Voyeurs on Tour: Garden Tour Rules

Without thinking twice, people leave trash, break off branches, pick bouquets to take home, help themselves to seeds whether ripe or not, rearrange (or take) plant labels, and leave cigarette butts in the potted plants. Whenever I think now we have "seen it all" I am reminded once again that the power of the public to misbehave is astounding so, sadly, I probably haven't yet. Did I mention the loosely supervised small child using a trowel to attack goldfish in a tiny ornamental fish pond?

I'm sure you would never consider yourself to be an inconsiderate garden visitor, but take a quick look at this checklist just to be sure.

Park where instructed and with consideration for neighbors, lawn areas and nearby plantings.

In the garden, stay on the paths and designated walkways. Your feet are bigger than you think!

Never step into the planting areas. This includes photographers whose feet and tripods are just as big as everyone else's.

Do not trample the plants, accidentally smack them with your tote bag or jostle them with your baby stroller.

Do not pick the flowers, "borrow" seeds or otherwise try to "help" groom the plants.

Do not remove the plant labels. Bring a pen and paper to record the information.

Do not rearrange the plant labels or other markers. This holds true even if you disagree with what they say or believe something is mislabeled. Discuss it with the owner instead.

Keep your children on the paths. Out-of-control toddlers are no longer cute.

Control your children. Horseplay can damage a lot of plants in a hurry -- and trip up absent-minded visitors.

Keep your pets leashed, or better yet, leave them at home. If you must bring them, do scoop the poop.

If you smoke, take your butts with you.

Do not stash trash in the shrubbery.

Plan ahead and use a public restroom somewhere else.

Don't expect food and drink. The gardener has been totally preoccupied and working like a dog for weeks just getting the garden ready.

It is a LAW that the garden is never completely ready any more than it is ever truly perfect -- to the gardener's eye. That is why the gardener is close to a nervous breakdown by tour time.

Although you (or your mother or grandmother or favorite uncle) may have the same plant at home only bigger, better, older, more improved or more colorful, the owner of this garden doesn't need to know about it.

If you have

The copyright of the article Voyeurs on Tour: Garden Tour Rules in Cottage Garden is owned by Barbara M. Martin. Permission to republish Voyeurs on Tour: Garden Tour Rules in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

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