The ultimate goal of the Patty Jischke Children's Garden is to get children interested in plants and nature at a young age.
With agriculture as its main theme, this garden contains many elements you would expect to find on an Iowa farmstead. This includes a stock tank, a scarecrow garden, a covered bridge patterned on those made famous from Madison County, Iowa, a corn crib pavilion and a stream garden.
Features popular with children include the "spitting frogs" that shoot water across the stock tank, often at an unsuspecting little brother or sister; the tumble mounds perfect for games of Red Rover and King of the Hill and the sod house that often becomes a hide-out.
The overall theme of the scarecrow garden changes annually. Previous themes have been a multi-cultural, an ABC and a Wizard of Oz garden.
Children learn the importance of recycling with the compost bins located at the back of the garden.
Classes and demonstrations can be held in the CornCrib Pavilion. For skits, story time and plays, the Ampitheater is a great place. It is designed to seat up to 30 children.
Please click on the thumbnails below to view full size images.
