City prepares for summer garden walk

The Bloomington Garden Club will celebrate its 75th anniversary June 21-22 during the 25th annual Summer Garden Walk.

“This is an exciting year for us, because it is two celebrations during one weekend,” said Harriet Kulis, Bloomington Garden Club co-chair.

The walk will feature two gardens at the Hilltop Garden and Nature Center and the Monroe County History Center and five private gardens.

“We are very excited to participate in the annual garden walk and invite the community to come visit the history center to learn more about Bloomington,” said David G. Vanderstel, Monroe County History Center executive director.

Garden owners can submit their land to be considered for the event. Two walk co-chairs will decide which gardens to include.

“The gardens are selected based on how they look and what they include,” publicity chair Judith Granbois said.

Walk participants can complete the walk in any order they choose.

“We have people who complete the walk on either Saturday or Sunday. Some start at either the beginning or the end. They do it in a variety of ways,” Kulis said.

The walk benefits children and civic gardening projects in the community.

“Proceeds from the walk go towards helping other gardening projects get started,” Granbois said.

Those interested in obtaining funding must file an application to be considered. The leadership of the Bloomington Garden Club then chooses the grant recipients.

“We look at all the applications and see how much funding we have available, then determine who has the greater need,” Kulis said.

In addition to raising money for other gardening projects, this year’s walk will feature a distinct event to celebrate the Bloomington Garden Club’s 75th anniversary.

“There will be a 1938-style tea and a display of photographs and memorabilia from the past 75 years,” Kulis said.

The tea will take place at the Monroe County History Center.

“Participants in the walk get to see the beauty of private gardens and gain insight on what they can do for their own,” Kulis said.

The walk will take place from 10 a.m. to noon June 21 and from noon to 4 p.m. June 22.

Tickets are $10 and can be purchased from any Bloomingfoods location, Bloomington Hardware, Bloomington Valley Nursery, Ellettsville True Value Hardware, Goods for Cooks, Mays Greenhouse and Monroe County History Center or from any Bloomington Garden Club member.