Indoors & Out: Garden tours, garden workshops and more

Boost your garden know-how at the Hennepin County Master Gardeners Learning Garden Tour. Tour-goers can visit the home gardens of six Extension Master Gardeners during a self-guided tour in the west and northwest suburbs. The tour will include Education Stations with hands-on demonstrations of gardening techniques and topics, including elevated gardens, hydroponics, cottage-style gardens, water features, composting and vegetable growing. Master Gardeners will be on hand at each garden to answer questions.

The tour will be held 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. July 9. Cost is $15 or $20 the day of the tour. Purchase tickets at hennepinmastergardeners.org (click on the events tab) or 479 Prairie Center Dr., Eden Prairie. Or call 612-596-2130.

Gardens come with a slice of history at the Anoka Heritage Home & Garden Tour. Tour-goers will visit four National Historic Register properties, as well as 13 privately owned homes and gardens throughout Anoka's historic neighborhoods.

The tour will be offered from 1 to 5 p.m. July 10. Advance tickets are $12 at the Anoka County Historical Society, 2135 N. 3rd Av., Anoka, or at anokacountyhistory.org. Tickets are $15 the day of the tour, available at the Big White House antique store, 1900 S. 3rd Av. For more information, call 763-421-0600.

Brown & Greene Floral Market in Linden Hills is celebrating its 15th anniversary with a month of festivities. On July 8-9, the shop will host a European open-air flea market featuring Irish antiques, Parisian pedestals, baskets, retired fragrances from their Mixture candle line and other vintage pieces.

On July 21 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., Brown & Greene will host "Still Life," a floral-design class demonstrating how to create a French still-life bouquet with flowers picked fresh from local grower Prairie Garden Farm. The $150 class fee includes snacks and beverages (visit bgfloral.net to register).

Throughout July, there will be a "vase drive" to raise awareness and funds for Midwest Animal Rescue & Services (MARS). For every vase brought in, Brown & Greene will donate 50 cents to MARS. "Vase droppers" will have a chance to win prizes, including gift cards and custom floral bouquets.

Tonkadale Greenhouse is celebrating summer with a series of workshops and events. On Fairy Garden Fridays, design a fairy garden at a kid-centric workshop for ages 5 and up. The cost is $10, which includes soil and moss. Bring your own container or buy one at the store. Fairy Garden Fridays are offered 10 a.m. to noon, July 22, 29, Aug. 19 and 26.

On Serenity Saturdays, visitors can take part in free garden-themed talks and walks through the perennial department. Staff members will assist with perennial plant selection and garden design following each session. Sessions are 10 a.m. to noon July 9 and 23.

For one-on-one guidance about perennials, attend a free Perennial Garden Walk-About. Bring photos, landscape plans, drawings or sketches, and staff members will assist with plant selection and garden design. Offered 2 to 4 p.m. Wednesdays, July 20 through Aug. 24 (excluding Aug. 3).

Tonkadale is located at 3739 Tonkawood Rd., Minnetonka.

Kim Palmer