Have you thought about organizing a hosta society? Most of the time, tours are usually sponsored thru a club or society. Are there any other gardening clubs in your town? Another thought is to maybe set up your tour as a charitable event. As for the thought of a "real life" forum... tours really don't do much to foster relationships, unless its a bus tour where you have time to chat with your neighbor. But even then, people tend to visit with those they know, not so much with strangers. This is where the gardening club/hosta society is going to come in. If you think you might want to start a society, I'd go to the American Hosta Society facebook page and ask how to start one there, or maybe the Hallson's forum. If there is already a local society, perhaps you can draw interest from the membership. Food is a great way to get people to linger in a garden. Perhaps you could set up your tour as a progressive dinner? Or a pot luck/progressive? 1 house has 4 people bring appetizers, next 1: 4 salads, next 4 entrees, next 4 desserts? Ok, now, from the garden host's perspective. Being on a tour is intimidating. We (the host) have this notion that our garden should be pristine, finished (no works in progress), weed free and perfect before anyone sees them. I don't know how to tell you to get people to relax, but when I had my 2 garden parties in June, I knew they were both going to be groups of gardeners, so they'd understand if things weren't perfect. But if I were on a public tour, I think I'd feel more pressure. Not sure how to tell ya how to get possible hosts to be willing to look past imperfection, but it's going to be a stumbling block. Also, choose a time of the season when hosta gardens look their best. Here in the twin cities that time is in mid to late June.... before the heat really sets in. If it's going to be a general garden tour, maybe July is best, since there is going to be more in bloom. Good luck!

We participated in a kitchen tour just after ours was completed - it was a fundraiser for the NICU in a local hospital (where I sometimes work), which is the only reason I agreed to do it! We were told NOT to be home during the tour, but I trusted the volunteer staff to keep an eye on things. They were stationed at the front door, and posted in several places inside, directing traffic to the correct place. Visitors either took off their shoes at the door, or put on disposable booties, so dirt was not an issue. The flow of traffic from room to room was clearly marked, and the adjacent rooms were roped off. A local upscale housewares company set my dining room table with stunning crystal and china (no, I didn't get to keep it!) My house never looked so good! It was fairly stressful, because I changed my dining room light fixture at the last minute (something I had been meaning to do for quite some time), and thoroughly cleaned up the whole place, inside and out, ahead of time. I removed all pictures of family and identifying information from view, so it felt more anonymous. Yes, I still felt a little vulnerable letting strangers into my home, but it was a trust thing. I was very flattered to be asked. Tickets were pricey enough that only people really interested in houses/kitchens came through - not the casual/curious tag sale crowd. It was not judged, but we got really nice compliments and feedback (reported to us by the volunteers who were stationed at my house). Most people just looked and didn't touch, but some opened cabinets/closets, etc. like they were buying a house, so I suggest you clean the inside of your cabinets, too!

Did you know your house is listed twice at realtor.com? MLS 514935 virtual tour, 4 Bed, 3.5 Bath MLS 566806 no virtual tour, 4 Bed, 3 Bath - 2,870 Sq. Ft. I decided to try the tour with the realtor.com link and was surprised that I was actually able to view it. Let me tell you, my computer was screaming! Both processors were getting hot, I could hear the fans go on and off. With my 2 Intel Xeon's at 3.20 GHZ each, and 2 gigs of memory, I would hate to see someone with a less computer try to view. What was she thinking? Next, I found her descriptions to be a bit wordy, it was hard trying to read and look at the video and was easier to bring it up as a gallery, then move it on my own. In the back of farm there is a tree or two down. If the camera was in a different spot, they probably wouldn't have been in the shot. I would remove this. She needs to go back and read what she has written: description for home office / formal living room - space features crown molding, beautiful french doors opening up to the front porch and 10 foot ceiling. No need for an office? This room could just as easily be a formal living room with it's proximity to the front door, hickory flooring, and the same beautiful details as the rest of this home - French should be a capital F, I would also reword it. Family room - one level living with plenty of room to spare on the upper and lower level. Decorated with fashionable colors and with an incredible floor plan. Family room shot 2 - this angle shows the breakfast area beyond - then it goes to a wall. Why wasn't it taken more to the left to actually see the dining area? Master - large & spacious - pans to a wall. Kids room - anal but the electric cord from the spider man lamp is what my eye was drawn to. I would push the dresser left a little to hide the outlet. Childrens bathroom - fun colors yet tastefully decorated - perfect for that whimsical side in all of us or super easy to change to your own taste bonus room - large & spacious - pans to a wall. If someone is able to view the tour they will see your beautiful kitchen and an over all gorgeous house. We were looking for a house like this as I love the outside. Unfortunately I couldn't find one for sale in our price range to see the floor plan. She also mentions the floor plan, have you thought to include the floor plans in the listing?

I am so sorry that I missed it, Robo! I initially signed up to "attend" your virtual baby shower (and did contribute), but this Saturday morning instead found myself in our car heading from our rented house on the Oregon Coast up to tour some other cute beach towns north of us. I was outvoted by my DH, Sis and BIL, who were anxious to get an early start. I'm so glad it went well and that you had a fun time, though.