ENCINITAS — Garden enthusiasts will once again be treated to the sights and smells of private gardens as the Encinitas Garden Festival commences May 3. The event celebrating gardening and the horticultural heritage of the city showcases more than 20 private gardens featured on a walking tour of a designated community.

The highly regarded tour will take place in Olivenhain where residents have agreed to open their garden gates. There is a vineyard, a garden displaying old farm tools, native plant gardens, Mediterranean climate gardens and more. “They are awesome,” said committee chairperson and local resident Nan Sterman.

The festival is an all-volunteer event that grew out of an initiative of the city’s Cultural Tourism committee. Sterman said that the committee of 12 volunteers works year-round securing garden sites, working out logistical details and soliciting funds for the one-day event that occurs each spring. “We have very dedicated, resourceful volunteers,” she said.

The Gardeners’ Marketplace will be located at the historic Olivenhain Town Hall. Speakers on topics ranging from maintaining low-water gardens to using organic materials for pest control will complement a variety of craft and plant vendors at the site. Sterman’s newest book “California Gardener’s Guide Volume II” will also be on sale at the event.

Last year’s event was cancelled due to inclimate weather during the month of January 2007, followed by heavy rains that put an abrupt end to organizers’ plans as more than half of the gardens were wiped out. This year promises to offer a spectacular cornucopia of unique garden settings.

Because the neighborhood backs onto Escondido Creek, which is the upper region of San Elijo Lagoon, the event will include new opportunities for ticket holders.

The San Elijo Lagoon Conservancy will be on hand to discuss the intricacies of the lagoon, why it is important, and ways to create gardens so that they protect and perhaps even enhance the creek and lagoon.

San Diego Audubon will talk about birds in the creeks and lagoons and its new backyard habitat program. The Encinitas Trails Coalition will speak about the importance of preserving trails.

While the Gardeners’ Marketplace is free, tickets are required to view the gardens on the tour. Sterman cautioned that tickets sell out quickly.

The when and where

The event is May 3 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tickets are $21/adult, $7 kids (6 to 10 years old). If there are tickets left on the day, they’ll be $25/adult, $10 kids.

Buy tickets online at www.EncinitasGardenFestival.org. Tickets may be purchased in person at Anderson La Costa Nursery or at www.andersonslacostanursery.com.

Because there is no parking at the Olivenhain Town Hall, parking is only at the San Elijo Campus of MiraCosta College:

miracosta.edu/OfficeOfThePresident/PIO/maps.htm#SEC

Buses start running at 9:30 a.m. and loop all day. Food will be available to purchase at the Gardeners’ Marketplace.

This is a walking tour, so dress accordingly and don’t forget sunscreen.

For more information, visit www.EncinitasGardenFestival.org.