The Master Gardeners in Dakota County
Present
The 2016 Learning Garden Tour
860 Sudberrry Lane, Eagan
Deb Balke’s yard is nestled up against the woods where many shade-loving perennials bring charm and beauty to her home. Ferns make a beautiful transition from the back yard to the woods. She has planted shade-loving varieties such as Stained Glass Hosta and Twisted Lime Miniature, Little Rocket Ligularia, astilbe, and many more. Many hanging baskets and bird baths are welcome spots for butterflies, bees and birds. Hand-made bird houses and bird feeders provide nesting and food for finches, chickadees and cardinals, while wood peckers, owls and turkeys just come by for short visits.
Learn about shade gardening and making the most of a small garden.
854 Sudberry Lane, Eagan
PatMcClary’s garden is all about wildlife and natural beauty.She has laid out a welcome mat for the birds, the deer, and the critters, that have responded by visiting day in and day out. Every shrub and tree provides food and shelter. She allows weeds in and about the flowers that play a role in sustaining and diversifying the life in this small suburban yard. For years, Pat enjoyed "Ella" the groundhog who lived under her shed, ate the dandelions and weeds, and provided insight to her grandchildren that other species have a right to live among us.Pat uses no chemicals or sprays that are detrimental to any life. The dandelions and violets are the first food for bees.She provides nutrients for the deer, the raccoons, the red and gray squirrels, the snakes, frogs and toads, the possum, the chipmunks, the bunnies, the fox, the ducks and geese, the turkeys, and yes, the coyote and the hawks.This little corner of Pat’s world is therapeutic and a sense of wonder every day.
Learn about gardening for wildlife.
2229 Friendship Lane, Burnsville
Jim and Mary Jo Hewitt have designed their gardens to appeal to all ages. Their goal is to have something in the garden for everyone, young and old, and to enjoy the outdoor space. This is not a 'don't touch it' garden, but an interactive space where anyone who takes the time to visit will be drawn to something of value. Whether sampling alpine strawberries used for ground cover, or discovering Roma tomatoes in the daylilies, there is always a surprise. There is a square foot garden, active composting, a waterfall and stream to launch a tiny boat, a waterfall patio to enjoy the fall of water and the vista of the garden below. The Conservatory offers a year round garden experience, day or night, summer or winter. The sand box in the middle of the garden terrace tells children that this is their garden too and they should not be afraid to touch the flowers.
Learn about building garden rooms and incorporating a conservatory into your garden.
525 20th Ave. N., South St. Paul
The South St. Paul Trial Garden should not be missed! Tour the garden to see a mix of annual flowers being tested, a rainbow of vegetables for healthy eating, a variety of trellises and several different mulches. Visitors will also have a bonus opportunity to seea thriving community garden with many gardening styles at work. The Master Gardener Garden includes seven annual flowers being tested for pollinators including four varieties of sunflowers, snapdragons, salvia, marigolds, zinnia and annual rudbeckia, along with alyssum. Information on test progress will be available for visitors. Information on pollinators, the nutritional values of vegetables, and harvesting/canning, freezing and drying foods will also be provided at the garden information table. They will also have samples of vegetables fresh from the garden for visitors. A water color artist working in the garden space will have cards and art for sale.
Learn about gardening for pollinators, community gardens and vegetable gardening.
24432 Chippendale Ave W, Farmington
Abundant Vine is a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture). Rachel Cochranegrows produce intensively in a smaller space for a customer base of about 12+ families. They practice sustainability by growing their own heirloom plants, practicing crop rotation,using chicken manure from their own flock, bringing in pollinators, and more. Here's your chance to get a behind the scenes look at a CSA that is just starting up. You will also get to see many other plants on this2 acreproperty- from pines to pineapple sage. You'll get to meet chickens and see a functioning beehive, too.
Educational Component: Sustainable farming/gardening, working with pollinators, starting & growing plants.
22280 Berring Ave, Farmington
Garyand Cathy Johnson, have spent years developing the gardens on their 2-1/2 acre lot. Gary’s vegetable gardens showcase wide row planting, crop rotation, weed control with mulched beds, and companion planting for great veggies.Be sure to stroll to the back area of the lot to see his compost operation. The landscape around the house includes over 50 varieties of hosta and many varieties of shrubs and perennials. A dry creek bed in one of the hosta glades doubles as erosion control near a culvert drain. The front entrance garden showcases a pondless water feature, paths for strolling, and handmade cement benches for resting. Many areas in the 35 year old garden have evolved from sun to shade, as trees have matured and
the children’s old playground is now a sky chair garden.
Learn about vegetable and fruit gardening best practices, composting, erosion control, and adapting your garden to changing sun/shade requirements.
213th St. West, Farmington
The Trinity Healing Garden is a public garden with emphasis on health and wellness and good gardening practices. This public garden is a great place to walk or just relax in the shaded pergola area or to “take a stroll with your soul” on the labyrinth.The garden is in the second year of a major redesign and restoration, thanks to involvement of the Dakota County Master Gardeners.It is now not only a green space to be enjoyed by all, but also a “living laboratory” showcasing best horticultural practices and a place to practice and enjoy the therapeutic aspects of gardening. The Master Gardeners will be conducting seed trials, and doing horticulture demonstrations throughout the summer. Thehosta glade is in the second year ofrestoration and is becoming a very pretty shade garden to welcome visitors who approach thegarden from the parking lot to the south of the garden.
Learn about garden redesign and restoration, use of lower maintenance plants in the landscape, seed trials for annuals flowers.
Children’s Garden, 220th St. W., Farmington (Dakota Fairgrounds)
Year after year, the Children’s Garden on the Dakota County Fairgrounds gives kids and parents a fun way to interact with and learn about gardening. In 2016, visitors will play Candy Land to discover unique plants on Gumdrop Mountain, Ice Cream Island, Lollipop Woods, Chocolate Swamp and more…with a final stop for a photo at the Candy Land castle!
Learn about engaging children in the wonders of gardening
Dakota City (Fairgrounds) Gardens
220th St. W., Farmington
Church/Gazebo Garden
The gazebo in the church garden will be the perfect location for an outdoor wedding. Also it creates a spot to stop and smell the roses as you tour Dakota City.
Learn about using annuals to attract pollinators and meeting the challenges of growing plants that have both sun and shade
The Harris House
This garden includes three areas around the home that are called the vegetable garden, the kitchen garden, and the flower garden surrounding the house. A variety of heirloom vegetables are planted each year in the vegetable garden, including some root vegetables planted for good storage during this time period.
Learn how a typical farm garden from the 1890s looked and functioned.
Herb Garden
A path through the garden connects visitors with the herbs which are intended to be touched, crushed, smelled and even tasted as all are safe and edible and of course there are no chemicals involved. The herbs going into the garden are typical of what people in this area might have had access to in 1900.
Learn about planting, growing and preserving herbs and using herbs for scent in the garden.
Schoolhouse Garden
This is a beautiful garden that is low maintenance and requires no supplemental watering. This picture shows beautiful results just one year after the initial tilling and planting. People are amazed to observe the monarch caterpillars and see all of the varieties of bees and butterflies in the garden!
Learn about how native plants can be used to attract pollinators.
Bank Garden
The Vermilion State Bank's front and side gardens are in progress. French Marigolds and Red Geraniums are planted in the front; both varieties were available in 1918. The sides have Clematis, daylily and roses from the same era. The garden will be used for seed saving, pollinator attraction, and will be used to discuss the traditions of gardening at the turn of the 1900's."
Learn about seed saving, attracting pollinators, and gardening traditions circa 1900.
Bandstand/Flagpole Garden
This garden features red, white and blue annuals in a patriotic color scheme. Plantingsaround the bandstand feature shade perennials that are attractive to pollinators.
Learn how to use annuals to attract hummingbirds and butterflies.