Tour PdC gardens in support of library updates, set for July 14
Sixty varieties of day lilies planted by Gary and Kathy Koch provide blooms all summer at just one of the six private gardens featured on Saturday’s library benefit garden tour from 1 to 4 p.m. in Prairie du Chien. (Submitted photo)
The Friends of the Prairie du Chien Public Library are excited to present a Garden Walk on Saturday, July 14, from 1 to 4 p.m., featuring two community gardens and six private-home gardens throughout the city.
This fundraiser will support the library’s capital campaign to completely update, renovate and expand the existing facility scheduled to reopen this fall.
Tickets are a small fee paid by cash or check only, and will be available at the first stop, the perennial garden at the Travel Wisconsin Welcome Center, 211 S. Main St., by the US Highway 18 bridge to Iowa. Note that strollers will not be allowed in the private gardens.
Advance tickets are available at the library, city hall and Zinkle’s Piggly Wiggly.
Brochures and maps will list the lush locations and special features of the private gardens to visit during the self-paced tour, with a Crawford County Master Gardener and Library Friend at each location to answer questions, as well as the home-owners.
Intriguing aspects of these enthusiasts’ gardens include a pond with two waterfalls, sixty types of day lilies, 450 hostas, “foodscaping,” a dragonfly garden and a garden which has evolved over 25 years. Stroll through and seek ideas or just enjoy the outing.
Linger at the final stop, the many-faceted, volunteer-maintained St. Feriole Island Memorial Gardens, which encompass three full blocks on the island’s east side. Light refreshments will be served. A surprise drawing will be held for ticket holders at the end.
Contact the Prairie du Chien Memorial Library for further tour brochure information at 326-6211.
Stay on for the evening and enjoy the Chamber-sponsored “Fireworks on the Mississippi” to be set off opposite the Villa Louis Historic Site, visible from the beautiful riverfront Lawler Park.
