Why Garden Tours?
I simply love touring through other peoples’ gardens. It’s the highlight of
my summer to go on as many garden tours as I can and just plain snoop. I admit
it, it boils down to that simple fact.
I really want to know what others are
doing, how they do it, and how can I translate it for my own garden needs.
And the lovely thing is, is that for a small fee to support a cause, many
towns convince gardeners to open normally unavailable gardens for a day to
all we busybodies.
You can bet the farm that the most nosy of we gardeners are waiting impatiently
on the sidewalk for the official opening moment at the first house on our list,
jockeying for first position at the entry.
Preparing for the Garden Tour
I, for one, am prepared with sunhat,
digital camera, waterbottle, notebook and pen, lunch in my carrybag, and
already slathered in sunblock. There’s a lot to see and no time to waste. When
the imagined starter’s gun goes off, no dust collects on our shoes as we all
stampede into the garden. The owner, standing stunned and open-mouthed at their
gate by such haste and interest, usually recovers in a few moments to then
gallop after the pack in hopes of explaining how they came about the design
or whatever.
Truth be told, few of us are primarily interested in design. Mostly, we want
to know what plants he/she has that we don’t. And what their names are, where
did they get them, and most importantly, do they ever give any away or to sell.
The poor owner, barraged by these questions from all directions at once by
the garden paparazzi, doesn’t know which way to turn and is obviously wishing
it was closing time.
Next of greatest interest, are garden ornaments like trellises, arbors, seats,
sheds, water features, watering systems and such. I admit to coveting some
wooden statuary and one particular arbor I’ve seen in these gardens.
All the
while, I snap pictures of good plant compositions, interesting colour combinations,
plantings around sheds, unusual uses of items, and signage while the family
dog, barking frantically inside, is bouncing off walls trying to get out.
Of particular interest to me is how the owner solved interesting problems.
I have no shame at snooping behind garages to see how he/she set up their rain
barrel system and connections, or which compost bins do they prefer and where
have they set up, what size shed is on that size of property.
Do they mulch?
What have they done with an area with exposed tree roots? Just where did
they obtain those interesting border rocks? What method of vegetable beds works
for this owner. And interesting ways to solve drainage issues such as mini
stone river beds.
If I come home with even one very good idea that I know I’ll use, then I consider
the day and money well spent. One rather spartan garden held little interest
for me; the plantings were neat but blah in interest.
The backyard was very
bare with work in progress. But then I noticed that the white protective
tree wraps, which normally glow like sports socks, had been spray painted brown
to disappear. Wow, loved the idea! Since then, I’ve spray painted all my
tree socks brown.
Another idea from this garden was some previous obstruction
protruding into the asphalt drive which had been removed, along with a bit
extra paving. In place now was a decoratively shaped arch of cobblestones
set into the asphalt. Loved it!
I’m finally removing an obstructive concrete
island by my garage which narrows entry to the backyard. Already waiting
are similar coloured cobbles to fill in that area as well as a lead-in to the
backyard. This now leaves room for a welcoming arbor.
This is why I look at every garden on the tour list. Never know what bit of
brilliance exists there. If there’s none, then I politely make a discreet quick
getaway - the list is long and the day is short. A few of the gardens will
be so interesting that I need more time there, perhaps questioning the owner
on plant varieties, overcoming pest problems or propagation methods. After
all, it’s unlikely I’ll see this garden again. And after the owner’s initial
shock at how many interested gardeners have come, he/she will sometimes offer
free cuttings or plants, or go inside to get some specific information for
me.
And occasionally you get the unexpected. One lady left her non-gardening hubby
in charge while she was in another town touring gardens there. He didn’t know
plant names, but I got great tips on screened porch construction. Another gent
has kindly offered me a fall division of a coveted plant after listening to
his interesting exploits in WW2. Another house had a fascinating artesian fed
pond with pet rainbow trout.
All in all, it’s an interesting day for both sides. Gardening is our passion,
and our addiction to plants is incurable. What a way to go.
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