PORTLAND — The Maine YardScaping Partnership will officially open its demonstration gardens on Back Cove next Tuesday.

The YardScaping Gardens at Back Cove showcase nearly 2,000 trees, shrubs and perennials that can help Maine gardeners reduce water use and reliance on fertilizers and pesticides.

The Maine Board of Pesticides Control and various dignitaries will mark the opening on June 12 with special events from noon to 2 p.m., including garden tours and instructional presentations.

The gardens are located on 2.5 acres of city-owned land near the Preble Street soccer fields.

The sustainable gardens were created with help from local volunteers and funded by government and nonprofit grants and private donations.
 
The gardens have already won awards from the Friends of Casco Bay and the International Society of Arboriculture.