The Penn State Extension Demonstration Gardens are located throughout Westmoreland County.
Cottage Garden at the Donohoe Center. Photo credit: Penn State Extension Master Gardeners
The purpose of the demonstration gardens is to provide educational opportunities and to showcase plants that perform well in our climate and soils with minimal maintenance. They are intended to benefit all segments of the population of Westmoreland County with inspiration, beauty, and relaxation.
No herbicides, insecticides or fungicides are used in the demonstration gardens.
Programs, tours, and workshops are offered at our demonstration gardens throughout the year.
The beauty of the Courthouse Gardens are a collaboration between the Westmoreland Conservation District with support from the Westmoreland County Commissioners, and the Penn State Master Gardeners of Westmoreland County, who have been involved for over 20 years.
The demonstration garden areas at the Donohoe Center are known as the Richard E. Thorn Memorial Demonstration Gardens. They are open to the public year-round and show home gardeners how a variety of ornamental and edible plants perform in western Pennsylvania.
The Dyer’s Garden at Historic Hanna’s Town features plants used by both Indigenous people and 18th century European settlers to create natural dyes on the Pennsylvania frontier. The garden is located outside the Murry-Beacom House, where an indoor exhibit about textile production of the period is located. The garden was established in 2021.
The Laurelville Demonstration Gardens are open year-round to the public and are located in the heart of the 600-acre Laurelville Retreat Center property.
The Ligonier Demonstration Gardens are used for outdoor STEM Education and for outreach to the general public during our Special Feature events at the Ligonier Country Market during the late spring through early fall season.
