Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
WEST JORDAN -- Many people along the Wasatch Front already know of Conservation Garden Park at the Jordan Valley Water Conservancy District. This spring, the garden is twice as large and visitors can dig up all kinds of information and ideas.
Conservation Garden Park at Jordan Valley might just be the largest garden of its kind. It displays 800 varieties of waterwise plants that are either native to Utah or climate adapted, but the garden's focus is on beautiful landscapes that use less water.
"This beautiful part of the garden has shown us over the years that you can have a beautiful landscape and be waterwise. But, what we're going to show today is how you accomplish that," said Richard Bay, general manager of the Jordan Valley Water Conservancy District.
The Gardens cut the ribbon Friday and will celebrate the expansion with the public Saturday with the Mother's Day Garden Fair. From demonstration landscapes that cultivate ideas to 24 how-to exhibits, the garden has grown from 2.5 acres to 5 acres.
"We're just really excited to show people what they can accomplish with a waterwise landscape and still have a yard that their neighbors will envy," said garden manager Clifton Smith.
The key to the expansion is education. In one area of the gardens, for example, you can pick up ideas for setting up your own drip irrigation system.
"We have instructions on how to amend soil, to what type of sprinklers to use, how to even irrigate hillsides. It's going to be great," Bay said.
Four new areas walk you through design, planting, irrigation and maintenance. "Whether it be a vegetable garden, or lawns, or whatever you want to do, there is a way to do it that will save you water," Smith said.
At the Mother's Day Garden Fair you can buy plants and irrigation equipment, talk to experts and take mini-classes. The fair is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. Admission and parking are free.
E-mail: jboal@ksl.com
