STORM LAKE — Local horticulture and landscape enthusiasts have the opportunity to tour three Iowa landmarks — Reiman Gardens, the Iowa Arboretum and Red Granite Farms — through a one-day bus tour offered by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach on Aug. 24.

“We’re really excited to offer a fun learning opportunity to not only our local Master Gardeners, but to anyone interested in horticulture,” said Lora Wright, Sac County Master Gardener Program Coordinator with ISU Extension and Outreach.

Wright said that the bus will depart at 7 a.m. on Aug. 24 with attendee pick-up options at the ISU Extension and Outreach Buena Vista County office in Storm Lake or the Sparky’s Gas Station at the intersection of Highway 4 and Highway 20.

From there, the first stop will be Red Granite Farm, a Boone County diversified business, including three acres of vegetables, 800 laying hens and over 200 varieties of hardy perennials, vines, shrubs, annuals, and succulents.

Next, the tour will proceed to Reiman Gardens. A long-time Iowa State University landmark, Reiman Gardens is one of the finest and most unique gardens in the country. For many years, the Gardens have remained an oasis of natural beauty and education for generations of students and guests.

While at Reiman Gardens, participants will be treated to a boxed lunch and self-guided tour, allowing individuals to explore the areas that they have most interest in.

Lastly, the bus tour will visit the Iowa Arboretum, a unique landscape featuring over 6,000 woody and herbaceous plants and 120 acres of native woodland and prairie. The Arboretum is known as one of the largest and most diverse displays of plants that can be successfully grown in Iowa.

“We’ll cover a lot of miles and see some truly beautiful scenery during the bus tour,” Wright said.

Wright said that the tour bus plans to return to Storm Lake at approximately 6 p.m. Aug. 24.

Registration fee is $50 per person. Active Master Gardeners receive a discounted rate of $35/Master Gardener or $50/Master Gardener and spouse. The registration fee covers the cost of the bus, entrance into the tours and a boxed lunch.

To register for the Iowa Gardens and Landscapes tour, call Lora at the ISU Extension and Outreach Sac County office at 712-662-7131. Paid registration deadline is July 21.

For more information, contact your local ISU Extension and Outreach County office.