The Waseca Garden Club’s annual Garden Walk took place on August 1, from 1-5 p.m. Recurring for more than 25 years, the Garden Walk serves as a beacon for local greenthumbs to gather for an afternoon of enthusiasm, gardening tips & tricks, and, of course, a little commerce. A warm, sunny day added to the allure of the event as the rays bounced off flower petals, amplifying a colorful harvest.
This year’s walk consisted of six host gardeners whose sites span the Waseca and Janesville areas. Upon arriving at the host location, the Waseca Public Safety Building, attendees were provided a map of the site locations, and encouraged to pursue all six by the event’s end. The Journal visited three sites.
Participation in the Garden Walk has remained consistent over the years according to several Garden Club members. Host gardens are cycled through each year, and enthusiasts are eager to explore the sites, learning some tips and tricks, and, of course, engage in a little commerce. One representative from the Club shared, “This Walk has always done well during our summer dates. It gives appreciation to the local gardeners, and those seeking inspiration or a few additions to their own garden.”
While Public Safety took part in the Garden Walk, their stand was a tad more humble compared to the remaining five sites. The remaining five belonging to Mark Pehrson, Julie & Mike Peters, Linden & Toni Bauleke, Stacey & Eric Weichert, and Anne Gerber & Charlie Rohwer showcased decades of combined gardening experience and an incredible array of brightly colored, flowers, succulent herbs, and produce like tomatoes and peppers.
The first stop on the walk was Janesville residents Stacey and Eric Weichert’s garden. Home to a variety of life including beautiful butterflies, hungry koi fish, and an eight year old sheep named Barnsley. A new addition in the form of a children’s playhouse–featuring a mini office and a patio–has provided a playful getaway during the recent summer heat.
Further down the Walk was Waseca native Mark Pehrson’s garden. A heart touching memorial to his late-wife of 54 years, Debbie, the garden was initially tended to by her, so Mark strives to keep her memory alive in the very soil she has tilled, watered, and cared for. With a gentle summer breeze passing through the garden, hanging baskets of petunias and dahlia swung while the delightful chirps of birds in a nearby bird path echoed. The attention to detail and natural beauty of Debbie’s garden was undeniable; however, the effort Mark has put into keeping his wife’s memory and tradition going struck an emotional chord in several attendees.
One of the most frequently visited gardens was planted by another Waseca resident, Julie and Mike Peters. Moving to Minnesota from California roughly two decades ago, Julie’s favorite plants to pot are hydrangeas and hostas due to their ability to survive cold weather, “Planting in California was very different compared to here in Minnesota,” Julie shared. “They both have their limitations, but learning that certain plants could survive winter really got me committed to the garden.” Though she has acclimated to the Minnesota climate, Peters continues to challenge her skills by planting new things, her newest focus: a vegetable garden that helps feed her family with tomatoes, cucumbers, beans, edamame, and squash.
As the afternoon sun began to dip behind the trees, the Waseca Garden Club’s annual Garden Walk once again proved why it remains a cherished summer tradition. Each garden offered its own story. From the playful charm of the Weicherts’ backyard oasis to the heartfelt tribute in Mark Pehrson’s memorial garden and the Peters’ ever-evolving vegetable patch.
The event’s steady participation over more than two decades speaks to its enduring popularity and the community’s deep-rooted love for nature and creativity. With every bloom admired and conversation shared, the Garden Walk continues to grow not just in attendance, but in the beauty, memory, and the joy of cultivating life.
