Gardens beautify our landscape, help pollinators, feed us and educate us. The WSU Extension Master Gardener volunteers and community partners know this well, and are excited to share with you that they recently broke ground on a new demonstration garden in Ocean Shores. The Dig@Shores is located at the Ocean Shores Methodist Church (553 Point Brown Avenue NW), next door to the Ocean Shores Public Library.
It’s designed to expand hands-on, research-based gardening education through the North Beach region, shares Erin Hoover, master gardener and small farms program coordinator. It’s the second demonstration garden in Grays Harbor. The first is located at the Grays Harbor County Fairgrounds in Elma.
A Master Gardener Vision Grows Into Reality
“DiG@Shores was the vision of a Master Gardener Volunteer,” explains Erin. “Demonstration Gardens serve as outdoor classrooms, and we felt it was important to have a presence in west Grays Harbor County.”
The Grays Harbor Community Foundation’s Weatherwax Fund provided a generous grant to complete the building of the fence. Another grant from the Norman Archibald Foundation through the Seattle Foundation is buying materials to start building the raised garden beds.
The new demonstration garden in Ocean Shores will be a teaching space. Classes and workshops will be held there so the public can learn more about gardening. “It differs from other gardens in that we will include demonstrations of what is possible in the unique coastal climate, including the sandy soil, strong winds and deer pressure,” adds Erin.
Ocean Shores Methodist Church graciously granted the use of the space for the new garden. The 5,000-square-foot space will have a 50-foot by 80-foot fenced enclosure with several vignette gardens. These gardens will demonstrate food growing, pollinator support, waterwise gardening and many other topics, explains Erin. “All produce grown in the garden will be donated to local food programs, reinforcing the project’s commitment to community nourishment and food access.”
A 50-foot by 20-foot section outside the fence will have a park-like area showing mostly native plants as well as deer resistant plants. “It will also have some water management features like a dry creek bed or small rain garden and might also include a bench or two, allowing visitors to enjoy the space at any time,” Erin adds.
Following the groundbreaking, construction and site development will continue through spring, summer and fall. They are hoping to showcase early progress at the Annual Garden Tour and Plant Sale, presented by the Master Gardener Foundation of Grays Harbor and Pacific Counties on July 18, 2026, giving the public a first look at the new garden.
“Project completion is expected in 2027, with workshops and community programming expanding as each phase of the garden becomes operational,” adds Erin.
Dig@Shores will be open to the public during Master Gardener events. The park outside the enclosure will be open 24/7 for all to enjoy.
Help Dig@Shores Grow
Many hands make light work, and that is certainly the case with gardening!
As they are still fundraising to complete the garden build, they are asking for community support. “The biggest way for the public to help is to tell others about it or to donate materials or funds toward the project,” shares Erin. “We will also have a box attached to the fence with brochures about the garden and donating funds. If businesses would like to donate materials, they can contact me, and we can make that happen.” Contact Erin at 360.482.2934 or erin.hoover@wsu.edu.
“For fundraising, our main goal is to secure the remaining funding needed to complete the interior and exterior garden beds,” she continues. “If fundraising becomes more fruitful than anticipated, we plan to upgrade aesthetic garden aspects such as seating areas, entranceways, and interior pathways. In addition, donations will be used for future programmatic needs such as community workshops and educational garden talks.
To learn more, visit the WSU Extension website.
