The 2nd Annual Organic Garden Tour, sponsored by the Northern Ontario Railroad Museum and Heritage Centre, will be held on Saturday July 21. It will feature a tour of eight beautiful gardens which have been developed by home owners in Capreol and Valley East. Each of the gardeners have been able to create their piece of heaven without the use of pesticides.

Besides raising funds for the Northern Ontario Railroad Museum and Heritage Centre, the tour provides an opportunity for people who would like to avoid the use of pesticide to get some valuable tips from other gardeners in the area who have been successful.

Shown in the photo in front of the Museum, Romaine Chappell, Director of NORMHC and coordinator of the garden tour is very pleased to announce the names of the home owners who have generously volunteered to allow their gardens to be featured on the tour.

There are five homes in Capreol:
The Michelutti’s on Balsam Street;
The Chappell’s on Ferguson Street;
The Langis’ on Chapman Street;
The Larson’s on Hanna Avenue;
The Rodriguez’s on Willow Crescent.

There are three homes in Valley East:
The Desjardin’s on Dominion Drive;
The Kirwan’s on Noel Crescent;
The Sikora’s on Noel Crescent.

The tour of gardens will take place between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. on Saturday,  July 21. Between 3 p.m. and 4 p.m., blueberry shortcake and tea will be served in the Victorian Tea Room at the Northern Ontario Railroad Museum and Heritage Centre on Bloor Street in Capreol. During the refreshment period, visitors will be entertained by the music of the Sudbury Symphony Orchestra’s Student Quartet. At 4 p.m., William Bradley, a journalist with Northern Life, will conduct a free workshop on organic gardening. Also during the day, free Ph soil testing will be done if you bring a cup of soil from your garden. Alternative recipes for gardening care will also be available. The day promises to be a very rewarding experience for gardeners who are concerned about protecting the environment and birds from the overuse of pesticide.

Tickets for the Garden Tour Activities are only $10 per person, with proceeds going to support the Museum and Heritage Centre. Tickets can be purchased at Adam & Eve Garden Centre in Sudbury; Valley Schrubs & Trees on Hwy 69 South in Hanmer; Freskiw Farms on Skead Road in Garson; Beaver Creek Herb Farm on Dominion Drive in Hanmer; Holla’s Nursery on Martin Road in Blezard Valley; the Older Adult Centre in Sudbury, Eco-Action Sudbury (674-5208) or from the Northern Ontario Railroad Museum and Heritage Centre in Capreol. A map showing the exact locations of the gardens on the tour will be provided when you purchase your ticket.

“The use of pesticides is killing our birds and other small animals. There are so many alternatives to using pesticide without losing any of the natural beauty of your garden. Once people see what can be done without chemicals, they will never use them again,” explained Chappell. “The gardens on the tour are absolutely beautiful and I know visitors will be very happy when they see them.”