Charting anticipated sudden summer afternoon cloudbursts to supplement yard watering needs, as contrasted by this month’s record heat and humidity, has kept lawn and garden maintenance a balancing act this season.

Add to the anxiety any homeowner who is accommodating hundreds of onlookers strolling these same manured garden grounds, and the stress leads to perspiration above and beyond thermometer readings.

Eight exceptional gardens, the same roster number as last year, are the featured soil sanctuaries in the spotlight for 2025 and all selected from three South Lake County neighborhoods, to be highlighted for the Lake County Master Gardeners Annual Garden Walk from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, June 29, rain or shine. The gardens this year are located in Crown Point, Lowell and Cedar Lake.

This year’s Garden Walk co-chair Catherine Cheatle assures both Master Gardeners and the homeowners will be on hand to share their experiences and assist with gardening questions. One of the gardens on display touts the added bonus of pet peacocks parading about the grounds.

“This year’s selections offer visitors a mix of vegetable, herb, perennial and annual flower gardens,” Cheatle said.

“In one garden, visitors will see a showstopper that is a Fox Valley River Birch overhanging a koi pond along with an Emperor II Japanese Maple.”

Other gardens on the walk feature long perennial beds with bushes and flowers, vegetable gardens in elevated and raised beds, as well as a small orchard. Visitors can learn how these gardeners use annuals to create pops of color in a perennial bed.

“Guests this year will see how one homeowner used recycled cedar fencing, windows, doors and shingles to build a shed and raised beds,” said co-chair Marcia Davidson.

“And our beekeeper, who is a ‘honey champion’ of the Lake County Fair, will give talks throughout the day about what he has learned after 15 years of beekeeping.”

Last year’s 2024 garden trek included three homes incorporating Japanese themes into the landscaping, one showcasing a miniature Japanese garden with a koi pond and fountain.

“One of the gardens offers visitors a unique look at how hardscapes can be combined with softscapes to make for an exciting and unique landscaping experience,” Cheatle said.

“The homeowner used old quarry block to build a retaining wall with black accents, and outcropping stones tie in the hardscape with a variety of trees, bushes, perennial and annual flowers.”

Added to last year’s garden walk and returning this year is a formal cooling station where visitors can rest with a refreshing drink and browse educational information about pollinators and cicadas, with seeds and door prizes available.

Tickets are $15 (cash or check only), required for anyone older than age 12, and available at several local vendors: Alsip’s Home and Nursery in St. John, Elzinga’s in Dyer, Leo’s Feed and Garden Center in Cedar Lake, Mighty Mike’s Tires in St. John, Niemeyer’s Landscaping in Crown Point, Practically Magic in Crown Point, Remus Farms in Hobart, Walt’s in Dyer and Bee Quilting & Such in Munster. Tickets can also be purchased online at Eventbrite.

Like the Master Gardeners Annual Plant Sale in May, the Garden Walk supports the mission, “Helping Others Grow.” Both events raise funds to support scholarships for students of horticulture and related studies and grants for local gardening projects that benefit the Lake County communities the gardeners serve. Previous fundraisers have netted more than $15,000, which is returned to the community.

“The proceeds from the garden walk will be used to support local community gardens, scholarships, grants and gardening education programs,” Cheatle said.

“By participating in the walk, visitors are not only enjoying a beautiful day outdoors, but also contributing to important causes that benefit our community and the environment.”

The Lake County Master Gardeners Association is a registered 501(c)(3) charitable organization. Composed of volunteers who have received intensive education in horticulture through the Purdue Extension Master Gardener Program, LCMGA is a partner with Purdue Extension Lake County, Indiana.

Visit lakecounty master gardeners.org for more information or email lakecounty master gardeners@ gmail.com to nominate a garden for next year’s garden walk.

Philip Potempa is a journalist, published author and radio host on WJOB-AM 1230. He can be reached at philpotempa@gmail.com