The self-guided Southeast Idaho Garden Tour is back Saturday.
Beginning at 9 a.m., the tour lists 12 gardens across the region to visit by 3 p.m. Tickets cost $10 for adults with no charge for children. Tickets are available at Sunnyside Gardens, Town and Country Gardens and Eagle Rock Nursery. The greenhouses offer door prizes and raffles. All proceeds will benefit Happyville Community Farm in Idaho Falls.
“This is a biennial one, because we did it two years ago and we hadn’t had one before that in 10 years,” said Linda Carter Beck, president of the Idaho Falls Garden Club.
The tour is presented by the garden clubs of Idaho Falls and Roberts.
“It’s quite a bit of driving for people who want to see them all,” Beck said. “Anyone can afford $10 to see some beautiful yards you’ve always wanted to peek into.”
Seven of the gardens are in Idaho Falls, with another two in Ammon and single ones in Ririe, Shelley and Roberts.
Beck said the gardens are chosen by referrals from residents based on how beautiful their gardens look or by referrals from garden club members, such as the one for the garden at 330 Lava St., where Angella Farmer strives to create a habitat enjoyed by bugs and birds as much as humans.
“She’s got everything in there you can think of,” Beck said.
The tour is sponsored by Johnson Brothers Building Products, 4 Seasons Garden Design, Zions Bank and Oakenstone Properties.
“That pays for any expenses we have,” Beck said. “We’re hoping to raise a couple thousand dollars. We’ve supported Happyville the last few years.”
Happyville Community Farm is located at 640 S. Saturn Ave. in Idaho Falls and is on the tour. It’s an independent, nonprofit organization operated as an organic food bank run entirely by volunteers and funded through grants, community fundraisers and donations.
“Last year they gave away an estimated 6,000 pounds of produce to the needy,” Beck said. “They promote gardening and healthy living. We’re kind of behind that with our garden club. They feed the needy. That’s needed now more than ever.”
Another tour stop at 3046 Disney Drive in Idaho Falls features all native plants in Kristin Kaser’s front yard.
“You can plant native plants that are drought tolerant,” Beck said.
The tour might also support an uptick in gardening.
“We only have about 15 garden club members,” Beck said. “We’ve been trying to keep it going for several years. We’ve stayed a local garden club.
“Gardening is taking a little bit of a front seat with the price of edging and everything,” Beck said. “So it’s helping to stimulate interest in gardening.”