The Neighborhood Gardens Trust, Philadelphia’s largest land trust, will host the third annual Community Gardens Day, a celebration of the shared growing spaces that bring so many benefits to the city, on June 18, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. (Rain date is June 19.)

More than 40 gardens will welcome visitors and offer tours, garden advice, demonstrations and other activities.

From tranquil spots filled with flowers and trees to bountiful vegetable gardens, community gardens are an essential element of the neighborhood fabric, environmental health, and local food system in Philadelphia.

Community Gardens Day is organized by NGT, a land trust dedicated to preserving community gardens and shared open spaces to enhance quality of life in Philadelphia’s neighborhoods.

NGT, an affiliate of the PA Horticultural Society, is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year.

Highlights of the celebration will include:

-- Community Garden/Mural Arts Trolley Tour, which will visit a variety of beautiful murals and three of the city’s most vibrant community gardens.

-- Hidden City Philadelphia Community Garden Bike Tour and West Philly Community Garden Walking Tour.

-- Workshop on how to build a raised bed presented by the West Philly Tool Library at the Chester Avenue Community Garden, 4713-4715 Chester Ave.

-- The Franklin Institute Staff and Research Garden will have hands-on science activities and will demonstrate the ozone monitoring project, 21st and Winter Sts.

-- Pickling workshop at Woodlands Community Garden, 4000 Woodland Ave., and herbal tours and mint tea at Warrington Community Garden, 4731 Warrington Ave.

-- Yoga in the Garden at the East Passyunk Crossing Community Garden, accessed from the 1000 block of Watkins Street, on the campus of Neumann-Goretti High School; and dance class at the Smart Garden, 826 N. 40th St.

For more information and a map of participating gardens and their activities, visit the NGT’s Community Gardens Day webpage.

6/13/2016