2018 Hudson Garden Club Trip

New! Mini-Break to Kingston

Wednesday 25^th & Thursday 26^th July, 2018

A 2 day all-inclusive trip with an overnight stay at the Ambassador Hotel in Kingston. Enjoy 5 private gardens, good food and great company! For all the details including prices, please see the itinerary.

Tickets will be on sale at the March meeting and afterwards at Hudson Village Travel.

Reservations are confirmed with payment by cheque (no cash, please), made out to the Hudson Village Travel.

WARNING. This trip is open to members until 20th April after which non-members will be invited. If less than 50 passengers have reserved and paid by the 30^th April, the trip will be cancelled.

_____________________________________________________________________

Sneak Peak at the Chilane Gardens, Mallorytown

_____________________________________________________________________

Brian and Linda Hetherington’s Garden

Brian and Linda bought their century-old farmhouse 45 years ago. At one time it was a large running farm but today it is 20 acres with Dog Lake at the back of the property. The east side of the house is a field that a neighbour uses for hay. The west side was planted with mainly pines. Brian made lots of paths through the trees for them to walk their dogs and ski and snowshoe in the Winter. It is now a designated managed Forest of Ontario. We have counted 120 birds on the property. Rain water is collected in the many barrels throughout the gardens. 

While raising two children, working full-time and looking after various animals including horses, a cow, pigs and chickens, they slowly started making the gardens. Today about an acre of mainly perennial beds surround the house with color from early Spring until late Fall. 

Seeds are collected in the Fall for Brian to start in the house in late Winter and then the seedlings are moved to the greenhouse. By April, the greenhouse is full of vegetables and some annuals that Linda collects to dye wool for her rug hooking. They spend many hours in the garden from March to November to keep them in good shape. The large vegetable garden provides lots of produce for them as well as family and friends.

The two large barns and silo are no longer standing but Brian has made many paths and walls from the sandstone foundation of  one of the barns. The limestone foundation of the second  barn provides shelter for a variety of ferns and a large fairy garden which is the main attraction for the little folks who visit.

A stream and small waterfalls meander down the rock garden into a fish pond that butts against the solarium. A great place to have lunch and watch the fish, frogs and dragonflies.

Just past the rose garden, is a new kitchen garden that is enclosed by a picket fence. It contains two red obelisks that Brian made and a large antique bird bath resides in the centre. Linda plans to plant vegetables, edible flowers and herbs in this garden. Also new this year is an enclosed flowering shrub garden . Garden art adds interest throughout the gardens as well as Linda's art glass.

Both Linda and Brian enjoy gardening. Brian likes to start seeds and helps with the larger jobs of mulching, pruning and Fall cleanup. Linda likes the deadheading and maintenance of the gardens. They both enjoy new projects and trying new plants. Most of all, they like to share their garden with family, friends and visitors who are always welcome. We hope you will enjoy your time in our gardens and will come again.