Following is a list of the gardens with the notes from tour organizers Anita Lewison and Pat Everman. All gardens have Willmar addresses.
1. Judy & Gary Greenslit, 2424 47th Ave. N.E., Willmar
This garden was started in 2000, when they moved here. Hostas are Judy's favorite, but she also has many lilies, astilbe and hydrangea plants, to name a few. This location has a stairway down to the lake, please use caution.
2. Rosemary Cleary, 5522 County Road 9
Rosemary has created a whimsical garden with unique fish stepping stones, and an arbor that is a gift from her children. Look for the Siberian Pea Trees and other interesting garden plants.
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3. Sherry Grindy, 4901 37th St. N.E.
Sherry started her gardens in 1993, and has expanded to include an angel garden, a prairie garden, a farm garden, three water gardens, a nursery rhyme garden and a memory garden with many of her mother's perennials.
4. Gene & Judy Spaulding, 2820 North Eagle Lake Road
These two have a lovely home garden, and a large vegetable and fruit garden across the street. Gene built the ornate arbor for Judy, which sets the stage for the well-tended lawn.
5. Mary Beth Nehl, 7215 Highway 71 N.E.
This garden is located behind the Yoga Loft, Mary Beth's business. It includes two ponds, a cactus garden, and encircles their home, right down to the water's edge. There is a stairway to the water, please use caution.
6. Bob & Lila Rekedal/Bud & Joan Peterson, 6263/6285 24th St. N.E.
These ladies share a terraced garden between their two properties that was started in 1998. The granite boulders were brought from the quarry in Granite Falls. There is a mix of shrubs, perennials, annuals and a few vegetables; notice the pagoda dogwoods. Lila's driveway is steep, please use caution.
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7. Bonnie Smith, 1654 48th Ave.
Bonnie is a master gardener who enjoys having some unusual plants; notice the contorted filbert shrub at the back of the garden. She also has some specialty peony plants, many hostas, and a vegetable plot.
8. Wendy Kidd, 1525 48th Ave.
Wendy has been gardening at this location for about 10 years. She has a cottage garden in the front and a "secret garden" behind the house, which she developed because of the many rabbits in the area. To access the secret garden, please use caution traversing the pool surround.
