Following up on their wildly successful event in 2022, Northern Lights Master Gardeners Inc. (NLMGAI) is again sponsoring a Garden Walk this summer. It will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. July 13 (rain or shine).
This self-guided walking tour features six all new beautiful private gardens in Marinette and Peshtigo. Each will inspire you, whether you have a small city lot or acres in the country, organizers say. Several locations will have artwork or plants for sale. Participants are reminded to check out Harmony Demonstration Gardens in Peshtigo — the home of NLMGAI.
New this year is a drawing for a home visit by Master Gardeners. This is your chance to win research-based advice specifically for your garden.
Here is the list of the 2024 homeowner participants and a description of their gardens:
• A) Cathy and Ray Barber, 2715 Shore Drive, Marinette. In the city of Marinette, you will find this truly awesome “secret garden” that demonstrates what can be done in a small space. Every square inch of this lovely garden has been carefully designed to maximize the owner’s outdoor living space. The “Little Bahama” sitting area, “Honey B” the garden house, the pool and deck are surrounded by plantings to give each area its own flavor. You will be delighted by the fairy garden and gnome village.
• B) Julie and David Huebner, W758 Edwards Ave., Marinette. This garden features an amazing outdoor living space complete with deck, patio, outdoor kitchen and fire pit area. The gorgeous brick pathways and patios were hand laid by the homeowners. Enjoy the Baffin climbing rose, the herb garden, the wisteria and the purple locust. Tucked to one side you’ll find Julie’s beautiful pottery studio where she creates artwork and teaches classes. You will find her works displayed in the gardens and offered for sale.
• C) Lu and Rick Dittrich, W1369 Rader Road, Marinette. Over many years these homeowners have transformed this one-acre parcel of land from farm field to beautiful gardens. There are multiple flower gardens and a fenced in vegetable garden where Rick, a Master Gardener and NLMGAI member, experiments with raised beds, straw bales, and vertical gardening. There is also a small fruit orchard where their chickens free-range. The homeowners are avid composters and several compost bins line the back property line.
• D) Mary and Dave Willis, W5254 Loucks Road, Peshtigo. During the COVID lockdown, Mary and Dave spent more time in their gardens and decided to take them to another level. They greatly increased their pollinator garden and created space for Mary’s plant propagation work. The stunning result is bed after bed of perennials of all colors (over 200 different kinds) which are frequented by butterflies and other pollinators. There will be perennials for sale at this location.
• E) Sharon and Roger Johnson, N3797 Loucks Road, Peshtigo. This lovely garden space begins with beautiful front yard beds that only give you a hint of what you will find as you make your way around back. There you will find many different beds that take full advantage of the large trees and a sloped hillside. Enjoy this serene space nestled among the cornfields with its mix of shrubs, natives, perennials, annuals and yard art.
• F) Harmony Demonstration Gardens, N3890 County Trunk E., Peshtigo. This three-acre Demonstration Garden, maintained by the Northern Lights Master Gardener volunteers and friends, showcases many plants you may want to try. The wonderful Children’s Learning Garden is worth a visit all on its own. Walk through the gardens, or if it’s too hot, sit in the Shade House and relax to the sound of the waterfall. A restroom is available at Harmony.
• G) Tara and Steve Votis, W3477 Grasser Road Marinette. Starting with the blank canvas surrounding their newly built home, Master Gardener and NLMGAI member Tara used graph paper and garden hoses to design this remarkable outdoor space. This yard has it all — berms with shrubs and perennials, a gorgeous deck with lovely annuals and symmetrical foundation plantings, a butterfly garden, garden art throughout and a stunning 12 x 22 Western Red Cedar Greenhouse. Even the vegetable garden is designed to please the eye!
Garden Walk tickets remain at $10 and can be purchased in advance at Jack’s Fresh Market in Menominee and Marinette (Roosevelt Road location only) and at Marinette Farm & Garden in Marinette. Children 12 and under are free, but must be accompanied by an adult. You can also purchase tickets at any of the gardens on the day of the Garden Walk.
Plan to make a day of it as organizers will furnish attendees with a list of participating restaurants that are in the area and will give a discount (for the day/evening of the Garden Walk only). Organizers say this is a great way to relax and discuss all the wonderful gardens you’ve just seen while supporting local businesses.
It is NLMGAI’s intent to host the Garden Walk every other year, the next one being in 2026. Nominations of potential gardens can be made at any time and are appreciated. There is a gmail address where you can submit questions about the Garden Walk or nominations for future locations. The address is: northernlightsgardenwalk@gmail.com.
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