After a rainy week, beautiful weather set the stage for a delightful day of exploring ten local gardens during the Little Gardens Club of Atlantic City’s summer garden tour. Held on Sunday, July 13, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., both aspiring and seasoned gardeners took mental notes of creative ideas to implement in their own gardens.
Each garden provided a unique treat for the senses as buzzing bees, splashing water fountains, and dancing butterflies painted dreamy, photo-worthy scenes among the colorful flowers. Starting at the Linwood Arboretum, the self-guided tour led attendees through the towns of Linwood, Northfield, Egg Harbor Township, and Mays Landing.
Among the notable gardens was the flower and herb-filled garden of Krista Walker and Mike Calvi of Linwood. Their garden has been certified as both a Monarch Waystation and a Wildlife Habitat. This garden is bursting with so many vibrant flowers that it even has its own Instagram page (@thelinwoodflowerhouse). The garden also serves as a therapeutic space for Krista as she navigates her cancer journey. In a show of support, her nephew, Fred Calvi, held a lemonade stand in the morning hours of the tour to benefit Gilda’s Club.
Also in Linwood, the half-acre garden of Jan and Mike Smith is a sight to behold. Boasting five different types of hydrangeas in addition to countless lilies, daisies, towering cardinal flowers, perennials, and trees. Many different varieties of birds can be found enjoying this lovingly planted and well-planned garden.
Janet and Jim Peck of Northfield enjoy a native garden filled with “plants for a purpose” that support all different types of pollinators, such as bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Their property is also a Certified Wildlife Habitat and on the National Pollinator Pathway. They “leave the leaves” as much as possible and have eliminated the use of pesticides.
Nicole and Chuck Naylor of Northfield also avoid using pesticides so that the numerous monarch butterflies that lay eggs on their milkweed will not be harmed. Nicole considers the garden her sanctuary and draws from the garden a constant source of comfort, peace, and joy. About her flowers, she said, “It’s impossible for me to pick just one favorite flower. It changes every day. Each one brings a different color and texture and feature to my garden. Not only are they beautiful to us, but they also provide food and shelter for so many different birds and insects. That is what I love most about my flowers.”
Gardeners on the tour have been increasingly aware of planting native plants and eliminating pesticides to create a healthy habitat for pollinators. Organizers of the tour estimate that approximately 350 people attended this year’s event. Proceeds from the tour benefit civic and environmental organizations such as the Community Food Bank of New Jersey, The Great Egg Harbor River Watershed Association, sustainability groups, and various community groups.
Tammy Thornton lives with her husband, children, and crazy pets while enjoying a life of gardening, cooking, and going to the beach.
