Mystery garden tour set for farm trip

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Mystery garden

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The sixth annual North Shore Mystery Garden Tour is heading to a farm this year. The tour will begin, rain or shine, at 5:30 p.m. Aug. 10 at the Two Harbors Human Services Center parking lot. The group will return about 8:30 p.m.

You’ve heard a lot lately about healthful living, and especially healthful eating. This year’s tour will be with two area producers of fruits and vegetables. The Lake County Master Gardeners, in collaboration with University of Minnesota Extension Service, have organized a tour that features locally produced organic food.

The first farm stop will feature expansive plantings of blueberries and raspberries, and tips on how to establish a successful crop in your own yard. And you can always stop back and pick your own bucket. The greenhouses are filled with vegetables getting ready for market. Visitors will learn techniques on how to plant succession style and practice earth friendly techniques.

The second farm stop will be sure to amaze with a grand vegetable garden surrounded by free-standing fencing that actually keeps the deer out. Here the topic will be sustainable agriculture and how to work cooperatively in providing food for families and the community. The farm has many examples of season extenders that can be replicated in our own gardens.

There will be time to gather and enjoy refreshments as well.

Each of the farm-owners will assist in conducting the tours by sharing their experiences and the challenges they have overcome with their own gardens. Lake County Master Gardeners and Extension staff will be available to answer questions, provide research-based information from the University of Minnesota, and local growing tips.

The registration fee will cover transportation, educational materials, and refreshments.

Prepare for rugged walking, all kinds of weather, and insects.

Register by calling 834-8469, or stop by Extension office in the Lake County Service Center in Two Harbors. The registration deadline is Aug. 5.

Lake County Master Gardeners is a volunteer organization of the University of Minnesota Extension Service. The trained experts are available to answer questions and to provide on-site assistance in your yard and garden.

Lake County Master Gardeners include Robin Naslund, Monica Highmark, Michelle Ronning, Kit Sitter, Inez Wildwood, Judy Phifer, and Lorraine Mattson.

Tags: lake county, university of minnesota extension, two harbors, community, news, gardening, garden