Last summer we visited several gardens in VT that were open on the same day. We made a weekend of it visiting Cady's Falls Nursery one day, spending the night at an air B&B, then 4 gardens not too far off I91. A DeLorme Atlas helped us take a short cut between two gardens since all the directions were from I91. One private estate had spectacular unusual architecture and gardens. The vegetable garden was surrounded by a high stone wall. I really enjoy visiting a spectacular place but I have hopes of visiting some local gardens that are more within my size, ability and pocketbook. For example, I thought the Japanese inspired garden in Canterbury was well worth the visit but I didn't get any ideas I could use in my own garden.

Thanks for pushing the Garden Conservancy's Open Days program, Babs. Over the years, I've tried to interest folks here on GW in taking a look at some of the really remarkable gardens out there, but there never seems to be a lot of interest, . .which completely baffles me! Could anyone enlighten me as to why gardener's wouldn't be curious and interested in viewing other gardens? It certainly can't be the cost - even the jump to $7. a garden this year isn't really a game-changer - especially when you can cut that charge in half by becoming a member! But believe it or not, when I do my annual spiel each Spring at the March meeting of our garden club, you can almost hear the collective yawn. . .and no one asks for additional information! Curious. . .

Babs, do you miss the old printed directory, or does the on-line version work for you? My habit has always been to sit down with directory when it arrives in March and virtually block out the next six months of my time, moving other scheduled events so that I can see all the gardens that interest me. . .and that's always 15-20, or even more.

Plotting out my summer becomes much more complex and time-consuming with the "on-line only" format - but it won't stop this Garden Junkie! - and my only other minor complaint is that there is so much overlap on some weekends, that making choices is brutal: "Do I check out the Philadelphia tour, or head for the Berkshires, or the Vermont collection, or those new gardens offered on the N.H. coast, or Martha's Vineyard, or, or, or. . ."? :>)

Carl

Carl, I've always just used the online format. I often don't have a lot of choice based on where I live, since any open gardens are usually at least an hour away with the exception of the Merrimack Valley which often has several within a half hour. I also have unavoidable conflicts some summer weekends, so it's rare I can make it to more than one set, but I always enjoy them immensely, even when they are a style I wouldn't do myself. I know several folks in this area who visit open gardens, so I think that just getting the info out there is useful, even if folks don't seem to take a big interest. If you ever find yourself traveling north to take in a garden or 4, let me know. I always enjoy meeting other GWers in person.

Carl, I am involved with another organization that holds a weekend of classes in Marlborough MA but originally held them in Providence. The usual complaint is that it's too far to drive. People seem reluctant to drive more than an hour especially if they can't find friends to car pool. I thought the Vermont gardens (might have been August 2014) were well worth the drive but I think people are reluctant to drive someplace they have never been. We haven't figured out how to overcome this but perhaps people who have met at Annie's plant swap or other events would consider carpooling if they are reluctant to go by themselves. It really helps to have a second person to navigate.

btw the Vermont Open Garden Days look terrific. We'll probably do an overnight so we can enjoy all the gardens.

The Vermont tour is already on my definite list, partly because that area on Champlain's shore is so beautiful. . .it's also unique in that it's one of very few Open Days that spans two days, a Saturday and a Sunday. If you stumble across a tall, older dude with a big "GW" on his left shirt pocket, say "hello" - that's yours truly!

Carl

Carl, remind us again just before the event. There is also a perennial nursery sort of on the way that we did not get to last year. I have not been to the Burlington farmers market but both the Montpelier and Norwich markets are excellent. We haven't been to the Champlain area of Vermont in a few years. We accidentally found a great nursery in the Charlotte area when we were looking for Pizza on Earth which has odd hours because it's a bake shop on a farm in a very rural area. I'll be the matronly redhead trying to keep her husband from wandering off. Last year he was spellbound by the architecture of one home (solid oak boards) and their huge barn (solid oak boards) and their vegetable garden surrounded by a 5' tall stone wall. I failed to tell him there was a barn tour that weekend and promised that we would do the barn tour this year. Hopefully it is not the same weekend as Open Days in Vermont.

I would be interested -- my schedule can be a little wacky, but would certainly be interested. Would be coming from Providence so the Berkshires would be in driving range, especially with a carpool (and I have a friend in the Berkshires who I would LOVE to visit and bring along). Would definitely love to meet other GW'ers in the area & see gardens together. I haven't had land o' my own for several years, so as wonderful as container gardening is, the vicarious joy of stealing a peek at someone else's well turned soil is... yes, it is.