Tickets for the Garden Tour Fundraiser are available at Degroot’s Nurseries.
The idea for a garden tour came to Grace Carver as she tended her garden.
“I was working in my front garden which is right near the road,” says Carver. “People would always come and talk. That got me thinking that maybe a garden tour is a good idea.”
Carver is the driving force behind the Garden Tour Fundraiser and drew inspiration from her own gardening experiences. “I gardened with my dad when I was small, and it became a real passion for me. I call it ‘playing in the garden.’”
Although Carver has a lifetime of experience tending gardens, organizing a public garden tour was a new endeavour for her. To make this happen, Carver sought out some local advice and after reaching out to other local gardeners, things really evolved.
“It really spread and grew. We now have 11 gardens,” says Carver. “We’ve gone and checked them all out. It’s quite a bit of variety … we have some streams, ponds and waterfalls. Some gardens are well landscaped with hardscapes and others have native plants. Some unique ideas in every garden to take home.”
The Garden Tour Fundraiser will be held on July 14, noon to 4 p.m., with all locations found in the City of Sarnia.
“We hope to do this more often,” adds Carver, saying that the money raised will support Nightlight, an adult drop-in centre at 181 Christina Street North in downtown Sarnia. Carver has been a volunteer there since its inception two years ago and is passionate about making a difference in the lives of their guests.
A statement from Nightlight says that they are “a safe place to build meaningful relationships, where we invite in anyone who wants to come in, including those who would normally be excluded. We serve refreshments and a place for people to play games, chat, and build relationships.”
Tickets for the Garden Tour Fundraiser are available at Degroot’s Nurseries, located at 1840 London Line, Sarnia. The tickets are $25 each (cash only). Once purchased, participants will receive a passport that gives them exclusive entrance to the gardens. The passport also has the entire list of gardens and a map.
Every purchase gives participants a chance to get a raffle ticket for garden-themed prizes from local garden centres that will be drawn that night.
On the day of the event, participants can buy tickets at 626 Eroll Road West from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Also, cash only.
IF YOU GO:
WHAT: Garden Tour Fundraiser for Nightlight. Eleven gardens, including a wide variety of landscapes and species.
WHEN: Sunday, July 14, noon to 4 p.m.
WHERE: Sarnia
HOW: Buy your tickets for $25 (cash only) at DeGroot’s Nurseries. You will receive a passport containing a list and map of garden locations.
