By MIKE COURSON
Great Bend Post
The K-State Research and Extension Master Gardeners present their third annual Gathering of the Gardeners on Friday, June 23, from 5-8 p.m. This year's free Community Garden Tour features five more gardens, each different from past selections, and each with a different angle on gardening. Alicia Boor, agriculture and natural resources agent in the Cottonwood District for K-State Research and Extension, said the Master Gardeners work hard to choose a variety of gardens to showcase.
"At the beginning of the year, our Master Gardener group, in their meetings, discuss different locations, what locations we've done in the past, and which ones we can highlight for this coming year," she said. "Over a couple-month period, it starts coming together into what you see in the actual garden tour."
One of the big stops this year will be the Victory Garden at the Barton County Historical Village, 85 U.S. Highway 281, south of Great Bend. Ten raised beds were added prior to the growing season for gardeners who may not have space of their own. Veronica Coons has headed up work at the Victory Garden.
"It's coordinated between the Conservation District and also her as a Master Gardener," Boor said. "She started the year teaching about lasagna gardens last fall. This spring, she did Tuesday lunch-and-learn meetings to basically teach people how to garden from the beginning."
Other stops on this year's tour include Steve and Jan Murray's prairie rose display and more at 4450 Prairie Rose Circle; a waterfall and pond at Jane Smith's residence at 6004 Broadway; Dr. Len and Sheila Fleske's enchanted garden at 4508 Quail Creek; and a Monet-inspired landscape at Mike and Tana Newkirk's garden at 3220 Broadway Ave.
"You can start wherever," Boor said. "You can visit all five. It's completely self-guided. There will be (Master Gardeners) to talk at each spot."
Master Gardener training consists of 40-50 hours of instruction on all aspects of horticulture. Volunteers must also donate an equivalent number of hours of service.