I was visiting Albany, Oregon end of May and early June to help a young friend take care of her newborn twins. The hotel I was staying out was right next to the Linn County Fairgrounds. I went exploring one morning and there on the other side of our hotel parking lot was the Master Gardener Linn County Demonstration Garden and Compost Center. Of course, I had to explore and found a very educational but extremely charming display. From the sign explaining that after hours trespassers would be composted to the fairy garden prominently displayed in their cottage garden area, the garden definitely had a whimsical bent. In addition to the standard fruit and vegetable, herb, native, and shade gardens, there were pollinator areas, an edible flower garden spilling out of a shopping cart and another garden planted in an irrigation tub that was demonstrating how colorful a foliage garden could be. There was a permanent exhibition of the different kinds of composting plus demonstration of Hill Bed Culture and planting in leaf mold. There was a covered patio with picnic tables and benches for lectures and seasonal posters.
Planning for the gardens began in 1997, with construction beginning in 1999. The gardens have been continually improved and expanded since then. Fruit and produce grown in the garden is given to local food banks. The Linn County Master Gardener's have certainly done themselves proud and have a lovely site to share their knowledge and their passion for gardening with the public.
I have a lot more photos of the displays, so if you would like to see them just contact me and I will share them.
