ACCIDENT — Gardens, farms, forests and flowers will take center stage June 27 when the Mountain Laurel Garden Club presents its annual Garden Tour, Nurturing Nature and Trees by Accident.
The self-guided tour will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., rain or shine, and features four distinctive destinations located in and around Accident. This year’s tour will highlight the many ways residents and organizations are using gardens, agriculture, conservation and education to enrich the community and steward the region’s natural resources.
One stop on the tour is Honey Moon Farm, where Allison and Eric Boyd demonstrate how a small-scale farm can successfully integrate vegetables, fruits, herbs, flowers and free-range hens while supporting pollinators and soil health. The farm offers visitors a close look at sustainable growing practices and local food production.
Tour participants will also have the opportunity to visit the Hickory Environmental Education Center, a site dedicated to outdoor learning and environmental stewardship. The property features a native meadow, arboretum, hybrid chestnut grove, trails and an outdoor amphitheater. Visitors will also have rare access to the new Naylor Family Tree Observation Area, an elevated outdoor classroom that provides a canopy-level view of the forest.
Another featured destination is Cove Pastures @ Branch Bender Cidery, the flower fields and gardens of Chester and Trish Yoder. More than 250 peonies have been established on the property over the years, complemented by extensive plantings of annual and perennial flowers used in Trish Yoder’s floral design business, Petal Branch. The surrounding landscape includes 173 acres of pasture, woods and gardens that blend historic plantings with newer additions.
The tour concludes at My Historic Home on Cove Road, the garden of Fannie Bender. The late-1800s home and surrounding landscape reflect years of thoughtful restoration and gardening. Preserved plantings, gifts from family and friends, and carefully selected new additions create a garden that honors both family history and the property’s agricultural heritage.
In addition to the featured properties, visitors can enjoy floral design demonstrations, plein air painting, cooking demonstrations, live music, local food vendors and complimentary cookies throughout the day.
“The tour offers something for everyone,” said Mountain Laurel Garden Club organizers. “Whether your interests are gardening, conservation, agriculture, art or simply enjoying the beauty of Garrett County, these properties showcase the many ways people are nurturing nature in our community.”
Tickets are $15 and may be purchased through the Mountain Laurel Garden Club website, from club members, or at Green Acres, Mosser Meadow Nurseries and FireFly Farms.
For additional information, visit www.MountainLaurelGardenClub.com.