Lakewood Arts' Annual Garden Tour is always a delight, with perfectly manicured gardens, whimsical decorations and welcoming patios, and this years' selection of seven gardens was no exception. As a volunteer garden greeter, I was able to partake in the Friday evening preview for volunteers and the homeowners offering up their gardens to the public. We started out at a cute backyard off of 32nd Ave, an oasis nestled into a small area, but lush with Asian-inspired foliage and calming with a koi pond partially covered by a wooden bridge. The kindly owner offered visitors a snip of her fresh herbs growing in the front yard as we left.
Roost Farms was the second stop on 32nd Ave. I heard many visitors exclaiming how surprising it is to discover so much cultivated land hidden behind these older homes in these quiet little subdivisions. Chris' 1.1 acre farm included many vegetable crops and flowers in the front yard which he and his wife offer up in CSA's (Community Supported Agriculture).
Behind the house were two Air bnb's, one of which was constructed from an old trolley car. Goats and chickens roamed in their penned enclosures and wide open spaces were fun for adult and child alike. Judy had a turn on the tree swing, whee!
Just around the corner on Iris St, Blossom and Branch Farm offers an environmentally beneficial method of growing 150 varieties of flowers, and owner Brianna teaches various classes in her restored horse barn. A Saturday morning market on site sells her flower bouquets as well as salves and solutions.
On Garland St, owner Victoria has created a haven of comfort with her plantings, places to rest and even an intriguing she-shack full of garden related ephemera.
Gallery co-op member, Gigia, beautifully matches this water-themed planting,
while photographer and LAC member Kathleen rests next to a garden related sculpture.
Birdhouses were the defining feature of Sandy's home on DeFrame Ct. Hanging from all the trees, propped on stumps and secured to fences they provided a fun and whimsical trip around the garden. There was even a Ladybug house with ladybug rocks painted by her grandchildren. Gallery co-op member Tony is hard at work taking photos and videos for gallery promotions.
The last two locations on the tour (or first two if you started from the south) were katty corner to each other, part of a friendly neighborhood who have resided there for years and get together often. Karen's expansive back yard at South Dover Way was perfect for her kitty to roam, and a lush gallery for her gorgeous oil paintings on display.
Lakewood Arts Council founder, Barb Tobiska also visited and looked beautiful standing next to one of her own oil paintings.
Susan, on South Dudley Street loves to entertain, and judging by her inviting patio, does a lot of it. This cute sunken patio lined with lights and festooned with red table umbrellas made me want to sit a while with a glass of wine.
She brought out her 35 year old turtle to everyone's delight.
So hopefully everyone had as delightful a time as I did on the tour, and were inspired and educated. And those of you who purchased tickets should know you're helping a community involved organization meet their fundraising goals! We thank you for that and look forward to another successful garden tour next year. (If you know of any gardeners that would be willing to offer up their yards for next year's tour, please let us know! 303 980-0625)
