This large antique tobacco wagon is one of the main features in Betty and Roger Kern’s yard. The wagon helps give the yard its farm feel that the couple enjoys so much. (Photos by Maggie Kenworthy)

The Syracuse-Wawasee Garden Walk took place on Saturday, June 27, despite the constant rain and wind. The event brochure claimed that the walk would continue “rain or shine” and it did just that.

Five different gardens were featured during the walk. Deb and John Landa, Betty and Roger Kern, Judy and Alex Pursley, Kristy and Rusty Rumfelt and LuAnne and Lew Derrickson all opened their gardens for visitors.

The first garden on the list was Deb and John Landa of 71701 CR 133. The yard was a 5-acre lot that the couple proudly planted all by themselves. It featured a koi pond, a natural prairie and a large fishing pond.

“The main thing is we do everything ourselves, mistakes and all,” said homeowner Deb Landa. When asked about her favorite part of the garden she replied, “The water features. We love the sound of the water and the fish, we just really enjoy it.”

The next stop on the garden walk was Betty and Roger Kern’s garden at 72931 CR 133.  This garden featured a variety of flowerbeds and vegetable gardens. The yard was full of garden art including an antique tobacco wagon and a Harley Davidson windmill.

The couple spends an average of 20 hours a week maintaining their yard.

“When we bought it it was just a cornfield,” said Betty Kern. “We ripped everything out and started from scratch.”

The third house on the list was of Judy and Alex Pursley at 6837 E. Eli Lilly Road. Their garden featured a variety of annuals, perennials and grasses. The deck is full of a variety of potted plants that brighten up the atmosphere of the house.

The fourth house on the garden walk was at 11078 N. 450 E., owned by Kristy and Rusty Rumfelt. They garden was made unique by large Tennessee outcroppings creating walls in their garden. Their yard also featured a koi pond, which was a popular feature at the garden walk this year.

“My personal favorite is the koi pond,” said Rusty Rumfelt. “Just the sound of it and the fish, plus the kids really have fun with it too.”

The final stop on the garden walk was the house of LuAnne and Lew Derrickson at 10730-33 N. Southshore Drive. This house featured a white picket fence and pergola decorated with hanging plants. This, along with many container plantings, gave the house a true cottage feel.

Each of the houses truly had a unique garden to view. The variety of yards made this year’s Syracuse-Wawasee Garden Walk a great place to get ideas for your own home.

All of the proceeds from the event will be used to promote the projects of the Syracuse-Wawasee Garden Club. The garden club helps with the planting of city parks and is in charge of the hanging baskets featured on lamp posts around town.