Ep. 261 – Treasures from the Warwick, NY Garden Tour

What a treat to join Tara and Kathleen, both clients who have become friends along with my neighbor Susan, for the 32nd Annual Countryside Garden Tour, hosted by the Warwick Valley Gardeners.

The club was established in 1992 and has been creating educational programs and community projects for more than three decades.

Their annual garden tour is a cherished tradition that draws visitors from throughout the region.

I was especially excited because the tour was in Warwick, New York, a place I remember hearing about from my mom.

Growing up on a farm near Pine Bush, Warwick was considered the big city by comparison.

During the 19th century, Warwick became known for its rich farmland and apple orchards, and later for attracting artists and visitors seeking the beauty of the Hudson Valley.

It is such a beautiful place.

The tour began on the green in Warwick, and I was immediately impressed by how organized everything was.

The Garden Club had created beautiful patriotic container plantings, celebrating red, white, and blue blossoms.

Before you knew it, we had our wristbands on and off we were to our first stop.

And the first garden belonged to Lenora and Paul and was called Hillside Heaven.

As I wandered through the property, I asked Paul if he helped in the garden.

I dig, he said.

The simple answer made me laugh.

When I asked Lenora how she became interested in gardening, she told me, In school, I grew a petunia in a milk carton.

Imagine that.

A lifetime passion begins with a milk carton and a petunia.

I always love hearing about Garden Starts, and if you want to share yours, I'd love for you to email me at askmarystone at gmail.com. Lenora also said she enjoys watching Gardener's World, that beloved BBC gardening program that follows gardeners through the seasons.

sharing practical advice and inspiration from some of Britain's most beautiful gardens.

Before the tour, I had heard that Lenora had suffered a mild injury and wasn't able to garden for weeks, so she sent out a sort of SOS to fellow garden club members.

And when I arrived, I noticed the evidence of the last-minute teamwork, bags of mulch, fresh touches, and a lovely new stepping-stone path Leading from the driveway toward the fenced-in pool and the garden surrounding it, it was so beautiful.

But what struck me most was the community effort behind it and the kindness of others.

Although her garden, self-done, was just magnificent and very well-maintained.

While exploring the front garden planting, my friends began asking me what various plants were.

Soon other visitors joined the conversation.