Continuing their long tradition, The Little Gardens Club of Atlantic City has announced its 27th annual summer garden tour to be held Sunday, July 12, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Attendees will have the chance to peek behind the floral curtain and see private gardens located in Linwood and Egg Harbor Township. Seven gardens will be featured in this rain or shine event, which is held the weekend after the Fourth of July. Garden tours offer fellow gardeners and lovers of flowers a peaceful day to wander through the botanical creations of others, while providing inspiration to bring back to their own gardens.
Established in 1922, the garden club celebrates its 104th anniversary this year. The “Little Gardens” name refers to the fact that many of the original members of the club had larger gardens at their estates in the Main Line, and their gardens along the shore were their “little gardens.” Today, the club consists of members with large and small gardens in South Jersey, mainly in Atlantic County. Throughout the year, various speakers give presentations at the club meetings, and members enjoy different tours and road trips. Last year, they visited the Funny Farm in Mays Landing, Swarthmore College and Scott Arboretum in Swarthmore, Pennsylvania, Phillips Mushroom Farms in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, The Field and Flock Lavender Farm in Woodstown, the Sayen House and Gardens in Hamilton Township, and a guided tour at the Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge (where they saw a bald eagle!). But the garden tour is the highly anticipated event of the year. According to member and former Club President Lynn Wood, over 300 tickets were sold for last year’s garden tour. From its earliest days, money raised by the garden tours was used to invest back into the community. During World War II, when soldiers were in makeshift hospitals, the group provided flowers and magazines for recovering soldiers. Currently, the proceeds from ticket sales are used to benefit local civic and environmental organizations such as community gardens, Reeds Farm, Pinelands Alliance, Linwood’s Arboretum, and the Friends of Forsythe pollinator garden.
Tickets for the self-guided tour will be sold at Joe’s Garden Center in Absecon, Lang’s Garden Market in Linwood, Bob’s Garden Center in Egg Harbor Township, and Ronnie’s Garden Center in Northfield. The Little Gardens Club is always searching for a new secret garden to feature on their tour. Perhaps your garden or your friend with a green thumb can be on the tour next year.
Shore Local News would love to hear from our readers. Do you have a tour-worthy garden? If you would like to have your garden or garden club featured, send your comments, questions, or pictures to shorelocalgardener@gmail.com.
Tammy Thornton lives with her husband, children, and crazy pets while enjoying a life of gardening, cooking, and going to the beach.
