardener and Thurston County Master Recycler Composter programs. More information about the Plant Sale. 

DIRT WORKS HOURS

Dirt Works Garden is open only for workshops, events, and by appointment. The garden is also open to the public when the volunteers are having their service work parties (March-October).

Dirt Works is open on the following days/times:

  • We are currently closed November through February. We will reopen to the public in March 2024.

Address: 530 Alta Street SW, Olympia WA 98502

Directions:  Dirt Works is located on Olympia’s west side within Yauger Park.

From the East, take Hwy 101 to the Black Lake Blvd. exit. Turn right off the ramp but stay in your left lane so you can turn left onto Cooper Point Road. Follow Cooper Point Road until you reach Capital Mall Drive SW.  Turn Left.  Follow Capital Mall Drive until you reach Alta street. Turn right and follow the road into Yauger Park. Dirt Works garden is at the end of the parking lot.

From the West, take Hwy 101 to the Black Lake Blvd. Exit.  Turn Left on Black Lake Blvd and go approximately 0.2 miles to Cooper Point Road. Turn Left.   Go approximately half a mile to Capital Mall Drive SW.  Turn Left.  Travel approximately 100 yards from the corner and turn right onto Alta street. Follow the road into Yauger Park. Dirt Works garden is located at the end of the parking lot.

Click here for location on Google Maps

IMPORTANT NOTE: Dirt Works hours of operation are incorrect on Google Maps. We are only open on designated days/times when we have work parties or are having public events/workshops. We’ve have been trying to have this designation changed with Google but have been unsuccessful and will continue to try to get this information updated. Please follow the times listed here on our webpage and NOT Google.


Partner Gardens

WSU Thurston County Extension Master Gardener volunteers maintain 3 gardens at the Thurston County Fairgrounds. These include:

  • Echo Garden
  • The Pollinator Garden
  • WSU Extension Office Garden

The Thurston County Fairgrounds are located at 3054 Carpenter Road SE, Lacey WA, 98503.

Pollinator Garden at the Thurston County Fairgrounds.

Echo Garden at the Thurston County Fairgrounds

 

 

 


 


WSU Extension programs and employment are available to all without discrimination. Evidence of noncompliance may be reported through your local WSU Extension office. Persons will disabilities who require alternative means for communication or program information or reasonable accommodation need to contact Cori Carlton at 3054 Carpenter Rd. SE, Olympia WA 98503, 360-867-2162, at least two weeks prior to the event.