2025 GARDEN TOUR: July 12th & 13th, 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.
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1. Connie and Mark Albers—704 Baneberry Ct
We love flowers! Gardening is Connie’s creative outlet, and her yard is her happy place. The backbone of these gardens are perennials, some over 30 years old. Through division of existing plants, addition of new ones, and adapting to the loss of trees; the gardens have gradually expanded. We’ve tried to create several “rooms” with different vantage points throughout the yard. You will find flowers blooming during every season in these gardens – early spring is different from early fall, but Connie strives to ensure that something is always in bloom!
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Artists: Judy Saye-Willis—Fiber Art
I have been a fiber artist, teacher, and researcher most of my life and work to enhance the arts and arts organizations in the communities where I live. My work with textiles and natural dyes are rich in texture, exciting color, strong eye appeal, and often a message of environmental stewardship.
Website: saye-willis.com | Email: sayewillis@gmail.com
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Tom Willis—Pottery
I am a potter and go to my studio to have quiet conversations with myself about my work. I apply skill and craftsmanship to the unlimited possibilities of the clay form. I strive to create one-of-a-kind functional pottery and to improve the artistic quality of my work.
Website: tomwillispottery.com | Email: sayewillis@gmail.com
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2. Riverside Park Gardens—222 7th St W
(Across from Village on the Cannon)
In 2006, the Northfield Garden Club designed and funded the construction of a Pergola, Memorial stone, and Rose Garden for Riverside Park. NGC members maintain the Pergola and Memorial Rose Garden throughout each growing season. Raised gardens have been established in Riverside Park to provide flowers for pollinating insects. Three gardens are designed in the shapes of insects: the Butterfly, Bee and Dragonfly. These gardens are intended to appeal to children and to help teach them about the value of flowering plants in supporting pollinators. A Memorial Children’s Educational Kiosk was added in 2023.
Artist: Rev. Keith E.O. Homstad—Iconographer
The purpose for making icons in the traditional Christian manner is to teach the faith using forms and colors, and to do this by making images that communicate the message of Jesus Christ of God’s love and mercy which is the real “Good News”. The images (icons) must be able to do this in such a way that overcomes all language barriers, cultural differences, and limitations of human understanding. The acceptance of any one icon is dependent upon the people who see it and consider that it does, indeed, proclaim the truth of the “Good News”.
Website: www.etsy.com/shop/Iconsbypastorkeith |
Email: keithe.homstad@gmail.com
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3. Cathy Collison and Klay Christianson—1118 Spruce Ct
Cathy’s garden was designed to grow as much food as possible within the space available, utilizing mixed and succession plantings along with vertical plantings as well. Organic and regenerative practices are used with no synthetic inputs. Rainwater is collected and compost and vermicompost are made on site. Questions are welcome.
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Artists: Lynn Mueller—Fused Glass
I’m a retired art educator of over 30 years, now focusing on exploring my creativity. I work primarily with glass, watercolor, and sterling silver. I enjoy incorporating dynamic use of color and texture into my two-and three-dimensional work, using both new and recycled materials. My glass fusing and casting enables me to use vibrant color choices that speak to my whimsical sense of design. I use both new art glass and recycled commercial glass.
Email: lynnie_oo@yahoo.com
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Rick Swearer—Multimedia Art
I am a multimedia artist focusing on blowing and casting glass, but also working in sculpture, ceramics and printmaking. My largest project is the kiosk in downtown Northfield that contains cast glass blocks. I periodically host groups and conduct demonstrations through the Northfield Arts Guild, through the Northfield Public Schools and with the 5th year Art Interns at both local colleges. I also periodically participate in the Studio Art Tour for South Central Minnesota. My glass work is currently sold at the Northfield Arts Guild and in Red Wing.
Email: rswearer@gmail.com
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4. Sue & Dale Kulsrud—2009 Lincoln St S
Our yard is a wonderful combination of sun and shade, filled with hanging baskets, window boxes, several gardens, statuary and many works of art. The side garden has an array of flowers including a 9’ trellis crafted by Dale, a pair of dragons, engraved stones, an iron figure of a woman with outstretched arms. Through the gate is my garden shed, potting bench, ferns, hostas, and fairies. Sit on the swing and listen to the fountain. There is much to see around every corner.
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Artist: Gail Gates—Photography
It has been said that photography isn’t about what you see but about what you feel in the moment. My photography follows that line of thinking. Using iPhone apps and other photo software, I layer and manipulate my original photos into something beyond traditional images. I hold a Master of Arts in Liberal Studies, focusing on aging and art. And fun. Always have fun.
Email: gatega1958@msn.com
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5. Alan Norton & Kathleen Doran-Norton— 10895 Farrel Ct
Our garden railroad - the Bridgewater Regional Railroad - winds through: hills of blazing star; plains of prairie grass, creeping thyme, and phlox; over bridges and trestles spanning two ponds where toads sing in the evening; and iris, hydrangea, and blooming allium. Walk past the streams and ponds of cattails and water lilies to sit awhile in the gazebo. A perennial garden circle lies beyond the fence.
Artist: Reid P. Hendershot—Woodworker
Whether searching through the piles of brush at the Northfield yard waste site or collecting wood salvaged from storms or disease, I have the honor to reveal the warmth and beauty in my pieces from wood often destined to be firewood. Pick up my work and feel its comfort. Fishing and making music cut into my shop time upon occasion, while the bags with mistakes easily heat my shop during the long winter months.
Email: Henderswood@gmail.com | Ph: 1-507-649-2839
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6. Melodie Lane and Kevin Anderson—4494 Telemark Rd Dundas
The Telemark home has been in the Lane family since 1968. In 2020, Kevin and I purchased it from my brother and in just five years, the home has been reimagined both inside and out. When we first moved in, there wasn’t a single flower garden. Our landscape design highlights a natural underground spring by adding a stone fountain which gives the illusion of a creek running down to the pond. New perennial gardens are still surrounded by beautiful natural woods and native plants, creating what we like to call our own Telemagic.
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Artist: Kathy Miller—Watercolor
As a watercolor artist, I am passionate about painting the beauty of nature, capturing fleeting moments in time when the magic of light changes the ordinary into the extraordinary. My love for capturing the light is equaled by my desire to create a piece rich in highly saturated colors. The works range in scope from intimate, close-up florals, still life and bird paintings to broad, panoramic landscapes. The use of numerous layers of saturated color, intricate details and patterns, and strong value contrasts all combine enabling me to create a highly sensory interpretation of the world I love.
www.kmillerwatercolors.com
Email: kathy@kmillerwatercolors.com
Ph: 1-952-358-1030
