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Discover Inner Green Thumb with Gardening Tour

NEW ULM – On the last day of spring, June 20, Brown County Master Gardeners are celebrating the fruits of the season with a garden tour. The tour has become a summer tradition and serves as the Master Gardeners’ primary fundraiser.

The tour will feature seven stops at gardens belonging to Colleen Hokanson & Glenn Hokenson, Janette & Ron Krzmarzick, Betty Kuck, Norma & Roger Breu, Carol & Jerry Waibel, Ione & Tom Grossman, and Shirley & Tom Kuck.

Tour locations are selected through suggestions from Master Gardeners. This year’s tour is unique in that most of the gardens are located near Searles.

New Ulm Master Gardener, Ingrid Liedman, explained the emphasis on Searles was something a coincidence. A Master Gardener from the Searles area suggested a location, which lead to another suggestion and soon five of the seven gardens on the tour are located in or near Searles.

Liedman said the criteria for choosing a garden are as simple as finding a garden people enjoy. Each of the seven gardens offers something unique to set them apart and reflect the personality of the owner.

“There is something lovely about a pleasing garden,” said Liedman. “We don’t need perfection in a garden, we want something people enjoy.”

One of the gardens located near Searles belongs to Shirley and Tom Kuck. Shirley has been gardening for nine years. Her love of gardening is related to the challenge, saying “I like to see things grow, and I like to see what I can grow.”

Shirley has a special fondness for day lilies, citing their long blooming season. Her garden features a red and yellow flower theme, but this year it includes hints of white and blue.

Janette and Ron Krzmarzick are second on the garden tour and one of only two gardens located in New Ulm. The Krzmarzick garden makes great use of repurposed items. On the side of their home an old step ladder, painted blue, serves as plant holder. Other smaller ladders and sections of a wooden fence stand as simple, but beautiful decorations.

Janette has had the gardening bug for 15 years. “I am not a Master Gardener yet,” said Janette “I just enjoy plants.”

Over the years, Janette’s love of gardening has rubbed off on her husband Ron, who assists with the maintenance and upkeep of the garden. He has a fondest for their garden’s small secluded patio and fire pit. Ron said that from this patio he is still able to watch the baseball game from a strategically placed T.V. in the garage, giving him the best of both worlds.

Overall, the Krzmarzicks are pleased with the look of their garden. The couple credit the recent rainfall as a major blessing. Last year in June, New Ulm was hit by a flood-level rain, which can cause more harm than good to a garden. This season, the rain has been frequent but not overpowering.

“The rains were wonderful because they were slow,” said Janette.

Part of the joy of taking a garden tour is discovering the little things populating each garden. Because the tour is self guided, people are encouraged to explore at their leisure. Liedman commented these gardeners have put so much work into their creation and are thrilled at the chance show the results. At each location the owners will be present to answer questions and highlight why they love their garden.

If you go:

The Tour runs from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Saturday, June 20. Tickets ($10) are required to enter gardens. Garden enthusiasts may pick up tickets and tour maps at Hy-Vee, Cashwise, or at any of the seven tour locations. Tickets will be available the day of the event at the grocery stores. The tour will be held rain or shine. The final stop of the tour will include refreshments. Proceeds will be used to help pay for future educational gardening events in Brown County.

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