Stepping Stones’ 18th annual garden tour will take place from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday (June 29), featuring visits to six Menomonie area gardens.
Hosts will be on hand at all six locations to welcome visitors and to answer questions about their gardens. Tickets are $15 in advance, and can be purchased online by clicking on the link at www.steppingstonesdc.org.
They are also available at Stepping Stones, 1602 Stout Rd., and at six local businesses: Bobolink Nursery, Bookends on Main, Dick’s Fresh Market, Hive and Hollow, Marketplace, and Season’s Harvest Greenhouse, according to a Stepping Stones press release.
Same-day tickets are $17 and can be purchased at any garden on the tour or at Stepping Stones. There is no charge for youth under 16.
“Stepping Stones feeds, shelters, and provides support services to people in need,” said Executive Director Katherine Dutton. “The Garden Tour feeds people more figuratively with a huge helping of beauty and joy in nature. We hope you can join us as we ‘dish up’ a day to savor and, by your support, help us continue to be able to stock the pantry shelves with literal food!”
One stop on the tour is the cottage-style garden at the eastside Victorian home of Jen and Tim Engel.
“We are self-taught gardeners who have learned a lot over our years about the importance of planning, preparing, timing and patience,” Jen Engel said.
Another garden that will be open for tour visitors was developed by Yvonne and George Nelson on a lot they purchased between their home and the Engels’ property. Other stops include gardens at the homes of Sue and Brian Wheeler, Vicky and Scott Sinz, Sandy and Greg Winter and Steve Friede and Sharon Smith.
Ticket booklets include garden addresses and directions for a suggested route. However, participants can start at any garden and visit as many of the six as they choose.
Each location will feature a silent auction, including watercolor paintings, jewelry and garden items created and donated by local artists and crafts people.
An additional feature will be the annual garden market outside of the Stepping Stones site from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Thursday and Friday and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday. Additional information is available from Barbara Lyon, Stepping Stones’ development and communication specialist, at 715-235-2920, Ext. 5, or by email at development@steppingstonesdc.org.
Photos accompanying this story were provided by Stepping Stones. The home page photo shows the garden at the home of Sue and Brian Wheeler.