FARGO — A north Fargo garden shaped by family roots and decades of tending will be open to the public during the Red River Valley Garden Tour, offering neighbors a close-up look at plantings that are both personal and prolific.
Longtime gardener, local memory
Tim Flakoll moved into his north Fargo home in 1997 and has cultivated the yard ever since. His interest in flowers, he said, traces back through generations: his mother Wilma gardened, her mother did as well, and Flakoll grew up on a farm and ranch. Those ties are visible in the yard, where plants are labeled and at least one peony is marked as coming from the family farmstead near Forbes, N.D.
For Flakoll, this year’s tour carries added meaning: July 16 is the third anniversary of his mother’s death. He called the opportunity to show the garden a sentimental way to commemorate her.
What visitors will see
- Plant labels identifying varieties and family connections — including an old peony traced to the family farm.
- A focus on blooms: Flakoll said he prefers plants that flower regularly rather than foliage-only choices.
- Live art: the artist known as Rando will create paintings on site in Flakoll’s yard during the tour.
Flakoll noted that the peony stock from the farm has a long life span; he said the original plant is about 68 years old and, at home, can produce more than 200 buds in a season.
Tour details and logistics
The public is invited to visit Flakoll’s yard along with seven other featured gardens on the Red River Valley Garden Tour.
| What | When | Where | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|
| Red River Valley Garden Tour | 1 to 7 p.m., Wednesday, July 15; 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Thursday, July 16 | North Fargo (site map available online) | $17; $20 in advance |
A map and more information are available at the tour website: rrvgardentour.com. Organizers have arranged the schedule so visitors can see multiple gardens across the two days.
“It's kind of sentimental. You feel in a way driven to do something that she would like,” Flakoll said of showcasing the yard on the tour.
The presentation of Flakoll’s garden highlights how private green spaces in Fargo connect people to family histories, neighborhood culture and seasonal rhythms. For residents seeking inspiration or a reflective visit, the tour offers an accessible way to explore how longtime gardeners keep traditions alive in city yards.
Local visitors should plan their route using the online map and consider timing — the two-day schedule staggers hours to accommodate both evening visitors and morning garden-goers. The addition of live painting at Flakoll’s site adds an arts component to what is primarily a horticultural experience.
