Greg Grant (5-3-26)
Each spring, East Texans look forward to one of the most enjoyable horticultural traditions in our region: the Smith County Master Gardener Home Garden Tour. This year’s tour, set for Saturday, May 16, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., promises a full day of beauty, creativity, and practical learning tucked inside five private Tyler landscapes. Held rain or shine, the tour offers gardeners and garden-dreamers alike a chance to step behind the gates of some of our community’s most thoughtfully tended spaces.
The 2026 tour features an appealing mix of garden styles, each one reflecting the personality and passions of its owners. Visitors will find something different at every stop. One garden, described as a Sun-Lover’s Paradise, bursts with color and pollinator activity, anchored by mature hardscaping that frames the beds with structure and intention. Another, called Cottage Charm, blends sun and shade plantings with whimsical accents that invite guests to slow down and explore.
A particularly intriguing stop is The Elegant Estate, where a former sport court has been transformed into a raised vegetable garden. It’s a testament to what can happen when creativity meets practicality, and it offers inspiration for anyone looking to repurpose underused spaces at home. For those who prefer a quieter, more contemplative setting, the Whimsical Shade garden winds through mature plantings that create a cool, inviting retreat. Rounding out the tour is English Classics, a series of traditional “garden rooms” designed for wandering and discovery.
In addition to enjoying the scenery, visitors will have the chance to learn from Smith County Master Gardeners stationed at each home. These educational demonstrations are a hallmark of the tour and provide practical, research-based guidance that gardeners can take home and put to use. Topics this year include creating low-maintenance Sunday Gardens, incorporating native plants to support local ecosystems, practicing smart watering through hydro-zoning and deep-watering techniques, growing vegetables in containers, and diagnosing common lawn issues. Whether you’re new to gardening or have decades of experience, these stations offer valuable insights tailored to our East Texas conditions.
Tickets are available online at txmgsc.org, with advance admission priced at $15 per person. Tickets purchased on the day of the event are $20, and children under 12 may attend free of charge. A map of the featured homes is available on the Smith County Master Gardener website to help visitors plan their route. Proceeds from the tour support the educational mission of the Smith County Master Gardeners, helping fund community outreach, demonstration gardens, and youth programs throughout the year.
The Home Garden Tour is more than a showcase of beautiful landscapes. It’s a celebration of creativity, stewardship, and the joy of growing things. It’s also a reminder of the generosity of local gardeners who open their gates so others can learn, dream, and be inspired. Mark your calendar for May 16 and enjoy a Saturday surrounded by the best of what Tyler gardeners have to offer.
For more information on the Smith County Master Gardeners’ Home Garden Tour call 903-590-2994 or email HGT2026@txmgsc.org. The Smith County Master Gardeners are volunteer educators trained and coordinated by the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service.
Greg Grant, Ph.D., is the Smith County horticulturist and Master Gardener coordinator for the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service in Tyler. He is the author of Texas Fruit and Vegetable Gardening, Texas Home Landscaping, Heirloom Gardening in the South, and The Rose Rustlers. You can read his “Greg’s Ramblings” blog at arborgate.com, find his “In Greg’s Garden” column in each issue of Texas Gardener magazine (texasgardener.com), or follow him on Facebook at “Greg Grant Gardens” or “Pines, Pawpaws, and Pocket Prairies.” More science-based lawn and gardening information from the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service can be found at aggieturf.tamu.edu and aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu.
Image caption: The Levin garden is one of the landscapes featured on this year’s tour.
