Since the first tour in 2000, the Irvington Garden Tour has highlighted the best gardens in historic Irvington, and this year will be no different. On Sunday, June 26, the Irvington Garden Club’s 22nd Annual Garden Tour will take place from 1-5 p.m. This is a rain or shine event.
This year’s garden tour includes eight residential gardens, plus the historic gardens around the Benton House and the gardens of the Bona Thompson Memorial Center. The Irvington Presbyterian Church (55 Johnson Ave.) will also have their water garden and vegetable garden on view, complete with fruit trees and bee hives (please observe from a distance) and will offer water, seed packets, and a place to rest before the next garden.
Past tours have featured extensive shade gardens, a large koi pond, fairy gardens, and unique landscapes created by gardeners with an artistic eye. There have been small back yards with huge vegetable gardens, and surprisingly large yards with trails through the trees. Each garden has a unique personality and vision, and you can be certain you will find at least one inspiration.
Tickets are $10, and can be purchased two weeks in advance at Ace Hardware (1025 N. Arlington). They can also be purchased day of at Irvington United Methodist Church (30 N. Audubon) and the Benton House (312 S. Downey Avenue). IUMC would be a great place to start, since they are having their annual strawberry festival from 1-4 p.m. (Strawberry Shortcakes are $5). Your ticket entitles you to select one free plant for your own garden. These plants are donated by members of the Irvington Garden Club. Plants can be picked up at the Bona Thompson Center, 5350 East University. Get there early for the best selection.
In addition to a free plant, you can enter a raffle for a door prize. Simply fill out the entry form included with your ticket and drop it in one of the raffle boxes at the tour sites. Prize winners will be contacted after the tour.
The Irvington Garden Club promotes the beautification of Irvington through a variety of projects and programs. It also organizes and sponsors the monthly Irvington Farmers Market on the second Sunday of the Month June-October in Ellenberger Park.
