hi, Shine!.... if you were asked to be in the show, then you don't need much more... someone has already seen and approved of the design you already have!!.... before the tour, the big thing is to have the weeds gone, the mulches freshened, blooming annuals in place, pots of combos in strategic places, everything fed and watered to be looking it's best..... judicious pruning THIS year for great form next year.... the pond sparkling, the filter cleaned so the pump is spouting heartily....clip things away from overhanging your paths, so the guests don't end up with 'stuff' on their clothes or shoes.... be sure the paths are wide enuff to be comfortable walking.... a friend of ours, who was also on the Parade of Home Gardens Tour in her city, woke up to rain on the tour date!!.... but she'd made sure that even if it did rain, she would have no mud holes or standing water!!... her paths were un-mossy, so no slick surfaces....
concentrate on your focal points.... a large urn.... wrought iron obelisk, something a little more vertical if the area needs it.... a young tree if needed.... see if any spot is too 'all one thing' and get a contrasting texture in there if you think it's needed....
my friend walked around her block and entered her garden as if she was in a stranger's home.... and she saw that it was good and relaxed!!!!.... you will too....folks on the tour will ask lots of questions.. be ready with plant names and needs.... get some markers if you want....especially if y ou have some special, less known plants.... saves them calling you over constantly.....
set up a couple 'vignettes' of garden things....on a bench, a trowel, watering can and gloves with a small pot of new flowering plant, ready, it would seem, to go in the ground.... lean a rake against a fence post, as if you just finished raking, but have a morning glory climbing it... that kind of thing.... folks love that kind of 'scene'.... have a small table set up and looking pretty with fresh flowers and some notepaper and pencils.... they'll want to write down things.... names of plants, etc.... and they'll remember you!!!....
see if you have 'vistas'.... special places to sit and take in the look of the garden.... under the trellis is a natural... but is there a seat beside the pond?... a stopping place beside the path that looks into the garden at a great view?.... those things are really noticed by the tour-ists!!....and don't forget the 'unexpected' things!!... like a little bunny statue peeking out from under the azaleas!!... not too much of that, just a little something somewhere!.....
most of all, enjoy this!!.... work your tail off to get ready, then believe in yourself and your garden, that you've made it the best it can be and then enjoy taking folks thru it ... that's why we garden, isn't it?... to have something that we enjoy, but to share it, as well.....
best of luck on the Tour... and please come to General Gardening and post a few pictures for us, huh?....
