Experience gardens in every shape and size at the 6th annual tour
Amy Jordan, Special to The Gazette
Originally published 01:32 p.m., June 19, 2008
Updated 01:32 p.m., June 19, 2008
Gardening for all sites is what you will experience at the 6th annual Emporia Garden Tour, which will take place Saturday, June 21st, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Large and small gardens, sun and shade, annuals, perennials, fruits and vegetables, water features and more will give all gardeners new ideas.
This event is sponsored by Lyon County Extension Master Gardener volunteers who use proceeds from the event for horticulture education in Lyon County. Tickets are available at Water’s True Value Hardware, Riverside Gardens, Davies Nursery, and the K-State Research and Extension office for $5 in advance or $7 the day of the tour. Tickets will be available at all tour sites the day of the tour. A plant sale will take place the day of the tour at the 4-H Diner picnic area at the Lyon County fairgrounds. There will be six sites on this year’s tour; five private and one public garden.
Janet Miley
2401 Graphic Arts
Larrie and Jan Miley moved to 2401 Graphic Arts in 1996. The wonderful gnarled willow tree in the back, the stand of junipers, the pine tree, linden tree and the three oak trees were all original landscaping for the house that was built in 1955. Jan’s love for gardening was passed on to her from her parents. Now in retirement, Jan has time to devote to gardening. While developing her garden she has found inspiration in the quote, “In search of my Mother’s garden, I found my own.” Over the last five years, new features have been added to the landscape to accommodate all of the plants shared by fellow gardeners and to satisfy Jan’s growing interests. These features include berms, raised beds, an arbor, a water feature and a rose garden that is Jan’s most enjoyable yet labor intensive addition.
Bill and Christine
Warner
2034 Coronado Ave.
When Bill and Chris Warner bought their house 15 years ago, they were immediately drawn to its many trees and peaceful shade. After many years of repeatedly trying to grow turf grass, only to see their efforts die the next season or wash away in a heavy rainfall, they knew a change was needed. A friend’s gift of a hosta provided them with the answer and a new gardening passion as well. Little by little, they added hostas to ever-expanding beds only to discover that the yard was not only becoming greener, but was requiring less water, chemicals and leaf removal.
Maxine Gasso
and Curt Kinzie
1415 Washington
Their back yard is a surprise to everyone due to the fact there is no grass at all. Decks at different levels are their “outside living areas” and the gardens surround the decks. At every direction they have views that please them with flowers, shrubs and architectural items that give a little different dimension. The gardens that surround the decks feature bears britches, mock orange, firebush (for their beloved hummingbirds), daisies, cone flowers in purple and yellow, Siberian iris and a treasured iris that was Curt’s mothers’ contribution to their garden. Many plants are selected to attract hummingbirds and butterflies. Their feeders attract so many birds that they feel are comfortably safe in their garden. They have a small water feature which features water iris and is a welcoming water hole for robins. This site was on the tour a few years ago, and since then they have added more outdoor living spaces that are enjoyable in their generous shade.
Steve and Beth Hanschu 827 Mechanic
Steve and Beth Hanschu moved into their historic 1895 Queen Anne style home in the summer of 1987. The first year was spent doing renovations to the interior of the house with little time spent for garden work, although the front and back yard looked like a jungle. The next year over 20 truckloads of overgrown shrubs and trees were removed from the yard. Since that time the yard and garden areas have slowly evolved as time and money allowed while the couple raised their two sons. The back yard has been in a state of change for several years. With the help of their two sons the patio area was laid where the boys once had their rabbit huts and played soccer. The arbor and wooden planter were 4-H projects of their son Matthew. The arbor is covered with transplanted wisteria that came to Emporia in the 1860’s. Some of the bird houses were 4-H projects of their son Jared. The hand pump came from the farm where Steve grew up in Marion County and was in storage for over 35 years waiting for a proper use. A sidewalk and clothes line poles to the west of the pond were removed last year to increase the garden space. Herbs, annuals, perennials, currant and blackberry bushes are found in this area.
Terry and Delores Turner 324 S. Cottonwood St.
After moving in to 324 South Cottonwood in 1972, Terry and Delores Turner have made many changes. Terry decided to install a pond in 1995 to add to the beauty of the backyard. Since then a rock porch was converted into a wrap-around lazy man’s porch. In addition to the garden beside the three car garage, the Turners decided to begin running a vineyard in the empty side lot. Hummingbird Vineyard was given the name because of the many hummingbirds that drop by during the spring and summer. Whether nesting in the grapes or feeding on the ones that have dropped to the ground, the birds seem to have a never-ending joy as they maneuver throughout the twists and turns of the vines. It took a great many years and a whole lot of know how to find the full potential of this amazing space.
K-State Research and Extension Master Gardener Demonstration Garden
Lyon County Fairgrounds
This garden was built in 1998 by Master Gardener volunteers with the help of many local businesses. Like most gardens, this one had its challenges. It was established in a drainage area and consequently stayed very wet. Also, being on the corner of the arena, livestock would occasionally walk through the gardens, causing considerable damage. In 2005, many improvements were made. A drainage area was created at the back of the gardens, a split rail fence was constructed around the perimeter, and soil was amended. The gardens now serve as demonstration plots for herbs, Prairie Star and Prairie Bloom flowers, and ornamental grasses which will be expanded more next year.