Michael Penn, 401-364-9766
mpmedia@michaelpenn.net
NOTE TO EDITORS: Great photo/video opportunity! Participating gardens in your circulation area can be identified for targeted stories.
KINGSTON, R.I. – June 29, 2009 — Thirty-nine private and public gardens designed and maintained by gardeners trained through the University of Rhode Island’s Master Gardener program will be open to the public for the fourth biennial “Gardening With The Masters,” Rhode Island’s only statewide garden tour, scheduled for July 18-19, 2009.
“Gardening With The Masters” is sponsored by the URI Master Gardener Association, a 600-member, all-volunteer service organization of certified URI Master Gardeners, whose mission focuses on education, outreach and sustainability. Master Gardeners will serve as guides at each site and educational materials will be available online www.urimga.org or onsite. The gardens will be open between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. on both days, rain or shine.
“The garden tour has grown to attract more gardeners and visitors for each of the past three tours,” said Earle Perkins, who, with his wife Ann, both Master Gardeners, founded the event in 2002. “It’s a unique opportunity for Rhode Islanders to learn about gardening from the experts. We have more gardens this year than we’ve ever had before.”
Guidebooks, which serve as admission for both days and include garden descriptions and directions, must be purchased in advance. They are available for $15 at garden centers throughout the state or through the URI Master Gardener website www.urimga.org. Proceeds from the event will benefit programs of the URI Master Gardener Association.
For ticket information, call the URI CELS Kathleen M Mallon Outreach Center at 401-874-2900; Or toll free in RI, M–Th 9–2, 800-448-1011. Tickets are also available at the following locations:
Lincoln Gardens
1688 Louisquisset Pike
Lincoln, Rhode Island
401-722-2722
Briggs
295 Kelley Boulevard
North Attleboro, MA
508-699-7421
Jacavone Garden Center
1461 Atwood Avenue
Johnston, Rhode Island
401-351-9554
Clarke Flowers
398 Hope Street
Providence, Rhode Island
401-421-6700 or 1-800-777-5545
Schartner Farms
South County Trail (Route 2)
Exeter, Rhode Island
401-294-2044
The Farmer’s Daughter
716 Mooresfield Road (Route 138)
Wakefield, Rhode Island
401-792-1340
Highland Farm
4235 Tower Hill Road
Wakefield, Rhode Island
401-792-8188
Chaves’ Gardens, Inc.
935 East Main Road
Middletown, Rhode Island
401-846-0623
Hattoy’s Nursery & Garden Center
315 Blackrock Road
Coventry, Rhode Island
401-821-5549
Yard Works, Inc.
1309 Warwick Avenue
Warwick, Rhode Island
401-463-9133
Redwood Nursery
2664 GAR Highway (Route 6)
Swansea, MA
508-379-0081
URI Kathleen M. Mallon Center
3 East Alumni Avenue
Kingston, Rhode Island
401-874-2900
Wildwood Nurseries
859 Frenchtown Road
East Greenwich, Rhode Island
401-885-4112