Last updated on March 22nd, 2016
I did not open my gardens to the public last summer. Why? Well, I was busy writing recipes and taking photographs for my cookbook (it’s coming — I promise!), and there was precious little time to pull weeds. But this summer will be different. I’ll be open twice! Here are the tour dates, along with pictures of the gardens you’ll visit:
Open Day #1. Saturday, June 25, 10 AM – 4 PM.
Open Day #2. Saturday, August 20, 10 AM – 4 PM.
For tickets, contact the Garden Conservancy.
As promised, here are pictures of some of the gardens you’ll visit (click highlighted text for more pictures and information):
The Boxwood Garden. Would you believe this formal, boxwood- and yew-framed garden was previously an asphalt parking lot? ‘Tis true. I grew most of the boxwood from cuttings, just as you can. Here’s the how-to.
The Herb Garden. This small, semi-formal garden is located behind the Music Room wing of the house. It’s a terrific place for sipping cocktails on warm summer evenings. How I designed this oasis on a shoestring budget.
The Serpentine Garden. Have a steep hill on your property? Do what I did, and create a garden there.
In late spring, the Serpentine’s third terrace features the phlox subulata and dwarf lilacs in full, fragrant bloom. How (and why) I designed this garden.
The Kitchen Garden. Here, twelve raised beds form a “living supermarket.” Click here to see the garden’s design details.
The Woodland Garden. This is my favorite place to visit when the weather turns hot and humid. It is filled with Primulas, Polemonium caeruleum, Astilbe, and oodles and oodles of ferns. How I designed this shady retreat.
If you live in or around New York’s Hudson Valley (my home is just 2 hours from NYC), or if you are willing to take a train, plane, or private yacht to get here, I hope you’ll stop by for a visit. The plants and I would love to meet you!
Enjoy this feature? Get my email updates. And don’t forget to post a comment below, even if you can not attend the tours.
More fun:
Fast Food My Way: Chicken with Herbes de Provence
Scrumptious Egg Crepe Manicotti
Eggs in Sweet Potato Nests
John says
Interesting. WHen I go to Garden Conservancy, I do not find your garden. Many others but …
Perhaps they haven’t updated yet, or I have the wrong link. I may consider the June date.
Norma says
What a glorious bit of Eden you have created. Thanks for sharing it with us.
Belinda says
Last summer, we borrowed heavily from your ideas and built a kitchen garden at our summer camp in Blue Mountain Lake, NY. That garden turned out beautifully and I can’t wait to see your whole place, to hopefully meet you, and to bring home loads of new ideas for my hilllside back in Iowa.
Edie says
Just beautiful. I’m inspired by your lovely landscape and envious of those 12 raised veggie beds! Love your blog- keep sending those vegetable and herb ideas!
Susan Owens says
Hi Kevin,
Went to the Garden Conservancey website, did not fine your garden…..hmmmmmm
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Hi John and Susan – I think the GC website is acting up. I sent them a note just now, asking for a corrected link to my garden “open days.” Will provide the link as soon as I hear from them!
UPDATE: I received an email from Laura at the Garden Conservancy. She says they are putting the final touches on their Open Days directory, and will expedite my listing. So please keep checking back!
mary ann hanks says
so glad we will be able to see your wonderful work of love!
LD says
Hmmmm, have to visit the family in NY and now I may have to adjust the dates!
Christine Poplawski says
Happy Spring Kevin! ‘walking’ through your lovely garden on this cold spring morning was a real treat. Even while cuddled under the cashmere throw and sipping my morning java, i can nearly smell your lilacs. Just beautiful and thank you for lifting my spirits
Carolee says
Wish it wasn’t quite so far from San Diego.
I am a supporting member of The Water Conservation Garden at Cuyamaca College.
It’s all about how water wise and native plant landscapes have a positive impact on the dry environment here in Southern California. Hope you can visit our area sometime when surf’s up!
Paula PB says
Please tell us what “city” in NY we need to search in Garden Conservatory to find your open house. I so hope to be able to travel up (from NW Virginia) for your June open house. Your weekly postings are highlights in my E-mail correspondence! Many thanks.
Ardelle says
Sorry I won’t be able to visit your lovely garden but will be busy starting more boxwood to add to my own gardening ‘work in progress’. Tree losses change everything after a tornado – but please keep the pictures and ideas coming. I attended our local neighborhood Gardening Expo yesterday and I am so impressed with the work of our local gardeners. I hope the weather is kind to your garden this season. Last year my daffodils did poorly and I cajoled them into sending lots of buds up already this year – breathlessly waiting for the warmth to spring them in to bloom!
Susan Golden says
I was all set to sign up for June 25th and then I double checked my calendar! Would you believe that I have tickets for the Tour of Tasha Tudor’s home and gardens on June 25th! Dang! Here the two of you aren’t all that far apart, but I can’t be in Vermont and in your lovely gardens at the same time, so I guess that I will head your way in August! I can’t wait to see your gardens in person! I feel as though I already have a rapport with your plants (after viewing them so many times in your blog)! As I took your advice and started over 1,000 Boxwood plants, I have a vested interest in yours! Mine have a long way to go, but seeing yours all grown up will give me encouragement! Happy Spring!
Sandy Berardi says
Where are you located? I couldn’t find your address on your website, or the email inviting us to tour your gardens.
Nickie Ostrander says
Thank you so much for the lovely pictures of your garden. I am now disabled on my right side and I can’t do the walk. Once had a beautiful garden that I spent hours daily on it. Sadly I can’t do that any more but your garden brings a smile to my heart wish I was capable of the walk.
Beverly, zone 6, eastern PA says
I wish I lived closer !
xoxoxoxox
Karen Storti says
Beautiful garden! Very inspiring – thanks for the tips! Would love to visit one day – coming from Australia is a little more than a day trip!
Ann says
First of all I wish you and your partner a very Happy Easter! I think those cupcakes look delicious. Your gardens are so beautiful and I will try to go with my daughter this summer to see them. Your home is lovely……..
Chuck says
Living far out West here, I can’t attend. So thank you for at least posting your photos!
Becca says
So lovely, if it were not for the fact that I am on the other side of the country, strolling in your gardens would be at the top of my to do list!
LANA says
DEAR KEVIN, I WOULD APPRECIATE THE PICTURE ON THE PRINT RECIPE THAT SOWS THE DISH, BUT DOESN’T PRINT??? REASON: WHEN I SEE THE PICTURE, I GET INSPIRED TO MAKE IT! FROM YOUR ‘FAVORITE COMPLAINER’,LANA . WISH I WAS CLOSER TO SEE YOUR GARDEN, I LOOK AT THE PICTURES, AND NOW IT’S IN MY ‘MIND CAMERA’ .THANK YOU!!!!!!!
Linda A says
What a tremendous amount of work to, first of all, care for your beautiful garden and then to open it for the public. Such a treat for those who can visit!
Sometime, when you’re less busy, would you blog some more about the serpentine garden and how you created the walled sides. The side “walls” almost look like slate but I can’t exactly tell from the picture. It’s really lovely.
Have a great garden tour.
Margo says
What an awesome estate Kevin. How you manage to keep ahead of all the work is beyond me.
You must have some kick ass garden gnomes !! Seriously, I am sorry to miss the tours as it’s a tad bit far from Southwest Florida. But good luck!
Cherry says
Oh,Kevin,your gardens are GORGEOUS!!!! Wish I lived closer,,
Have a wonderful showing-you are going to bowl them over!