CLARKS GROVE — Members of the First Baptist Church in Clarks Grove have been busy thinking of new ways to raise money to send kids from the congregation to Dayton Oaks Camp in Dayton, Iowa.

“We send kids to camp every year and wanted to help out with that,” Michelle Peterson said.

Peterson is the owner of Sonshine Gardens, a greenhouse in Clarks Grove, and helped put together an event to raise money to help continue to help children go to camp in the summer. Another church member, Sandi Serdahl, offered her home as a stop on the garden tour.

“We’re always looking for money to help fund this effort,” Serdahl.

A few homeowners in the Clarks Grove and Hollandale area decided to think up a unique fundraiser. A garden tour will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, June 25.

At 8:30 to 9 a.m. people can stop by Sonshine Gardens for coffee and to get a map. Tickets can be purchased that day for $18, or are $15 in advance. The ticket price includes lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. During the lunch people can learn ways to use herbs they’ve grown in recipes. Four homes are included in the tour as well as speaker Jim Tjepkema who will answer seed saving and pest problem questions as well as talk about other gardening issues.

“I thought a tour would be fun to do,” Peterson said.

Peterson said those interested in the tour should contact her or buy a ticket as soon as possible so enough food is prepared for the lunch that’s included. Tickets can be purchased at Addie’s Floral or Hill’s Gardens in Albert Lea, Sonshine Gardens in Clarks Grove, or from any homeowners featured on the tour.

Homes included on the tour are:

Rachel and Jeff Schei

The Schei family lives at 309 Paul Hanson Drive in Clarks Grove, where they’ve been for 5 years. Rachel said she’s been gardening for many years and loves seeing gardens come together. She encourages her children to share in her love of gardening.

Linda and Tom Lang

The Langs live at 29300 771st Ave. in Clarks Grove, where they’ve been for 36 years. Linda’s favorite part of the garden is the stream that runs through it, because she and Tom searched for rocks to line the stream themselves.

Rod and Sandi Serdahl

The Serdahls live at 29252 800th Ave. in Clarks Grove, where they’ve been for about 11 years. Sandi enjoys perennial beds and her fairy garden. Sandi encourages everyone to look for the fairies who inhabit the garden.

June and Bruce Chrz

The Chrz family lives at 26871 775th Ave. in Clarks Grove, where they’ve been for 26 years. June especially enjoys her shade garden, which is a great place to birdwatch. She encourages those on the tour to look for the old farm items in the gardens.