Southborough Gardeners offer Kitchen and Garden Tour

(l to r) Amy Coombs, president, and Judy Quinlan and Susan Conti, co-chairs of Southborough Gardeners, stand at the doorway of one of the homes on this year's tour. PHOTO/SUBMITTED

Southborough - The Southborough Garden Club, better known to some as the Southborough Gardeners, is inviting the public to take part in a Kitchen and Garden Tour, to be held Sunday June 1 from 1 to 5 p.m. in Southborough.

The tour will include eight kitchens and gardens and feature festively-decorated kitchens, many of which lead out to garden paths that venture to woodlands, arbors, fountains and pools.

Those interested in taking the tour can pick up admission tickets and maps at the Southborough Community House, 28 Main St.

Tickets for the tour are $20 in advance and $25 the day of the tour. Tickets will be available in advance at the Southborough Town Library, by calling 508-485-8959, sending email to mlaura291@aol. com, or by mailing a check made out to "Southborough Gardeners" along with a self-addressed, stamped envelope to: Southborough Gardeners, P.O. Box 184, Southborough, MA 01772.

The proceeds from the event will be used for future beautification projects in the town of Southborough.

Once a participant has picked up a map and ticket at the Community House, he/she will be able to begin the tour at any of the locations on the map and visit in any order, staying as long as desired at each location.

Among the visitation options is a European-style country home, its kitchen, rooms and gardens exquisitely decorated for an upcoming wedding.

Also on the tour is a spacious kitchen that offers a picturesque view of the reservoir.

One home on the list features a backyard decorated extensively for a children's tea party that will be in progress during the tour.

A stroll along several garden paths on the tour will showcase plants that are considered family heirlooms and are between 60 and 90 years old.

There is also a visit to a Colonial home with a center entrance, where dinner preparations will be in full swing, no matter the arrival time.

A French country kitchen complete with collections of Santons from Provence and Quimper from Brittany is also on the tour.

The trip up a winding country lane will reveal a serene landscape complete with a fairy garden and tiny Hobbit house.

In the more than 36 years since its founding, the Southborough Gardeners have designed and executed landscapes at public buildings, planted community properties, and actively supported open space, conservation and wildlife habitats.

In addition, the organization provides scholarships to residents majoring in horticulture, landscape design or environmental science, and has worked with schools and Girl Scouts on educational and beautification projects.