Demonstration gardens
Outdoor classrooms in Thurston County
Experience sustainable gardening firsthand in our outdoor classroom gardens. Master Gardeners showcase techniques like water-wise landscaping, native plants, ornamental gardens, raised veggie beds, square-foot gardening, composting, containers, espaliered fruit trees, and berry patches through engaging classes and workshops.
Closed Loop Park Demonstration Garden
Dirt Works Demonstration Garden and Plant Sale Nursery
Olympia Farmers Market-Gallacci Garden
Partner Gardens – Pollinator Garden and WSU Extension Garden
More information
What is a Demonstration Garden?
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 Thurston County Master Gardener and Master Recycler Composter of Thurston County volunteers.
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 at the garden will help you make more informed decisions in creating your 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.
Contact our free Question & Answer Clinic
Find us at a workshop, community event, or demonstration garden.
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.
Closed Loop Park Demonstration Garden
Closed Loop Park Demonstration Garden is an excellent example of how to reuse a former landfill site. Come out and stroll the 2-acre garden with 100s of plant varieties and a composting demonstration area.
Hours and Location:
Hours: Open to the public from sunrise to sunset, seven days a week.
When available, WSU Master Gardener and Master Recycler Composter volunteers serve in the garden on Fridays and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Address: 2420 Hogum Bay Road NE, Lacey WA 98516, inside the Thurston County Waste and Recovery Center (WARC)
Directions: Take Exit 111 off of I-5, and travel north and turn right into the WARC entrance. Upon entering take the first right into the garden/dog park parking lot. You’ll see a small sign that says “Dog Park” at the entry to the parking lot.
Note: If you miss the first right into the garden/dog park parking lot you will need to follow the road to the intersection before the toll booths. You’ll need to do a U-turn and return back to Hogum Bay Road to start the process again
Dirt Works Demonstration Garden
Dirt Works Demonstration 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.
Dirt Works Garden hosts our summer Children’s Program for children ages 4 to 12.
Dirt Works is also home to the Master Gardener Foundation of Thurston County Plant Sale Nursery.
Dirt Works Garden is open during our plant sales from 10am to 1pm. Enter into the garden through the nursery gate.
- April 22
- May 13, 27
- June 10, 24
- July 8, 22
- August 12, 26
- September 9, 23
- October 14, 28
Hours and Location:
Hours: Open only for workshops, events, and by appointment. The garden is also open to the public when the volunteers are having their service parties (March-October).
- Tuesdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Select Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. for MGFTC Plant Sale (see above for dates)
- Fridays from 9 a.m. to noon
Address: 530 Alta Street SW, Olympia WA 98502
Directions: 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.
Olympia Farmers Market-Gallacci Demonstration Garden
Established by request of the Farmers Market board, the Olympia Farmers Market Demonstration Garden originally consisted of plants donated by the vendors and the Market itself. Today, this garden gem showcases examples of how to use small spaces for maximum efficiency. Come wander the paths and enjoy this garden oasis in the city.
Hours and Location:
Hours: Open from sunrise until sunset, year round. When available WSU Master Gardeners and/or Thurston County Master Recycler Composters serve in the garden.
Address: 700 Capitol Way N, Olympia WA 98501.
Directions: 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.
Partner Gardens: Pollinator Garden and WSU Extension Garden
WSU Thurston County Extension Master Gardener volunteers maintain two gardens at the Thurston County Fairgrounds.
These include:
- The Pollinator Garden
- WSU Extension Office Garden
The Thurston County Fairgrounds are located at 3054 Carpenter Road SE, Lacey WA, 98503.
Hours and Location:
Hours: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Extended hours during the Thurston County Fair.
Address: 3054 Carpenter Road SE, Lacey, WA 98503
Directions: The WSU Extension office garden is located between the Benoschek Building and restrooms and the Pollinator Garden is located between Hicks Lake Barn and the restrooms.
Partners of the WSU Thurston County Master Gardener Program
The demonstration gardens are possible through partnerships with the following entities:
- City of Olympia
- Port of Olympia
- Thurston County
- Master Gardener Foundation of Thurston County
- WSU Master Gardener Program
- WSU Thurston County Extension
Frequently asked questions:
A: Trained and certified volunteers with the WSU Thurston County Master Gardener Program and Master Recycler Composter of Thurston County Program develop and maintain the three demonstration and two partner gardens.
Master Recycler Composter volunteers also demonstrate a variety of composting practices at Closed Loop Park and Dirt Works.
A: WSU Thurston County Master Gardener and Master Recycler Composter volunteers are available to 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 WSU Extension office for help, 360-867-2162.
WSU Extension programs and employment are available to all without discrimination. Evidence of noncompliance may be reported through your local Extension office. Reasonable accommodations will be made for persons with disabilities and special needs who contact Cori Carlton at cori.carlton@co.thurston.wa.us at least two (2) weeks prior to the event or application deadline.