MONROE — Green County Master Gardeners in collaboration with the SSM Health Hospice and Monroe Chamber of Commerce coordinated a Garden Walk event this past summer in Monroe to showcase five beautiful garden locations.
The gardens enticed over 150 visitors who generously donated to the SSM Health Hospice Home Garden fundraising project. Volunteers from Green County Master Gardeners and the SSM Health Hospice Home donated their time to help at the event. At the recent Green County Master Gardeners Meeting, a check for $1,600 was presented to Jane Sybers, Executive Director, Monroe Clinic & Hospital Foundation, a member of SSM Health.
The Green County Master Gardeners Association was formed in 2004 to provide Master Gardeners with opportunities for professional development and community service. Over 135 people have been trained since that time. The Green County Master Gardeners Association meets on the fourth Thursday of the month from February through October. Association officers for 2021 were Tamara Schulte, President; Sharon Adams, Vice President; Linda Boll, Secretary; and Lynn Lokken as Treasurer.
Anyone interested in horticulture and gardening is welcome to join the association. For more information on the Extension Master Gardener program contact Jackie McCarville, Agriculture Educator, at 608-328-9440.
Included in the Garden Tours were:
● Mike and Cheryl Bystry, 1109 11th Ave — This garden was dubbed, “Heaven for Birds”. The Bystry gardens are full of beautiful shade and sun loving perennials. Almost every inch is planted with flowers, with very little lawn. The gardens were decorated with bird houses of all sizes and many rustic decorations sprinkled throughout. There is a lower garden area in the backyard, but it can be viewed from the back deck. Colorful planters and decor everywhere.
● Deb VanderHay and Nic Dearth, 711 28th Ave — Deb’s gardens have been a work in progress for the past 13 years and it shows. Every time she would move, she would take her plants with her. Beautiful garden beds in the front and back yards abound. Over 23 hosta varieties, clematis, grasses and numerous perennials fill each bed. The backyard is a relaxing oasis with a pond and a newly constructed “She-Sewing Shed”.
● Jan LaFevre, 2115 14th Street — Visitors entered Jan LaFevre’s English cottage style gardens through the garden gate. Her gardens include hostas, lilies and other perennial plants. Window boxes and urns highlight colorful annuals. Jan’s handcrafted glass towers were featured in several theme gardens also including a vegetable garden.
● Cathy Hauck, Infinity Yoga Studio, 1281 17th Ave — Cathy Hauck started her gardens four years ago at her historic brick home and studio that was built in 1858. The different theme gardens also featured old sinks, bath tubs and doors that were originally in the home. The gardens were edged with old bricks she found in the yard. Two carved trees feature figures in yoga poses.
● Dick and Sue Leuzinger, 1915 Lincoln Rd — When Dick and Sue moved in to their home in 1982, there was no garden. All they had was a vine growing across the porch and some arborvitae in the yard. With Dick being a self-taught gardener, they now have a variety of perennial flower beds, including lilies, roses, hydrangeas and dahlias. One corner of the yard has a waterfall and pond filled with koi that attracts birds. Their garden changes annually, as Dick enjoys relocating and trying new plants.
