CHAMPAIGN, IL (Chambana Today) – Over a thousand attendees made their way to the 2025 Champaign County Master Gardener Garden Walk on Saturday, June 21. The beloved community tradition, which looks to offer inspiration, education, and celebrate local gardening efforts, had the theme, “Designing Our Gardens,” this year.
This year’s event featured a self-guided tour through six private gardens and two public spaces, showcasing creative approaches to garden designs and sustainable landscaping. The event also included the Marketplace at the Idea Garden, which hosted a wide range of local vendors offering garden-themed items, art, and handmade goods.
“This event continues to be a highlight of the year for our community,” said Ryan Pankau, horticulture educator with University of Illinois Extension. “It’s not only a chance for garden lovers to gather and share ideas, but also a way to spotlight the incredible work our Master Gardeners do through education and outreach.”
At each garden location were Master Gardeners, who shared their expertise, answered questions, and offered guidance to home gardeners. Visitors could learn about plant selection, garden structure, and techniques for creating vibrant outdoor spaces.
The Garden Walk also overlapped with National Pollinator Week, which offered attendees an opportunity to participate in the Champaign-Urbana Pollinator Quest, a community science project conducted in partnership with iNaturalist. Participants were encouraged to document pollinators they observed in the gardens and upload their findings to help support pollinator research.
All proceeds from the event support the Champaign County Master Gardener Program and their projects across central Illinois.