One day each summer, island residents and visitors alike get a rare glimpse into private gardens while supporting local nonprofit organizations during the annual Whidbey Island Garden Tour, which will celebrate its 30th anniversary in 2026.

Whidbey has long had a strong gardening community, with active regional clubs throughout the island. But there was no official tour of South Whidbey gardens until 1996, when a group of gardeners created the first Whidbey Island Garden Tour to help fund “Save the Woods on Saratoga,” a campaign to prevent 118 acres of forested land in Langley from being developed into a large resort. 

In the first year of the tour, a small group of volunteers identified gardens, printed tickets and posters, and conducted outreach—including to The Seattle Times, whose garden columnist, Val Easton, wrote an article promoting the tour after visiting the gardens. “They were such an enthusiastic group of gardeners. I was warmly welcomed by them and impressed by the drop-dead gorgeous retreats they had created,” Easton recalled.
Deborah Heg was one of the South Whidbey gardeners who volunteered to organize that first tour, and her Greenbank garden was among those featured.

“It was a wild day!” Heg remembered. “The publicity in the Seattle paper overwhelmed us. We ran out of tickets. Everyone wanted their garden to be on the tour, but nine were too many. People were zooming from garden to garden. It was chaos—but we survived.”

“Many people don’t realize that not only are they seeing something magical—they’re also doing good and making a positive, lasting contribution to our community.”

The “Save the Woods on Saratoga” campaign succeeded. And the garden tour continued. Since that inaugural event, the number of stops has been reduced from nine to roughly five gardens, selected by a search committee. More than 80 gardens have been opened to the public over the decades. In addition to this, artists can apply to showcase their work in the gardens during the tour—an opportunity to feature works inspired by nature while in a beautiful setting.

“We have between 850 and 950 people touring the gardens each year, and they come for many reasons. So, we try to have a variety of types of gardens represented each year—some that are educational, some that are pastoral and peaceful. And some that have that va-va-voom factor,” said Board President Rand Baker.

While the garden tour has evolved and been refined over the years, it has also stayed true to its roots. The nonprofit organization continues to be run entirely by volunteers—nearly 100 of them. On tour day, you’ll spot some of them dressed in yellow vests directing traffic and welcoming visitors. “There would be no Whidbey Island Garden Tour without our dedicated volunteers, many of whom have been with us for decades,” said Baker.

All proceeds from ticket sales continue to benefit the community. Today, proceeds are awarded through a competitive grant program. Over the past 29 years (as of June 2025), the tour has contributed more than $570,000 to 70 organizations working in environmental education, restoration, and beautification. Recent grants have helped fund projects such as installing an irrigation system at Meerkerk Gardens and landscaping the Clinton Community Hall.

“As a visitor, you think you’re just going to these secret gardens and having this marvelous experience,” says Board Vice President Patricia Griffin. “Many people don’t realize that not only are they seeing something magical—they’re also doing good and making a positive, lasting contribution to our community.”

The 2026 Whidbey Island Garden Tour is being held on July 18. Learn more about this year’s tour, view photo galleries from past tours, and sign up for the newsletter at wigt.org.