Visit McHenry County gardens on self-guided tour July 11
The McHenry County Master Gardeners and McHenry County College host their annual Garden Walk from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, July 11. The self-guided tour will showcase nine gardens, including a riverfront garden, a dragonfly habitat and a pond garden.
It starts at the McHenry County College Demonstration garden and continues through Crystal Lake, McHenry, Wonder Lake and Richmond. Theme this year is "Right in Our Own Backyard." The Demo Garden at MCC includes a vine garden, shade garden and extensive displays of perennials and annuals. A rain garden will teach visitors lessons in water conservation and how to garden in low areas.
For the first time in its 30-year history, the Master Gardeners have included a garden that fronts the Fox River. This nautically themed property features many varieties of roses that frame the expansive river view. In addition, the walk comes to Wonder Lake for the first time and features two properties. At one site, the lake view and pond garden enhance the gorgeous perennial and vegetable gardens. The other site is a forested lot where homeowners have carved out dragonfly habitats and rain gardens by managing stormwater runoff.
At each of the nine gardens, guests will see a variety of perennials and annuals in eye-catching settings. The garden hosts have labeled their plants and will be on hand to answer questions and share their secrets to success. In addition, Master Gardeners will offer educational materials at each site, highlighting each garden's strengths. Topics such as how to create a pond garden, how to manage stormwater runoff, and how to garden with large dogs will be covered.
The Master Gardener plant sale will take place at the Demo garden, and it will feature some hosts' favorite plants that visitors can try in their own yard. The plants for sale were all grown by Master Gardeners and will be available as quantities last.
Tickets are $17 on day of event. To purchase tickets, visit www.mchenry.edu/gardenwalk. For information, call (815) 479-7570 or email conferencecenter@mchenry.edu.