Calling all gardeners to the third annual JH Travel garden tour!
An early morning departure traveling north finds our first stop at Central Gardens of North Iowa at Clear Lake, IA which was the site of a former school. We then travel to Minneapolis to Bachman’s for a tour that includes their order area that takes in approximately 800 orders per day, delivery garage and a history lesson on how the business was began! Lunch will be served in the outdoor café inside Bachman’s bloom filled greenhouse (this was a favorite of our group in 2011) and then free time before boarding the coach to the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum. An hour long tram tour begins our visit followed by free time to see the magnificent gardens and natural areas. It is time to head to the Mystical Rose Gardens for a catered meal before visiting Garden Divas to check out the array of garden art, statues, books and the recycled rugs that many of us purchased the last time made out of liter bottles.
Rise and shine early! It is time for our hands on project which will be a succulent wreath at Constant Color Perennials where our group will be divided with one group working on the wreath while the other group enjoys the gardens and browsing of plants and then to switch. Another family owned business is next at Menomonie where Season’s Harvest Greenhouse welcomes us! Onto to Altoona, WI to visit The Potting Shed Garden and Floral where our program will be “Gardening the Organic Way” with lunch delivered to be eaten enroute to Ladysmith, WI to Colonial Nursery. The next stop will be in Winter, WI at Winter Greenhouse which has several greenhouses to shop in (evening meal enroute)! Our last stop will be at Treefrog’s Nursery and Greenhouse in Chetek, WI before arriving back to our overnight accommodations.
Our third day begins with a short drive to Galesville, WI to Sunset Gardens where this greenhouse is famous for their dragonwing begonias which is the topic of the program once we arrive. Rockwood Gardens has a greenhouse, garden center with garden art where our program will be on “Soils, Plants & Containers”. Lunch will be delivered and onto the Christen Farm Nursery by Onalaska,WI for a program on “Dirt on Green Earth Compost & Christen Potting Mix” with a visit to their five acre farm. Our next and final garden stop on our tour will be at Alpine Nursery for a program on “Cooking with Herbs” and to learn about kicksleds! Be sure to note the porches that begin your greenhouse tour. We then begin our journey back to Newton with a fast food stop (on your own) along the way and many great memories of our “Gardens, Greenhouses & Gifts” trip for 2013! I already have lots of ideas for 2014!!
Tour includes: motor coach transportation, overnight accommodation for two nights at AmericInn, 7 meals included (2 continental breakfasts, 3 lunches and 2 evening meals with a morning snack on day 1), a truck & trailer to keep your purchases cool (not responsible for loss of plants or breakage of items), all taxes & gratuities on the above mentioned attractions on the trip.
A deposit is required at the time of signup. The final balance is due on April 24, 2013.
***This trip is limited to 30 gardeners!! Don’t wait too long to sign up!
**trip subject to change