plant three vegetable gardens – one in their yard, and two others in different locations.
At the home of Gene and Betty Voss, participants found hostas, peonies, fern peonies, iris, phlox, coral bells, sedum, astilbe, and tulips – all accompanied by a variety of annuals.
Along with those plants, the Voss’ flower gardens include bee balm, hibiscus, bleeding hearts, hens and chicks and border and Asiatic lilies, and many other flowering plants.
Shepherd hooks display hanging baskets and potted plants are placed in front of the house.
The Voss’ make changes to their flower beds whenever they are needed. If there is a plant that they find they don’t care for, they replace it with a different plant.
James and Rona Brown welcomed Garden Tour attendees to see their rain garden/shore restoration project. They applied for a rain garden grant in 2012 through the Heron Lake Watershed Disstrict. With that application, they also found that they were eligible for a shore restoration grant.
Their rain garden is composed of native shrubs, perennials, and flowers planted in a depression formed on a natural slope. Its purpose is to capture and soak in rain water runoff.
Hostas, peony bushes, Asiatic lilies, stella D’oro lilies, irises, Turtle Head, sedum, daises and many more flower plants grace the Brown’s yard.
At the lake home of Barb and Dale Bergman, gardens have been created to invite birds and wildlife. Barb said that there is nothing “structured” and no rules in her garden. Her theory is: “After all, God does a better job at it than I do!!”
A beautiful gazebo was built by Dale for Barb to use as a potting shed. Jim Nelson Landscaping installed a sidewalk down to the lake.
Over the years, the Bergman’s have planted many different perennials, hostas and wildflowers and the wildflowers have multiplied (along with the weeds, Barb said). Hollyhocks grow around the bird house and a 5-7 year old wisteria bloomed for the first time this year.
Barb uses grass clippings as mulch, finding that it works well to keep down the weeds and tree seedlings.
Bob and Tammy Kuehl invited flower lovers to enjoy their walk around their acreage, hoping that they would find a few ideas to take with them.
Over the years, the Kuehl’s have incorporated their ideas into gardens that have rose bushes, phlox, day lilies, spirea, hostas, sedum, irises, Shasta daisies, peonies, hydrangeas, delphiniums, coral bells, cone flowers, cone bells, cone flowers, Russian sage, hopps, flax, vines, and much more.
Their favorite spot to relax is on the patio by the fire pit. Tammy said that area is home to the ever-changing colors of flowers.
Upon leaving the tour of the Kuehl acreage, Garden Tour attendees were invited to take note of the silo which has an ivy climbing it.
Murray County Master Gardeners are Ardis Andert, David Bau, Sally Anne Benson, Karen Burch, Gaylene Chapman, Colleen Gengler, Mona Henkels, Betty Kassel, Matt Meier, Marilyn Moger, Jan Scherbart, Kathy Schwartz, Patty White, and Beth Ann Winter.
In Minnesota, the Master Gardener program is coordinated by University of Minnesota Extension. To learn more about Master Gardeners, please visit http://www.extension.umn.educ/garden/master-gardener/
