This year’s tour will feature residential gardens in several neighborhoods of Flagstaff, including Cherry Hill, University Heights, Sunnyside, Downtown, the famous ‘Banana Belt’, Country Club and the community of Donnie Park. Each region has its own microclimate, topographic features, gardening benefits and challenges. Learn how local gardeners have adapted to these unique environments and take home creative ideas for your own gardening space.

In addition to residential gardens, this year’s tour will also feature cut flower farms, community gardens, urban farms and community-led co-ops. Below is a brief description of what you can expect as part of the tour.

Discover small cooperative farms aimed at building resilient community networks through permaculture principles, collaborative learning and social connections in the historic townsite district. High tunnels protect different varieties of tomatoes, peppers, microgreens, broccoli and herbs from the elements. In fact, the first tomatoes of the season, which were grown under the high tunnel, were harvested in early July! Community members, agricultural apprentices and NAU students work together to grow food here, with the majority of the harvest donated to local food banks. In addition to growing plants, the farm also manages a composting system and raises chickens. Stop by and meet Barbara, the beautiful Queen of the Hut.

Arriving at the Donny Park Residence, you will be greeted by an abundance of flower gardens. Explore warm-season cut-flower gardens, cottage-style cut-flower gardens, and pumpkin fields. In addition to the cuttings garden, you can enjoy various kinds of perennial flowers in the garden. Zinnias, sunflowers, delphiniums, digitalis, statice, feverfew, snapdragons, columbine, penstemons and daisies are some of the beauties to admire here.

University Heights gardens feature raised beds and terraces made from local limestone and filled with a variety of vegetables, herbs, fruits and flowers. If you don’t mind planting a garden under the shade of tall ponderosa pines, visit this residential space to get some ideas on what you can do with what you have. This large urban site houses chickens, has a water collection system and features a unique way to recycle empty bottles.

At the base of Mount Elden, Flagstaff’s Banana Belt is one of the best areas in town for gardening. This is because Elden’s warm southwest-facing rocks absorb the sun’s heat during the day and radiate it at night. The gardens at Grandview Homes are filled with fruit trees and shrubs such as currants, cherries and peaches. Walk among raised islands that are fenced to prevent animal intrusion and efficiently irrigated by an easy-to-install drip system. The mansion also functions as an art studio with several shady corners used to create and inspire beautiful works of art.

Tickets for the event are available at Warners Nursery and online. Available August 12th from 9am-12pm at Warners for $15. You will receive a wristband and a map when you purchase your admission ticket. While at Warners, you can do a little shopping or grab a coffee at Dotty’s Cafe. Purchase tickets online through Eventbrite for $18 https://www.eventbrite.com/e/377973076647/, you will receive maps and tickets by email the night before the tour. The gardens are open from 10 AM to 4 PM. Hosts and volunteers will guide you on site.

*CMGA is a non-profit group of gardeners dedicated to teaching classes and growing gardens. Proceeds from the tour will be used to fund community garden education and improvement projects. CMGA awards $2,000 to he $5,000 grants each year. CMGA and the Coconino County Master Gardener Program would like to thank this year’s garden organizers and Master Gardener volunteers for making this fundraising event possible.