The Northeast Iowa Greenhouse Tour features over 40,000 flowers, plants, garden art, and more. The annual tour includes stops at local meat lockers.
Visiting greenhouses is on my list of must-do activities every spring. Confession time! I enjoy visiting greenhouses year-round, especially at Christmas time.
In 2019, my tour buddy, Tony, and I headed out mid-morning and were only able to visit a few of the greenhouses because we got a late start and spent so much time at each stop; plus, we only went out one day and did not take into consideration travel time. Every stop was worth visiting, and we could not wait to check out different businesses this year. The plan for 2021 is to see a few on Saturday and spend all day Sunday traipsing around NE Iowa. Planning is key!
A few tips for a successful and memorable weekend!
* Download the tour guide at www.visitiowa.org. Plan out your route so you are not going back and forth from one County to another.
* Double check the times the businesses are open as the times vary, and not all are open on Sunday.
* Make sure to have cash on hand as not all the stores accept debit and credit cards.
* Stock up on snacks and water, so you do not have to spend valuable time stopping for lunch during open hours. Make plans to stop for dinner at one of the area’s restaurants.
* Do not forget to take selfies among the colorful flowers and plants.
* Check out their website before heading out. Do not forget to become Facebook friends for ideas and up-to-date information throughout the year.
Below are the greenhouses we visited in 2019, and we recommend including them on your 2021 tour. The list is alphabetically organized.
Table of Contents
Buchanan County
In the Country Garden & Gifts, 2587 Quasqueton Diagonal Blvd., Independence. Open Saturday and Sunday from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Have questions about Hostas? Ask Josh and Sue Spece. They carry the largest selection of Hostas; thus, their marketing tagline is spot on, Hosta County. www.inthecountrygardenandgifts.com
Clayton County
Outdoor Creations Garden Center, 205 West Spruce St., Monona – Open Saturday 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and Sunday from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Offers vegetable plants, annuals, perennials, hanging baskets & flowers, trees, shrubs, fountains, and garden art. Strolling through the outdoor center looking at the plants and trees was like walking through a park. So many choices! www.outdoorcreationsmonona.com
Fayette County
Corner Market & Greenhouse, 5851 Palace Rd., Oelwein – Open Saturday 9:00 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The owners invite you to stop in for your flower fix. Rows and rows of colorful flowers greet you as you enter the greenhouses. They also carry a wide assortment of fruit-bearing plants. www.cornermarketgreenhouse.com
K&K Gardens, 108 E. Wilbur St., Hawkeye – Open Saturday and Sunday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. – This is a destination garden center. They have everything an experienced or amateur gardener could want. www.kkgardens.com
Howard County
Plantpeddler, 530 2nd Ave. SW, Cresco – Open Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. – A Northeast Iowa gem. www.plantpeddler.com
Winneshiek County
Decorah Greenhouses, 701 Mound St., Decorah – Open 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Closed Sunday. – Drop off your cemetery urns and have Decorah Greenhouse fill them with healthy, beautiful geraniums and ornamental grasses. They will be ready to pick them up in time for Memorial Day. The flowers look beautiful all summer long. www.decorahgreenhouses.com
Henzler’s Garden Shop, 1812 Highway 9 East, Decorah Open Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Sunday 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. – Looking for a hot-air balloon to hang on your desk or a dragon sculpture for your garden this is the place to go. No website.
Ladybug Landscape and Decorah Floral, 906 South Mechanic St., Decorah, Open Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and Sunday from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. – You will find what you are looking for here. www.ladybugdecorah.com
Pinter’s Gardens and Pumpkins, 2475 State Hwy. 9, Decorah – Open Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Sunday 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. – In addition to a large selection of plants and garden art, you will want to save room for homemade fudge. Delicious! www.pintersgardensandpumpkins.com
Seed Savers Exchange, 3074 North Winn Rd., Decorah – Open Saturday and Sunday from 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. – Seed Savers is known for their heirloom seeds, but did you know that they carry a collection of gardening books for adults and children? If you have never visited Seeds Savers, you need to if just to see their vistas! Have an Iowa finishing license, bring along a pole? www.seedsavers.org