are you a member of the AHS or one of the local clubs ...

those peeps would know how to.. or better yet.. who to talk to about it all ...

the biggest problem.. is a leaf show.. any idea where to come up with the couple hundred vases to hold leaves ... many clubs trade ownership of such ..

ken

You might check around in whichever big city that is closest to you for Garden Clubs or a Hosta Society.

I was going to suggest the Joliet Garden Club until I noticed that one of their get togethers is named "Shade Gardens Beyond Hostas". Hmmmm. There is something beyond Hostas?

You can always try them and become the resident Hosta expert for them.

Here is a link that might be useful: Joliet Garden Club

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!

I had a garden tour at my gardens this past May. I just happened to know members of my local garden club,even though I don't belong to it. They organized it last year,and this year they came and saw my garden. Phil

Les, I just went to a small garden walk last week,only 8 houses,it was sponsored through their garden club.Tickets were $ 5.00, with a drawing for $ 25.00 to a Nursery.
They are a new group,some of the homes were just so,so,but each had something to offer.
One home had free Cold Water, and Lemon-aid.
It was fun,and all the gardeners were soooooooooo nice.
Wish I lived closer, I would join ya.
Good luck to you,I think it would be a nice turn out, gardeners Love to go to other gardens.
cAROL

I really like cAROL's suggestion of the drawing. You could probably get a nursery to donate too, especially if all the other ticket sale proceeds were to go to a charity.

cAROL - that is what I had in mind. At 73 I amaze my neighbors when they see me using posthole diggers and a pick and shovel to make planting holes in my garden. I really do OK but I can't be too ambitious with commitments to plans for a garden tour - your term "garden walk" is a more descriptive term. I just want to have people feel free to visit my hosta gardens, and have others very local to talk to. Joliet is only 20 miles North of me but with gas at over 4 bucks a gallon my world has shrunken down.

For all of you "Cities" and nearbye folks, my ex was from Minnesota and my MIL got me started in hostas. One of the better products of my marriage.

Les

Hey Les,
Why don't you just approach your neighbors, whose gardens you like,and ask them if they would be interested in having a garden walk, if not this year, then work for next year,put an add in the paper there will be a Garden Walk, free, or $$??,what ever, you could even have you home town paper write up a small article about your first annual garden walk.Many times the paper will do this for free.
Keep in mind,once you have a "walk",lots of people will be coming through your yard,be per-paired,some have even had plants stolen,after the walk.
I have had several walks, with no problems,and Love meeting others who garden, it is a fun way to meet like people.
I hope others will chim in with some more ideas.Just go for it! :0)
cAROL

I was on the board of the Arboretum which sponsors an annual garden tour. Cost is $8 which allows admittance to 8 gardens and the "reception" at the end with cookies and iced tea, a chance to talk about what you saw and a drawing for a gift certificate at a local nursery.
first of all find a local charity... the christmas lighting fund, the 4th of July fireworks fund, plantings at the cours house, or anything wh8ich is meaningful to you. Then contact that organization and ask if you can use their name to raise money for them.
Then find your gardeners willing to allow a tour....well ahead of the date, set a date....publicize it any way you can....contact the newspaper and radio station and tell them what you are doing and why....
Print a brochure with the location of each garden on it. That brochure will also serve as a ticket. Have tickets tos ell at places like nurserys....and number your tickets so you will know how many were sold!
Have a host, besides the gardener, at each location to sell tickets and stamp hands.....and pray for good weather.
It's good to have it on 2 days and to limiyt the hours....
Good luck....it's fun and can raise good money!
Linda C

Sometimes I am a little slow in thinking and ya'all stimulate my mind. In Wilmington we have a really nice resident retailer, Vilts Greenhouses of Wilmington, and he has been showing more and more hosta every year. I am going to talk to him about helping organize this. He has held gardening seminars at our city library and is a born and raised resident. Over the past years I have probably sold twice the number of his hosta than I have bought, which is more than a pittance.

You all have given me a lot to think of. Keep the ideas coming. And thanks!
Les