ROCKLAND — The annual Georges River Land Trust Gardens in the Watershed self-guided tour will take place Sunday, July 13, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Seven country gardens in the middle watershed towns of Appleton, Rockport, Union and Warren will be available to visit, rain or shine. This year’s gardens offer an array of mixed perennial borders, vegetable gardens, ornamental plantings, herb beds, chickens and garden art.  

Gardening experts will speak at two of the gardens, offering helpful information for your own garden. Bob Emmons, former professor of plant science at the State University of New York, Cobbleskill, who specialized in entomology, plant pathology and integrated pest management, will speak about Japanese Beetles at 11 a.m. Sharon Turner, Master Gardener, consultant, educator and garden designer will speak at 2 p.m. on gardening for birds.     

Make this a full day by preordering lunch catered by Home Kitchen Café.  Be sure to get raffle tickets for the more than15 raffle items ranging from a dwarf conifer, garden baskets, dahlia bulbs, Ikebana flower vase, and artwork. 

Tickets with brochures for this event are available for $25 in advance from local merchants:  Brambles in Belfast, Hedgerow in Tenants Harbor, Highlands Coffee House in Thomaston, Hope General Store, Planet Toys in Camden, The Reading Corner in Rockland, Union Agway, the Land Trust office and online at http://www.georgesriver.org/garden. Tickets are available for $28 on tour day at any of the garden sites.

For additional activities and more information, visit georgesriver.org or phone (207) 594-5166.