Green Blog
The Natural Garden Tour: Embrace Sustainable Gardening
Mark your calendar for 10 am to 3 pm Sunday, June 23 and get ready to explore the wonders of the Natural Garden Tour. The self-led tour takes you through various gardens in Clark County, showcasing innovative techniques and environmentally friendly alternatives to synthetic chemicals. This is your chance to gain inspiration, learn new techniques and connect with fellow garden enthusiasts.
Why Choose Natural Gardening?
Synthetic chemicals often used in traditional gardening practices have detrimental effects on human health, wildlife, and the environment. By embracing chemical-free gardening, we can minimize these risks and create a healthier and more sustainable environment for all.
During the tour, you will witness the commitment of our garden hosts to sustainable practices. From vegetable beds that utilize compost to mason bee houses that support native pollinators, these gardeners work harmoniously with the landscape and its inhabitants.
Discover the Benefits
Gardening naturally offers numerous benefits, including:
Healthier Living: Avoiding synthetic chemicals protects yourself, your family and wildlife from potentially harmful substances.
Environmental Stewardship: Natural gardening helps preserve water resources, protects aquatic plants and animals and reduces pollution.
Supporting Biodiversity: By providing habitats and food sources for pollinators and other wildlife, you contribute to preserving local ecosystems.
What to Expect on the Tour
The Natural Garden Tour features nine gardens throughout Clark County that exceptionally demonstrate various natural gardening techniques. From the heart of Vancouver to the headwaters of the Washougal River, gardeners have gradually sustainably transformed their landscapes while enjoying the beauty and tranquility of gardening. This year, we are excited to offer independent tours of the Community Gardens, We Compost Community Hub and the Composter Recycler Demonstration Site located at 78th Street Heritage Farm. Come chat with knowledgeable Master Gardeners and Composter Recyclers to answer all of your garden and soil questions!
Natural gardening is achievable on any scale! Be inspired by the gardens on this tour to create your garden art from repurposed materials, see the benefits of adopting a tolerant mindset in your garden and discover how gardening with native plants benefits pollinators and wildlife.
Booklets with a tour map and garden details can be downloaded from theClark County Green Neighbors website or picked up during office hours at the 78th Street Heritage Farm administrative building.
78th Street Heritage Farm administrative building hours:
Tuesday: 8:30 am - 2 pm
Wednesday: 8:30 am - 2 pm
Thursday: 11:30 am – 5 pm
Friday: 11:30 am – 5 pm
Closed Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays
Let's celebrate the beauty of nature and the power of sustainable gardening together!
Additional resources:
Clark County Composter Recycler Program
WSU Clark County Extension Master Gardeners
