CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WICS) — The Champaign County Master Gardeners are inviting the public to their annual Garden Walk, a cherished summer tradition that celebrates the joy of gardening and community.
This year’s event, themed “Designing Our Gardens,” is set for Saturday, June 21, 2025, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Attendees can enjoy a self-guided tour of six private home gardens and two public gardens throughout Champaign County.
The 2025 Garden Walk highlights creativity in garden design, showcasing bold color palettes, unique hardscapes, and intentional layouts for pollinators, productivity, or peace. Master Gardeners will be present at each location to provide guidance, share tips, and answer questions on topics ranging from plant selection to sustainable practices.
“This year’s gardens are a vibrant reflection of how people thoughtfully design their outdoor spaces,” said Mary Knight, Master Gardener and event organizer. “From pollinator havens to edible landscapes and artistic plant combinations, visitors will leave inspired and ready to rethink how they design their gardens.”
Coinciding with National Pollinator Week, the Garden Walk also encourages participation in the Champaign-Urbana Pollinator Quest, a community science project. Extension Educator Karla Griesbaum urged attendees to observe and record pollinators using the iNaturalist app.
“Garden Walk visitors will have a great opportunity to contribute to local environmental efforts,” said Griesbaum. “While enjoying these beautifully designed gardens, they can also help document which pollinators are active in our area as part of Pollinator Week.”
Proceeds from ticket sales will support the Champaign County Master Gardeners’ community outreach and education efforts, including demonstration gardens at the Crisis Nursery, the Idea Garden, and Ying Ying’s Garden.
“Garden Walk is more than a celebration of gardens—it’s a way to invest in learning, growing, and giving back,” said Ginger Boas, University of Illinois Extension County Director. “Your ticket supports projects that teach and inspire.”
Tickets are priced at $10, with free admission for children ten and under. Advance tickets can be purchased at Country Arbors Nursery in Urbana, Prairie Gardens in Champaign, by calling the University of Illinois Extension office, or online.