Garden Fair

Cowsmo Inc. makes and sells organic compost and potting soils throughout the midwest. It is owned and operated by fifth-generation dairy farmers near Cochrane, Wisconsin. Cowsmo Compost is the finest compost available in the Midwest. Check their website for local businesses in the Twin Cities and suburbs where the compost is sold.

Made by two shepherds in Eau Claire, Wisc. Woolly Belly Pellets are a ­natural fertilizer. They hold moisture, require less frequent watering, and are a sustainable replacement for peat moss. Also available: Sheepy Shreds wool mulch to hold water, stop weeds, and regulate soil temperature.

A brother duo from Wisconsin make fabric plant liners as an alternative to coco liners for your hanging planters. We also make unique fabric transplantable pots that truly make transplanting easy. Also on Facebook at ezswappots.

Friends for a Noniolent World works to create a world free from violence. Programs include the Everyday NonViolence Podcast that highlights leaders working to create an equitable world; Alternatives to Violence Project (AVP) that provides adults and youth with experiential workshops in nonviolence and conflict transformation in prison and ­community settings; and People Camp, a social-change summer camp. 

Handmade windchimes and suncatchers made from Lake Superior driftwood, 
cowbells from India, homemade hooks, resin figures, wooden beads, glass beads and crystal prisms.

Each colorful leaf cast is a unique piece of art for home or garden—we start by picking an individual leaf, which is cast and then hand painted using outdoor acrylic paints. Display indoors or outdoors! All leaves are handmade in Roseville, Minn.  

The Little Black Rake (Stone Cottage Gardens), created and manufactured in MidMichigan, is a lightweight, double-tined rake that has many uses for the landscape, garden, and animal clean-up. Find us on Facebook, our website, or phone us at 989-965-0259.  

Frustrated by the mountain of inaccurate or irrelevant growing info for northern ­gardeners? We get it—we live and garden in a short season, too. For 155+ years, the Minnesota State Horticultural Society (MSHS) has been ­supporting northern gardeners of all ages and skill levels with Northern Gardener magazine, classes, an online Resource Hub, blog and bimonthly enews. Find growing tips and inspiration for this area, so you can spend less time digging for info and more time enjoying your garden. MSHS members save $5 on a purchase of $50 or more at the Friends School Plant Sale, among many ­other discounts. Not a member? Join our growing northern gardener community today!

MWGS was founded to increase the­ ­enjoyment and enthusiasm for water gardening through promotion, ­education and shared ­experiences. It offers a news­letter, meetings (currently video-­conferencing), pond parties, and a Garden Tour open to the public. Membership is $35 per year. Check out its activities and great water garden resources at its website, or follow them on Facebook. Their plant listings in the Garden Fair are on pages 6 and 7 of the catalog.

Products for progressives since 1979, ranging from social justice, environmental, and humorous ­messages printed on gardening and environmentally themed  T-shirts, magnets, canvas bags, ­stickers, buttons, and more. Located at 2916 East Lake Street.

An organic lawn care company that provides an ­alternative to chemical lawn care. Only 100% OMRI-certified organic ­fertilizers, natural weed management strategies, and soil amendment ­applications.  

A mobile houseplant shop offering a variety of live houseplants and accessories to make the hobby of houseplant gardening successful and fun. For the new hobbyist and the experienced plant parent. Come visit to see what’s inside!

Hand-stamped garden stakes and plant-themed keychains and bookmarks. Every letter and design is individually and ­carefully ­hand-stamped in ­aluminum. 

Find out about the upcoming tour in the neighborhood just west of the State Fairgrounds. The tour is on Saturday, June 28, 2025 with $15 tickets available May 1. Musicians or artists in many gardens!  

In its 14th year providing exquisite and ­decorative garden stones to customers. Hand-cast individually, these garden stones are rated for 4,000 psi and are made to withstand all weather conditions, both in summer and in ­winter.

Green Fin Plant Care is a 100% natural fertilizer sourced responsibly from invasive carp species that are damaging Minnesota waterways. Made locally in the Twin Cities area, Green Fin Plant Care is great for home, garden or field use and contains the rich nutrients your plants and crops crave.

French patisserie with croissants, pain au chocolat, Kouign Amann, coffee, and more! 
Friday and Saturday only.

Bratwurst, German potato salad, mac and cheese, potato chips, and water. 

Popped fresh with a mix of sweet and salty. It’s a State Fair treat in May! Hours may start later than the Garden Fair’s.

Serving up tasty tater tot concoctions, poutine tots, loaded tots, tater tot nachos, ­pizza tots and more, including our NEW Dill pickle tots!