Summit tour and tea

Historic homes will showcase their legendary landscapes for the Summit Avenue Garden Stroll & Tea on June 23 from noon to 4 p.m. Here's a chance to explore the front and back yards of the grand homes along St. Paul's renowned avenue. Heirloom and English country gardens surround century-old Tudor villas. A secret garden hidden by vines, fish ponds and fountains, and a tropical paradise with grapefruit and banana trees are some of the highlights. Take the herb challenge to win prizes at a Georgian Revival herb garden. The informal back-yard Garden Tea will be catered by Laurie Crowell, owner of the Golden Fig. Ramsey County master gardeners will be on hand to answer questions. Tickets are $10 for the stroll and $12 for the tea in advance; $15 each on tour day at 1359 Summit Av. Advance tickets are available at various retailers or online at www.brownpapertickets.com. For information, go to www.sarpa.org.

Incredible edibles

The Chipotle Edible Garden really produces. It teaches Como Zoo and Conservatory visitors growing techniques, ways to harvest and prepare food and landscape design. And last year, staffers harvested 500 pounds of food for the Como Zoo animals and more than 1,000 pounds of veggies for St. Paul Recreation Centers. The 8,000-square-foot exhibit features plots of vegetables, fruits, herbs and flowers, all grown from seed. The staff and volunteers will answer questions from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. The Edible Garden is south of the Visitor Center and is open through Sept. 29. Free admission. Como Zoo and Conservatory is at 1225 Estabrook Dr., St. Paul. Go to www.comozooconservatory.com.

Ponds on parade

Is a pond and waterfall on your to-do list? See how homeowners have enhanced their front and back yards with water features and outdoor living spaces at the Twin Cities Pond and Landscape Tour June 22-23. This year's tour features 12 properties showcasing the work of eight contractors. Tour hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; nightscaping tour at select sites from 9 to 11 p.m. June 22 and noon to 5 p.m. June 23. Tickets are $15 for a weekend pass to visit all 12 sites. You can buy a pass in advance, online or at any Hedberg Landscape & Masonry Supplies store or at tour sites during tour hours. Individual site passes are $5, available at all sites during tour hours. (Ages 16 and under admitted free.) Proceeds benefit Children's Cancer Research Fund. To buy tickets and view photos and other details, visit www.tcpondand­landscape­tour.com.

Plant walk and sale

Get inspired by the Prospect Park Garden Walk and then stop by the plant sale at the Pratt Community School parking lot. The free garden walk includes 15 to 20 private and public gardens in the northeast part of the Prospect Park neighborhood of Minneapolis. The plant sale is at 66 Malcolm Av. SE. For information on where to pick up a map, go to www.pperr.org or call 612-339-6790..