One of the highlights of summer is the annual Fargo-Moorhead garden tours sponsored by Soroptimist International of Fargo.
The club works hard in advance to find gardens and owners who will let the public view them. Almost all the owners are very gracious about allowing folks in to see their work.
The tours are a rare treat, and the Soroptimists are providing a nice service. I don't know of anyone else in Fargo-Moorhead who is doing this although I know of other communities that do.
For the last few years, the tours have always been scheduled during the Fargo Street Fair. This year, two dates and two areas have been selected: Moorhead gardens on Wednesday and north Fargo on Thursday; eight gardens each day. Times both days are 2 to 8 p.m.
Tickets, $5 for one day and $8 for two days, are available at Cash Wise Foods, Country Greenery stores, Curt's Lock and Key Service, Three Keys Floral and Gifts and Lee's Floral Party Place. For more information, call two of the club members: Jan Hammer, (701) 232-3896, or Marlene Daul, (701) 232-6063.
ADVERTISEMENT
Here are brief descriptions of the 16 gardens, the material provided by the owners and club members. You will note a surprising number of water gardens and features. This is a change from gardens of a few years ago.
Moorhead
- Christine Cockerill, 1116 12th St. N.: An eclectic look at things old and new with plants and hardscape.
- Cynthia Hanson, 1334 2nd Ave. S.: Very small yard with lots of variety; arbor, yard changes each year.
- Kelly Wambach and Casey Leitch, 716 5th St. S.: Whimsical country casual garden surrounds a 1920s Craftsman style home; goldfish pond, rescued pioneer relics and vintage garden items.
- Jim and Deb Knutson, 902 2nd St. S.: Gated fence, organic vegetable garden, pond with painted turtles.
- Roger and Marian Olson, 1702 15th St. S.: A "farm" complete with windmill, cows and a wagon.
- Dennis and Glenna Lemke, 2828 29th St. S.: Fountains, night lighting of clump birch, with green lighting, large arbor room, working waterwheel, four-season sun/spa room.
ADVERTISEMENT
- Kay Erickson, 3110 Village Green Drive: Neatly manicured yard overlooking golf course fairway.
- Trent and Kathy Kraft, 3620 Westmoor Drive: Xeroscaping which includes rocks interspersed with plants, waterfall, grasses, pond.
North Fargo
- Curt and Deb Williams, 1135 8th St. N.: Cottage-style gardens established after cleaning up the yard and redoing the lawn.
- Leland and Willie Hagen, 80 Woodcrest Drive: Many lilies, collection of miniature hostas.
- Ross and Lorri Kringlie, 3241 Hickory St. N.: They start 25 varieties of annual seeds indoors, started planting a tree for each new grandchild six years ago; after the sixth and seventh were born last summer, they are instead adding a shrub for each.
- John and Sandee Jemtrud, 3408 Maple St. N.: Flower bed in front filled with shrubs and flowers, shaded back yard with rocks and hostas.
- Gerry and Joan Koperski, 3420 Par St.: Focal point is a pond with goldfish and a fountain, surrounded by perennials, raised vegetable beds, pergola.
ADVERTISEMENT
- Patricia Dirk and Paul Swanson, 1102 42nd Ave. N.: Designed by the owners from grass seed up, three-tiered fountain.
- Rod and Kris Lym, 1229 45th Ave. N.: Distinctive features revolve around stream and pond, includes waterfall and rock garden.
- Dr. Robert Cooper, 902 43rd Ave. N.: Terraced area with decorative shrubs overlooking a pond.
Collins is The Forum's garden columnist. Write to her by mail at The Forum, Box 2020, Fargo ND 58107, or direct e-mail to her at drhodes@forumcomm.com
