Master Gardeners Present: 2012 EDUCATIONAL GARDEN TOUR

[Master Gardeners of San Mateo and SF Counties]

Tickets go on sale May 15 

Get inspiration and advice about creating sustainable, water-wise gardens by attending the 2012 Educational Garden Tour sponsored by Master Gardeners of San Mateo and San Francisco Counties.  The tour will be held on June 23, 2012.  This year’s tour features six gardens that are attractive, practical, easy to maintain and a joy to be in.  The gardens are in Atherton, Menlo Park, Redwood City and San Carlos.

The tour offers a wide range of garden styles.  There is a southwestern style cactus garden, an all-edible home landscape, a natural garden to complements mature oak trees, a large garden that uses a variety of alternatives to the traditional turf lawn and a party garden--the "Rockin' M Rancho" designed for entertaining and filled with delightful folk art.   The gardens include combinations of low water ornamental plants and edibles and incorporate other sustainable gardening practices.

The local Master Gardener demonstration garden at Redwood High School in Redwood City is included in the tour. This school garden features vegetables, fruit trees, herbs and chickens.  

Master Gardener volunteers will be on hand in each garden to answer questions and demonstrate sustainable gardening practices, including turf alternatives, wildlife-friendly gardening, efficient irrigation, growing edibles and much more.   A plant sale will feature vegetable and herb seedlings, blooming plants and succulents.

The 2012 Educational Garden Tour will be held on June 23 from 10am to 4pm.  The tour begins at Redwood High School at 1968 Old County Road in Redwood City.  Maps to the gardens will be handed out at tour check-in.  All tickets are $20.   Tickets will be available the day of the tour (by cash or check only) at Redwood High School or purchased in advance by credit card.  To learn more and to purchase advance tickets online, visit SMSF-MasterGardeners.ucanr.org.

Proceeds help finance the educational activities of the San Mateo/San Francisco Master Gardener program.