My hosta club is having a 3day event next year and looking for members to show their flower gardens as part of the event.

I am just an eye ball gardener, no talent, no scheme or theme. I just love being around plants and in my gardens. The only reason I'm really considering it, is we have a large yard. And Hostas! The major reason I wouldn't do it is already my husband is saying we would have to do a ton of work! It has to be perfect! I don't want to stress over it


What about you?

Pandora...pretty brug...who is it??

I don't get that many people to visit, but those that do comment how much they like my yard. To me it's just a wild jungle, but it suits me and as such would never consider "showing it off" in any kind of tour. Not helpful to your question, but an honest answer. To me life is too short to stress over others opinions....if it makes me happy then thats what counts

We've been on the Southold Historical Society Garden Tour both times they had it, 1998 and 2005. It was fun and exciting, and I did make a forever friend out of it, but it's major stress!




My CA buddy, Mike, has been featured on tours for many years so I'll send along this link to him so he can share with anyone who considers participating.

I have been asked, but I figured you are responsible for people coming on your property and you never know what could happen. Plus like you already stated the stress of it.

Trying to have everything in peak shape was enough stress but then one guest told me I was "lucky" her sister couldn't make it or I'd have no seeds left on any plants. That really disturbed me. If people ask, they can have any seeds, but to not ask is rude. The guests were very nice, all 212 of them. All tickets benefitted the historical society.

The compliments were so nice to hear and I had a guest book and still look at what they wrote. It continues to warm my heart.

Ginger, thx, that's Charles Grimaldi. And wow, the fragrance. It was my first, cutting was a gift, got it in summer, potted in quart size container, it had 4 blooms by October. I don't know how it bloomed on such a little plant.

Well, I wasn't going to stress over it, just do basic maintenance and add more annuals, but that's not how it would end. Think you are right.

Wow, Pirl, what a feat.

Bob, never thought about insurance. I had too much negative stress last couple years working, I'm leaning towards no self inflicted stress.

I'm not so much worried about what people think, just felt like I should help the club. They've asked a couple times. Maybe I could volunteer to do something else.

I've participated in several garden tours. In terms of liability, many groups that hold tours take out event insurance which covers anything untoward that might happen to visitors (vehicle damage, falls, etc.).

I host individuals who want to see what I grow and how I do it. I also host our Master Gardeners and the Mississippi State Horticultural Club twice each year. I have been asked (it seems every year) to do a home and garden tour for one community service organization or the other, but have always declined. I just never wanted to spend the time, effort, and money to create a "tour-quality" product. That's what a pay for with my home owners insurance, Loverats. Welcome to ATP.

I have hosted many parties at our home. But none to gardening enthusiasts. Thought of having a Roundup for the ATP Texans who may want to travel to my house feeling comfortable and "safe" having those whom I "knew" come for a visit. Having a bunch of strangers in my yard does not appeal to me. Heck, I don't even want to hold a Garage Sale for that same reason! Then of course there's the time it takes to prepare for any event. Maybe when I retire?

Nope, you'll be busier in retirement than when you worked full time. Ask me how I know.

@ Ken

It is something I refuse to do. I have gone to some and seen what people do to the gardens. Some brought their kids that did not care what their little darling were doing. It would be best for my freedom not to invite problems. I would probably go to jail due to chastising someone's kid.

I have several parties a year and my guest praise is enough for me. I do not need strangers tearing up my hard work.

Garden tours? Nope. I have been asked, but would not do it. No thanks.

I do on the other hand personally invite members and their spouses of my Master Gardener and Master Naturalist groups to come by and see what's in bloom or one of my oddities. I grow scores of things they don't and in many cases things they are not familiar with or never seen. On a couple of occasions, I have also allowed people I don't really know to come visit. This has come about from newspaper articles about me or proprietors/associates at local nurseries. In the past year I have had perhaps 20 people stop by.

I hosted the Michigan Dahlia Association a few years back. It was fun, but somewhat stressful. As I recall, we had "unusual" weather that year and many of my dahlias had not fully developed before the tour date.

The garden tour that I've participated in 7 times benefits a battered women's shelter. We do not charge people to see the gardens but have a donation jar at each garden for those who feel inclined to donate. The people who come know the history of the tour and we always have a huge turnout and collect a sizeable amount for the charity.
Yes, it CAN be stressful (on the host gardener) to try and make everything just the way you want it but when people come and see your garden THEY don't see all the perceived flaws that we see.
Like pirl said, the compliments are very rewarding as well as knowing that the donations go to a very good cause.

Our tour board carries a two day insurance policy for the event and we've never had a problem.
By and large, the overwhelming majority of the guests are well behaved and I've never had a problem with kids, dogs, etc.

Having your garden on a tour isn't for everyone, that's for sure. I look at it as a way to share gardening ideas with fellow garden enthusiasts as well as getting new ideas from the guests.

I'm not going to lie. It IS exhausting once it's over and I'm usually hoarse for two days following...kinda like how you feel the day after Christmas. LOL

Since Mike (Calsurf73) is having computer problems with photos, I offered to post some of his photos to show you his hidden beauty of a courtyard garden.

That's a really nice garden setting, Arlene.

Thanks. They are photos of Calsurf's courtyard gardens.

Wow!!

Beautiful