THE INS AND OUTS OF PUTTING TOGETHER A GARDEN TOUR
By LINDA GARREN-MCKILLIP & LESLIE WONG League City Garden Club www.leaguecitygardenclub.org
Who doesn’t love to go on a garden tour? How much fun is it to walk through someone’s lush landscaping featuring unique garden gates, whimsical signs, bubbling waterfalls, mosaics, and a profusion of botanical wonders that are functional as well as beautiful?
Ever wonder how your group could put together a fundraiser garden walk? There are several ways to approach it:
* Perhaps you already award a residential Yard of the Month. That’s a great beginning because you have already networked with friends, family and neighbors to identify great looking yards
* Starting from scratch? Set out on a driving mission of spotting gorgeousness.
* Grab a buddy to go with you so hidden gems won’t be overlooked. It doesn’t have to be grounds fit for a palace to tantalize the eye. And sometimes less really is more.
* Another approach: look for unusual plants. Trends in plant material you see facing the street will most likely lead to breath-taking collections through that lovely garden gate.
If what you are looking at makes you wonder what else there is to see, don’t pass up an open gate. That’s like putting up a sign “Gardener at Work.”
* Most gardeners always love to talk about what’s going on in their gardens even if sweat is dripping off the ends of their dirt-smeared noses.
* Think about representing all parts of your city or community with your choices. East side, west side, old historic, new, suburbs.
* Don’t get depressed if homeowners turn you down. You might want to have a couple of back ups for when you have a “back-out”.
* Will your event be “Rain or shine” or have a rain date? One-day or 2 days?
* Either at the beginning or after you’ve lined up a couple homeowners and their gardens; choose a theme that ties them together, maybe something like “Hidden Treasures” so it can be used in the promotional materials and press releases.
* If you are already an organization that offers events to the public, you already know that getting your event publicized is priceless.
* And if you are a 501 (3) c, you know finding newsletters like this one is a blessing to get your event known to the public. A Garden Walk event is a wonderful opportunity to enjoy the great outdoors, meet your neighbors and observe the beauty within your city or community.
