The Grounded Gardener: Garden tour season is upon us

Garden tours provide inspiration and entertainment. And this year, more than ever before, your stroll through the gardens may be accompanied by live music, with artists also on hand to sell their works.

You'll come home with loads of ideas -- installing your own string quartet? But if all you need is a day out or somewhere to take out-of-town guests, these tours are just the ticket for that, too. And speaking of tickets, buy in advance so you won't be disappointed by a sellout.

MAY

Federal Way Buds & Blooms -- May 10-11, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., $5; 253-835-6868, federalway.org. Gardens open plus events throughout the day; free shuttle.

Tukwila Certified Wildlife Gardens -- May 10, 1-5 p.m., free; 12424 42nd Ave. S., Tukwila; 206-768-2822, backyardwildlifefair.org. Pick up garden map at the Backyard Wildlife Festival, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; free shuttle.

Plant Amnesty Belltown Gardens -- May 18, noon-3 p.m., $10 members, $15 public; 206-783-9813, plantamnesty.org. Courtyard and rooftop gardens, containers galore.

JUNE

Wallingford -- June 1, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., $15; 206-632-3165, wallingford.org. Walking tour through the neighborhood.

Camano Island -- June 7, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., free. 360-387-1615. Featuring several certified Backyard Wildlife Habitat gardens. Pick up map at Camano Senior and Community Center, 606 Arrowhead Road (when you get on the island, follow the signs). With nearly 700 individual certified Backyard Wildlife Habitats, Camano became the 10th residential community in the nation to be certified by the National Wildlife Federation as a Community Wildlife Habitat.

Secret Gardens of Lake Forest Park-- June 14, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., $12 advance, $15 day of tour at Lake Forest Park Towne Centre; 206-366-3302, secretgardensoflakeforestpark.com. Five gardens with artists and musical accompaniment. The Garden Faire at the town center runs 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

Highline -- June 14, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., $15, groups of four or more $12, day of tour $18; P.O. Box 317, Burien, WA 98062, 206-241-5786, highlinehistory.org/programs.html. Music, artists and drawing for garden-related items.

Whidbey Island -- June 21, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., $20, $10 ages 2-12; P.O. Box 164, Freeland, WA 98249, wift@wigt.org, wigt.org. Five gardens, including formal, informal and seaside delights.

Vashon Island -- June 21-22, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., $20 ($25 after May 30; Blue Heron Arts Center, 206-463-5131, vashonalliedarts.org. Five gardens with art; free seminars. Sunset Garden Gala, Friday, June 20, features the garden of Terry Hershey ($55).

Gig Harbor -- June 28-29, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., $20 before June 20, $25 from then to day of tour; 253-460-2399, gigharborgardentour.com. Seven gardens, covering a range of settings including waterfront and farm.

Everett Gardens of Merit -- June 28, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., $10; 425-257-8597, evergreenarboretum.com. Six gardens, plus events at Evergreen Arboretum before and after the tour.

Symphony of Gardens -- June 29, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., $25, available at Wells Medina Nursery or day of tour at Bellevue Botanical Garden (12001 Main St., Bellevue); 425-455-4171 bellevuephil.org. Four gardens in Redmond and Kirkland.

Highlands Estates -- June 29, 1:30-5 p.m., $100 for Dunn Gardens members, $150 general public; 206-362-0933, dunngardens.org. Three gardens, with music provided by Orchestra Seattle and Seattle Chamber Singers, and refreshments in the Dunn Gardens after the tour.

JULY

Bainbridge in Bloom -- July 12-13, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., $25, $20 on bike, $10 for under 12; 206-842-7901, gardentour.info. Six gardens with art and plants. Bus transportation on continual loop. Patrons day July 11, with special events, tickets $65-$325.

Georgetown Arts and Gardens -- July 13, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., free, maps day of tour in Bank of America parking lot, 1112 S. Bailey St., Seattle; 206-763-9895, georgetownneighborhood.com. Walking tour full of gardens and art; refreshments available.

Woodinville Garden Club -- July 19, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., $15 (available after May 10); WGC, P.O. Box 1764, Woodinville, WA 98072; woodinvillegardenclub.org. Five gardens showcase landscape design.

Federal Way Symphony -- July 19, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., $15 before June 15, $20 after; P.O. Box 4513, Federal Way, WA 98063; 253-529-9857, federalwaysymphony.org. A variety of gardens, from intimate to expansive.

Vashon Island Lavender Farm -- July 19-20, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., $5, under 18 free; vashonlavender.com. Tour lavender farms, learn crafts, enjoy a summer day.

West Seattle -- July 20, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., $15; 206-938-0339, westseattlegardentour.com. Nine gardens include Mediterranean style, growing vegetables, using color.

Snohomish Garden Club -- July 27, 11 a.m.-5 p.m., $15; 360-568-2526, snohomishgardenclub.com. Gardens in historic Snohomish and in the Dutch Hill area.

AUGUST

Olympic Koi, Goldfish & Water Garden Club -- Aug. 9, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., $5; olympickoiclub.org. Visit ponds, fish and more.

SEPTEMBER

Phinney Ridge -- Sept. 7, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., $10 Phinney Neighborhood Association members, $15 general public; 206-783-2244, phinneycenter.org. Visit gardens, chat with the gardeners.