2019 SUMMER TOURS
Native Plant Garden Tourss are free and open to the public.
DATE CHANGE due to WEATHER!
Sunday, August 4th, 2019 | 5-7 pm
Kathleen Seal
1401 W Minnehaha Pkwy, Minneapolis
Original biome: wetlands for Lake Harriet
House built in 1961-62 by Jerome & Florence Gray; many of plants up next to the house were planted by them – winged euonymus, hydrangea, Hosta varieties, vinca ground cover, peonies, evergreen shrubs, azalea.
We moved in October 2007, back yard was landscaped, sunburst locust was planted – no concept of native plants, rose bushes added 2009/2010, as a Father’s Day gift.
First mixed native & non-native plant installations: 2012, along 49th street: triangle area (under locust) [mostly non-native: iris, crocus, Japanese grass, etc.] and small raingarden [mostly native] next to landscaping under Ash tree.
Native shrubs planted 2016 – 2 Eastern Sand Cherries, Pussy Willow, High Bush Cranberry
Early 2016, solar panels installed. Late 2016/early 2017 Ash tree cut down.
2017: Expanded raingarden (split existing plants on West side of steps and added Dogwood) and added new garden on East side [laid out by True Nature Design’s Roxanne Schur] - all natives, one cultivar (Little Joe {Pye}), also added more natives to triangle area.
2018: Smother of Creeping Charlie on North plot by Organic Bob, and Metroblooms (partially funded by LYNAS clean water initiative) native planting.
2019 planned:
• Native ground cover for North plot smother – strawberries, grasses, ginger, pansy
• Eliminate Winged Euonymus, and vinca ground cover gradually while adding native ground covers.
I tend to plant impulsively – just drop things into the ground and see how they do.
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Saturday, August 3 | 10 a.m. - 1 p.m
Native Plant Garden Tour
1704 Vicki Lane, 55118
Learn more about pesticide/herbicide-free gardening for wildlife, pollinators, birds, beneficial insects, and more, at this informative and educational tour. Resources will be available on how to get started "naturescape-ing" your yard. Informed guides will be available to answer your questions.
About this tour: For nearly seven years, this 1/2 acre yard has been slowly transitioned from a conventional to a native landscape. Approximately 75% of the vegetation is now native flowers, grasses, shrubs, vines, and trees. Most lawn has been removed and replaced with vegetation or mulch. The home is circled by various gardens including two "unmanicured" native gardens, a formally landscaped hillside in the backyard, as well as wooded sideyards. Sprinkled throughout the property is whimsical artwork, water sources for birds, and windchimes. Join us for coffee and a very fun tour.
COME VISIT US AT OTHER TWIN CITIES EVENTS THIS SUMMER:
Thursday, July 25th | 5 pm to 8 pm
Lyndale Park Gardens | 1300 W 42nd St, Minneapolis
Join us for the Pollinator Party at Lyndale Park Gardens on the east side of Lake Harriet. The Pollinator Party brings together bees, scientists, beekeepers, food, and live music. This annual event also provides an opportunity for people of all ages to celebrate the life and work of honey bees and native bees. The party will be near the Perennial Garden and the Phelps Fountain (also known as the Turtle Fountain). This event is free. Food and beverage will be available for purchase from Taco Taxi. Live music performances by Lovers on the Balcony, and Mississippi Hot Club.
- Learn about honey bees and urban bee keeping
- Discover the life cycles of honey bees and wild bees – and sample Minnesota honey
- Kids can earn a cone of ice-cream made with honey
- Discover the wild bees of the park – help catch, identify, and release bees
- Engage in Art in the Park with the Mia (Minneapolis Institute of Arts)
- Meet the 2019 American Honey Princess
- Dance with Bee Love
- Learn about skin care from bee products with Worker B
- Get honey recipes from MN Honey Company
- Learn to stay calm around bees with the MN DNR’s Biological Survey
- Learn where your honey comes from with the MN Honey Producers Association
- Learn how to protect bees and other beneficial insects with Pollinator Revival
- Picnic in the Park with food from Taco Taxi
Nokomis Naturescape
Nokomis Naturescape Gardening
Since 2002 Wild Ones Twin Cities chapter has helped maintain the three prairie gardens located at the 4-acre Nokomis Naturescape. These demonstration gardens are designed to encourage people to plant native species to liven up their own yard. Get on our email list for current updates on Naturescape volunteering, garden bloom’s and wildlife, native plant gardening tips and more. For more information contact Vicki at vbonk@usiwireless.com or call 612-232-8196. Also check out our facebook site to keep you current with happenings https://www.facebook.com/NokomisNaturescape
2019 Challenges and an
Adopt-Garden/Task Request
Every year presents difficulties alongside the gratifying experiences. What lush year we’re having! The plant growth is getting beyond our capacity to keep up. Other obstacles include cancelled gardening sessions due to weather conditions and lower volunteer turn-out. Please help us make the Naturescape a better demonstration garden and prepare for the upcoming Monarch Festival. Maybe the Tuesday evenings don’t work for you yet another time would, please feel free to contact Vicki (info above). We can consider another time, adopting a small garden space or a special task that would work for you. Ideas welcome!
Living in the Twin Cities near one of the world’s greatest migration corridors—The Mississippi River Flyway—offers residents wonderful opportunities to observe birds throughout the metro, including their own backyards. The Twin Cities, perched near the top of this amazing bird funnel, brings an annual “river of birds” from South and Central America, the Caribbean, and more, right to our backdoor. But, climate change and dwindling habitat are imperiling both migratory and non-migratory birds. Learn what these challenges are and what can be done to help birds not only in your own yards, but the greater community as well. 
