John Zvirovski, Jamestown Sun garden editor
John M. Steiner / The Jamestown Sun
It already feels like the middle of summer has arrived and I often feel the season just began. I have to wonder where the time goes or if I have just spent it all weeding, watering and deadheading. I have found the best weather always makes the season go by way too quickly and I am trying to find the time to sit back and enjoy every moment of it before it all goes away. Even with a cooler start to the year, it seems things are looking pretty good.
July is always a fun month where the garden begins to fill with constant color, as this is the time when all the annuals begin their consistent blooming until the autumn frosts arrive. Often it is hot, but that is the kind of weather I thrive in, so I absorb as much of it as I can as I know it will be short lived. July is also the month for the garden tours, both locally and regionally. This is everyone’s chance to get a glimpse into some backyards to witness some very creative design work.
I personally love to go on garden tours, as I find it a great resource for new ideas and the chance to see new and different design elements and talk to other gardeners along the way. When we stay in our own yards day in and day out, our outlook on things becomes a bit tunneled. Seeing what other people do opens the door of creativity once again to allow you to explore new and unique things.
There are always many things to see on these tours. Not only can you take a friend and enjoy them with a nice visit along the way, but you can throw all sorts of thoughts around.
The main thing you will see is an abundance of plants. That is always a thrill as oftentimes there will be some plants that many people have never seen before and find exotic or interesting. Some might be non-hardy tropical where others might be a new hardy perennial for our area that isn’t common yet. Annuals are always a thrill as they produce that intense and abundant color for the rest of the season. There can be some very unique specimens in this genre also. It is on one of these garden tours that I had discovered the annual penstemon called Red Phoenix and have had it in my garden every year since.
Not only are there great perennials and annuals on the tour, but also many interesting trees and shrubs. Sometimes they are the common species, but many times there is one in the bunch that really stands out and takes notice. It is for these specific reasons that I enjoy the tours so much!
Many gardens have unique statuary and garden art. Some are whimsical, some are quaint or funny, and others command attention. Some gardens will have birding elements such as baths, feeders and houses and others will have water features. All of these accent pieces can really add a sense of calm to the garden space for a little evening relaxation.
Patios and decks often accompany these gardens too. Some are simple and others are very elaborate that may include extraordinary outdoor kitchen spaces. Some will have pergolas and others will have tables and large umbrellas with comfortable sitting spaces. Many of them may give you great ideas for your own space when that next project demands a little creativity.
This year there will be four gardens on the tour. Each of these four gardens will be very different from the other, allowing you a large array of things to think about. Tickets are $10 in advance and $12 the day of the tour, which will be available at any of the homes you get to first. Advanced tickets can be obtained via the Second Chance AAUW Used Bookstore, The Arts Center, Country Gardens Floral and Greenhouse, Lloyds Motors, Comfort Inn, The Melted Crayon Gift Shop or any AAUW member. Proceeds from the tour go to support the AAUW Educational Foundation and the Endowment Fund at the University of Jamestown. The foundation provides grants and funding for projects that promote equality for girls and women.
The tour sites this year will be Sheila Kinzler and Dan Everson at 1526 4th Ave. NE, Sue and Michael Kurtz at 1520 4th Ave. NE, Bev Miedema at 1002 13th Ave. SW and Gary Harr at 221 17th Ave. SW. The tour date is Wednesday July 16, from 4-8 p.m. It will be a great day for a tour and I would love to see you all there supporting this wonderful cause while touring the beautiful gardens for a pleasant evening out. Don’t forget to take many pictures and bring a notebook to write down the ideas you find most interesting.
I will also be holding my annual yard tour called “An Evening in the Garden” that is open to all on Wednesday July 23, from 4-8 at p.m. 1601 7th Ave. SE. This is a free event with option for a freewill offering with beverages to hang out and mingle with other like-minded gardening people. Bring a friend, as I always say the more the merrier! The funds raised at this event are donated to the Northern Plains Botanic Gardens in Fargo to help with their current expansions.
I hope to see you all there!