Linn County Garden Walk returns after 2-year hiatus

A tagged monarch butterfly lands on a flower after being released at the Monarch Research Station in Marion in 2015. The Monarch Research Station will be one of four stops on the 2022 Linn County Master Gardener Garden Walk held July 16. (The Gazette)

After a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic, the 2022 Linn County Master Gardener Garden Walk will be at four Marion locations from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, July 16.

These four diverse gardens offer more educational opportunities than garden walks in the past. The locations include a certified organic vegetable, fruit and nut farm; an urban home garden restored after the derecho; a home foodscaping and flower garden; and a vibrant pollinator habitat and learning center.

Two are private residential gardens and two are nonprofit agricultural and research sites and usually not open to the public. Educational opportunities will be offered at each location. Guests may start the tour at any of the four locations.

Monarch Research Station

The nonprofit Monarch Research Station is located at 4970 Lakeside Rd., Marion.

Walking tours will be held at 10 a.m. and noon on its native pollinator gardens.
Mini workshops on Native Trees and Shrubs in Iowa will be held at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.
Four vendors will be there selling garden-related items.

The Tormey Residence

The Tormey Residence is located at 4640 Dunn Ave., Marion.

A planting activity will be held at 10 a.m.
A Monarch Waystation Activity will be held at 11:30 a.m.
A pollinators learning activity will be held at 1 p.m.

The Street Residence

The Street residence is located at 370 W. 33rd Ave., Marion.

A continuous slideshow of the garden’s revival over the last five years will be shown.
Bingo will be played.

Etzel Sugar Grove Farm

The Etzel Sugar Grove Farm is located at 3706 St. Peters Rd.

Chickens 101 will be held at 10 a.m., noon and 2 p.m.
Beekeeping 101 will be held at 9:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., and 1:30 p.m.
Biodiversity 101, taught by Rodale Institute’s Midwest Organic Center, will be held at 11 a.m., 12:30 p.m., and 2:30 p.m.
Guests also can learn about the history of Etzel Sugar Grove Farm and the Journey to Organic Certification at 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.

Tickets for the tour are $10 each for those 18 years of age or older. Children 17 and under are free. Tickets should be purchased in advance and are available at LinnCountyGardenWalk.eventbrite.com. Check in at your first stop and receive a wristband to show at the other three locations. The event is held rain or shine. If the event is canceled, the fee is non-refundable, and will be considered a donation to support the Master Gardener educational and outreach programs. For questions, call (319) 377-9839 or email Sandy Rosenberger at sandyros@iastate.edu.