Scope Out The ‘Secret Gardens Of Hoboken’ On Self-Guided Tour

HOBOKEN, NJ — Hoboken residents will get a chance to take a firsthand peek at some of the coolest, most intriguing “secret gardens” in the city during a fundraising event on Sunday, June 2.

The annual, self-guided “Secret Gardens” tours will include up to 10 homeowners for 2019, according to a news release from the Hoboken Historical Museum.

The event benefits the museum; learn more here.

Tours will give people a glimpse at a wide range of designs created by dedicated gardening enthusiasts and professional landscape designers. Home gardeners can also get some ideas about clever solutions to challenges such as shallow soil and deep shade.

Event organizers wrote:

“These ‘secret gardens’ cool our urban heat island and freshen the air we breathe. They also reflect the diversity of the city’s inhabitants; past tours have featured English cottage gardens, Japanese Zen gardens, and even a Moroccan courtyard. Some are less garden and more outdoor rooms, equipped with grills and wetbars, recreation equipment, firepits, wading pools and comfy lounges. As a special treat, the Secret Gardens Tour Committee has invited renowned butterfly expert Jane Hurwitz to speak at Little City Books on Thursday, May 30, at 7 p.m., about her latest book, ‘Butterfly Gardening.’”

Organizers offered additional details about the event:

“The tour is self-guided, and gardens may be visited in any order. There are two options for starting the tour: Uptown at the Hoboken Historical Museum, 1301 Hudson St., or downtown at the Hoboken Fire Department Museum, 213 Bloomfield St. On the day of the tour, advance ticket buyers simply pick up a tour booklet between 9 am and 2 pm and visit the gardens in any order at their own pace until 4 pm. Same-day tickets will also be available for purchase at both locations. The booklet includes a map and descriptions of each of the gardens, as well as some suggestions for brunch, lunch and tea options. (In case of rain, the tour will move to June 9.)”

Organizers added:

“At each of the homes, the garden owners, Hoboken Garden Club members or Museum volunteers will greet visitors and help answer questions. The tour takes place on foot; comfortable shoes and sun protection are advised – most tour stops involve climbing a few stairs. The tour, a fundraiser for the Hoboken Historical Museum, is sponsored by Hufnagel Landscape Design and Construction Group, with support and assistance from the Hoboken Garden Club. Volunteers are needed to help staff the tour locations; contact volunteer@hobokenmuseum.org for information.”

Advance ticket purchase is recommended, and tour goers save $10 if they reserve a ticket in advance for $25. On the day of the tour, tickets cost $35, with a special discounted price of $25 for Hoboken Museum and Hoboken Garden Club members. A ticket purchase link is posted at www.hobokenmuseum.org.

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