Next weekend, June 6-7, six private gardens will open their doors to visitors during the biannual Garden Tour sponsored by the Douglas County Extension Master Gardeners. The tour also features one public garden and a plant sale. Each of the gardens has its own highlights, whether showing off the best plant selections for the Lawrence area, offering inspiration on how to deal with tough garden spaces, or giving visitors ideas to make their gardens their own.

Private garden locations are only available in the tickets; please respect tour hours and garden owners’ privacy.

The garden of Ginny and Bob Turvey will be featured in the upcoming Master Gardener Garden Tour on June 6-7.

A waterfall in the garden of Ginny and Bob Turvey helps cut the noise from nearby traffic.

The plant sale is 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday only and features insecticide-free native plants.

Master Gardeners will be available at each of the gardens during the tour and at the plant sale to help answer questions and provide resources.

More information is available at www.douglascountymastergardeners.com.

A sneak peak at the gardens:

Grimes garden, Jim Grimes and John Staniunas, Barker neighborhood

With the largest bur oak in Douglas County in the backyard, this garden features great planting ideas for heavy shade and tree root competition. The sunny front yard has an array of ornamental grasses with a mix of annuals and perennials for season-long color.

McBride garden, Marilyn and Mike McBride, Sunset Hills neighborhood

The backyard of this property had a steep, mostly unusable hillside that the McBrides restructured with terraces. A large walnut tree adds a special challenge in finding plants that can tolerate its toxins. The gardens also feature multiple pieces of art.

Turvey garden, Ginny and Bob Turvey, Alvamar neighborhood

Just off a busy street, the Turveys created a waterfall to drown out the noise of passing traffic and create a space for entertaining. Multiple garden spaces throughout the yard offer ideas of plants and combinations for both sun and shade.

Stella garden, Beth and Val Stella, West Hills neighborhood

Plant collectors will delight in the unusual species found in this garden, but anyone can take inspiration from the way the Stellas change the mood of their garden throughout the year and from year to year with annual plantings mixed among the shrubs and trees. A dry creek in the backyard offers a solution to drainage issues.

Pohl garden, Judy and Charles Pohl, West Hills neighborhood

Bird lovers must see this garden, with its sanctuary-like space, plantings, and shelters to attract multiple species of feathered friends. Lots of containers and annuals liven up spaces in a unique way.

Passman garden, Michele and Bruce Passman, Western Hills neighborhood

A long narrow lot with a creek at the back features a water garden, multiple landscape spaces, a raised bed vegetable garden, and still has spaces for the owners’ granddaughters to play. This all-organic, kid-friendly, and pet-friendly beauty will please and surprise visitors.

Audio-Reader Sensory Garden, Kansas University campus

Volunteers maintain a garden on the grounds of Baehr Audio-Reader center with a goal of providing a sensory experience to visitors. Plants are selected for their textures and scents. Brick pathways and raised beds make the garden wheelchair accessible and plants within easy reach.

If you go

The tour runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $10 per person and can be purchased during the tour at any of the participating gardens, at the plant sale, and at local garden centers. Advance tickets are also available through the local garden centers, or through K-State Research and Extension – Douglas County, 2110 Harper St. Carried infants are free to attend, but tour sponsors ask that strollers be left at home.