Discovery Gardens Open House – June

Skagit Valley is home to three demonstration gardens operated by volunteers as a learning resource for the public.  On the last Saturday of June, the gardens host an open house where visitors are welcome to spend a day with the volunteers who maintain the gardens to learn more about the gardens and gardening.  See plants chosen to perform well in the Pacific Northwest.  Learn about effective garden practices, soil health, composting, pollinators, fruit tree pruning, native plants, weed identification, and more.   Bring your family and friends.

The gardens are located on the grounds of Washington State University (WSU) Northwestern Washington Research and Extension Center (NWREC) at Mount Vernon, WA (map).

Skagit County WSU Extension Master Gardener Discovery Garden features 30 themed garden rooms on 1.5 acres with ADA-accessible paths and educational displays.

Western Washington Fruit Research Foundation (NW Fruit) has 6 acres of fruit trees and berries suited for our climate with informative signage and espaliers.  Tour the Antique Apple Collection in the orchard’s inner oval or Tour the entire orchard.  Ask about pruning and thinning of fruit.

Salal Native Plant Garden is a half-acre oasis of native plants in a shady natural habitat—docents are available for tours and to answer questions.

If you can’t make the open house, all three gardens are free to visit and open to the public seven days a week from dawn to dusk with signage and self-guided tours.