The Bellevue Demonstration Garden kicked off its 30th year when it opened for the season on April 2. Staffed by King County Master Gardener volunteers, the garden strives to provide education and demonstration of many gardening topics to the public.

Located in the Lake Hills Greenbelt at Southeast 16th Street and 156th Avenue Southeast, the garden was founded in cooperation with Bellevue Parks and Community Services in 1984. Land reclaimed from a formerly contaminated site gave birth to a public P-Patch and Urban Demonstration Garden.

A series of free educational workshops began in 1993, and continues today on topics ranging from rhododendron culture to waterwise gardening. Workshops are held at 10:30 a.m. in the Ranger Station most Saturdays, January through October.

As a demonstration garden, more than 40 beds with edible and ornamental plants are displayed along with the growing, staking, trellising, and support options for each. It also includes a meditation court, children’s garden, cactus garden, compost center, vertical garden, and espaliered fruit trees, among others.

The garden is staffed to answer plant questions on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., April through October. Produce grown at the garden is donated to Bellevue Hopelink, typically 1500-2000 pounds per year.

On Saturday, April 26, there will be a tomato and vegetable plant sale and a workshop on Growing Tomatoes in the Northwest, with plants for sale grown by Master Gardeners in the nearby greenhouse. In the fall there will be a Harvest Festival and Children’s Fair on Sept. 6 to showcase the offerings of the garden. Past years have included tomato tastings, children’s activities, harvest demonstrations, local musicians, and samplings of the garden produce.

The workshop and special events schedule and map can be found at https://www.bellevuewa.gov/pdf/Parks/master_gardeners_workshops_2014.pdf

Master Gardeners Barbara Picat, Bonny Nordgren and Michelle Walter plan a new herb garden. COURTESY PHOTO, Marcia Dillon