Master Gardener Projects
We have three main projects: Demonstration Garden, Food Gardening, and Education. Each project has multiple components. The Demonstration Garden has 25 individual gardens including a greenhouse. The Food Gardening Project has four main components Build-A-Bed Feed-A-Family, Container Gardening, Benton-Franklin Juvenile Justice Center, and Plant-A-Row for the Hungary. Education encompasses everything that is done and is the core of all the projects but the education committee has some specific activities such as free seminars and tours, school presentations, free gardening classes and clinics.
Demonstration Garden
The Master Gardener Foundation in an agreement with the City of Kennewick established a 2 1/2 acre Demonstration Garden in 2000. The Demonstration Garden is located at 1600 S Union St in Kennewick in the Highlands Grange Park. Master Gardener Volunteers maintain the 25 individual gardens including a rose test garden. The rose test garden is only garden in Washington State that tests new varieties of roses. The Demonstration Garden is funded by the Foundation through a plant sale, donations and grants.
Demonstration Garden Entry
Food Gardening
The Food Gardening Project has several aspects but it is all about facilitating gardens to train individuals and families how to grow their own food.
A family is taught the basics of gardening starting with the type of soil, soil nutrients, watering, what to plant, see germination and transplanting, maintaining the garden, when to harvest, and fall cleanup. A family is able to grow 200 to 250 lbs of fresh produce from a 4 foot X 8 foot raised bed. They also teach their children as well as neighbors.
There is Container Gardening for those that do not have adequate space for a gardening area is an alternative to appreciate that the family can still grow some fresh food. Many families start with one container but quickly realize that they can do much more.
Project of the Year Award
Education
Education is the core element of all the Master Gardener Programs. Here are some special projects.
- Free Public Seminars
- Presentations for Schools and other organizations
- Spring and Summer Presentations in Demonstration Garden
- Tours of the Demonstration Garden
- Educational Flyers
- Science Fairs
Example of Education Projects
