If you’re looking for some fresh garden inspiration to infuse into your own backyard, don’t miss the 2019 Hennepin County Master Gardener Learning Garden Tour. Promising a can’t-miss experience, the 12th annual tour is held rain or shine and coordinated by volunteers in the University of Minnesota Master Gardener Volunteer Program. This year will showcase 11 plots ranging from Edina to Minnetonka, with unique learning opportunities and educational demonstrations available at each one (you can find composting, hydroponics, native plants, and vertical gardening at several stops along the way). Master Gardener volunteers will also be on hand to provide helpful information and answer any and all gardening questions you may have.
Tickets get you access to all 11 gardens—10 of which are home gardens designed and maintained by Hennepin County Master Gardeners, plus the Bronx and Nelson Community Gardens—so you can go on a self-guided tour in whatever order you wish. From koi ponds complete with waterfall features to eclectic gardens full of whimsical décor, there’s something for everyone at these lush locations, which will be available to view from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Food trucks will be onsite at select stops on the tour (check them out below), and Garden A will also feature The Garden Shed, where you can browse fun, practical, and decorative garden items and accessories including mason bee houses, tin animals, glass totems, and more. You can also find the Book Nook at Garden E, which offers books for all ages, many of which are written by Hennepin County Master Gardeners and local authors.
Event details at a glance:
- When: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, July 13
- Where: 11 gardens from Edina to Minnetonka
- Cost: $15 in advance, $20 on the day of the tour. Children under 12 get in free with a paying adult. Buy tickets here.
Food trucks available:
- Garden A: Misfit Coffee
- Garden B: Alimama’s Mediterranean Grill
- Garden C: Blue Moo Ice Cream
- Garden K: Doc E’s BBQ
Proceeds from the tour will go towards supporting the university’s Extension Master Gardener Program — Hennepin County.