AT THE RICE COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS in Faribault, an unexpected oasis brings nature into a setting of buildings, grandstand and roadways. It’s a welcome respite, this Rice County Master Gardeners Teaching Gardens.
On a Sunday in early July, Randy and I packed a picnic lunch and set out for the fairgrounds garden, a place we haven’t previously lunched. There we settled onto a fountain-side shaded bench, the soothing rush of water creating a peaceful ambiance.
Afterwards, I ambled through these gardens, admiring the plants and blooming flowers. Clematis climbing an arbor. Sedum. Hosta. Lilies and roses and Pig Squeak. Masses of milkweed for monarch caterpillars. Eggplant, prickly pear cactus, Mugo pine and much more.
If you’re into gardening, and even if you’re not, this compact garden patch showcases a wide variety of plants that are beautiful to behold. Some are grown as seed trial plants for the University of Minnesota.
There’s a seed library, too, with packets of seeds tucked into a tiny red house similar to a Little Free Library.
Strategically-placed signs identify plants and provide information about gardening in general. This is, after all, a teaching garden.
But for me, these gardens proved primarily a spot to retreat for a bit, to immerse myself in a place that feels restful, soothing, calming. Connecting to nature, whether in a natural or cultivated setting always, always renews my spirit.
TELL ME: Have you found a similar oasis mini garden where you live?
Please check back for more photos from this lovely teaching garden in additional posts.
© Copyright 2022 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
I love the idea of a teaching garden and especially the seed packets to take home. What a lovely place to lunch.
It was a lovely spot for a picnic. And I fully agree on the seed library.
Lovely post, Audrey. I love the seed library!! ❤
Thank you, Penny. It’s good to hear from you.
what a beautiful place of escape from the craziness of the world, and I love, love that it is a teaching garden. brilliant
It seems like we need these places more and more these days. Or at least I do.
The sweetest thing about gardening is it can be done in small spaces. Our local library has a seed library – love that idea along with the books for check out. A garden (fruit/veggie or fauna or flora) helps the pollinators too – birds, bees, butterflies, etc. Plus the bonus is admiring it and enjoying it 🙂 Happy Day – Enjoy!
The Faribault library also has a seed library and a small community vegetable garden. Thank you for always appreciating nature.
We also have Pantry boxes being setup – similar looking to the community ones for books, but stock with pantry ideas. I wonder if the library would be open to the sharing of locally grown produce. The library currently has what they call a butterfly garden. It would be nice to share fresh foods with the community too – not sure about the health standards with that though. May have to research.
The Cannon Falls Library has a shelf for fresh from the garden produce available to anyone. And our library in Faribault has a garden with that produce also available to locals.
Love the seed library! What a great idea for a food desert maybe…
Looks like a wonderful place to have a picnic.
Our public library has a seed library also, and a garden with limited produce available to anyone.
How cool is that?! All the tools to survive in a community.😊
Yes, indeed. 🙂
This sounds like a place I want to visit. A great discovery.
In the city of Tromsø, Norway we checked out an attractive library building and inside found a seed library! How fun!
Buckham Library in Faribault has a seed library, too.
Hi Audrey, THIS is Shelly Miller. I wanted to tell you I really enjoyed your articles on the Master Gardener Teaching Garden. It was such a wonderful description of what we love doing and producing in our Garden’s. I’ve been a Master Gardener for I think 23 years. Thanks again for such a nice representation of our journey putting the gardens together. Shelly
You’re welcome, Shelly, and thank YOU and your master gardener team for creating and tending this teaching garden. I was just there yesterday and, my, how the plants have grown since my last visit. This space is beautiful. I took more photos, including of a Swallowtail on a zinnia. Other people were also enjoying the garden. Know how very much I appreciate this beautiful place of peace in Faribault.