The DirtWorks Demonstration Garden was established in 1989 for the purpose of teaching home composting to the public. The newly renovated garden is host to educational workshops for composting and sustainable gardening. Master Gardener and Composter volunteers from the WSU Thurston County Master Gardener Program maintain the garden and teach the clinics.  The site also hosts the Master Gardener Foundation annual Spring Plant Sale that is held the third Saturday in May.

The City of Olympia sponsors the garden by providing our location at Yauger Park and providing support from the City’s Public Works Dept.

Garden Features:

• Yard waste and worm compost area
• Children’s garden
• Rain garden
• Rose garden
• Vegetable garden
• Fruit trees and small fruits
• Rock garden
• Adaptive garden
• Turf grass
• Mixed border featuring non-invasive, low pollen, and water wise plants and provides year-round interest
• Bamboo
• Home landscape - featuring native plants and hybrids for shade areas

Hours:  Dirtworks is open to the public while Master Gardeners and Master Composters are working in the garden:

March - October

Tuesdays 9AM – 1PM

Saturdays 9AM – 1PM

May – September

The above hours plus

Thursdays 5:30PM - 7:30PM or dusk