Hand reaching for plants sprouting in the dirt after it's rained.

Demonstration Garden

A showcase for gardening techniques
WSU Extension > Kittitas County > Master Gardener Home > Educational outreach > Demonstration Gardens
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An outdoor classroom in Kittitas County

Flowers and shrubs along a garden path leading to an arch trellis. There is a parking lot to the right and a building to the left.

Want to see sustainable gardening in action? Stop by our demonstration garden at the Armory. This outdoor classroom give gardeners the opportunity to see and practice sustainable gardening techniques. Master Gardeners demonstrate via classes, workshops, and field days a range of gardening practices including water wise gardens, native plant gardens, raised bed vegetable gardening, container gardening, and more.

Demonstration Garden

We invite you to walk through our new Demonstration Garden at the Armory in Ellensburg.  In collaboration with the Kittitas County Conservation District, our garden was designed for our local climate and meets the standards for a Heritage Garden of the Columbia River Basin.

This garden demonstrates sustainable landscaping using native plants with low water needs.  This xeriscape design is just beginning to fill out as it was planted in 2023 and 2024.  Come out to see which plants you may want to incorporate in your garden.  Plants are labeled and brochures are available onsite to learn more.

Visitor Information

  • 901 E 7th Avenue, Ellensburg, WA 98926
  • Open dawn until dusk daily
Short shrubs, native plants, and a fruit tree around a seating area with a bench.

Special Thanks

Special thanks to Wendy Mee of the Kittitas County Conservation District for her assistance with the design and information on plant selection for our Demonstration Garden.

Wendy may be reached at the Kittitas County Conservation District office at 2211 W. Dolarway, Ste. 4, Ellensburg, WA 98926

She can be contacted via email or by phone at 509-925-3352 extension 4 or her cell phone at 509-899-8574

A group of master gardeners sit on a purple bench in under a tree with leaves turning yellow in the fall. They are all wearing or carrying silly accessories, such as viking hats, animal hats, flowers, and bright scarves.

Highlights from our Demonstration Garden

Looking down a garden path that goes under a trellis archway on which roses climb.

Demonstration Garden Walking Path

Our garden is full of interesting native plants.  Enjoy the stone ground cover path walkway and take in some nature time as you explore. 
Five volunteers working on the landscaping along the garden path.

Youth Garden

Volunteers enjoy time together maintaining the new Demonstration garden. Watch for Youth Gardening classes and opportunities for summer 2025.
Low shrubs and native plants beside the sidewalk at the Heritage Garden

Heritage Garden

Heritage Gardens are landscaped areas designed to honor the cultural and natural heritage of the Columbia River Basin while utilizing sustainable gardening practices.  Our Demonstration Garden is a certified Heritage Garden though the Kittitas County Conservation District. 
Desert evening primrose plant on rocky landscape with label.

Xeriscape Garden

Xeriscaping is the process of landscaping, or gardening, that reduces or eliminates the need for irrigation. Our Demonstration garden is proud to show plants that once established, require less water than a typical landscape. Our drip irrigation method saves water with targeted watering and no water run-off. 
Short small-leaf plant with orange-yellow flowers on rocky ground labeled "strict buckwheat"

Native Plants

Natives make-up most of the demonstration garden.  The natives planted are true to Kittitas County. Come pick up a brochure and walk through the garden to learn more about native plants of Kittitas County and surrounding areas.
Master Gardeners working on the landscaping at the Demonstration Garden.

Volunteers at Work

Master Gardener volunteers at work maintaining our new garden.   

Frequently asked questions:

A: A xeriscape garden is one which requires very little to no additional water once established.

A: A Heritage Garden is a garden designed to require very little to no additional water once established, by the utilization of plants native to a given area which are adapted to the precipitation regime of that area.

A: The following criteria must be met:

  • At least 75% of the plants used are native to Washington State
  • A minimum of 5 different native species are present
  • 30% of the plants will require no additional water after establishment (9-12” annual precipitation requirement most typical in lower Kittitas county)
  • No more than 10% of the plants require 30” annual precipitation (the equivalent of traditional lawn)
  • At least one plant has cultural significance (indigenous use)
  • At least 2 plants have known wildlife value
  • Has at least one recognized geologic feature (gravels, rocks)
  • Irrigation plan which provides appropriate water for plants needs in an efficient manner (typically drip systems)
  • Complies with all City/County codes (Noxious weeds), ordinances and HOA rules.

Heritage Gardens:

  • Water savings (~21,101 gallons saved compared to traditional lawn water used (at minimum a 44% reduction)
  • Limited inputs: little to no additional fertilizers, soil amendments, herbicides and pesticides
  • Reduced maintenance (little to no mowing, trimming weed-whacking ect)
  • Enhanced wildlife value for birds and other important pollinators.