Touring Other Gardens This Summer

It's fun to see what other gardeners are growing.

Part of the garden at Long Creek Herb Farm.

Many towns and cities around the Ozarks host tours of historic homes and gardens in spring and early summer. We host our annual Long Creek Herb Farm’s Garden Open House every year in June. This year, the date is Saturday, June 23, 9:00 to 3:00 and there’s no charge for touring the garden on that day. Tour the gardens, ask questions and meet other gardeners. (Call ahead for directions: 417-779-5450).

Following is a listing of some of the fun events built around agritourism and gardening you might enjoy across the Ozarks. You can also do a Google search for “agritourism Missouri” or “garden tours Arkansas (or Missouri),” and find lots more.

Learn new methods for growing, or controlling insect pests.

Hermann, MO, tours of historic homes and gardens: hermanngardentours.com/
MO Botanic Gardens, year around including their famous Japanese Gardens and Kids Gardens: missouribotanicalgarden.org/

Evening Shade gardens at the Soap House near Osceola, MO

Off the Beaten Path, Eureka Springs’ annual tour of gardens, was in late May. But any time of year you can stroll the streets and see the well-kept, historic gardens. Tour especially the beautiful pocket gardens at each of the historic springs around the city.

P.Allen Smith Gardens, by reservation: pallensmith.com/garden-home-retreat/visit

Newly planted gardens around the recently-opened Crystal Bridges Art Museum in Bentonville, AR: crystalbridges.org/

Botanical Garden of the Ozarks, Fayetteville, AR: bgozarks.org/
Arkansas Governor’s Mansion tours: arkansasgovernorsmansion.com/tours.html Arkansas State Fair, Oct 12-21: arkansasstatefair.com
Springfield-Green County Botanical Center, with lots of activities and classes, Springfield, MO: ozarksgardens.com/

Missouri State Fair, Aug. 9-19: mostatefair.com/
Washington County Home Grown Farm Tour, Aug. 25-26: washingtoncountyfair.com/
Southeast MO District Fair, Cape Girardeau Fair, Sep 8-15: semofair.com/
Ozark Empire Fair, Jul 27-Aug 4:  ozarkempirefair.com/

The official AgriMissouri car.

AgriMissouri has a great website which lists lots of agri-tourism sites around the state including agricultural festivals, farm tours and lots more: visitmo.com/Agritourism

Why not visit a farm, garden or farmers market this season and see what other gardeners are growing? See what’s happening in my garden this week at: jimlongsgarden.blogspot.com and read more at jimlongscolumns.blogspot.com. Happy gardening!