‘Lovely way to spend an afternoon.’ Yellowknife garden tour set for Sunday

The Yellowknife Rotary Garden Tour will take participants through 12 local gardens ranging from perfect to new gardens on the afternoon of August 9.

The event is a fundraiser for the Yellowknife Rotary Club’s youth programs like its snack program at two schools or travel opportunities to rotary youth experiences.

“We’re hoping for a good turnout. Doesn’t have to be huge. We just basically want people to enjoy themselves, people to learn new things, and a little bit of fundraising for the youth of our rotary,” said Amanda Mallon, organizer of the garden tour.

The tour was originally scheduled as part of the NWT Culinary Festival in July, but Mallon said she and other gardeners decided to delay it two-weeks to allow for more ticket sales.

“The most consistent comment was ‘at least all my dahlias will be in bloom,'” said Mallon.

To get a map of the participating gardens, participants can buy a ticket on the NWT Culinary Festival’s website. Ticket sales close on Saturday.

While there is no tour guide, Mallon said host gardeners will be present at their gardens to share facts and answer questions.

“The thing about gardeners is they just want to share. They want to talk. They want to learn. They’re just extremely welcoming. I’ve never had a negative experience in anybody’s garden,” she said.

Last year, Mallon said 22 people participated in the garden tour and she described it as a “really successful afternoon.”

Mallon has been offering garden tours on and off for the past 20 years. She said what surprises her about gardening in Yellowknife is what people can grow like brussel sprouts and leeks.

“People are growing things up here that I didn’t think that you could grow,” said Mallon.

“The whole thing about people gardening in this particular part of Canada is they’re prepared for success, but prepared for failure, but also just willing to try.”

While people shouldn’t bring their dog on the tour, Mallon said they should wear a good pair of shoes and bring a notebook and some friends.

“It’s a lovely way to spend an afternoon with Yellowknifers and gardeners and your friends,” said Mallon.