In this episode, I take you inside the Discovery Garden in Mount Vernon, a community treasure nurtured by the WSU Extension Master Gardeners. Special thanks to Linda Deardorff for organizing our field trip, and to Deborah A. Smeltzer, President of the Skagit County Master Gardener Foundation, for guiding us with her incredible stories.

You’ll hear about:
🌱 The history of the Discovery Garden and its 30+ themed garden rooms
🌳 Joe’s Place, honoring Master Gardener and Navy veteran Joe Dupré
🍏 The orchard, where an Iranian gardener shared stories of Gravenstein apples and Bosc pears
👧 The Children’s Garden, complete with mulberry tree tunnels and a yellow brick road
🌿 The Native Plant Garden and why native species matter for pollinators and wildlife

The Discovery Garden is open daily, free to all, and filled with lessons on beauty, stewardship, and community.

👉 Plan your visit: https://skagitmg.org/home/discovery-garden/

Episode Notes:
This podcast is part of The Mosaic Mind, where I explore community, culture, and durable happiness.

The Discovery Garden is located at the WSU NWREC (16650 State Route 536, Mount Vernon, WA). It began in 1996 with 14 gardens and has grown into more than 30, each one lovingly maintained by Master Gardener volunteers.

Special thanks to the Skagit County Master Gardener Foundation, the Washington State University Extension Program, and to all the volunteers who make this place a living classroom.

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