It is that time of year again: garden tour season. There are garden tours and pond tours sponsored by local garden clubs and water garden societies all over the country. Sure, in some of the warmer Southern states they may have already occurred, but for most of us, they occur in July. I am not sure why, because May or June might have prettier gardens in some areas.
Because the garden owners have opened their property to hundreds of curious people, it is only polite to follow a few guidelines. Stick to the hours of each tour. Do not go on the wrong day to homes that are only open on one day.
Usually, tours are self-paced. Read the descriptions of the gardens and ponds beforehand and figure out which ones best fit the size and style that you would like to see. Look at the tour map and figure out the best route to see as many as possible without running a road rally.
Be careful not to step on the landscaping; stay on any designated paths. Keep kids on the paths. Respect the privacy of the homeowner. The homes are not open to the public. Do not expect to use their bathrooms.
Because these are garden tours, they may not be accessible to wheelchairs. Some tour guidebooks will mention which gardens are accessible. Seating may not be provided. Always ask before sitting on someone’s furniture. Don’t eat or drink in the landscape, and don’t expect trash bins to be available. Bring your own water, especially if it will be hot. Speaking of weather, be prepared for rain and muddy tracks where people have walked. Bring your own sunscreen and insect repellent. Wear comfortable, low-heeled shoes.
Don’t pick flowers or leaves, and don’t let children do that either. Don’t touch garden decorations. Don’t bring your pets. Don’t smoke or vape.
If there are no parking areas posted for use on the tour, park safely and respect the neighbors’ ability to move their cars. If there is a check-in or registration area, follow the instructions given and ask for highlights to look for in the garden. Focus on the good points in the garden and don’t criticize things that are not to your liking. Don’t talk about your garden; it is not on the tour. Use your indoor voice so you don’t disturb the neighbors. Silence your phone.
Ask the host if it is OK to take pictures. If so, take pictures and videos of the overall garden or pond and then focus on any details that you would like in your yard. If you take pictures, please be considerate of the other tour participants. They may not be able to wait while you compose your picture, and some may not want to be in your picture.
Be appreciative of the opportunity to see an otherwise private garden. Thank the host for their kindness and the tremendous amount of work that went into making the tour.
A well-designed pond can be a relaxing feature in your landscape. Whether you intend to do it yourself (it is not hard, just different) or have someone install it for you, you should go talk to the homeowners about how their pond works. The warm weather will have many water plants blooming and the water gardens will be beautiful. Even if you do not plan on putting one in your yard, you should take the tours just to see the beautiful landscapes.
