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ABOUT EVENTS News PROGRAMS & SERVICES FACT SHEETS TOPICS COUNTY OFFICES
Ferguson College of AgAg Research
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Build a Backyard Paradise

Backyards are more than just a place to play; growing your own food is an option for anyone in any size yard. Many people think they need a lot of land and heavy equipment in order to produce a substantial amount of food. This is not the case. All that is needed is a few containers, plants, and time.
Our collection of demonstration gardens showcase examples of different ways to incorporate growing food into your backyard, no matter how big or small and provide multiple options to suit any need. From small to large, basic to high-tech turning your backyard into an edible paradise has never been easier.

Our Backyard Demonstration Gardens

OSU Extension and the Botanic Garden have worked together to develop demonstration gardens to highlight various concepts pertaining to gardening techniques.

Country Club Residence

Country Club Residence is an example of how to incorporate edible plants into your landscape without compromising the aesthetic of your backyard. This type of “foodscaping” is a way to have fresh produce in your kitchen all while maintaining an exquisite visual appeal to anyone who stops by.

Cow Creek Place

Cow Creek Place is a practical example of growing a large quantity of produce while upcycling unexpected materials. Although not as refined as the first yard, this is a practical way to reuse materials and reduce waste.

The School Yard Garden

The School Yard Garden is a demonstration for everyone, with a focus on teachers or anyone who wants to engage youth. This yard demonstration is ideal to grow food in any size of space, not just a large plot of land. Gardening can be done on gravel, pavement, a field, or in this case, mulch. All you need is a few materials and you can start growing your own produce.

New to gardening?Starting a garden for the first time can be overwhelming. The most important thing to do is start small so it is manageable. Here are some questions to consider as you begin:

Your Resources for the Garden

  • How much money are you wanting/willing to invest?
  • How much time are you willing to invest into your garden? Do you want to spend hours every week in maintenance, or keep it minimal effort?
Concept Gardens

Planning the Garden

  • What are you wanting to grow? Vegetables, fruits, flowers, herbs…
  • What type of aesthetic are you looking for? Do you want a refined appearance, some kind of functional container, or somewhere in between?
Home Landscape & Gardening

Choosing the Garden Space

  • How much sun does your planned garden area receive? Most vegetables need at least 6 hours of direct sunlight.
  • How much space do you have? Are you wanting a traditional, in-ground garden, or some type of raised bed?
Home Lawn Care
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