Demonstration Garden - Urbandale, Iowa

The Demonstration Garden is the oldest Polk County Extension Master Gardener project. It is a cooperative arrangement between the Polk County Extension District and the City of Urbandale.

The Demonstration Garden is located at the corner of Dewy Gibbs Road and 92nd Street in Urbandale. Map and Directions.

This botanical gem is a nearly secret garden located in Urbandale, Iowa, one of the suburb cities of Des Moines. Set in an out-of-the-way location near the community's Walker Johnson Park, the beauty and interesting displays contained here make the drive well worth the effort.

The purposes of the Demonstration Garden are to provide a working garden area for:

• Demonstration of various garden techniques
• Hosting classes
•  Maintaining environments suitable for:
  • annuals
  • perennials
  • vegetables
  • berries
  • orchard fruits

The garden opens with a lovely rose garden accompanied by dwarf conifers and unfolds into two orchards, herb gardens, small fruits, native grasses, and many demonstration gardens full of creative ideas and horticulture information. The emphasis here is on learning, the bonus is the beauty that abounds. 

On Thursday evenings, the Master Gardeners offer "How Does A Garden Grow" - a series of lectures held in the garden and open to the public at no charge. The lectures begin at 7:00 p.m. and all that's required is a lawn chair and an interest in gardening. Check our current summer events page for dates, topics and speakers.

Photos of Garden

• 2003
• 2004
• First Demonstration Garden Wedding

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