Unique Turlock gardens await, from lush to minimalist — plus a his and her’s back yard

Sneak a peak into the gardens of five homes in Turlock next weekend during the Turlock Garden Club’s Garden Tour.

This will be the seventh annual tour for the group, set for Saturday, May 4, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The tour features five homes but six unique and individual gardens. Here’s a look at what can be viewed, as described by the garden club:

▪ A craftsman-style home designed for a young family with a large gazebo-styled patio that welcomes you to the back yard. Towering redwoods top raised beds framing the yard and a large play structure anchors the other end, all along with winding sidewalks.

▪ A 1975 ranch-style home offers multiple gardening ideas. The front yard is a display of drought-resistant plantings while the back yard boasts two differing landscapes — his and her’s. Her’s is a whimsical garden featuring a maze with a hummingbird topiary, a playhouse and fruit trees. His is electric, with a train running throughout the yard over trestles, through tunnels and around a town and station. Dwarf plants form the landscape for this rail city.

▪ A 1969 ranch-style home offers a punch of color in a small space. This garden club member’s artwork is displayed on a vibrant fence mural and on canvases in the back yard. Bright flowers add to the display of color.

▪ Nestled in an almond orchard, this modern Mediterranean home offers lush gardens with a decorative circular drive surrounded by lawn and plantings. The back yard features a variety of trees and shrubs. Check out birds in the aviaries situated in the flowerbeds. A large yurt offers a place to relax and entertain, or just sit back and enjoy the view of a large fountain.

▪ Another stop offers a minimalist approach to gardening. The back yard is designed for entertaining and offers a pool surrounded by shrubbery in varying shades of green. Pops of color are incorporated throughout the yard using colorful pots with coordinating patio furniture cushions and pillows. An outdoor kitchen and dining room complete the yard.

Tickets for the Turlock tour are $10-$20, available at The Greenery Nursery in Turlock, Westurf Nursery in Modesto, Morris Nursery in Riverbank and Stepping Stone Nursery in Atwater.

This story was originally published April 26, 2019 at 1:05 PM.