Demonstration Gardens

The Master Gardener Demonstration Gardens, located at the Agricultural Farm History Park, Derwood MD, are open to the public from dawn until dusk, 365 days a year for self-guided tours. To schedule guided tours by a Master Gardener, call 301-590-9650 Monday – Friday, 9 am to 1 pm, March though October. This approximately quarter acre site contains 11 small gardens, each with a different theme.

These sustainable gardens demonstrate what the homeowner in Montgomery County can do on his/her own with minimal effort and a high probability of success, considering local climate, soil, and pests. Lists of plants for most gardens are contained on handouts located, for the taking, in mailboxes in most gardens. A general brochure covering all the gardens is located in the mailbox at the main gate to the gardens.

The best time to visit the gardens is mid June through mid September. However, the Shade Garden has substantial year-round interest, especially mid to late spring. This garden is located in the wooded area next to the storage sheds and outside the other gardens that are behind the deer fence.

The types of gardens are:

Autistic children’s garden (in cooperation with 4H)

Butterfly attracting/support garden

Children’s interest garden

Fragrance garden

Herb garden

Ponds

Shade garden

Therapeutic Horticulture garden

Turf plots

Vegetable garden

Wildlife garden

These gardens support a variety of educational purposes, as follows:

• Use of IPM (Integrated Pest Management) approach to minimizing environmental impact
• Participation in Agricultural Farm History Park events to broadly contact county residents, including children
• Plant identification and brochures on what’s in the gardens
• Therapeutic horticulture with plant materials for Master Gardener programs at hospitals, nursing homes and other health care facilities; and provide supervised gardening experience once a week for autistic children/young adults in cooperation with 4-H and Community Services for Autistic Adults and Children (CSAC)
• Cooperative efforts with the Master Gardener Fair Grounds garden
• Site visits for garden clubs and other organizations
• Educate ourselves with hands-on activities

Master Gardeners work on our gardens every Thursday. Come and watch and ask questions, or simply tour the Demonstration Gardens located at 18410 Muncaster Road, Derwood, MD 20855.