To say Jane Horn loves to play in the dirt would be true, but also an understatement. The local woman has been a leader of the Prior Lake Garden Club for nearly two decades and still believes that creating something beautiful is meant to be shared.

Not a huge fan of growing vegetables or herbs, she readily admits her preference is working with plants or flowers that will be used in unique and colorful displays. Horn also enjoys sharing her knowledge with fellow gardeners in her neighborhood and throughout the extended community. For years she has led garden tours in the metro area, with more scheduled for dates in July and August.

A leader in the University of Minnesota’s master gardener program, her skills are well-known throughout the Twin Cities area, having frequently been recognized for her beautiful designs. In 2009, her garden was chosen as one of the Star Tribune’s “Beautiful Gardens,” which was also featured the following year on the Better Homes and Gardens website. Two of her container creations have been featured in the Fine Gardening magazine.

Today, the yard of the home she shares with husband LeRoy continues to be filled with a wide assortment of individual gardens

and sculptures. She and a neighbor have even gone so far as to build a container garden that hides the large utility box area on their street.

“My mother was quite the gardener, she said. “If a gardener is putting a lot of work into a project, they want to share it with others.”

Horn has been involved in the Prior Lake Garden Club since 2001 and has served as its chair for the past 17 years. She laughs while recalling that the club was originally named “Mums and Poppies.” With approximately 65 current members, anyone can join its mailing list for free.

Garden tours in Farmington were scheduled for this week. Two others are scheduled later this summer. The July 17 tour will include gardens in Bloomington and Minneapolis. On Aug. 21, gardens in Bloomington and Eden Prairie will be highlighted.

Anyone interested in joining the Prior Lake Garden Club or participating in one of the tours should email Horn at oyjane2@gmail.com.

“Tours are one of the best ways to get inspired. Our group is educational and also gives those who love to garden an opportunity to connect with others,” Horn said. “We learn so much from each other and it’s more fun to see what others have done with their garden.”