Garden Tour returns with ten sites open for public viewing

The Amherstburg Horticultural Society presented its Garden Tour last weekend around town with a variety of different gardens open to the public. Most of the gardens were privately owned.

The Amherstburg Horticultural Society brought back its Garden Tour over the weekend with the public able to tour private and public gardens and get some tips on what to do in their own yards.

Nine private gardens and the garden at St. Joseph Church in River Canard were available and those who purchased tickets were able to view gardens on Aalbers Cr. in McGregor along with gardens on Golfview Dr., Duff St., Bathurst St., Park St., Lilac Court, Meadowview Dr. and Alma St.

“We couldn’t have asked for better weather,” said president Janice Emery. 

Emery pointed out the Garden Tour has been around for many years, but the horticultural society itself has been around for much longer as they are in its 120^th anniversary year.

“It’s one of the oldest societies in the area and the oldest in our district,” she commented. 

Emery explained that much like other horticultural societies, the Amherstburg Horticultural Society has always consisted of people who want to make their community better.

Emery said volunteers all have different ideas and interests, but they unite to help create beauty in the town. The volunteers themselves were praised as some are very active in events while others give their input through the society’s meetings.

“There were hours of dedication and hard work,” she said of efforts to put on this year’s Garden Tour. 

The committee was chosen and the meetings began in February, she added. Newspaper ads were placed, word was spread through social media and members were canvassed in order to get gardens and after they were reviewed by the committee, the gardens were chosen for the tour.

“It’s the volunteers that make this work,” she said.

Emery added they are grateful to all of the sponsors as well, including those who sponsored gardens as well as gave prizes for the raffle. They also thank Leo Sylvestre, who they worked with in order to provide information on butterflies, pollinator gardens and invasive plant species.

“It’s been going really well,” she said. “Our numbers are down a bit this year but people are really enjoying the gardens. The gardens are different and unique. What was different this year was the wide variety of gardens.”

Vice president Andrea Dyrkacz said the Amherstburg Horticultural Society was founded in 1906 by Dr. Oscar Teeter, who wanted to fix up a lot of empty lots and derelict buildings. She said the idea is that the more the town is beautified, the more it is enjoyed by others.

Dyrkacz said there were about 60 members in 1906 and about 60 members in 2026.

“It’s come full circle,” she said.

Dyrkacz added there is a “History, Hops and Horticultural” event planned in partnership with the Marsh Historical Collection July 24 at G.L. Heritage Brewing Co. at 6:30 p.m. Members and non-members are welcome.

For more information about the Amherstburg Horticultural Society, visit www.aburghortsociety.ca.

Garden Tour returns with ten sites open for public viewing

By Ron Giofu