Rochester gardeners share work during statewide tour

ROCHESTER, Minn. (KTTC) – Yards across Minnesota and the Med City became outdoor classrooms Saturday, as Blue Thumb’s Lawns and Legumes program connected neighbors with local gardeners eager to share their knowledge of native plants.

The event ran from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday.

Several Rochester gardeners opened their yards to display perennials, annuals and vegetables, or show off their rain gardens and wildflowers.

One gardener, Kelly Kirkpatrick, used the invitation to join the garden tour as a way to continue her education through her business, The Garden Lab.

“I absolutely love this,” Kirkpatrick said, “One of my favorite ways to work with clients is to educate them and work along with them.”

Kirkpatrick, a master gardener, displayed her garden, consisting of a pollinator habitat and bioswales.

“Hopefully I can encourage folks to get rid of a little bit more of their lawn and see the lifestyle that you want to live in your garden, in your yard, can be done easily with some changes.”

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