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How the Other Half Gardens: Sneak a Peek at America’s Most Beautiful Private Spaces

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7 hours ago

How the Other Half Gardens Sneak a Peek at America’s Most Beautiful Private Spaces

Looking for a close-to-home adventure that feels a little naughty? Across America, enthusiastic home gardeners open their yards to the public during seasonal Open Days coordinated by The Garden Conservancy.

Stepping through a stranger’s garden gate feels a little like trespassing initially, but expect to be welcomed warmly by volunteer hosts and the proud homeowner, eager to show off lush perennial borders, heirloom rose beds and manicured hedges.

It’s a wonderful just-for-two outing or a fun way to spend a day outdoors with your FWDN – Friends with Dirty Nails.

The Garden Conservancy’s Open Days Program

The 20-acre Maywood Gardens in Bridgewater, CT, is the largest I’ve visited
The 20-acre Maywood Gardens in Bridgewater, CT, is the largest I’ve visited. Photo credit: Cathy Bennett Kopf

The Garden Conservancy is a not-for-profit founded in 1989 by Frank Cabot, creator of two of North America’s most famous gardens (Stonecrop and Les Quatre Vents). Its mission is to “preserve, share, and celebrate America’s gardens and diverse gardening traditions for the education and inspiration of the public.”

In addition to providing grants to deserving public and not-for-profit gardens and sponsoring lectures, the Garden Conservancy coordinates seasonal Open Days. Passionate gardeners in 40 states open their private backyards to the public to inspire and engage.

Gardening is a popular leisure activity for seniors, combining physical activity with an appreciation for nature and beauty. Seasonal articles tout the health benefits of gardening, particularly for seniors.

Visiting one of the participating Open Days gardens is a wonderful way to kickstart your garden dreams and get you digging.

Also read, Want Garden Inspo? Stop Scrolling Instagram and Do This Instead.

Meet Plants and the People Who Love Them

Grouping planters is a wonderful option if you have a small yard
Grouping planters is a wonderful option if you have a small yard. Photo credit: Cathy Bennett Kopf

The participating gardeners love their yards and are eager to share their passion with visitors. They’re normally onsite during their scheduled Open Day and are ready and willing to share their highlights and epic failures.

During my visits, I’ve learned the secret to early dahlia blooms (frequent applications of the popular fertilizer with the yellow and green label) and which of the stinky deer repellents works in my Hudson Valley neighborhood. Although I adore visits to places like the New York Botanical Garden, I’ve learned practical, achievable information by touring these private yards.

And I’ve fallen in love with dozens of plants and design schemes that I try to copy with varying degrees of success.

Take a Trip, Tour a Garden

An en plein air watercolorist at work in one of the Open Days gardens I visited.
An en plein air watercolorist at work in one of the Open Days gardens I visited. Photo credit: Cathy Bennett Kopf

In addition to everything I learn when touring an Open Days garden, I get the thrill of traveling to some place exotic, even if it’s a suburban backyard an hour from my house. Weeks in advance, I float the idea to my husband. He’s often a willing companion, but, if he’s not interested, I easily round up one of my green-thumbed friends.

After purchasing tickets, I’ll scout out other things to do near the garden and figure out a great lunch spot, so we can make a day of it. Many of the gardens near me are in northwestern Connecticut, a region that also has excellent antique stores and farm-to-table restaurants.

What You Need to Know

You’ll need to purchase tickets in advance to tour a garden. Tickets become available two months in advance of the scheduled Open Day. And popular gardens do sell out. I’ve been trying for three years to score a ticket to designer Bunny Williams’ Litchfield, CT, garden. Maybe I’ll get lucky someday.

You can search by day, location or keyword. On a given weekend, there are usually one or two gardens within easy driving distance of my Hudson Valley home, so I normally search by day. For each garden, there’s a detailed description, including size and a few photos.

Don’t judge a garden by the website photos. Having attended several Open Days, I don’t think the photos accurately represent what you’ll experience. Instead, read through the description. If you prefer a natural garden full of native plants, look for that information. I prefer to ogle clipped topiary and abundant cottage-style beds for inspiration, so I look for “English-style” gardens.

Also see, French Gardening: Your Topiary Masterpiece Awaits.

Additional Open Days Tips

  • When you visit will also impact your experience. If you love tulips, look for gardens open in late spring. Prefer dahlias? Then you’ll want to tour in late summer.
  • Open Days are rain or shine events. You can choose not to attend if the weather forecast is miserable, but you won’t receive a refund.
  • Wear comfortable clothes and walking shoes that can stand up to uneven terrain and possible mud. Sunscreen, a hat and water are musts.
  • Do not expect refreshments or available bathroom facilities since these are private homes.
  • A small car is easier to park. Many of the gardens attract crowds and you might need to wedge your vehicle into a small space on a narrow private road. We leave my hubby’s huge pickup truck at home on Open Days!

Let’s Have a Conversation:

Are you a garden lover? Do you have your own garden? Have you visited private gardens in the past? What do you look for in such tours?


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7 hours ago
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