Glorious Garden Tour will feature a trio of homes

Madera Master Gardeners Glorious Garden Tour is set for Saturday, May 16 from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. showcasing a trio of homes and one charming park all sure to delight the sensibilities of green and non-green thumbs alike.

One garden is in the Goldside neighborhood of Oakhurst, another is in Coarsegold and a third is in Yosemite Lakes Park, according to Master Gardener Maureen Chase.

In addition to the homes on the garden tour, Chase said the Madera Master Gardeners will hold a plant and garden décor sale the same day at Fresno Flats Historic Village and Park where members have a garden on display.

The home gardens feature native plants, whimsical garden art, interesting bird houses, deer and drought resistant plants and drip irrigation. The garden owners’ creative spirit and designs will be on full display to inspire others on the tour with ideas for their own gardens.

On tour day, guests will want to wear comfortable shoes and clothing, use sun protection, carry and drink water and ask many questions, organizers said.

Funds raised on the tour will be used to promote free Master Gardening workshops which offer education on best gardening practices using current research information.

“Some previous workshops have featured composting, deer and drought resistant plants and ‘Firewise’ plants and practices that are in high demand in the foothills,” Chase said.

Vegetable gardening, small garden design and saving native bees have also been topics of Master Gardener classes offered at no charge to the public.

Tickets for the Glorious Garden Tour are available for advance purchase for $20 at Market House Collective, Oakhurst Business Center and Western Sierra Nursery in Oakhurst as well as Oak Creek Mobile Home Park and Mountain Feed and Nursery in Coarsegold.

Guests without advance tickets may purchase them for $25 at any of the garden locations.

Madera Master Gardeners is currently made up of 13 individuals from Eastern Madera County along with 45 from Madera. The next Master Gardener class will be in 2027 and Chase said she already knows a few EMC residents are planning to apply.

But you don’t have to be a member to enjoy the fruits of the Master Gardeners’ labor.

“We offer free Master Gardener classes on the fourth Friday of every month at Sierra Senior Center in Oakhurst and at Madera Community College one Saturday a month,” Chase shared.

“There are also Master Food Preserver classes every third Friday at Sierra Senior Center and those require registration.”

The Madera Master Gardeners website includes links to classes and other resources. Visit link.ucanr.edu/maderamg for more information.

Madera Master Food Preservers website is ucanr.edu/site/ucce-master-food-preservers-fresno-madera-and-merced and a calendar of events for the upcoming Master Gardeners class in 2027 can be found at ucanr.edu/county/madera-county/garden-workshops-madera-master-gardeners.