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The Citizen, 2017-05-11, Page 16PAGE 16. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, MAY 11, 2017. Discover Garden tour aims for two-year coverage Taking a look One of the farms that can be visited as part of the Discover the Gardens of Huron Perth tour is Falhaven Gardens on Orchard Line south of Goderich. (File photo) By Denny Scott The Citizen The Discover the Gardens of Huron Perth tour is in its fifth official year of operation and aiming for a successful two-year program this year. Typically, the pamphlets cover one year, outlining private and public gardens throughout Huron and Perth Counties that can be visited through summer and the shoulder seasons, however, organizer Rhea Hamilton - Seeger said with such great opportunities, it didn't make sense to focus on only one year. With events like the homecomings in the area and the International Plowing Match being held near Walton, the organization felt it was best that this year's tour pamphlet covers two years instead of one to encourage visitors to the community to return in 2018. The map includes 42 different labelled stops throughout Huron and Perth, 29 of which are gardens and tthe remainder are associated businesses that advertise with the group. Lee wants new home to help cut oil dependancy Continued from page 15 he feels he can no longer ignore our need to improve the environment. Last year he took his cues from Canada's most prominent politicians. In speeches both by Premier Kathleen Wynne and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, they hinted at leading Canada away from its dependency on oil. Lee says he feels this isn't simply something to ease carbon emissions or to stimulate the renewable energy economy, but rather highlighting the lack of sustainability of the energy landscape as it sits right now. Much of that energy consumption comes from the day-to-day running of an average residential house, he said, in addition to cars, machinery and industry. "We take that energy and we blow it out the walls of our homes," Lee said. "We can't keep living that way indefinitely." So while he said he felt he was doing his part by recycling and cutting energy consumption when he could, building a passive house is a way to take a huge bite out of what had been his family's carbon footprint for decades. For more information on the passive house concept, visit the Passive House Institute's website at www.passivehouse.com. Your local Seed Station Seed Potatoes • Red Chieftan • Kennebec • Superior • Yukon Gold • Russetts Onions • Multipliers • Dutch Sets • Spanish Bulk Seed • Peaches & Cream Corn • Homestead Peas •Yellow & Green Beans Many varieties of packaged seed Plus grass seed, potting soil, mulch, topsoil, fertilizer, sheep and cow manure Monday - Friday 6:30 am - 8 pm; Saturday, 8 am - 8 pm; WALTON Now open Sundays 11 am - 5 pm 519-887-8429 Among the newer additions to the tour are the Huron County Museum and the Huron Historical Gaol in Goderich, two stops which Hamilton -Seeger said are fantastic for both green greenthumbs and master gardeners alike. "There is a community garden at the museum," she said. "Visitors can learn how to handle their garden there and take a tour and see what is growing." The gaol, on the other hand, features period plants from when the correctional facility was constructed in 1842. "The food from there will be donated to a local food bank, which is great, and the site is definitely interesting to visit and see what they're doing," Hamilton -Seeger said. The two sites are open by appointment or during their regular operating hours. For more information, contact museum@huroncounty.ca or call 519-524-2686. Locally, gardens can be found from Lucknow to Grand Bend and the west coast to Brussels. Blyth hosts two gardens of note according to Hamilton -Seeger — the Wonky Frog Studio operated by Scott Ramsay and Cat O'Donnell and Hideaway Haven maintained by Jane Smyth. The Wonky Frog Studio garden features 150th Canada tulips this year as well as types of berries and proves a good companion to the pottery and art studio it is beside. The garden is open when the shop is open. For more information, visit the studio on Facebook or call 519-440- 2717. Hideaway Haven provides a mix of deciduous and coniferous trees and pet -friendly plants with a stone bridge. The site is open by appointment or chance. Contact auzziewannabe@yahoo.ca for more information. Auburn and the surrounding area features four different gardens including Gwen Richardson's Donnybrook Flower Farm, Rainstone Farm maintained by Ron and Elfi Enns, Karen Redmond's Whimsical Grass Gardens and Jacqui LaPorte and John Empson's Escape from Chaos garden. Baanrae Gardens in Brussels is not to be missed, according to Hamilton -Seeger. The site features a large vegetable garden as well as perennial gardens. For more information, contact owners Don and Monique Baan at dmbaan@tcc.on.ca or call 519-887- 6998. Overgrownus, a garden near Listowel, should also be taken in according to Hamilton -Seeger. The mature country garden includes a pond, waterfall and sitting areas. For more information, call owners Wayne and Marilyn Williams at 519- 291-4776. Hamilton -Seeger also pointed to Smokey Hollow Farm near Dashwood as a unique experience. Owner Joan Brady will cut her flowers and make arrange- ments if visitors contact her ahead of time. "It's not just a garden, it's a great place to get cuttings and arrangements," Hamilton -Seeger said. For more information, contact Brady at jbrady@hay.net or 519- 237-3198. In the east, Hamilton -Seeger said Fryfogel Tavern Museum and Arboretum is also a great stop. "They're working hard to promote Continued on page 17 • Natural Mulch • Screened Topsoil • Regular Topsoil (call ahead to make arrangements) Delivery Available • Sand • Gravel • Fill • Loading & Hauling • Bulldozing • Excavating MCKERCHER CONSTRUCTION LTD. Give us a call 519-357-7897 Fax 519-357-9117 R.R. 2 Bluevale Tour One Stop Sanitary Service Provider Doing spring clean up around your house and yard? Time to have your septic tank pumped out and routine checkup. The Ministry of Environment suggests your septic tank should be pumped out on a regular basis by a licensed contractor (3-5 years). Call to arrange a pump out today! SEPTIC PUMPING & SERVICE �a r�3 lr Ontario Licensed by: Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing and the Ministry of Environment 1-800-834-4414 Serving .-furon, Bruce and -Perth Counties