The Master Gardeners of Barton County will present a free Great Bend vegetable and flower garden tour from 5-8 p.m. on Friday, June 25.

The program is presented by the Cottonwood District of the K-State Research and Extension - Barton County. Master Gardeners is an educational volunteer training program sponsored by the extension.

“We’re still a fairly new group,” said Master Gardeners President Sarah Shirer. This showcase of members’ work is a way to share their enthusiasm for gardening.

For this self-guided tour, visit any or all of these gardens:

• Great Bend Public Library parking lot corner gardens, 1409 Williams (Linda Dougherty, Master Gardener)

Dougherty can offer suggestions on flower bed borders, appropriate soil mixes, watch requirements and planting material for perennial plants that work well in full sun and window downtown conditions.

• Family Friendly Home Garden, 6025 Aspen (Sara Williams, Master Gardener)

Stop by the Williams residence and see how Sara balances an active young family with growing a fine garden. Her Salsa Garden has everything needed to make homemade salsa. 

• Vegetable Teaching Garden, Washington Early Education Center, south playground entrance, 2536 12th St. (Barb Davenport & Gary Weiser, Master Gardeners)

Here’s a great way to study raised planting beds. Plants include tomatoes, peppers, zucchini, herbs, potatoes and onions. Check out the in-ground watering system and learn how to customize a similar system for your own gardening needs. The front of the school is on Lakin Ave., but you’ll find the garden on 12th Street.

• Xeriscaping Home Garden, 3211 Broadway (Monica Bowers, Master Gardener)

To xeriscape means to landscape an area in a style that requires little or no irrigation. This water-smart, drought-tolerant garden is snuggled into a partly shaded neighborhood. Monica can offer information about rain barrels and other ways to develop a sustainable garden, as well as ideas for the hardscape (i.e., the non-living stuff in your yard, such as rocks, fountains, benches or gazebos). 

• Country Home Garden, 402 S. Washington (Melissa Leaneagh, Master Gardener)

Melissa is a container garden fan who can talk about re-potting houseplants to keep them happy outside for the summer. The home is near South Washington and SW 40 Road, so it can also be reached by taking U.S. 281 south to SW 40 Road and driving west toward Washington.

Special Garden Tour Events

• Growing Green Stuff, 5-6 p.m. at 6025 Aspen; Question and Answer session with Extension Agent Alicia Boor

• Turf and Tree Care, 7-8 p.m. at 3211 Broadway, by Jeremy Elliott of MyLawn

For information regarding Master Gardener class availability and cost, contact District Horticulture Agent Lauren Fick at the Barton County Extension Office, 1800 12th St. in Great Bend, 620-793-1910. Follow Barton County Extension Master Gardeners on Facebook for events and timely garden information.