A red canoe floats in the manmade pond at Red Maple Ranch in Yuba City. Guests were warned of a rumored “Alabama Alligator” that lives here during the American Association of University Women Garden Tour on May 3.

YUBA CITY, CA (MPG) - On May 3, the Marysville-Yuba City branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) hosted its 31st Annual Garden Tour, an eagerly anticipated community event that combines scenic exploration with meaningful purpose. The self-guided tour serves as the organization’s sole fundraiser, with proceeds supporting Tech Trek, a summer science camp for seventh-grade girls at UC Davis, as well as other STEM-focused programs and scholarships that empower young women in the Yuba-Sutter region.

Spotlight on Robbins: A Centenary Celebration

Each year, the American Association of University Women Garden Tour committee selects a different route, alternating across Yuba and Sutter counties. For 2025, the spotlight landed on the southern Sutter County community of Robbins, currently celebrating its 100th year.

Originally called Madox, the town was renamed in 1925 to honor George B. Robbins, president of the Sutter Basin Company. Known for its fertile rice fields and tight-knit community, Robbins’ deep agricultural roots and small-town charm made it a fitting feature for this year’s tour.

A whimsical fairy tea party display, part of the Richter’s Garden decor in Knights Landing featured during the annual American Association of University Women Garden Tour held Saturday, May 3.

Garden Tour Highlights

Red Maple Ranch – Yuba City

For many, the first stop on the tour was Red Maple Ranch, a family-run flower farm nestled in Yuba City. Though many of the blooms had passed their peak, guests enjoyed the peaceful atmosphere of the property, including a shimmering pond marked by a bold red canoe and bordered by Weeping Willow trees. According to the Munro children, the pond is home to an elusive Alabama alligator, reportedly seen only by their mother. The tale added a touch of mystery and amusement, reminding guests to view the water from a safe distance.

Musicians share a laugh at a poolside garden in Knights Landing during the annual American Association of University Women Garden Tour held Saturday, May 3.

Pierce Road – Yuba City

The next closest stop was a property on Pierce Road that has now been in Nadine Mitchum’s family for 100 years. This country yard features a garden that seamlessly blends natural beauty with artistic elements and rustic charm. The landscape included native plants, whimsical sculptures, and repurposed materials, reflecting the owner’s creative vision and a deep sense of heritage. Visitors also admired the clever reuse of historical structures, including a barn that was converted into seven garages, and decorative pieces erected from 100-year-old Sutter County wood.

Vintage charm and rustic garden decor were on full display in the country backyard of Nadine Mitchum, whose family has now lived on the same Yuba City property for 100 years. Guests were free to explore her creative landscape during the American Association of University Women Garden Tour on May 3.

Acacia Street – Robbins

The roads were flanked by wild mustard hedges coming into Robbins. Pulling onto Acacia Street visitors were greeted to a historic looking home with a clear view of the distant water tower and towering palm trees. Blooming succulents added the first pop of color as guests rounded the corner to the garden gate flanked by red geraniums.

Originally built in 1938 by Edward and Mildred Schranz, the home harkens back to a time when Robbins operated as a true company town, with most residents tied to the Sutter Basin Company. Once famous for its prize-winning roses and a thick pyracantha hedge, the garden today reflects decades of adaptation. Owners, Janet and Frank Alonso, have spent the last 56 years giving various plants the “Robins-test,” finding those that can thrive in the area’s specific soil type. This stop also delighted shoppers with handmade pottery and locally crafted garden wares, especially the $12 ceramic garlic and herb grater plates, a hit for early Mother’s Day gifts.

A lake, once hidden in brush, is now the centerpiece of the Furlan’s property in Knights Landing. This lush green landscape was featured during the annual American Association of University Women Garden Tour held Saturday, May 3.

Knights Landing

The tour concluded in the river town of Knights Landing, where guests explored several notable properties including one that was once considered to be “one of the most pretentious homes on the Sacramento River.” This property, located off Cranmore Road, was built in 1880 by Benjamin Samuel Jackson Hiatt, originally facing the banks of the Sacramento River with a view of the dock that housed the families private 150-ton steamboat. After the levees were built, the house was 180 degrees so that the family could enjoy morning sunlight.

Not too far off, guests visited the home of Emile and Simone Furlan, who immigrated from France in 1950. The Furlan garden featured one of the tour’s largest and most lush displays with ample shade and sweet-smelling air. In addition to a pool and bocce ball court, the Furlan family enjoys a large, once hidden lake that is home to countless wildlife species.

Bright blooms and a Saint Francis Garden statue greeted visitors at a south Sutter County property featured on this year’s American Association of University Women Garden Tour, held Saturday, May 3. 

Supporting Girls in STEM

The annual garden tour is more than a showcase of horticultural artistry; it is a vital fundraiser that empowers young women to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Funds raised from the event work to help bridge the gender gap in STEM fields and support local girls in pursuing these high paying career fields.
For more information about the American Association of University Women Marysville-Yuba City branch and its programs, visit mvyc-ca.aauw.net.