It came about after Ironton in Bloom members took their own tour of the neighborhoods of the city and found that winners abound.

So instead of just photographing a yard a month, IIB decided to let others take their own journey through the gardens of the city. And that’s how the upcoming Over the Backyard Fence Yard Tour came about.

“It started with our giving out the monthly yard award,” Judy Sanders, co-chair of the tour, said. “Carol Allen and I would take their picture and get the information for the newspaper story. They were always so proud of their yards. We chose the monthly for its curb appeal.”

But each time the homeowner would say, in essence, “come look at what we have in our back yards.”

And now everyone who wants to can get a firsthand look at gardens galore.

The headquarters for the afternoon tour scheduled for Sunday, July 18, from 2 to 5 p.m., will be the Lawrence County Historical Society. There, those participating in the tour will have light refreshment.

Then it’s off for a self-guided tour of seven backyards from the north end of the city to Indian Hills.

Gardens on the tour will be those of Mr. and Mrs. David Brown at 1230 Navaho Trail; Mr. and Mrs. Doug Cade, 1204 Navaho Trail; Mr. and Mrs. Merill Triplett, 1316 Shawnee Trail; Mr. and Mrs. David Waller, 1235 Shawnee Trail; Mr. and Mrs. John Bowen, 1020 McGovney Ave.; Mr. and Mrs. Nick McMahon, 1610 Thomas St.; and Mr. and Mrs. Tom Castle, 1927 S. Ninth St.

Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at the museum on the day of the tour, Maps will also be available at the museum.

Tickets can also be purchased from Cindy Caskey at the CAO; Katrina Keith at the City Center; Ironton in Bloom members; and Weber’s Florist.

For more information contact co-chairs Sanders at 532-2954 or Jan Wolfe at 532-1030. The rain date for the event will be July 25.