Annual Works in Progress tour features six gardens and lunch

COURTESY
SPRINGFIELD, Vt. — All are invited into six local gardens on Sunday, Aug. 5 for the eighth annual Works in Progress Garden Tour, sponsored by the Unitarian Universalist Church in Springfield. The tour had been rescheduled from July 7.

The tour participants’ early summer morning will begin at Glen Williams’ in-town garden on three-quarters of an acre. Williams is known for his extensive hosta collection, and has been adding ladyslippers, an assortment of annuals, and anything else that catches his fancy.

On the second stop, the group will visit Pat Belknap’s yard, which includes a mix of shade and sun-loving plants, daylilies, hostas, and annuals leading to a friendship gate connecting to her neighbor’s yard.

The third stop will be at the gardens of Nina and Herb Jamison, featuring a forest setting with low stone walls, perennial beds connected by pebble paths, stone steps, stone seats and whimsy throughout. Enjoy the lavender lined path, wilds interspersed with planting beds and two woodland walks.

On the fourth stop, the group will move on to Bartonsville to see Marvie Campbell’s extensive backyard vegetable gardens and her ways of dealing with deer and watering. She will show visitors her new, productive kitchen garden in a raised bed right out the back door.

Back in Springfield, the fifth stop will be at the home of Bonnie Andrews, who believes in “planting enough stuff so you don’t have to weed.” Shade and sun plants, paths and interesting discoveries abound.

On the sixth stop, Betsy Owen usually grows a few of her favorite summer vegetables, with room for lots of garlic and winter squash for winter storage. A border of flowers always finds its way in, both volunteers from last year such as sunflowers and poppies, and a few annuals.

Less than a mile away is Diane Kemble’s residence, where lunch made from fresh local ingredients will be served on the deck and porch overlooking the vegetable garden, berry patches, flowers, field and pond. The “Works in Progress” theme is definitely in evidence here, according to organizers.

The tour, which ends with lunch, runs from 8 a.m. through about 1 p.m. Suggested donation is $20 and includes lunch and plants. To sign up, email [email protected] or call (802) 885-1156 or (802) 324-9465. Full details on directions and carpooling will be provided.