YEAR BY YEAR HISTORY OF
THE GARDEN DOOR
THE GARDEN DOOR
1995
- The Door County Master Gardener Board decided to explore the possibility of establishing a “Show Garden”. Feasibility and sites would be explored during 1996.
- The decision was made that the demonstration garden would be at the Peninsular Research Station, with planning beginning in the winter.
- Show Garden chair – Bill Fenwick.
- MG committee met with Dick Weidman, from the Peninsular Research Station and Richard Briggs, from Briggsville to get the Show Garden project off the ground. Richard created a first draft design with input from the group. Revisions were made and the final plan included woody and perennial garden on the order of the Allen Centennial Gardens at UW-Madison.
- May – Actual work on the garden began with Brian Holtz making a scale drawing of Richard Brigg’s layout so paths could be marked All paths were marked by May 23.
- August – Stone was installed on the paths and 50 Techny evergreens were planted.
- Show Garden chair – Brian Holtz.
- Spring – Deciduous border plants and specimen trees were planted. Plans were made for beds and a butterfly garden.
- A standing committee was established for the Show Garden.
- Annual beds were established by Dick Weidman and the research station crew.
- The butterfly garden designed by Carol Berglund was planted and a stone path donated by Boone Stone was laid through it.
- The rose garden was planted with three each of 30 different roses donated by Ron Amos of Evergreen Nursery.
- A pergola was built by Dave Nevalainen and his crew.
- Fence posts were put in for rustic fencing, also designed Dave Nevalainen.
- A gazebo was built by Gregg Urban under direction of Dick Weidman and his crew.
- Karin Overbeck crafted and donated a stained glass bench.
- Weeding Wednesday was established.
- Maintenance, planting of shrubs and perennials continued in the garden.
- The Board voted to make the Show Garden a priority and a goal was set to complete the garden by 2005. The board voted to spend just over $13,000 on the garden.
- Show Garden chair – Virge Temme.
- Work on the potting shed and other areas of the garden began.
- The pergola was dismantled.
- Member involvement in the Show Garden was encouraged.
- The Garden Door chair – John Kerstyn.
- The Show Garden was renamed The Garden Door by vote of all members.
- The garden shed, designed by Virge Temme, was completed.
- The Pond, designed by Dale Jeanquart, was built.
- The rock garden was started.
- Raised vegetable beds, designed by J.R. Jarosh, were constructed and planted by the class of 2004.
- An ornamental grass area was established by D.D. Knutson.
- The tunnel/sound garden, designed by Karen Overbeck and Virge Temme, was built, and planted.
- Annual beds were planted by the training class of 2005.
- The garden entrance, designed by Virge Temme, was built, and planted.
- Signs were completed.
- A brochure was designed and printed.
- “Quiet” Opening – July 12.
- Grand Opening – July 16.
- Main entrance signage for The Garden Door was purchased and installed.
- Memory benches created by MG members Kaye Knutson and Sandie Ott were placed in the Sound Garden.
- The Garden Door included in the Parade of Ponds for the first time.
- The Open House becomes an annual event.
- Jo Ann Tarczewski becomes The Garden Door Chairperson.
- The Shade Garden is planned and installed.
- Garden included in the Door County Memorial Hospital House and Garden Walk.
- Fund raising began to purchase a kaleidoscope for the Garden.
- Herb garden was installed by Doug & Barb Henderson, Sally Everhardus and Kathy Green.
- A Memory Bench, designed and created by Karin Overbeck at the request of Jan Ziemann in memory of her father Glenn Kolbow, was placed in the Sound Garden.
- The Pesto Festo premiered at the Open House.
- An irrigation system installed in the Garden.
- After a successful fundraising effort, the Anderson Kaleidoscope was purchased and installed at The Garden Door entrance.
- The “Wence” was installed at the rear of the Garden.
- Plant Sale shoppers were encouraged to visit The Garden Door during the sale and given a free plant.
- About 200 individuals attended the 4th Annual Open House.
- Fairie Garden installed by Jo Ann Tarczewski.
- A fourth Memory Bench, created by Helen Bacon was added to the Sound Garden.
- Planning started for The Garden Next Door, a community garden to be created behind The Garden Door.
- The Garden Next Door opens. Plots are available to MG members and staff from the Peninsular Research Station.
- The Open House, which had been occurring in August, was moved to July to commemorate the 5th Anniversary of the Garden.
- The first Taste of The Garden Door, which included the Pesto Festo, was held in September.
- The Youth Program, which introduced area 3rd graders to gardening, was held in The Garden Next Door.
- With financial assistance from the Raibrook Foundation, the Human Sundial, designed by Ray Stonecipher, was installed.
- The Garden Door was certified by the National Wildlife Federation as a wildlife habitat.
- The Pergola, designed by Jim McFarlin, was constructed.
- Local artists were invited to demonstrate their skills at the Open House.
- Barb and Dick Allmann become Co-Chairpersons for The Garden Door.
- The “Weed and Feed” was added to prepare the Garden for the Open House and the Taste of The Garden Door.
- Pond area plantings were renovated by the 2011 Training Class.
- A donation box was added at the entrance to The Garden Door. It immediately begins to show how much the public appreciates the Garden and the work done by MG Volunteers.
- An anonymous donor provides $10,000 to be used in the event that The Garden Door would ever need to relocate.
- The Cactus Garden installed by Jim Friederichs & Jim McFarlin.
- A tree, recognizing the contributions made by Dick Weidman to The Garden Door, was installed.
- Tim Kazmierszak becomes The Garden Door Chairperson.
- With the assistance of a grant provided by the Raibrook Foundation, a paver walkway was installed.
- Installation of fused glass flowers, created by Wendy Woldt, was completed along the tunnel garden.
- The Garden Door celebrated its 10th Anniversary at its Annual Open House on July 12.
- Just days after the Open House, a hail storm devastates The Garden Door. Despite this, the gardens recover nicely before the Taste of The Garden Door is held less than two months later.