For Sherri and Don Anderson, their East Bethel home is a labor of love, from the house they built to the picturesque pond Don dug with its curving wooden footbridge leading to the spot where sandhill cranes feed their young.

No less a labor of love are the curving flowerbeds that sweep around trees and border the house and driveway, some terraced in the sun, others tucked against the nearby woodland.

Sherri says the nine beds of perennials and annuals that brighten the yard were actually a practical idea, designed to eliminate the need to trim around everything with a weed trimmer.

The Anderson’s garden is one of 10 featured in the Fairview Lakes Auxiliary’s annual garden tour set for 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, July 15.

When it comes to filling her extensive gardens, Sherri isn’t afraid to experiment, planting seeds she’s gathered, wintering over outdoor plants inside the house and starting plants from cuttings.

Sherri sees gardening as an experiment to be practiced and enjoyed. If a plant doesn’t do well in one location she moves it somewhere else. She delights in cutting bouquets of flowers from her gardens to be shared with family and friends.

Don’s roots are deep in East Bethel. He grew up there, and their children live nearby. In fact, the gardens of son Nick and his wife Carmen are also on the July 15 garden tour along with those of another nearby neighbor.

Other gardens on the tour are located in Forest Lake, Wyoming, Stacy and Lindstrom as well as East Bethel and Cedar. Those who purchase a ticket will receive a map and a garden pass and can visit the gardens at their own pace.

Garden tour passes are now on sale for $10 a person at the Yellow Bus in Forest Lake, at the gift shop at Fairview Lakes Medical Center in Wyoming, and at Fairview Lakes clinics in Lino Lakes, Hugo, Rush City, North Branch, Chisago City and Wyoming.

Passes also will be sold at Fairview Lakes Medical Center in Wyoming from 10 a.m. to noon on the day of the tour.

This year tourgoers who visit all 10 gardens can turn in their fully stamped garden passes for a chance at a basketful of gifts including a gift certificate donated by Forest Lake Floral.

For more information, call Jane at 651-982-7774.

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