Mt. Carroll, Ill., Chamber Garden Walk set for July 10

From press release

The Mt. Carroll Chamber of Commerce will hold its Sixth Annual Garden Walk from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday, July 10. Enjoy the architectural beauty of Mt. Carroll while strolling through picturesque gardens! Tickets are only $5 and can be purchased downtown the day of the tour at the renovated Kraft Building, 320 N. Main St., which will serve as the starting point of the Garden Walk. For more information, call Diane Bausman, (815) 244-9788, or Pam Sorg, (815) 244-9246. The following gardens will be included:

Pat & Diane Bausman—601 S. Clay St.

Extensive use of stone hardscape and a tumbled brick paver sidewalk leads to a two-level deck accented to a pond. The landscaping is highlighted by hostas and other shade-loving plants. The large garden on the south lawn features many varieties of hostas, perennials, and annual plantings. Take time to check out the unique garden shed!

Tom & Pam Sorg—111 E. Broad St.

This garden occupies most of the back yard and is an example of raised bed gardening that allows close spacing, excellent drainage, and never requires a tiller. Twelve raised beds combine flowers and vegetables, all of which were raised from seed in the winter on a “bottom heat” table. The garden is fed from a pit compost system. Well-established berry and grape vines, grasses as well as handmade iron and wood trellises complete the picture.

Russell & Cheri Piper—307 E. Lincoln St.

From the new front porch, one’s eye is drawn across the expansive lawn to the well-kept woods where there are 175-plus varieties of hostas. Along the perimeter, you can follow these gems and other shade plants to the side and backyards to view the perennial, vegetable and sun gardens. Stroll the path in the woods to the deck built on a rock bluff showcasing the Waukarusa River. The limestone borders around the berms containing the hostas originate from the quarry on the property. Rock enthusiasts may also notice the granite and rose quartz boulders that were found on the property and are used as garden decorations. An example of water conservation is visible on the northwest corner of the house, where the Pipers collect 100 gallons of water from their gardens. Some visitors may wish to hike down to the Waukarusa to enjoy the wooded surroundings, which are in the DNR tree protection program.

Nancy Gmitro Prairie Restoration Project—15326 Meyers Rd.

Once two acres of alfalfa and timothy grass, this restored prairie started in 2005 as a blackened field. The next year, two shorter grasses, side oats gamma and little blue stem, were planted. Over the years, Wild Quinine, Rattlesnake Master and Butterfly Weed, to name a few, have joined them. This year, the Pale Purple Coneflower has finally appeared. A fairy garden joins the property’s five unexpected gardens. Follow the path off the deck to see the garden designed and planted with the help of granddaughters Megan and Kaitlyn. The miniature garden and buildings welcome the fairies every night when they come out to play.

Elaine & Gerard Morhardt—13446A West Point Rd.

As soon as you turn onto the lane, you feel welcomed by a path lined with hollyhocks, hydrangeas, hostas, lilies and garden art with an antique farm theme. The multiple gardens are in a beautiful farm setting and include perennial beds, two large vegetable gardens as well as a strawberry bed and grape arbor. Elaine starts all her own seeds, then transfers them to a makeshift greenhouse to thrive. She grows all types of vegetables on a large scale for canning and freezing. A sitting area with a gazebo overlooks the “frog pond” surrounded by ornamental watergrasses, plants and water iris. Check out the “Shade” in the shade garden, where you can walk on the many paths landscaped with achillea, bellflowers and sedum, and then cross the tree trunk bridge. The tree trunk sculptures are one of the most unusual attractions on this site.

Jerry & Sandy Cornelius—13841 Fulrath Mill Rd.

After only seven years in residence, this couple has established a beautifully-landscaped area located in a quiet country setting. The large driveway is lined with stunning stella d’oros and other perennials including blue salvia, blue pincushions and redbud trees. The butterfly garden is a great attraction decorated with charming garden art, lilacs, fleabane and a butterfly house. The recent addition to the yard is a striking landscape design along the hillside which curves around a patio. Local landscaper, Justin Foltz of Foltz Landscaping, used limestone and flagstone steps to outline this area and planted arborvitae, fountain grass, hydrangeas, cornflowers, silver mound and other perennials. The result is a perfect complement to the already attractive homestead.

Many vendors will be selling their products on the courthouse square including Dusty Roads Greenhouse (a Mayfest favorite) and the Soil & Water Conservation District will be selling rain barrels from 9 a.m.-noon. There will be a composting demonstration by a University of Illinois representative at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Learn Great Foods will celebrate their fifth anniversary in their new location at the Kraft Building by serving blueberry desserts from the Great Galena Cookery and pies from Karen’s Kitchen in Stockton and The Garden Eatery in Mt. Carroll, along with coffee from local roaster, Brother’s Keeper. Mary Roach will present an herb container gardening demonstration at the Farmers’ Market at 10 a.m. and noon. The Friends of the Library will have a Quilt Garden display at the Mt. Carroll Public Library, and quilts will be on display inside from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Local retailers will offer luncheon specials and discounts on general merchandise.

From the July 7-13, 2010 issue