Gateway Learning Gardens: Cultivated by Master Gardeners

    The Master Gardener Volunteers wanted to develop a garden that could be used for hands-on teaching.  Th Herb Garden was the first garden developed as a teaching tool at the Clark County Extension Office.  In 1996, volunteers removed turf and several Taxus shrubs that in the center of the landscape behind the building.  Tilling was difficult because of the large amount of rocks that constantly had to be removed.  It was later learned that the area had been part of an old quarry.  The design layout was created by Master Gardener Volunteers.  

     After amending the soil and planting an assortment of herbs, the results were a bit disappointing since we ended up with an abundance of weeds instead of healthy herbs.  Volunteers refused to be defeated and the area was turned into a Weed Identification Plot and a workshop was held.  An evaluation of the situation and a few meetings to determine our next approach led to the beautiful gardens we have today.  

    These gardens, with more than 800 varieties of plants, are enjoyed by visitors from around Ohio as well as guests visiting The Ohio State University.  We have hosted visitors from Greece, China, and Israel.  In addition, we provide guided tours to interested groups and organizations.  The garden is for people to learn about plants and simply enjoy being outdoors.

   We can provide a unique tailored tour that is specific to your group's interests and needs.  We also have a picnic area for a brown bag lunch or we can work with local caterers to provide a meal.  In addition, if you would like to hold a meeting or reception in the garden, we can help make this a memorable event.   If your group is interested in a tour, contact Jo Brown (brown.1541@cfaes.osu.edu) 937-521-3860.

  Take a tour of our garden!

     Herb Garden -  The multi-herb garden design introduces the public to the various types of herbs.   The sections are divided into various theme gardens that include:  Perennial Knot Garden, Thyme Knot Garden, Fragrance, Kitchen or Potager, Bee,  and Tea.  The herbs are surrounded by a Sensory Gardens and a Butterfly/ Hummingbird Garden which allows us the pleasure of watching bees, birds, and butterflies work to pollinate our gardens.  The Knot Gardens are an exercise in structural design, one for perennials, the other for annuals.  

    Perennial Garden - Enjoy the latest varieties of perennials as well as some tried and true in the 4 display areas.  These beds are designed to provide you with design and plant ideas as well as used for teaching about maintenance and pest management.

    Annual Field Trials - See the newest varieties of annuals and how they perform under minimal conditions.  More than 150 varieties are tested each year in conjunction with seed companies and growers around the country.  Check out the varieties that are easy to grow and are sure to show off in your garden.

    Victory Garden  - This 10,000 square foot garden is planted and maintained by MGVs and the SEEDS community garden project.  Volunteers plant and maintain vegetables to be harvested for the local food banks.  Corporate partners include Benjamin Steel and Gordon Food Service.

    Turf Research Plot  - One of 11 OSU research plots around the state, this one is designed to demonstrate good turf management practices.  Take your shoes off and walk across the lawn of different blends of turfgrass to see the one that you want in your lawn.

    Early Ohio Settlers Garden  - One of the favorites of our visitors, this garden contains many of the plants that you would have seen back during the times when people were settling Ohio.  Many of these plants are heirloom seeds that go back many years.     

 

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Keith L. Smith, Associate Vice President for Agricultural Administration; Associate Dean, College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences; Director, Ohio State University Extension and Gist Chair in Extension Education and Leadership. TDD No. 800-589-8292 (Ohio only) or 614-292-6181.