Pathway through the Firewise Demonstration garden located at the Colville Community Garden, showing hardscaping of rocks in the foreground, a tree to the right and a planter box to the left.

Demonstration gardens

A showcase for gardening techniques
WSU Extension > Stevens County > MG Home > Educational outreach > Demonstration Gardens
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Outdoor classrooms in Stevens County

Wood chips in the demo garden

Stevens County currently has a “Local Food” Demonstration Garden where Master Gardeners have showcased gardening techniques like raised veggie beds, mason bee hotels, composting, and other interesting topics. Whether you take a self-tour during one of our Plant Exchanges or attend an outdoor class or workshop, you can learn new information and get ideas for your own landscape and garden.

NOTE: Our former Firewise Demonstration Garden is no longer available as the property was sold.

Colville Food Bank Garden

210 S Wynne St, Colville
Open by appointment only or during classes
Easily visible through the fence.

4 Master Gardeners working in a raised bed garden
Walkway pavers on top of bark mulch walkway through 2 rows of raised beds in a garden

Learn about Growing Your Own Produce!

These raised beds were built by a local Boy Scout troop for the Colville Food Bank but not maintained for several years until they asked if the Master Gardeners wanted to help. We did, as this project fits perfectly with our Local Food program priority. After renovations were complete, we were able to grow and donate 291 lbs of produce for the Food Bank in 2024!
Snow-covered raised bed garden next to the Colville Food Bank building in Colville, WA

What we started with

11 raised beds of various shapes, full of weeds (after the snow melted) and lacking garden dirt.
Raised bed garden in the spring with many people working on weeding and cleaning in and around the beds.

First, clean out the boxes

Fortunately, 2 of the boxes still had some plants that could be salvaged. There were onions in the box with the white arch, and strawberry plants growing in the tall boxes along the fence.
Raised bed garden with cardboard laid on the pathways between the beds to act as a first step for weed suppression.

Paths Improvement

Cardboard was placed on the paths between the boxes to discourage the grass and weeds.
Raised bed garden where the cardboard covered paths have now been covered with bark mulch and pavers.

Visual improvements

Bark mulch was donated by Vaagens Lumber and applied on top of the cardboard to make the whole garden look more attractive.
A raised bed garden with a variety of greens and vegetable plants growing well.

Fruits of our Labors

Many hands made short work, and the seeds and seedlings donated by many began to produce. All told, in 2024, the Food Bank received 291 pounds or more of produce grown in these beds!
A sample of one of the educational signs added to the raised bed garden.

Educational Signage

Master Gardeners are first and foremost Community Educators. Appropriate signs were created by Master Gardener Dana Combest. The garden also co-hosted, with SNAP-Ed trainers, a “Grow Your Own Row” event.

ARCHIVE: Former Firewise Demonstration Garden

NOTE: Our former Firewise Demonstration Garden is no longer available as the property was sold.

Firewise Demonstration Garden

170 B Highway 20 E, Colville
Open all hours, part of the Colville Community Garden

Rock garden with sedums covering the rocks
Sign for the old Firewise Demonstration Garden in Colville, WA

Learn about Firewise Landscaping

Built in 2017, this garden was a joint effort with Stevens County Conservation District, the Department of Natural Resources, the Rotary Club, and local businesses. You can walk the paths and read about the ways to make your landscape more Firewise (or UN-Firewise)!

Highlights from Firewise Demonstration Garden

Dumptruck unloading gravel during construction of the old Firewise Demonstration Garden in Colville, WA

Construction Begins

According to the plans, the construction began. Loads of dirt and gravel were dumped at the back section of the Colville Community Garden.
Group of Master Gardeners and other volunteers helping with the creation of the old Firewise Demonstration Garden in Colville, WA

Many hands, many hours of HARD work

At the end of the main walkway through the Colville Community Garden, 2 half-circular paths complete a full circle where guests can stroll and read the educational signs.
Old Welcome sign for the former Firewise Demonstration Garden in Colville, WA

Welcome Sign

Our Firewise Demonstration Garden is a co-habitant of the Colville Community Garden. We all work together to make our respective spaces welcoming and informative.
Master Gardeners working on upkeep and maintenance of the Firewise Demonstration Garden

Ongoing Maintenance

Now in its 8th year, the Firewise Garden requires maintenance. During the 2020 Pandemic, it was a welcome *outdoor* space where we could still gather and work together safely. Many walkers on the Rotary Trail that runs alongside this garden will wander through.
Sign and pathway through the old Firewise Demonstration Garden in Colville, WA.

The Circle of Signs

As one walks around the circular path, you can read and learn from the informative signs about Firewise and UN-Firewise: Landscaping, Building Materials, and Plants.
Shoppers at the Master Gardener Plant Exchange browse plants displayed on tables under canopies on the path of the old Firewise Demonstration Garden.

Plant Exchanges

Twice a year, once in the Spring and once in the Fall, the Master Gardeners host a Plant Exchange on the pathways of the Firewise Demonstration Garden.