MOUNT VERNON — Knox County is home to some of the most beautiful and serene gardens in Ohio, from spacious acres filled with garden after garden to the small lot delightfully decorated by Mother Nature’s paintbrush. Over the last several years, the Owl Creek Conservancy and the Mount Vernon News have joined forces to let the light shine on these gardens and those who tend them. From the pages of the News’ annual publication, The Garden Shed, readers have been able to explore and learn from those top gardens. In Wednesday’s edition of the News, readers will be able to see pictures from the gardens visited by judges last year and read about the top five.
However, on Saturday, June 23, the Owl Creek Conservancy, along with winners from last year’s contest, will take this annual event to the next level. Mark your calendar as the OCC will offer tours of these splendid botanical wonderlands.
“This is something that came about as we were driving around judging last year’s garden contest,” said Vicki Kauffman, spokeswoman for the Owl Creek Conservancy. “We were looking for ways to bring more attention to the conservancy, and we believe this is the perfect opportunity.”
OCC has been offering annual “Explore the Nature of Knox County,” excursions that allow guests the opportunity to tour areas of the county that are conservation conscious. Looking at the big picture, the board decided that gardening was a universal passion that encompasses all genders, all races and all social classes.
“In the past, those events weren’t as well attended as we’d like. This year we’ve planned fewer events, but we’ve also raised the bar as to what we’ll be offering,” Kauffman said. “I believe this garden tour is something that everyone can enjoy. Gardeners will love it. Those who enjoy the beauty of nature will love it. Conservancy efforts are geared toward people who love their land. Gardeners love their land. We feel that conservancy and gardening really go hand in glove.”
The self-guided tour will run from 1 to 5 p.m. Those participating are encouraged to wear clothing and shoes appropriate for the weather. An OCC trustee will be on site at each garden to answer questions and pass out literature about the conservancy.
Kauffman encourages those garden clubs, families and friends that want to tour together to car pool and be cautious when looking for a place to park.
“Please be respectful and mindful of property when looking for a place to park,” Kauffman said. “Some places will have more room for parking than others. The last thing we want is someone’s yard destroyed or a lot of traffic congestion.”
Stops on this garden tour include:
•Honorable Mention — Joe and Lisa Spearman, 27541 Dennis Church Road, Howard.
•Honorable Mention — Shirley Kelling, 27941 Harrisburg Road, Danville.
•Third Place — Reba Borchers, 8 Avalon Road, Mount Vernon.
•Second Place — Mary Ann Budniak, 545 Lakeview Heights Drive, Howard.
•First Place — Ianne Wells, 27801 Flat Run Road, Danville.
Pick up a copy of Wednesday’s edition of the Mount Vernon News to read about these gardens and see photographs taken during the judging of the 2006 Most Beautiful Garden Contest in the 2007 Garden Shed.