By Nicole Newell, Sustainable Landscaping Program Manager
Every year, as the first blooms of spring peek through the soil, excitement fills the air in our Solano County community. It’s time for our Annual Food Forest Garden Tour in Benicia & Vallejo — an event that not only showcases stunning gardens, but also inspires us to make the most of our precious resources. This enchanting day draws gardening enthusiasts and nature lovers alike, all eager to explore the beautiful landscapes crafted with care and creativity.
The day starts with a talk on permaculture — designing in a way that works with nature — at 9 am at Avant Garden in Benicia. Attendees can pick up maps of participating gardens and visit Benicia gardens from 10 am-1 pm and Vallejo gardens from 1-4 pm (there will be an opportunity to pick up maps at Vallejo People’s Garden from 12-1 pm for those who can only attend in the afternoon). The tour is self-guided and you can visit gardens at your own pace.
This year, we are more committed than ever to promoting sustainable practices that beautify our environment and offer an opportunity to build connections with each other within our beloved community. Wander through vibrant gardens during this self-guided tour, each a testament to the wonderful ideas that can sprout from a healthy foundation of soil. From compost systems to drought-resistant plantings to creative ways of growing food, you’ll be amazed by the resourceful and creative permaculture techniques on display.
The garden tour offers more than just beautiful views: it’s a celebration of community, creativity, and conservation. As you visit each garden, you’ll have the chance to interact with passionate gardeners who are eager to share their secrets and insights. Each garden has a name and tells a story — a narrative of nature, patience, and building relationships — qualities we all can draw inspiration from!
We hope you’ll join us for this special event!
How It Will Work
You can choose to tour for the whole day or for half a day.
Benicia Demonstration Food Forest Gardens will be open 10 am-1 pm
Vallejo Demonstration Food Forest Gardens will be open 1-4 pm
Itinerary pickup:
9-11 am: Itineraries will be available at Avant Garden in Benicia (400 First St.). This itinerary will include all of the demonstration food forest gardens in Benicia (open in the morning) and Vallejo (open in the afternoon).
12-1 pm: Itineraries for the Vallejo garden sites (open in the afternoon) will be available at the Vallejo People’s Garden behind the Global Center for Success (1055 Azuar Dr/BLDG 733).
Highlights and What’s New
Every garden is an opportunity to learn about permaculture, native planting, water conservation, and much more. By attending the tour, you will leave with practical knowledge that can transform not just your own garden but also the way you interact with the environment. Here are a few new projects and educational talks that will be highlighted during the garden tour:
An Introduction to Permaculture
Anne Friewald and Lydia Neilsen will open the garden tour at Avant Garden in Benicia with a talk on permaculture. After the talk they will be available to answer any questions about the Permaculture Design Certificate Course beginning on Aug. 25.
Interns
Interns from our Benicia Youth Wellness Program will be at Avant and Swenson gardens providing opportunities to learn about local food and gardening. There will be a local food demo and taste test. Interns from the Vallejo Environmental Leadership Fellowship will be at Vallejo People’s Garden in the afternoon.
HOA
Visit this lawn conversion project designed by Michael Wedgley from Soilogical and installed by the Bay Vista Homeowners Association. This project not only serves as an example of environmental stewardship, but also as an inspiring model for HOA communities everywhere. This project will show resilient plants that are adapted to our local climate and require far less water than traditional lawns.
Monarch Milkweed Project
Pollinators require specific environments to thrive, the Monarch Milkweed Project will be providing education on how to create and maintain monarch habitats; they also will be promoting the Bay Area Butterfly Festival on June 1
Vallejo People’s Garden
Suzanne Briley from Vallejo People’s Garden will be giving talks on Creating Spaces for People and Wildlife, looking at ways to have garden spaces for ourselves while supporting wildlife. Talks and tours will be from 1-2:30 pm and 2:30-4 pm.
We are still planning so there is more to come……
Together, we can grow more than just plants: We can cultivate a thriving environment for generations to come. Join us on this journey and be part of a movement that makes every garden a step towards connection and sustainability! Remember that every little change you make at home can contribute to a larger, more sustainable world. Whether it’s growing your own herbs on a windowsill or planting a pollinator garden in your backyard, the creative possibilities are endless!
While the tour is offered as a free event, we always appreciate donations to keep this work going in the county. As many of you know, we lost funding from the Solano County Water Agency for the Sustainable Backyard Program, which created many of these gardens. It is so valuable to bring people together to connect in the gardens and learn from each other, and we want to continue that work!
We invite you to mark your calendars for this transformative experience. The tour will take place on Saturday, April 26. Bring your family and friends, pack your passion for gardening, and get ready to be inspired.
Have questions? Feel free to reach out to nicole@sustainablesolano.org
