The USU Botanical Center provides free public access to its demonstration gardens, ponds, and arboretum, maintaining daily operations from sunrise to sunset throughout the week. The facility features diverse landscapes designed for education, ranging from urban farm demonstrations to specialized pollinator habitats within Davis County.
Edible Gardens and Food Security
The center's Edible Demonstration Garden focuses on providing hands-on educational opportunities for the public through various exhibits and gardening experiences. This specific garden is designed to showcase edible crops that are best suited for the climate of Northern Utah.
In addition to large-scale displays, the Urban Farm Demonstration Garden illustrates the potential yield possible from small urban plots. This area includes a compost area, a cut flower garden, and various edibles. To support local community needs, produce grown within these gardens is donated to several organizations throughout Davis County to assist individuals facing food insecurity.
Water Conservation Initiatives
Water conservation serves as a central theme across several botanical displays. The Parkstrip Redesign Demo Garden, which was installed in May 2020, allows visitors to compare water usage between eight different perennial planting designs. Similarly, the H. Paul and Mary Jane Rasmussen Teaching Garden utilizes color, $–$ texture, and water conservation techniques.
Located along 50 West, directly north of the Stokes Iris Garden, the Rasmussen Teaching Garden features a pergola for shade and paths that visitors are welcome to walk while seeking out new water-wise perennials for their own landscapes. The Utah House also features a water-wise landscape intended to show homeowners how to maintain colorful scenery while significantly reducing water consumption.
However, the Utah House has transitioned into the premier Davis County 4-H Event Center and is no longer open to the public for tours or private events.
Arboretums and Wildlife Habitats
The botanical center maintains a significant collection of diverse plant life, including the William A. Varga Arboretum, which showcases more than 400 different species of shrubs and trees adapted to Utah's mountain valleys and arid climate. The Stokes Ornamental Grass & Iris Garden, established in 2011 through a gift from Deloris Stokes and his children, honors Eleda Vee Smith Stokes and features a large collection of irises, ornamental grasses, and crabapples.
For those interested in local wildlife, the center provides a pollinator garden that was installed in 2021. This area is specifically protected from pesticides to provide habitat for bees and other pollinators and includes a large metal butterfly sculpture along with planters made from upcycled bee boxes.
Nature Trails and Community Spaces
The facility includes a variety of natural water features, including the Kaysville Ponds and Nature Trails. This area contains an urban fishery and wetland environment that supports various birds and other wildlife. The ponds are accessible via boardwalks and nature trails, providing space for recreation, exercise, and relaxation.
The Garden View Pavilion acts as a community gathering point, offering access to the natural areas, trails, and ponds. It also functions as a primary staging area for educational activities and center events.
Educational Programming
Beyond its physical gardens, the USU Botanical Center offers a variety of educational programming. The center's curriculum includes adult courses, youth courses, and for-credit courses.
Other educational resources provided by the center include community classes, yard and garden instruction, and the Gardener's Almanac.
Visitor Guidelines
The gardens located around the Kaysville Education Center feature trees, grasses, and perennials specifically suited for the Intermountain West, with a focus on Utah natives and water-wise landscape plants. Visitors are reminded that while they are welcome to explore the paths, they should not harvest food from the gardens to take home.
