Khristi Zimmeth
| Special to The Detroit News
‘Evening Mystique’ this week’s Garden Photo Contest pick
This week, Debra Kochenderfer of Waterford Township’s entry “Evening Mystique” and its use of textures, statuary and lights caught our eye. She writes, “Decades ago, my grandfather gave us two tiny cedar trees from his land. Years later, I wanted to create a focal point around them. This is how the daytime beauty extended into a mystical night garden.” Kochenderfer will receive a home or garden book and will compete for the grand prize — a $200 gift certificate to English Gardens — through online voting by Homestyle readers in early September. The grand-prize winner will be announced in September. For entry instructions and rules, go to detroitnews.com/gardenphotos25. Don’t forget to tell us a bit about what makes them special to you, what flowers you used, or what inspires you. We want to hear your gardening story!
Pewabic Summer Market returns
Pewabic’s Annual Summer Market is back! Now in its fifth year, the popular Saturday event continues through Aug. 30 and includes live music, food trucks, demos by Pewabic artisans and the return of visiting ceramic artist Katie Bramlage’s totem workshop. While there, shop new Pewabic pieces and work from more than 50 different ceramic artists from across the country in-store and throughout the courtyard while you enjoy the food, music and interactive activities for the entire family. Continue your visit upstairs, where you can learn more about the iconic pottery’s 122 years of handcrafting ceramics in Detroit. Visit pewabic.org.
Ina Garten tickets on sale now
Fan of Ina Garten? Garten, aka the Barefoot Contessa, is the author of 13 bestselling cookbooks and a Food Network personality. As part of an author’s tour for her new book, “Be Ready When the Luck Happens,” she will stop at Detroit’s Fisher Theatre on Feb. 26. Tickets went on sale recently for the event, which starts at 7:30 p.m.. The intimate evening conversation will include Garten discussing themes also in her new memoir, including a difficult childhood, the love of her life, Jeffrey, and answering an ad for a specialty food store in the Hamptons. “From the owner of one Barefoot Contessa shop to author of bestselling cookbooks and celebrated television host, Garten has blazed her own trail and, in the meantime, taught millions of people how to cook and entertain,” according to a press release. Tickets start at $79 and are on sale at BroadwayInDetroit.com.
Childproof your garden this summer
With school out, your garden becomes your child’s personal playground. But before you let them roam free, it’s essential to ensure your green space is not only fun, but safe as well. Land of Rugs (landofrugs.com) design expert Zara O’Hare shared the following tips for creating a child-friendly garden.
Lock up garden tools and chemicals: “So many accidents happen because sharp tools or toxic products are left within reach,” says O’Hare. Always store fertilizers, weed killers, sharp secateurs, and other dangerous items in a locked shed or on a high shelf.
Choose nontoxic plants: Common, beautiful garden plants like foxglove and lilies are highly poisonous if ingested. Additionally, trees like yew and holly boast bright red berries that are tempting to eat but can cause severe side effects. “Children love to explore with their hands and mouths,” warns O’Hare. Swap out risky flora for child-safe options like sunflowers, cornflowers, marigolds and snapdragons.
Fence it off: A secure fence with childproof fencing is one of the most effective ways to keep little ones safe. O’Hare recommends fencing that’s at least 4 feet high with vertical slats. “Make sure there are no gaps where small bodies can squeeze through or climb over.”
Soften the ground: Falls are inevitable. Minimize injuries by creating soft landings in high-traffic zones. Grass is the best and most natural option, but rubber mulch or cushioned play mats under swings, slides, and climbing frames provide additional safety.
Cover water hazards: Even shallow ponds or birdbaths can be dangerous to little ones. Water features should be covered or surrounded by fencing.
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Warren Garden Club offering 21st garden walk
The Warren Garden Club returns to its roots July 19 from 10 a.m. -4 p.m. with the 21st annual garden walk. The club started walks back in the 1930s and 1940s in an area that was once a Native American trail. In addition to beautiful home gardens, visitors will experience historic sites dating from the 1850s, including a cemetery, an 1857 church and the beautiful Red Run with its water, flora and fauna. Also on the tour are Beebe’s Corner Park and gazebo, with its State of Michigan Historic marker, a 1950s church designed by famed architect Minoru Yamasaki and the 1922 Village Hall, which houses the Village Bookstore. Adjacent to the Village Hall is a new-for-Summer 2025 pollinator and native plant garden. Tickets include the Warren Historical Society’s Historic Marker brochure so that you may visit other nearby sites. $10 advance and $15 day-of-the-tour tickets are available at Gardens and Beyond, 34051 Ryan Road; Greco’s Nursery; 12219 E. 11 Mile; Jim’s Florist; 31702 Mound Road; and Kutchey Family Market 27825 Ryan Road.