'Growing Together': Free Self-Guided Tours Will Soon Bloom At 8 Special Gardens

HUDSON VALLEY, NY — It's almost time to see how much the Hudson Valley has grown.

Garden lovers in Poughkeepsie and across the Mid-Hudson region will have a chance to visit eight local gardens during a free, self-guided tour on Saturday, July 25. Growing Together: A Tour of Mid-Hudson Gardens is scheduled for 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., rain or shine, and invites visitors to stop at as many participating sites as they wish.

The tour brings together historic estates and gardens, educational programs, and community gardens across the region. The event is intended as a day celebrating horticulture, local history, wellness, and community connection.

Participating gardens are Beatrix Farrand Garden, 4097 Albany Post Rd., Hyde Park; Blithewood, 75 Blithewood Ave., Red Hook; Clermont, 1 Clermont Ave., Germantown; Eden Share, 29 N. Hamilton St., Poughkeepsie; Garden of Eatin', 853 Dutchess Turnpike, Poughkeepsie; Montgomery Place, 55 Montgomery Place, Red Hook; Pleasant Valley Community Garden, 1907 Salt Point Turnpike, Salt Point; and Wilderstein, 330 Morton Rd., Rhinebeck.

"Growing Together is an opportunity to celebrate the gardens of the Mid-Hudson Valley including those that support community involvement, wellness, sustainable agriculture, and food equity. We are honored to participate in this event," said Scott Pidgeon, Co-founder, Eden Share, Inc.

The tour will feature a range of garden styles, from historic landscapes and formal gardens to regenerative gardens focused on food security and health, according to the announcement. Organizers said they hope the event encourages visitors to connect more deeply with the region's natural beauty, community and environment.

"Blithewood Garden is thrilled to participate in this new self-guided garden tour celebrating the diversity and beauty of Hudson Valley gardens, all located within a one-hour radius," said Amy Parrella, Arboretum Director, Bard College.

"Public gardens, especially in an urban area, bring to the community a haven where everyone can experience the beauty and awe that nature inspires. I appreciate all the donors, volunteers, and caregivers who make them possible," said Pamela Brown, Beatrix Farrand Garden at Bellefield in Hyde Park.

Additional information, maps and updates are available here. The event is free to attend.