The Fort Madison Area Artists Association (FMAAA) will hold its annual Garden Tour 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday with the theme, “Remember When Gardens.”
Sponsored by Scotts Miracle Gro, attendees need only look for the red birdhouse signs in each of this each’s properties. Hostesses will have tickets, maps, write-ups, and bottled water at the garden sites.
Those on this year’s Garden Tour are:
Jeff and Paula Houston:
3192 160th St., Ft. Madison
Built new 34 years ago, the perimeter around the home has experienced quite a transition from cow field to water garden manna. This family affair began with first floral bed 20 years back. The six fountains encircle half the home, beginning with the first piece, boy with frog fountain by the front entrance. The larger pools transitioned over 15 years in an effort to beat down the Jungle. The jungle on the south side was weed cesspool that threatened the usage of the family’s installed pool. From jungle eradication to water oasis all around, fountain herons frolicking water at one another, became the end result. Backside of the home took major excavation but the walk around invites Warthogs, which bloom at day and close at night. Smoke tree and Mock orange add to the aroma, as you make your way around the home to the three Houston daughters memorable flagpole project, sporting miniature hibiscus and dwarf lilac.
Artists in the Garden: Jesse Mazzoccoli masterly strums acoustic on the patio, while Jim Topic’s glassworks will shimmer and sparkle in that water space.
Ty’s Greenhouse: 3371 163rd St., Wever
In high school, Ty worked for Beebe’s Greenhouse. Ironically with other green thumbs such as Matt Mohrfeld and Denny Burk, in a way a passing on of the torch had begun. That beginning led to a successful career in wholesale greenhouse business for Ty. The massive enterprise is filled to the hilt in early spring. It’s on your way to your next destination, so take a quick tour of a large scale growing operation for better insight into providing for an industry that many look so forward to after winter...planting season.
Artist in the Garden: Look for your special treat.
Jeff and Dorothy Kramer:
1632 345th Ave., Wever
Examine the biggest Catalpa tree in the USA around 200 years old and spanning 19 feet of circumference, featured in January 1996 Country Magazine! Can you imagine the years of swinging under that shade? The tree and the rhubarb patch have been around since the Kramer’s came in 1949. Country style veggie garden winds you to the large back expanse lined with apple, peach, and cherry trees, wrapped with Chester blackberries as big as your thumb! The couple just recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary and they have added many other amenities since than. Enjoy the larger expanse and the outbuildings housing Jeff’s welding shop and woodshed. Even though piped water is available in the home, the red pump still yields drinkable well water outback. And did you see Superman’s changing room?
Artists in the Garden: Carlene Dingman Atwater plein air paints this massive landscape. Stephanie Hymes White and Brad Kurtz will be picking and grinning by the woodshed. Also look for the Scotts Miracle-Gro raffle on this site.
Curt and Liz Richers:
1685 346th Avenue, Wever
The property overlooks one of only three organic chestnut farms in the US. A beautiful stamped sidewalk beckons you to the patio upgrade with chandelier sized floral bouquets. They get so massive during growing season that they cover the ground. The family has them regenerated each year by Lori Yoder, an Amish woman in Bonaparte. The exterior has been remodeled in the last 5 years, but the birdhouse row remains unchanged with 25 specimens. The boot birdhouse was actually used as the device to teach their children how to tie their shoes! Liz likes to change up her yard décor, figuring she is probably on her 15th chapter of change. The idyllic view of the pond came with a toll, as it was initially a swamp. A project that was supposed to take 6 days ballooned into 6 weeks. Natural springs kept burying the bulldozer. Had to go down 20’ to find clay, selling 100 semi loads of black dirt in the process. The treated water gives you some blue mind feeling, through and through. When you pull into the garage, it creates an infinity pond look! Liz surmises, “All the rehabs are finally in place. I have my house.”
Artist in the Garden: Woodman Tom Stack displays flower bouquets in the space.
Chris and Amanda Brown:
3836 187th Street, Wever
Third generation for the Seeley Lodwick family on this finely sculpted plateau with a Plantation style home that has grown in size over the years. Just like the dinner bell in back, third generation proudly ringing in the fourth. In 1948 when the home was purchased it was totally dilapidated with no roof or windows. Seeley was a senior Senator in Iowa for many terms before becoming #2 man for Secretary of Agriculture under the Reagan administration. Back in the day an acre of Green Bay Bottom land could be bought for $5 and acre; now goes about $7000. Seeley aided in the political process to construct the levee, which created this rich, black dirt. The rows of heirloom plants go back decades upon decades, 3 rows now one vacant of plantings. Amanda had the hedges removed from the bed in front of the home and tends to it. When passing the dinner bell to the backside of the home, the double-lined shade and wind cover of the trees will please you. Seeley must have read the Farmstead Manuel from cover to cover to plant such a natural windbreak. A mile down the road is the BNSF caboose that Seeley’s grandma bought for him for retirement. That land has sold but tour goers may drive down to see the caboose. The rest of the 3.5 acreage and home is FOR SALE!
Artist in the Garden: Whimsical metal garden sculpture by Curt Swarm, also new author of the novel “Protected,” with FMAAA wrap-a-round art items to boot.
Charles and Becky Rump:
1862 345th Ave, Wever
When the Rumps married in 1980, they purchased the 1840’s farm house on Jollyville Hill. This is the site of the original John Lachman home where once “Green Bay wine and cheese” was made and sold. The view is extraordinary looking down upon the 200,000 acres of Green Bay bottoms. It will make a lasting impression. Just imagine when grapevines covered that eastern slope! The Rump’s have since worked on renovation and energy conservation on the property for the last 37 years. The Lachman family had many plantings over 100 years of age that have survived such as a row of bridal wreath, white and lavender lilac, and wild yellow roses. Tour participants will be treated to several displays from area merchants including Matt’s Greenhouse, Ritter’s Garden Center, and Zaiser’s Florist and Landscaping. Potted plants, unique furniture made from colored metal barrel pieces, and a bubbling fountain will be included in display, along with information on how and where to buy them.
Artist in the Garden: Cloudscape painter Ginny Lammert takes in the view!
