Garden History

The Demonstration Garden is the oldest of the Polk County Master Gardener projects and has been in existence since 1988.  It is the product of a cooperative arrangement between the Polk County Extension, Urbandale Community School District, and the City of Urbandale.  The mature fruit trees and the many deciduous bushes and shrubs double as a learning lab where Master Gardener trainees receive hands-on experience in proper pruning techniques.

The early gardens focused on vegetables and fruit, rather than flowers. Initially, water was hauled from home, and then from a hose connected to a hydrant at Valerius Elementary School.  Around 2008, a water distribution system was set up allowing water to be obtained directly from a hydrant.  The City of Urbandale was a major contributor to the hardscaped paths added in 2013, 2015 and 2017 which allow people with disabilities and parents of small children in strollers easier access to displays.  In early summer 2016 the birdbath bubbler fountain was installed.

Demonstration Garden raises crops which we donate to local food panties. In 2020, 1977 lbs. of food crop was donated to local pantries.

The Food Pantry Vegetable Garden raises crops which are delivered to area food pantries. The garden works primarily with the Urbandale Food Pantry. However, they also make donations to other area agencies when a specific crop is in excess abundance. In 2024 Demonstration garden donated over 3,000 lbs. to local food pantries.

Learn from Demonstration Garden Vegetable Gardens

The vegetable garden is a 20′ x 24′ space which includes several varieties of tomatoes and peppers, green beans, cucumbers, radishes, Swiss chard, cabbage, broccoli, basil and cilantro. Our Master Gardeners plant several cool-weather crops early in the season and then plant another round for a fall harvest. Weed population is kept under control and soil moisture is conserved with a layer of inexpensive straw.

Raised Vegetable Garden Beds

The Raised Vegetable Garden demonstrates plant varieties that the average gardener can grow, many of them All-America Selections (AAS) winners from recent years. Therefore, visit often throughout the year . You will witness examples of good gardening practices such as companion planting and three-year crop rotation. Cover crops are often planted in the fall.

A drip irrigation system provides an effective way to water, and the crushed rock pathways allow weather-proof access to the beds and help reduce weeds.  The layout of the raised beds creates an attractive design that adds to the appeal of the Vegetable Garden. Vertical gardening is made possible with trellises which supporting pole beans, cucumbers and squash. The attractive picket fence with discreetly attached, rabbit-proof wire fencing reduces small animal damage.

In addition to the fenced area, a perennial vegetable & fruit garden is located just east of the Food Pantry garden. This garden includes asparagus, horseradish, rhubarb, strawberries & grapes. Squash and melon plants have been added to the open spaces where they can wander as they’d like.

The orchards, in addition, produce apples. Grapevines, raspberries and blueberry patches are also maintained in various locations in the garden.

The All-America Selections (AAS) organization is a nonprofit plant trialing organization started in 1932. Plant trial winners are introduced each year. In 2008 the three Polk County Master Gardener’s gardens (Demonstration, Discovery and Enabling) were designated as AAS Display Gardens.

Each year the Demonstration Garden showcases AAS flowers, vegetables and herbs. In 2014 a dedicated AAS floral display area was created, although several AAS varieties may also be found in other areas of the garden. Numerous AAS vegetable varieties may be found in the Raised Vegetable garden. Each year new varieties of flowers, herbs and vegetables are tested and receive awards resulting in a changing display at the Demonstration Garden.

You will find many variety of roses at Demonstration Garden. Twin rose beds line the brick path as you enter from the southeast corner. The crescent-shaped raised beds were installed in 2011. Four concrete benches along the path encourage visitors to linger a while and enjoy the view. The rose beds are flanked by dwarf conifer beds. The conifers provide a tranquil background for the more colorful display of roses in the foreground.

Griffith Buck Roses

The rose collection includes many Griffith Buck Roses. These roses are named for the Iowa State University horticulture professor who developed this hardy group of low-maintenance roses for midwestern gardens. Buck Roses are also disease resistant. Demonstration Garden houses several Buck Roses listed below.

Earth-Kind® Roses

The collection also includes several roses that have been awarded the Earth-Kind® designation by the Texas AgriLife Extension.  Earth-Kind® roses will thrive in a variety of soil types, are heat and drought tolerant, and require limited use of pesticides, fertilizers, and water. Demonstration Garden displays Earth-Kind® roses designated in the list that follows:

North Rose Bed-	South Rose Bed-
‘Sunny Sky’ Hybrid Tea	‘Love’ Grandiflora
‘Snow Drift’ Easy Elegance	‘Melody Parfume’
‘Kashmir’ Easy Elegance	‘Enchanted Autumn’
‘Honey Sweet’	‘Pinnacle’ Floribunda
‘Country Dancer’	‘Chuckles’
‘Dick Clark’ Grandiflora	‘Pearle Mae’
‘Bright Melody’ Griffith Buck Shrub	‘Carefree Wonder’
‘Lady of Shalott’ David Austin Shrub	‘April Moon’ Griffith Buck Shrub
‘The Fairy’  Polyantha Earth-Kind®	‘Marie Daly’  Shrub Earth-Kind®
‘Julia Child’ Rosa Floribunda	‘Zaide’ Kordes Floribunda
‘Carefree Beauty’ Shrub Earth-Kind®	‘Grandma’s Blessing’ Easy Elegance
‘Les Sjulin’ Griffith Buck Grandiflora	‘Prairie Sunrise’
‘Yellow Brick Road’ Easy Elegance	‘La Marne’  Polyantha  Earth-Kind®
‘Angel Face’ Floribunda Rose	‘Winter Sunset’ Griffith Buck Shrub
‘Sophy’s Kiss’ David Austin Shrub	‘Polonaise’ Griffith Buck Grandiflora
‘Frida Kahlo®’ Floribunda Rose	‘Lion’s Fairy Tale’
‘Angel Face’ Floribunda Rose	‘Hawkeye Belle’ Griffith Buck Shrub
‘Amethyst Falls’	‘Party Hardy’ Hybrid Tea
	‘Prairie Star’

There are over 20 varieties of dwarf conifers at Demonstration Garden. They are located near the south arbor. Plants nearest the arbor were installed in 2002. Likewise, years later the south entry was modified. This resulted in the expansion of the existing rose and conifer displays. Renovated in 2010 and 2011, many unique conifers now live here.  Flagstone was added to demonstrate ‘outcropping’. A large circular berm serves as home to spruce, cypress, juniper, arborvitae and pines of differing shapes and sizes. See detailed list below.