The Folsom Garden Club’s annual “Gardens of Folsom” tour held every April is many things, but above all else it’s a ticket to the future.

Eleven years ago the Folsom Garden Club (FGC), which was founded in 1935 and is one of the oldest clubs in the Sacramento area, decided to start raising money for college scholarships. The idea was to provide resources for students studying horticulture, but it’s not just about helping out a handful of students every year. “This is a field that sees fewer people entering it every year,” says Erin Angulo, the Folsom Garden Club’s president. “Given its importance to California’s economy, and that it’s such a passion for our members, we do all we can to encourage more young people to discover it.”

Last year, the FGC awarded four $1,000 scholarships, funded exclusively by money raised from its garden tour. It’s the all-volunteer group’s signature event, and it’s well worth the $12 ticket – even without considering that every dime goes to the scholarship fund. Each year’s tour features five or six homes – selected from dozens of entries – chosen for their uniqueness, complexity and/or variety. “We’re always looking for something different; there are no cookie-cutter yards on this tour,” Angulo says. “One might specialize in certain plants, another might be a case study in good use of space, and another might be an amazing adaptation of a theme.”

With every ticket purchase comes a brochure and a map to the homes. The tours are self-guided, and last year, due to popular demand, the show was extended to two days. Attendees can take their time. The 2011 tour, taking place April 30 and May 1, will also feature master gardeners at certain locations to answer questions and offer advice.

Of course, the garden tour isn’t the only activity the FGC is known for. Many of the well-maintained and beautiful parts of Folsom are labors of love for the members. The area around the City of Folsom sign, just off Natoma Street, and portions of Sheldon Park are two prominent examples. The group is also very involved with the local Girl Scouts and the Mercy Health Fair, and is currently working with the local rotary club to create a community garden at Livermore Park.

It’s not oversimplifying things to say that so much active involvement comes from a simple love of gardening and a desire to share it. Indeed, the fact that the Folsom Garden Club has more than 100 members proves that a love for gardening can be contagious. Ask any gardener and they’ll tell you: it’s relaxing; is something you can do alone or with others; brings you closer to nature; and, best of all, you don’t need huge tracts of land to enjoy it. “It doesn’t matter whether you have corn rows along your back fence or a few herbs in a pot on your apartment balcony,” Angulo says, “...gardening really is for everyone.”

For more information or to purchase tickets to tour “Gardens of Folsom,” visit folsomgarden.org.