ROCK RAPIDS, Iowa – Local gardeners and interested community members will have the opportunity to learn about plants that produce and grow well in northwest Iowa at the Lyon County Demonstration Garden Tour, hosted by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach on Tuesday, July 18, starting at 5:15 p.m. at the Lyon County Fair.
The evening program will be focused on hands-on education as participants take an in-person tour of the garden and learn about the cultivars being grown, as well as the local youth garden camps that take place there.
“We invite the public to join us for a fun night of horticulture learning,” said Dustin Kohn, horticulture intern with ISU Extension and Outreach. “The Extension staff in Lyon County puts a great deal of time and work into this garden, and we’re excited to showcase the plants, youth gardeners, and produce.”
The night will begin with the youth garden tour at 5:15 p.m. which will highlight both “Growing in the Garden” Camp for youth who have completed 1st through 3rd grade and “Ready, Set, Grow!” Garden Club for youth who have completed 4th grade and up. During this segment of the tour, Laura Beyenhof, Lyon County K-12 Program Coordinator, and Jill Postma, Lyon County Youth Coordinator, will lead campers in showcasing their garden plots and what they’ve been studying this summer.
Following the youth garden tour, the Demonstration Garden Tour will begin. Kohn and Carly Herum, Lyon County Office Assistant and Ag Program Coordinator, will guide participants through the garden, highlighting the plants grown and produce that will be harvested.
“We will share about the importance of growing vegetables and what is doing well in our garden,” Kohn said.
There is no pre-registration or fee to attend the garden tour; however, participants are asked to dress for the weather, including sunscreen and their own form of insect protection.