Garden walks are a great way for gardeners to spend a leisurely day outside and peek into the private yards of homeowners to get design ideas and growing tips.
For gardeners to make the most of a garden walk, sponsors and hosts want visitors to keep an open mind and use it as a learning experience, especially because these are often gardens and areas that visitors might not typically get to experience.
Here are tips from the experts:
Do some homework: Research what types of gardens are on display. The Internet can be your best friend here. Many organizations running garden walks will have information on their websites. Also, some will have printed programs available ahead of time that detail the varieties of gardens and their locations. But even if you grab that program the day of your visit, take some time to peruse it before you get started.
Stephanie Werskey, media coordinator for the Garden Conservancy, which runs garden walks of spectacular, rarely viewed private gardens across the country via its Open Days program, said its website includes information such as times, locations and costs.
Vital considerations: Your research also means scouting out parking and where to use the bathroom, perhaps at nearby restaurants or other public facilities, Charlier said.
"We encourage our hosts to not let people use the bathroom because we don't want people in their homes," he said.
He added that visitors who need wheelchair or stroller access should try to find out ahead of time if the area can accommodate wheels. Private yards may not be handicapped-accessible.