Featuring more than 1,200 acres of magnificent gardens, meticulous landscapes, Minnesota woodlands, wetlands and prairies, and an extensive collection of native and cultivated flora, the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum in Chaska, is a leading expert in northern landscapes.
It first began as the Horticultural Research Center in 1908, developing apple varieties that could withstand sub-zero winters. It has since grown in its mission to welcome, inform and inspire all its visitors through horticultural research, education and practice. The Minnesota Landscape Arboretum now serves as a research center and extension of the University of Minnesota’s College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences (CFANS).
Connecting People and Nature
Creating a place where anyone can immerse themselves in the natural world and find community in its appreciation is a primary focus for the Arboretum. Since its foundation, the grounds have evolved and expanded to better support key education, research and conservation initiatives, as well as provide more opportunities to visitors. “A lot of people come here for an experience. Whether you want to explore hiking trails, walk through the gardens and soak in the beauty, or learn about plants, there’s a variety of things to see and do here,” said Susie Koepp, Operations Supervisor for the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum.
Visitors often meander through the grounds on the Three-Mile Walk, open year-round, taking in the sights of nearly 40 gardens and landscapes and more than 200 works of art. Iconic buildings include the Leon C. Snyder Education and Research Building, the Marion Andrus Learning Center, the Oswald Visitor Center, the Tashjian Bee & Pollinator Discovery Center and Farm at the Arb, where apprentices learn hands-on technical training in local food production.
Landscaping and gardening workshops, classes and camps are also offered to members of the community. Students young and old can dig into topics about horticulture, urban gardening, natural ecosystems and more — sparking a love and appreciation for all things plants. On top of that, the Arboretum also plays host to a variety of events, including live music series, markets, wellness retreats and an annual winter light display.
Taking Great Care
Caring for such expansive and impressive grounds requires many hours, hands and the right equipment. There are three mechanics on staff at the Arboretum and a horticulture team of about 60. Half of those are students from the University of Minnesota and other colleges, who provide much needed assistance in the summer.
Crews tackle watering, planting, mowing, weeding, turning garden beds and more using a full fleet of Toro® equipment. Their go-to tools for grounds maintenance include Groundmaster® mowers, Workman® utility vehicles, 62- and 72-inch mowers, tillers, weed trimmers, battery-operated leafblowers and snowblowers. The Dingo® compact utility vehicle is also a crew-favorite because of its versatility. It’s been used for trenching, post hole digging and rock hauling, and it’s small enough to get into tight garden areas without tearing up the landscaping. “We have mostly Toro equipment,” said Koepp. “It’s easier to stock all the supplies you need for oil changes and other equipment maintenance tasks.”
Beyond the staff and equipment, volunteers play a big part in garden and landscape maintenance. At the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, volunteers outnumber staff 5 to 1. Outdoor enthusiasts, expert groups and those eager to learn something new, all come out to help maintain more than 1,200 acres. Toro also volunteers at the Arboretum every year — performing tasks such as building up areas to prevent wash out, laying rock and mulch, and maintaining walking paths. “It is such a fun day when they come out,” said Koepp. “We just know they’re going to get the job done.”
