Johnson County Extension Master Gardener Public Garden Tour 2024
The Garden Tour returns May 17 and 18, 2024. Hosted by the Johnson County K-State Research and Extension Master Gardeners (EMGs), this beloved biennial event is your chance to peek inside and tour six of the most beautiful private gardens in Kansas City.
You may begin your tour at any garden. We request you visit each garden only once. You are able to attend both Friday and Saturday from 9AM-5PM if you prefer to split the gardens up.
This year, in addition to the six wonderful gardens, we have expanded the tour and will be offering an Extension Expo with educational stations. Garden themed hand crafted boutique shopping will be available as well at our Garden Thyme Marketplace.
Proceeds from ticket sales support Extension Master Gardener projects and programs here in Johnson County.
There are a few changes to this year’s tour.
- Tickets sales have begun! Electronic tickets are available to purchase online right here on our website. Paper tickets will be available ONLY at the Extension Office. Early bird price will be $25. After May 1, the price will be $30.
- Expect to receive a confirmation email immediately after purchase, with a link to the garden addresses and a map in that confirmation. Watch for that email.
Purchase tickets here.
- The Tour will be primarily paperless. When you purchase your ticket, you will receive addresses and a map of the gardens locations. Also available digitally on our website below are educational fact sheets on topics such as irrigation, peonies, trellising plants, tomatoes, sedums, and small spaces in the garden.
- We encourage carpooling to the gardens.
The tour takes place rain or shine. No pets or strollers. No refunds on unused tickets. We hope you enjoy these gardens as much as we do and hope to see you on the tour!
Why We're Different
Our garden tour is unique! Each garden is owned and maintained by one of our EMGs. By opening up these private gardens to the public you get a rare chance to wander through your neighbor's backyard and see and learn from local experts.
Information about each garden and educational fact sheets full of practical tips and ideas are accessible digitally.
As a tribute to Dennis Patton, K-State Research and Extension Horticulture Agent and head of the Johnson County Master Gardener program who passed away on March 16, 2024, our Public Garden Tour educational materials are drawn from the wide array of educational materials that Dennis wrote or contributed to during his 35 years with our program. We honor his legacy of horticulture education by sharing his knowledge with you.
Gardens for 2024
- The Weishaar Garden-Petite Pizazz
- The Patton Garden-A Meaningful Collection
- Garden Gallery Demonstration Garden
- Extension Expo and Garden Thyme Marketplace
- This will be at 11811 S. Sunset Drive, outdoor Pavilion, Olathe, KS and does not require a ticket. Public Garden Tour tickets will be available to purchase during the tour at this location.
Ask the Experts
We welcome your questions as we want you to learn from your experience. The garden owners and our university-trained EMG volunteers will be available throughout the tour to answer all your questions.
We are confident you will discover a gem that appeals to your individual taste. Take time to stop, look, listen, photograph and enjoy! We encourage pictures!
Biennial — Every other year
You don’t want to miss your chance to enjoy these private gardens. We only offer our tour once every two years. You'll come away dreaming of all the simple things you can do to transport your own landscape from dull to delightful.
Shop Our Garden Boutique - Available in 2024:
While on the tour, you will have the opportunity to visit our Garden Thyme Marketplace, which will be open at our Garden Gallery Extension Expo. Back by popular demand are hand-cast concrete leaves steppingstones. New this year are decorative mosaic mushrooms, beaded plant stakes, floral plant containers, tool bucket caddies, hand-painted garden art poles, insect houses, and so much more will be available.
