I am planning to hold a backyard garden tour and meeting

16 years ago

soon in July at the request of my Garden Club. First of all, if I am asking questions under this category and if it is incorrect, please let me know which one it should be, ok.

If you have experience in this area, I need to know if labels must be used for identification of plants, I do not use them actually. Every time that I have used a plastic marker, the writing disappears. Also, do you let the members walk around at their own pace? It is planned for 10 a.m. and it could be warm, I have asked each to bring a folding chair for outdoors. Of course, if it is too hot, they will have the meeting inside for refreshments and a demo and brief talk.

Can you give me any pointers or ideas to keep it simple. Would I place a balloon at the mailbox? Any ideas as to the food; I planned to have a fruit platter and perhaps finger food such as tea breads, pastries, small muffins--cold juice, coffee and tea. Also iced tea if needed.

Thanks for your suggestions.

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Comments (5)

calliope
16 years ago
Congratulations on being asked to do this. That's a compliment to your gardens/ing. However you plan it, be sure to enjoy the experience yourself. Quit fretting so much! The members will remember the relaxed and enjoyable ambiance long past what flowers you grew or how "perfect" the covers were lain for tea.

My husband and I are eccentric old luddite coots who live for our gardens. We get asked occasionally to do tours, and when I do, it's quite spontaneous and without much prep at all. That's because audience participation is so important in keeping their interest. I encourage it. One also does not know before the fact what areas of interest the other members have, and by letting them interact on a tour, with questions and comments, if you are at all quick on your feet, it's a great opportunity to have just the right agenda.

Therefore, I think a brief and casual tour is so much easier than labeling, and letting the members browse. It keeps the attention more on the subject and less on little cliques sitting and chatting. Before the tour, or after the meeting or lunch, you may suggest they can return to the gardens to enjoy or look further.

Your menu is perfect! Can I come? LOL. Balloons are a good idea, yes. Have fun!
mwoods
16 years ago
I do this every year for two book clubs,have been on a county garden tour and have had our garden club here many times. You will be surprised at how easy it all works out. I rarely have markers and people just ask what this is or that and I tell them. I always let them go at their own pace. Your food choices sound perfect,in fact it seems to me that you have it planned out very well and yes,I'd put balloons on your mailbox if you think some may not be able to find you easily. I've done this for so long the routine is always about the same. They usually park and go right for the gardens,and then come in to eat. Sometimes,they'll get coffee first and then walk around with that. The bottom line vickster is that these are gardeners and they will have a wonderful time no matter what you do. Trust me and be sure to check in and let us know how it went. Oh...this year I did make some markers for the herb garden. It's very easy and they look terrific. I took some clay pots and smashed them with a hammer. Then took the pieces and with acrylic paint (green) I wrote the name of the herb. Then I sprayed them with lacquer. They should last several years. You can also do the same thing with those big smooth river stones which come in bags in craft stores.
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andie_rathbone
16 years ago
I had our local Master Gardener group over after our meeting this month to see my daylilies in bloom. I've got to say I got into a frenzy about it trying to get all the weeds cleared & everything properly marked & mulched before they came. Yes, put balloons on your mailbox if you think your house is hared to find & plant labels re helpful unless you think you can be everywhere to answer people's questions.

Good luck & I hope everyone enjoys your gardens.
wandaredhead
16 years ago
Oh, how exciting!!

I have had several garden tours over the last few years.

Like the others said - above all, have fun!!

I have used the stones like Marda said for plant markers.

Also, for quick temporary plant markers, I have used and seen used in other gardens, plastic knives.
Write with a permanent felt marker the name of the plant on one half (handle or blade) and just poke the other end in the ground.

If you have herbs, it's fun to include the herbs in your menu.
Lavender tea, chive butter, chicken salad baking chicken breasts with rosemary, etc.

Weather permitting, you may want to consider setting up some tables and chairs and eating outside.

Please let us know how it goes.
vickster257
Original Author
16 years ago
Thank you for the great ideas and I look forward to this event but yet, now another concern. But what if there arent't many flowers in bloom on that date. I am inquiring as most of the daylilies and asiatic lilies have already bloomed or are blooming now due to the ideal weather here. Zinnias are blooming and perennials, roses, etc. also. Many of these varieties are not rebloomers, so I can only visualize very little in bloom during the middle of July. The cannas have not produced buds yet and hopefully will not be late........I could go on and on but what then? I am preparing a display board with photo images of the daylilies which are in bloom everyday so that these members can see the early and midseason varieties. Ideally, this would have been the perfect week for a tour. Today friends came to visit me and enjoyed their visit checking out the garden.

The stones are a good suggestion for markers as are the plastic knives, what size are these stones? I do not recall ever seeing them in the stores. Does Michael's carry them?

Look forward to your responses. Thank you.

I am planning to hold a backyard garden tour and meeting

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calliope

mwoods

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I am planning to hold a backyard garden tour and meeting

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calliope

mwoods

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