2021 Minnehaha County Master Gardeners Garden Tour

3400 E. 49th St,Sioux Falls SD 57103

07 July, 2021

Description

The 2021 Garden tour covers several sites. Be sure to check in when you reach your first location. No physical tickets are needed. 2021 Garden Tour Site DescriptionsPlease note these are listed by General Location from North to South: When you reach your first destination a volunteer will check your name off the list and give you a wristband. Augustana University, West side of campus on Grange Ave. Visitors can park in the Humanities west lot located on Grange Ave. between 29th and 30th Streets. We will have signage directing you to the gardens from there. Staff and/or students will be available at each of the three garden features. Native Prairie Garden – Organized by an Environmental Studies student in Fall 2019, the Native Prairie Garden was designed to attract local pollinators to campus and be a reflection of the beautiful grasses and wildflowers of the northern plains. The area is minimally treated and intended to be a continued work in progress for students to create their own uses for the space. Archaeology staff donated pavers and some furnishings, and the Art Department is working on a rotating art installation for the south side.Apple Orchard – This orchard began in Summer 2020, contains 13 trees, and is the beginning of a traditional medicinal garden hosted by the History Department. As we begin to get apples, the hope is to create an Augie cider. This orchard was proposed by an Augie student, and she is the primary caretaker of the apple trees. Farm To Table Garden – The FTT has existed for about five years and began as a way for Sodexo to serve fresh vegetables on campus. It has now grown into a small CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) led by the Business Department and student and staff volunteers. Vegetables and herbs are purchased by the dining hall and CSA members, and remaining food is used by the campus cupboard (a campus food pantry) and other local food distribution outlets.Sunni and Roger Koch, 2701 S. Cortland Ave. (Corner of Cortland Ave. and Old Orchard Trail) NOTE: Parking is preferred on Cortland Ave., which is a long Cul de sac. Parking on Old Orchard is very tight; only park on the south side of the street heading east. Sunni's garden is a very peaceful place filled with perennials and trees, in the front and backyard. The homeowners built their home in the mid-70’s and the garden beds and trees have grown over the years. Dino-girl, a concrete stegosaurus, used to be in the front of the garden; now she’s fully surrounded. Tree species include crabapple, ginkgo, birch, magnolia, arborvitae, eastern white pine, scotch pine, and spruce, but not a single green ash! Southeast of the house is an enormous specimen of Greater Weeping Norway spruce, with a nearly 40’ diameter canopy. You’ll find numerous perennials such as Martagon lilies, hybrid Asiatic lilies, daylilies, meadow rue, Annabelle hydrangeas, spiderwort, coneflowers, yarrow, poppies, milkweed, Japanese painted fern, several alliums, a variety of groundcovers, and several hosta cultivars. Challenges include deer (note the fence protecting the tall arborvitae privacy hedge) and Japanese beetles on roses. The homeowners are thankful for well-water. The arbor in the backyard was built by Roger and is where their daughter got married. Wrought iron features and garden art add a unique whimsical touch. The homeowners are happy to able to share their gardens. This yard is a shady oasis in the middle of the city, and we invite you take a moment to listen to the birds and bumblebees, watch for butterflies, and take a deep breath. Southern Hills Community Garden, 3400 E. 49th St The Southern Hills Community Garden is one of 7 community gardens managed by the Minnehaha County Master Gardeners. Garden locations are determined by availability of land, water, volunteer availability, etc. We cooperate with the City of Sioux Falls for three gardens located at Falls Park, Leaders Park and Memorial Park. First Premier (14th and Minnesota), University Center (60th St. west of I-29), Sioux Falls School District (9th and Grange) and Southern Hills United Methodist Church have donated land for four additional gardens. Sioux Falls residents apply for garden plots in January and February on the City website. Returning gardeners have first choice and apply through information from the garden team leader(s). Gardeners pay $20 per plot and must sign an agreement with expectations regarding keeping the weeds controlled, no commercial pesticides, etc. Gardeners plant gardens with plants/seeds of their choice. We do encourage gardeners to share produce with those in need if they have extra or to plant an extra row to share. We encourage some flowers to enhance the beauty and provide nectar and pollen for pollinators such as bees and butterflies. Many folks fence their plot to control the bunnies and decorate their plot to give it personality. You may find unusual plants growing that you may not recognize since our gardens have many cultures represented. We are looking for more sites for future gardens! If you have any ideas of church property or private space that may be suitable, please contact Mary Lerssen, Community Garden Committee Chair. You can find her at the site tonight, or call her at 605-759-7837. Spirit of Joy Lutheran Church Prayer Garden and Community Garden, 2208 W. LaQuinta St. (South of 69th & Western) Prayer Garden This area was in the original plans when Spirit of Joy first broke ground in 2005, and was initiated in 2006. At first it was only pathways, a fountain, some trees, and grasses. A few years later Sharon Starks, a Master Gardener from Pierre, SD, joined the church and brought many plants and flowers with her. She changed the look and feel of the garden and continued to enhance the garden yearly until she passed away in 2016. Spirit of Joy church partners (our term for members) donated funds for trees and plants, and many brought perennials from their own homes. Our garden has many plants and trees that were mentioned in the Bible. Some of the trees that are special to us are Tamarac, Redbud, Catalpa, Magnolia, Smoke Tree and Rhododendron. We also have some Prairie Smoke and Pasque flowers that are native to SD. Tall arborvitae trees frame a circular path with a fountain in the center. A square memorial garden contains bricks that have been marked with partners who have passed away. Visitors are always welcome to wander through the gardens, pray, meditate, think, or just enjoy the sights and sounds of nature. Community Garden When Spirit of Joy first broke ground on this site in 2005, the intent was always to share our space and give back to the community through having community garden spaces. This community garden is managed by Spirit of Joy Lutheran Church. Garden plots are advertised to church partners (our term for members) and community neighbors. There are 40 8’ x 20’ individual plots, one large plot on the south side for pumpkins to donate to the church in the fall, and two raised beds for individuals with mobility issues. Garden plot renters complete a registration form agreeing to the garden guidelines and expectations. Rabbits and deer can be a problem; gardeners have learned what plants don’t need to be fenced! Many cultures and backgrounds are represented in these gardens and every gardener has their favorite methods, structures, and techniques. Nom Nom Gardens, Bobbi Jo and Ned Horsted, 27058 Southeastern Ave., (About 1 ½ miles S of 69th St. Roundabout on Southeastern, on a little stretch of gravel.) NOTE: This is a small working farm and visitors are encouraged to wear closed-toed “farm” shoes. Friendly free-range chickens may peck at shiny toenails, and you might step in chicken “do-do.”) As our name suggests, we grow “nom noms” in multiple gardens and growing systems. Our oldest garden is about an acre in size. We have expanded the space over the years with the goal of turning it into a perennial garden full of fruit trees, bushes, vegetables, and herbs. Annual vegetables are also grown in this space for the time being, as filling that space with perennials will take a few years. Another outdoor growing space we utilize is a pumpkin and watermelon patch. Both spaces are fenced off to deter unwelcomed garden visitors. Our most unique growing space is our in-ground greenhouse from which we grow food year-round. Did you know that tomatoes are a perennial in their native habitat? Neither did I until we started some in our greenhouse that are still producing after almost two years of continual growth. We also have other vegetables, herbs, and fruit trees like lemons and oranges growing in that space. Along with potted plants, and veggies growing in a raised bed, we also have a large aquaponic system in our greenhouse. We have experimented with growing flowers, herbs, tomatoes, and a few other things, but right now we focus on growing various types of lettuce and strawberries in our system. When you come visit the gardens, keep an eye out for our free-range chickens. There are about 140 of them, and they are friendly, spoiled birds that might run up to you looking for a treat! Enjoy! Please note: In case of rain on Wed. July 7, Rain Date is Thurs. July 8. Notification of Postponement will be posted on MCMG Facebook page. NO REFUNDS will be given. Proceeds of ticket sales go to scholarships and educational activities of the Minnehaha County Master Gardeners. Information Required from Registrants: First Name Last Name Town/City Email