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The Water Garden Tour is now history and it will go down as one heck of a HOT time. The heat was a big influence in the turnout for the tour. It was a great tour but weather is always a factor in success of any outdoor event. Our numbers that toured were down from last year's tour. Cheryl Saylor and I have been gathering all the unsold tickets and money from the retail centers and it looks like we had maybe 300 to 350 that toured both days. Last year we had 400 that toured both days. Still very respectable numbers and by all means, a success. We always like to beat the previous year's tour totals, so, we didn't do that but there is always next year.
We had some very nice gardens on the tour and I can say that this year's gardens are some of the best. It looked like there were fewer tour attendees judging from what I would see at a garden at any one time. But in thinking about the hot weather, people would not linger in a garden and beat it back to the AC in their car. So it appeared there were a lot less people. In retrospect, there were some fewer but the illusion of a lot less was not really the case.
I want to thank all the volunteers that helped out at the gardens. Without you the tour would not have been possible. We had many volunteers that worked all day and considering how hot it was, this deserves a purple heart. Thank you.
Our tour committee will be meeting in the next couple of weeks to review and determine where we can improve on next year's tour. So if you have any ideas on improvements or just comments that you want the committee to know -- let me know.
Our meeting for Monday, Aug. 12 at 7:00PM is going to be at Robin and Terry Whetstone's garden. Their address is 6139 US Hwy 69, Ames. Robin's garden was on the tour two years ago and has since been added to and improved. I am very eager to see her "new" garden. Bring your lawn chairs. The Whetstone's is about 1/2 mile north of Hallett's Pit on Hwy 69, turn west at the entrance to the Korean Methodist Church. We will have directional signs up.
This meeting will be our fish exchange/fish "fry". This will be open to the public. All members will be encouraged to bring extra fish, including their fry (babies). These will be sold at very inexpensive rates -- this is a fundraiser for our group and a way for ponderers to get healthy fish. I will then do a program on propagating or breeding goldfish and Koi in our ponds. We will also have commercially raised Koi and Shubunkin Goldfish there for half price with the proceeds going to CIWGA.
So, bring your extra fish that have been having babies. Remember, that our ponds can only hold so many fish. We will be advertising this exchange as open to the public so if you're in the market for more fish we will give consideration to our members. Not sure how we are going to do this yet. In our plant exchange, it was first come, first serve. We may want to do this a little different with the fish. We may have a drawing for those fish that have a lot of interest in them.
Please do not bring fish that are sick or acting differently. In other fish exchanges I have been involved with, we have never had a problem but it needs to be said.
Another event I am planning for our fine group is a tour of a very nice, largely unknown garden in Webster City. It is called the 7B Ranch and is owned by Gene Barrick. I worked this spring on planting 8 Victoria water lilies and about 20 tropicals water lilies, lotus, and about 15 hardy water lilies. There is giant papyrus, red-stemmed thalia, bananas, taros, pickeral, saggitaria, water plantain, and many others. Gene was able to get his Trumpeter Swans to raise 4 cygnets this year!! We are very excited about these young swans. This is a display that is not equaled anywhere else in Iowa. Reiman Gardens may come close but 7B has more room and more plants. The Ranch also has very extensive perennial beds combined with annuals. Many weddings and events are held there every month. Most companies and groups have to rent the facilities but we have special permission -- for free. There are restroom facilities and AC in the "barn" where we will gather.
Okay, the tour will be Sat. Aug 31 at 10:00 AM at 7B Ranch in Webster City. To get there take Hwy 17 into Webster City from the South. Take a right at the first stoplight going north from Hwy 20. You will cross a set of RR tracks -- keep going past the sewage treatment plant and you will come to a sign that directs you into the Ranch. It is really easy to find. Meet at the big red barn in the center of the Ranch.
We may be touring another garden or two in the area but I have to line these up yet. It is worth the trip to just see the Ranch. If you need a ride or have extra room please get a hold of me. We want everybody to have a chance at going.
See you at the meeting.
The Big Toad, Jamie