The WSU Master Gardeners of Yakima County are celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Demonstration Garden. Tucked away in Ahtanum Youth Park in Union Gap, this community treasure has been showcasing good gardening practices and enchanting visitors with its flowers and folk art for two decades. Over the years, Master Gardeners have poured labor and love into the garden plots, and we are delighted to celebrate this milestone with all of our friends and supporters.
The party will take place from 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Saturday, June 21, 2025, and the public is invited. There will be demonstrations and activities for all ages, drawings for prizes and refreshments. Events will include story time for children, historical displays, artists creating watercolor paintings of the garden and much more. And, of course, there will be plenty of Master Gardeners on hand to answer any of your gardening questions.
The land for the garden is provided for our use by the City of Union Gap, and they have been a much-appreciated host and partner.
It all began with Master Gardener Shannon Bird, who first uttered the words, “demonstration garden,” and soon a dedicated group coalesced to make it happen.
Al Kokenge stepped up as the leader and oversaw the construction of the shed, which was an important early step. Bob Irwin created some wonderful drawings to help guide the group, and Bob Atwood composed a layout. Mary Lou and Richard Calhoun volunteered countless hours, with Mary Lou obtaining a grant and starting the rose garden. Bill Woolman donated his carpentry skills and built arches, benches and other structures.
Larray Prather also gave hundreds of hours and brought in his tractor every week to cut pathways and move the soil to create the garden. He remembers that he “hauled dirt for three or four days,” and “put in walkways, berms, and the hills and dales.” He donated concrete blocks for the raised beds and brought rocks from the Naches River for the xeriscape garden.
One year Larry had a windfall from selling his tomatoes and gave a generous cash donation to the garden, which was used to buy a much needed woodchipper. He credits the garden with giving him a sense of purpose and a source of enriching friendships after he retired. Larry will be on hand for the party to tell the stories of how the garden came to be.
One Master Gardener who has been a part of the garden from the beginning, a beloved leader for years, and continues to actively contribute to this day is Diana Pieti. For over 25 years, she has been involved in many areas of the Master Gardener organization, but since its inception, the one constant has been her commitment to the Demonstration Garden. “That garden is my heart,” she says. Diana will also be available during the party to talk about its growth and history.
For 20 years, there were also many, many Master Gardeners who planted, tended, weeded, watered and did countless other chores in the garden week after week. The current leadership team and work crew are stellar. These contributors are far too numerous to name, but they are all much appreciated. Without them and their dedication, we would not have a garden today.
And what a garden it is! Step through the arched entryway and enter a world of flowers and buzzing bees, with homey touches at every turn. There are paths to wander and benches on which to rest and enjoy the views. A large area is devoted to children, with plants and features designed to catch their attention.
The shade garden showcases plants that do well in low light, including the difficult condition of dry shade. The three native plant beds display attractive plants that will thrive in our area with little or no irrigation. There are plantings of herbs, berries and grapes, and colorful flowers everywhere. Early in the season, iris, peony, roses and clematis steal the show. Large plantings of dahlias and zinnias will come into bloom later in the summer.
There is always something beautiful or interesting happening at the Demonstration Garden. Whether you are a regular visitor, a first-time visitor or maybe you just haven’t been there in a while, please come and join us for a community celebration of the garden and the amazing people who created it.
• For any gardening questions, contact the Master Gardener Clinic at 509-574-1604 or email askamastergardener@yakimamg.org.