(above) Master Gardener Program Manager Susannah Reese in the beautiful display garden in front of the Tioga County Office Building. The garden is maintained by the Tioga County Master Gardeners and will be one of the stops on this year's 'Tour de Gardens.'

  Tour de Gardens is an annual self-guided tour of beautiful vegetable, perennial, water and annual gardens of all shapes and sizes throughout Tioga County. It's sponsored by Cornell Cooperative Extension's Master Gardener Program, and will be held Sunday, July 25, from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm. A reception will be held by the stunning water gardens at Tioga Gardens, 2217 Route 17C, Owego, from 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm following the tour.

 Advance tickets go on sale July 14 at $6.00 per person and will be available at East of the Sun, West of the Moon and the Tioga County Tourism Office (both on Front Street in Owego) as well as Cornell Cooperative Extension at 56 Main Street, Owego, phone 687-4020. Tickets can also be purchased the day of the event in the parking lot at Tioga Gardens from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm.

 You'll get a map of the gardens on the tour and will be placed in a drawing to be held at the Tioga Gardens' reception when you buy your ticket. All proceeds from the event will provide support for the Master Gardener program and community gardening projects in Tioga County.

 If you are interested in displaying your garden on the this year's tour please call Susannah Reese at 687-4020 by July 9.