“There will be tents set up on Ensley Avenue, in the center of the neighborhood, using someone’s driveway,” said Mary Ann Faulkner, one of the tour organizers. “We have local artists, most from the neighborhood, who will be displaying and selling such items as jewelry, photography, paintings, quilts, glass art, metal work and quilts. One vendor has healing salves and another has antique furniture.
“There will also be homemade baked goods and teas. This should be a nice area for people to take a break, rest, look at artwork and get something to eat and drink.”
Faulkner says that most gardens on the tour are new this year.
“There are beautiful shade gardens, one with a wide variety of hostas; the owner is a member of the American Hosta Society, and she’ll share knowledge about them,” she said. “The society is holding its annual tour that weekend, so those members will also be touring her garden.
“A beekeeper is on the tour, and has a camera set up by the hives so visitors can watch the bees at work from a safe distance. Another man has art throughout his garden, and will let people into his house to see the artwork there.”
The tour, which will be held rain or shine, begins at a tour tent set up at Wegerzyn Garden Center, 1301 E. Siebenthaler Ave., where visitors can purchase tickets for $10 and receive garden maps. Tickets can also be purchased online at deweesegardentour.evenbrite.com or by calling Sharon Deis at 937-279-1964.
Although gardens on the tour are spread throughout the neighborhood, Faulkner notes that they’re in clusters, so people can park their cars and visit several gardens before moving to the next site.
“The maps will have information about all gardens, restrooms, and the best parking areas,” she said.
She also advises people not to wait too late to begin the tour, which runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
“Some people don’t arrive until 4, and can’t see more than a few gardens, because our neighborhood’s so spread out,” Faulkner said.
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