MCC demo garden start for Garden Walk 2014
In celebration of the 35th anniversary of the University of Illinois Extension Master Gardeners' program in McHenry County, master gardeners will showcase their own gardens for a rare glimpse of the fruits of their labors at the annual McHenry County Master Gardener Garden Walk from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, July 12.
Nine amazing gardens will be featured, including eight private residences clustered in the eastern portion of McHenry County and the public Demonstration Garden at McHenry County College.
This year's theme is "How Does Your Garden Grow?" and it is aptly turned around into the question, "How Do Their Gardens Grow?"
"This year's Garden Walk promises the best of the best," said Marianne Zito, a Master Gardener and chairperson of Garden Walk. "After many years of inviting you to see other McHenry County Gardens, Master Gardeners welcome you into their world, showcasing the gardens they've grown and sharing their best advice - the secret language of their flowers and vegetables."
"The Master Gardener program, under the auspices of the University of Illinois Extension, aims to assist gardeners by answering questions, providing research and best practices and hosting a variety of educational opportunities throughout the year," Zito said. "In keeping with the anniversary celebration, Garden Walk 2014 will include tips and tricks, education booths at each garden and experts on hand to answer your questions."
Garden Walk is presented by McHenry County College and the University of Illinois Extension McHenry County Master Gardeners.
Like similar garden walks, this is a self-guided, day-long tour. Guests may come for the entire day or come and go between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. The tour starts at the Master Gardeners' Demonstration Garden at McHenry County College, 8900 Route 14 in Crystal Lake. Visitors are given directions, maps and tickets and instructed to drive to the private gardens on the tour. A plant sale will be held throughout the day at the Demonstration Garden while supplies last.
The Master Gardeners' Demonstration Garden at McHenry County College showcases a wide variety of plants, including eye-popping colorful annuals grown from seed by volunteers in the college greenhouse and perennial gardens for both sun and shade. Other highlights include a butterfly garden, and other themed beds featuring hardy plants for our region.
Eight private gardens at Master Gardeners' homes feature a variety of native plants to unique exotics, aimed to thrill guests with dazzling color and design.
Visitors may purchase tickets for $17 through McHenry County College by calling (815) 455-8588, event ID NCCS50 002. Tickets are available the day of the walk at MCC's Demonstration Garden or at each participating garden for $17. Upon purchase, visitors receive a list of the gardens, a map, and a booklet of tickets. Each garden requires a ticket for entry, and the stub doubles as a raffle ticket for door prizes.