Located at the Clatsop County Fair and Expo Center (fairgrounds), this garden began in 1998 as a joint effort of the Fairboard and the Clatsop County Master Gardener Association. CCMGA volunteers removed grass, added compost, installed concrete edging and began planting. A vegetable bed was established and many of the existing trees and shrubs were added. Our gazebo was added for a gathering place and structure. It was built by volunteers, funded by hours of fundraising via our plant sales, and generous donations from sponsors. Many of the plants were donated by regional nurseries, local Master Gardeners, or purchased with a grant from The Hardy Plant Society. It has been our goal to provide a “living room garden” for the site while demonstrating sustainable gardening practices. Volunteers log hundreds of hours here each year. The garden is tidy, but never weed-free.  We have learned to embrace the weeds as they provide for many important pollinators. During the county fair, we host a plant clinic in the garden as well a membership meeting for CCMGA in the summer. 

When we began, the Norway Maples were all the garden contained. They have grown substantially. They now cast so much shade on the garden that our plantings have had to morph over the years. The roots of the maples are now at the surface, making digging very difficult. We now have a dry, shady garden that in areas is difficult to plant in. As a result, we have shifted to containers to add color to the garden. Plans to remove some of the maples are underway. Over time, we will continue to maintain and renovate the garden as resources allow. We aspire to delineate additional zones with specific plantings such as deer resistance, fire resistance, pollinator friendly and edibles.

Our new tool shed has helped immensely with having the right tools and supplies onsite for volunteers. The garden is in a quiet, rural setting with Saddle Mountain in view making it a wonderful garden to be in.

We welcome visitors and volunteers!