This is generous indeed considering the gardens, designed with one family in mind, will be visited by hundreds on tour day. Tour-goers are generally respectful of their privilege, keeping to paths and keeping their children with them. The people who come are wonderful and full of positive comments. Organizing, promoting and presenting the tour is an incredible amount of work. It's an opportunity to see beautiful things and an inspiration.
People take away a lot of great ideas and are surprised at the amount of hands-on work in evidence.
There is not one of the tour gardeners without dirt under his nails. Those who have attended past tours mention learning what plants work well locally, new ways to use them and fresh ideas about garden design. They come away with thoughts on handling their problem areas and a sense that they too can meet their garden goals and challenges. Proceeds from the tour support several community projects. The Piedmont Gardeners maintain the Welcome Center Garden at the Brumby House on an ongoing basis.