2026 GARDEN TOUR:
July 11th & 12th, 11 am to 4 pm
What is the Garden Tour?:
Each July, selected homeowners in the Northfield area open their gardens to the public. This garden tour is organized, advertised and hosted by the Garden Club. This is a ticketed event, the proceeds from which go to support the grants program and other charitable activities of the Northfield Garden Club. Tickets are $10 pp, pay for your ticket at the first garden you visit -- good for all gardens and both days!!
GARDEN 1: Rob Morrow & Annette Nierobisz
Our garden is meant be a whimsical response to humorless, monoculture turf. Fieldstones delineate organic islands of varying shapes and sizes while containing the pea rock which evokes notions of a zen garden . At night, the entire grounds convert to a a soup kitchen for wayward rabbits.
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ARTIST: Watercolors by Ruth Grimm
Watercolor painting allows a creative outlook and stress relief that is monumental. At the end of 2022 I saw an advert on my “for you” page stating: “You too can paint like this!" Though skeptical, the seed had been planted. After purchasing supplies, I set out to learn to paint with those supplies. Painting was exactly what I needed. It touched a part of me that had laid dormant for years. It is therapeutic and cathartic. I find this medium and the beauty it allows me to create gives me a sense of accomplishment and personal fulfillment. watercolorsbyruthg@gmail.com
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GARDEN 2: Kris Dennison
1806 McKinley Drive (south of Jefferson parkway and 50 North)
Step into a vibrant sanctuary 40 years in the making. Returning to the tour after fourteen years, this labor of love features a handcrafted native stone waterfall and soothing water feature. A haven for birds and butterflies, the yard is alive with native blooms, perennials, and brilliant annuals. Discover elegant statues and whimsical fairy gardens nestled throughout this ever-changing landscape. Whether relaxing on the deck or in cozy seating areas, you’ll find pure serenity. Come experience this colorful world of inspiration!
ARTIST: Nicolette Hernke, Belle Creek Pottery
Belle Creek Pottery, owned by Nicolette Hernke, reflects over 20 years of dedication to the art of clay. Though I began selling my work in 2019, my experience is deeply rooted in exploration and craftsmanship, from creating custom glazes to experimenting with diverse clay bodies. Living on a hobby farm in Goodhue, Minnesota, I draw daily inspiration from nature. As an art teacher, I continue to grow creatively and look forward to expanding my pottery business in retirement next year.
hernkecreations@gmail.com / 507-298-0188
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GARDEN 3: Dee & Gregg Menning
On a modest Northfield town lot, the Mennings have crafted a restorative space, with self-styled DIY landscaping and labyrinth, upcycled and handmade art, and themed gardens. The themed gardens include cottage, sunny, sweet and savory, sedums, edible blossoms, therapeutic, flowering, and hostas, with one collection featuring all the AHGA Hostas of the Year. Two new areas reflect a growing interest in native plants: a front boulevard pollinator spot and a backyard bed of Minnesota natives, supported by a Wild Ones grant.
ARTIST: Gregg Menning, Woodworker
I have been a carpenter/woodworker/timber framer/furniture maker for 45+ years. I bought a lathe from a friend who was no longer able to use and turned a few small pieces and found that I really enjoyed the process: in that I don't always end up with what I had in mind when I started. I love the feel, the smell, as each piece is turned. All of the wood has been salvaged locally. Pick it up, hold it, and feel yourself connecting with it. 3gmenning@gmail.com
ARTIST: Diane (Dee) Menning, Glass-on-glass mosaics
Bringing together my love of beauty and light, I dabble in crafting small glass-on-glass mosaics. Especially for the garden and also for the home, these abstract renditions reveal tropes close to personal inner evolution. Mosaic themes are often of flow with blue green oceanic and river resemblances, of resilience with blossom features, of perfect imperfection with nature likenesses. gratefuldee@gmail.com
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GARDEN 4: Anne Rynearson & John-Mark Schlink
Once filled with invasive weeds, diseased trees, dilapidated structures and awkward hardscaping, an outdoor space has emerged full of plants and wildlife. In six years distinctive areas have emerged which include a prairie-style planting on the boulevard and mixed evergreen and perennial gardens in both front and back gardens. Structural changes include new privacy fencing, arbors for climbing plants, and two ponds with solar fountains which add the soothing sound of trickling water while supporting wildlife. Anne and John-Mark’s garden has been the setting and subject of her recently-created Youtube channel, Garden with Anne.
ARTIST: Brandon Ness, Charcoal Drawings
Have you ever noticed the curve of a eucalyptus leaf, or the organized chaos of flower petals? In my charcoal art, I strive to magnify the little things to visually display the beauty in the simplicity and details of creation around us boldly. Website: www.brandonnessfineart.com Email: brandonnessfineart@gmail.com
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GARDEN 5: Peggy & Dale Sheldon
Ponds in front and in back are home to the occasional duck or water lily and a cacophony of croaking frogs. Cattails is maintained yearly and pumps keep the water moving. During dry periods the water levels are constantly monitored. The owners embrace the glorious abundance of six beds of perennial flowers and nature spaces that are low-maintenance, to balance the time spent on the lush growth of summer. Mulch and rock features contribute to the carefree nature of this home and its half-acre yard.
ARTIST: Delanie Harrmann, Multimedia Art, Perfumery
I am a multimedia artist that specializes in block printing, plant-based sculpture, and perfumery. My artistic practice begins in nature, with the plants I farm for dye, fiber, and aroma. Thematically, my work revolves around the beauty and importance of the plants and animals we share space with, and the lessons that nature can teach us. I’m entering my fifth year of farming and further honing my skills as an artist.
Website: www.sobelowapothecary.com / Email: sobelowapothecary@gmail.com
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GARDEN 6: Liz Underwood
Since 2021, this garden has evolved from a blank mulch canvas into a vibrant, ever-changing perennial retreat. Embracing a "try anything once" philosophy, the owner has curated a resilient landscape where plants must earn their keep. Lush hostas and colorful coral bells anchor the shade, while sun-loving coneflowers and cheerful impatiens provide constant pops of pigment. This casual, evolving space features a mix of sturdy perennials and seasonal annuals, rounded out by a sunny patio overflowing with potted displays. It’s a true celebration of the joy found in the "little by little" process.
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ARTIST: Evan Pak, Photographer
I photograph a wide range of subjects, but my background in conservation leads me to primarily focus on wildlife (especially birds), plants, fungi, and landscapes. Most of my photos have true-to-life colors, but my modified full-spectrum camera also allows me to capture light outside the human eye!s range. Evan Pak Photographer (507)-581-2395 evanjpak.com
ARTIST: Josh Kline, Photography
Primarily a nature photographer, focusing on landscapes and wildlife photography, I enjoy getting out and having an adventure with my camera. I also enjoy different processes of photography such as shooting film, developing it myself, and shooting digital infrared to get a view of the world the human eye can’t see. Website: kline.photo Email: jkline3298@gmail.com