The tour aims to promote and inform attendees about water saving measures, waterwise plants and plantings, growing organic food and vegetables and permaculture.

Jane Marriot, Ararat Rural City Council's natural resources officer, said sustainable gardens can reduce a householder's impact on the environment both in terms of water and energy use.

''Reducing food miles is all about growing your own food or buying local food which hasn't travelled around the world to get onto your plate,'' Mrs Marriot said.

''Having your own vegetable garden is not only healthy, rewarding and delicious, but you can avoid poisons and insecticides used on commercially produced foods that can be harmful to the environment.

''Composting food and garden waste at home helps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improves the fertility of soils. Organic waste in landfill breaks down and produces methane, which is a 25 times more potent greenhouse gas than Co2.''

The tour will feature a visit to Ararat North Kitchen Gardens, two Ararat gardens with great vegie patches and other good ideas, the Walter's Permaculture Garden at Great Western and finally Seppelts Gardens where gardeners can chat over afternoon tea under a shady tree.

All interested residents are invited to come along. There will be a cost of $8 to cover the bus which will take participants around the sites. The tour will leave from outside Town Hall at 1pm on Sunday, and conclude at 4:30pm. To book a place or for more information, call Jane Marriot on 5355 0233.