Monroe County Master Gardener Association

Jennie Stanger
Monroe County Master Gardener

Monroe Master Gardeners, convinced that gardens enrich our community, plan to showcase one private and three public gardens in a Saturday guided tour July 19 from 10am to 2pm. It will begin at the Demonstration Gardens at the MSU Extension building just south of the fairgrounds at 963 S. Raisinville Rd where Master Gardeners over the years have planted gardens for specific educational purposes. Adults will be charged $5 at that point and pick up a map to the remaining sites plus a free bottle of cold water. The proceeds will be used to train new Monroe Master Gardeners. That is a future goal since the class series has not been offered here since 2010.

There is an outstanding children’s garden at that first stop with plants and garden features designed to delight children and to engage their senses of hearing, smell and touch as well as sight. A Monarch waystation has larval plants as well as many nectar sources to attract Monarchs and other butterflies. Plants to attract pollinators will be identified and a beekeeper will help answer questions about bees and other pollinators. There are native shrubs and a row of shrubs particularly adapted to heavy, low-lying clay soils common to the area. A rain garden, a large assortment of groundcovers including a fragrance garden with herbal knots and other theme gardens provide much to learn. Many plants will be labeled and volunteers will be on hand to identify and explain.
The president of the local Master Gardener Association will also open his large private garden along the river where he has developed an extensive collection of native plants and carefully designed areas to maximize garden interest and enjoyment throughout the season. He will share his long experience with various ornamental grasses and show which ones are both hardy and non-invasive.

The other two gardens, also close to the river and west of Monroe, are local treasures that even people who use the public areas tend to ignore. When tour participants reach those stops they will find Master Gardener volunteers eager to point out the value of special plants and both landscape and vegetable gardening techniques to lower maintenance and increase gardening rewards.

Get a carload of beginning or experienced gardeners and children together to enjoy this summer experience!

What: Monroe County Master Gardener Gardens Enrich Our Community

Cost: Adults $5. Children 12 and under, free.
For more information please contact Winnie Webb (Master Gardener) at Monroe County MSU Extension 734 240-3178 or email at webbw@anr.msu.edu