As Athol celebrates its 250th anniversary, the Athol Bird and Nature Club celebrates the gardens of Athol, 12 in 12 a self-guided tour of 12 outstanding gardens on Sunday, July 15 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Four themes dominate this tour: the drama of glorious gardening and natural rock, the surprise of secret treasures, the bounty of home vegetable gardens and locally grown food, and the ecology of gardens that appeal to birds, butterflies and other pollinators a value of especial note to the ABNC.
Of course, all these gardens add aesthetic value, too colorful annuals and perennials, cozy nooks and sweeping beds, bold and whimsical garden ornaments, still or flowing water features, and a good deal more.
Day-of tickets will be available at the Millers River Environmental Center, 100 Main St., Athol (which itself offers a bonus, a habitat garden being created by the North Quabbin Garden Club). Plants will also be available for purchase at one garden and at a nursery associated with another.
Advance tickets are available at Agway and Bruces Browser in Athol, at Noels Nursery and North Quabbin Woods in Orange, and at the New Salem General Store.
The tour is sponsored by the Athol Bird and Nature Club in support of the Millers River Environmental Center. Assistance with the tour is provided by the North Quabbin Garden Club.
More information about the tour is available from Susan Heinricher, 978-544-6372; more information about the Center, the ABNC and the NQGC can be found at www.millersriver.net