Coon Rapids Sustainability Commission to Host Sustainable Garden Tour This Saturday

Coon Rapids Sustainability Commission to Host Sustainable Garden Tour This Saturday

COON RAPIDS, MN – July 15, 2025 – Get ready to be inspired by sustainable living! The Coon Rapids Sustainability Commission invites residents and visitors to explore the beauty and ecological benefits of eco-friendly landscapes at its annual Sustainable Garden Tour this Saturday, July 19, from 9 a.m. to noon.

This popular self-guided tour will showcase seven unique gardens across Coon Rapids, each exemplifying sustainable practices through:

• Native Plants: Discover the resilience and beauty of plants indigenous to Minnesota, which thrive with less water, fertilizer, and pesticides, while providing vital habitats for local wildlife. Expect to see examples like milkweed (crucial for Monarch butterflies), coneflowers, and various native grasses.
• Pollinator-Friendly Plants: Learn how to create havens for bees, butterflies, and other essential pollinators with gardens designed to provide nectar and pollen throughout the growing season. Look for plants such as anise hyssop, bee balm, asters, and goldenrods.
• Edible Food Gardens: Explore flourishing home gardens where residents are growing their own fruits, vegetables, and herbs, demonstrating the benefits of local food production and promoting food security.
• Bee Lawn Alternatives: Witness innovative approaches to traditional lawns, including "bee lawns" that incorporate low-growing flowering plants like Dutch white clover, self-heal, and creeping thyme, offering drought-tolerant and pollinator-friendly ground cover.

Garden owners have been encouraged to be on hand at their properties to chat with tour participants, offering insights into their gardening practices, sharing tips, and answering questions. This provides a unique opportunity for direct engagement and learning from experienced local gardeners.

The Coon Rapids Sustainability Commission organizes this event as part of its ongoing commitment to promoting environmental stewardship and sustainable practices within the city. "The Sustainable Garden Tour is a fantastic way for residents to gain practical knowledge and inspiration for their own yards," stated a spokesperson for the City of Coon Rapids. "By showcasing these diverse sustainable gardens, we hope to encourage more community members to adopt practices that benefit our local environment, from conserving water to supporting essential pollinators."

A detailed map of the participating garden locations, including brief descriptions of each garden, addresses, turn-by-turn directions, and even a suggested bike route, will be made available on the Sustainable Garden Tour page of the official City of Coon Rapids website (www.coonrapidsmn.gov) during the week of the tour. Attendees are encouraged to review the map prior to the event to plan their route.

Whether you're a seasoned green thumb seeking new ideas or just beginning your journey into sustainable living, the Coon Rapids Sustainable Garden Tour promises a morning of education, beauty, and community connection.

Event Details:

• What: Coon Rapids Sustainable Garden Tour
• When: Saturday, July 19, 2025, from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM
• Where: Various residential gardens throughout Coon Rapids. Map will be available online at www.coonrapidsmn.gov the week of the tour.

MinneapoliMedia