Master gardeners and backyard warriors alike can view seven stunning outdoor showcases when the Southland Community Garden Walk returns next weekend.
The sixth edition of the garden walk, sponsored the South Cook Section of the National Council of Jewish Women, takes place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on June 26, starting at Goldberg Park in Flossmoor. During the tours, horticulturists and master gardeners will be on hand at each site to answer visitors’ questions and give gardening tips.
This year’s event will take participants to two gardens in Homewood, three in Flossmoor, one in Olympia Fields and one in Chicago Heights.
Gloria Lippert, the garden walk chairwoman for five of its six years, said the NCJW originally reached out to horticulturists at the local University of Illinois Extension to act as guides. Since then, the organization has increasingly turned to a growing number of south suburban master gardeners who now participate as consultants.
“We, the NCJW and the garden walk committee, feel we have a rich, diverse and beautiful area and what we’re doing is highlighting the beauty of our neighborhoods, the beauty of our community,” Lippert said.
Gardens are initially considered for the event from surveys distributed at Goldberg Park. Lippert said the NCJW also gets word-of-mouth tips on possible beautiful gardens to be considered.
The NCJW does not publicize that addresses of homes where gardens are on display and the locations can’t be found without the garden walk program. There are also seven restaurants participating as sponsors of the event. NCJW is also conducting a raffle for five garden-related prizes; it will take place the day of the event.
Tickets are available for $20 in advance at Ebel’s Ace Hardware in Cherry Creek Plaza and Art 4 Soul, 18135 Harwood Ave., Homewood. Tickets are available for $25 at Goldberg Park on the day of the event. Online tickets, at www.ncjwsouthcook.org/garden-walk/, are $25, and that includes a raffle ticket. Raffle tickets will be sold at Goldberg Park for $5 each or five for $20. The raffle drawing will take place in the evening and winners will be contacted by phone.
Proceeds from the garden walk will benefit Respond Now and Aunt Martha’s.
Goldberg Park is located at 3301 Flossmoor Road.