To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow
The Garden Club Federation of Pennsylvania held a statewide garden tour on June 27 that showcased gardens across the entire state of Pennsylvania.
Here in Fayette County the Great Meadows Garden Club had seven sites to visit and what a joy it was to see the talents of the participants. The forecast for last Saturday called for lots of rain, however Mother Nature co-operated and visitors were treated to a nice day with the rain holding off until Sunday.
First up was Jaros Gardens in Smithfield, nestled on a 40-acre property with five acres of landscape gardens that burst with color and include a vibrant mix of annuals and perennials; even a children’s garden that invites hands-on discovery. Each season inspires new experiments with plant varieties along with old favorites.
Next up our visit took us to the East End Community Garden that includes three raised beds and 10 in-ground plots that yield over 57 varieties of vegetables along with a children’s garden providing a hands-on space to explore the different parts of plants, roots, stems, seeds, and fruit. Pollinator plants make this a certified Monarch Butterfly Waystation.
Next we visited the Alexander Gardens and Ponds at Chalk Hill, certified by the Fayette County Master Gardener program. This rustic pollinator garden features native perennials, bird feeders, baths and a butterfly puddle that provides nutrients to the butterfly. Along with many colorful flower beds the backyard features two small ponds with waterfalls that provide a haven for birds, frogs and fish.
A short drive to Farmington took us to the Friend Garden, a peaceful retreat with a rich past. Braddock Trail runs through the property, giving it a unique connection to local history. The home and grounds have a character and a sense of heritage that add to its beauty. The original owner was the founder of the Great Meadows Garden Club whose appreciation for nature still influences the property today.
The Sherry Gardens have a peaceful country charm with mature trees that frame the space along with a hand-hewn stone watering trough that adds a sense of timeless history and a nice place to enjoy the beauty of the changing seasons.
The Church Community Gardens were also in Farmington and this one provides fresh produce for some 300 people, using organic methods to produce a variety of crops and maintain soil health. A no-till practice helps preserve soil structure and reduce erosion. The garden promotes community involvement and the shared value of caring for the land.
Our last visit of the day was to the Komarinski Farm, a 150-acre farm that was accepted into the Farm Land Preservation program, which includes more than 4,200 farms and 457,537 acres that are now preserved for future generations of Pennsylvania farmers. Fayette County has 24 local farms and 2,784 acres that are preserved in the program.
Our tour took a little over six hours and we learned so much. Nature is such an awesome part of life. Walking through a garden allows serenity to slip into our lives, bringing a sense of peace and calm.
The arrival of the heat dome this past week with its warm and humid weather also brought out the fireflies each evening as they flicker their signals to attract a mate. Their yellow lights signal they are ready for some frolicking and fun.