South End Garden Tour is a Work of Art

There’s nothing not to like about the South End Garden Tour. The funds generated go to excellent use and the tour itself is a celebration of positive energy: the transition from spring to summer, the desire to keep things alive and the effort South End residents put in to beautifying their urban spaces with flourishes of nature.

But this year, the tour's 18th, organizers have upped the ante by throwing an added dash of art into the mix.

“This year's tour will feature artists painting in the gardens,” explained Maryellen Hassell, Chairperson of the South End Garden Tour Committee. "We’re very excited."

The committee has partnered with the United South End Artists on the effort, and all art produced during the day will be for sale at a reception immediately following the tour. Entrance to the reception, held at 4:30 p.m. at City Year Headquarters, is free for those with a garden tour ticket and $10 otherwise.

Bringing artists on board accentuates the notion that the urban garden is a work of art in and of itself, said Hassell. In many ways, it’s the perfect complement to the fruits of hard work and dedication that go into maintaining the neighborhood’s roof gardens, alley/lane gardens, colorful, sunny back gardens as well as some shadier ones with a woodsier feel. In many ways, the South End Garden Tour creates the illusion that you’ve left the city.

But the tour isn’t just a round of applause for how crafty we are as a community. As mentioned above, it’s a fundraising event…and a rather important one at that.

“The tour is the major fundraiser for the South End/Lower Roxbury Open Space Land Trust,” Hassell said, noting that Land Trust President Betsy Johnson has a long history with community gardening. The Land Trust turns 20 this year.

“About half of the Land Trust's annual operating budget is funded by proceeds from the tour," Hassall added. "The Land Trust owns and manages 16 community gardens in the area enabling over 500 families or individuals to grow flowers and food.”

It’s the latter part that has the farthest reaching ramifications: community gardeners contribute hundreds of pounds of fresh vegetables to local food pantries and soup kitchens during the growing season.

Proceeds from the tour also help the Land Trust continue its mission of preserving open space and providing clean, safe and beautiful gardens for the community. Recent projects include the construction of new fencing for the , which will be featured on next year's tour; the removal of toxic railroad ties and installation of new stone borders at Worcester Street Community Garden, and the renovation of Bessie Barnes Memorial Park.

Tickets for the 18th South End Garden Tour are $25 on day of tour and $20 in advance; they can be purchased at these locations. The tour is self-guided and begins at 10 am on Saturday, July 18, starting from the Boston Center for the Arts, 539 Tremont Street (also where day-of tickets can be purchased). For a closer look at this year's route, click here.