NWI green thumbs put hard work on display for annual garden walks

As the old adage goes, April showers bring May flowers. It's garden walk season in the region, and Crete Woman's Garden Club, Lowell Garden Club, Crown Point Garden Club, Munster Garden Club, Illiana Garden Pond Society, and Porter County Master Gardeners Association are ready to display their hard work.

The benefits of gardening prove to be both beauty and serenity.

"Seeing a nice garden stimulates the knowledge and love of gardening, makes the community beautiful, and helps to bring people together," said Terry Smutniak, president of Lowell Garden Club.

Petra Luke, member of Crown Point Garden Club, adds that gardening also brings peace.

"Besides extra beauty to a community, gardens are enjoyable and serene. They bring peace to a normally busy area such as an intersection, or, relating to our club, the old Crown Point courthouse."

Kathy Bader, member of Crete Woman's Gardening Club, uses gardening to help stay in shape.

"Gardening can be simple and easy or just plain hard work!" she said.

With the world becoming more and more tech savvy, gardeners use the technology to enhance their gardens and also to remind people of the past.

"As children, we were used to being outside playing most of the day. Now with video games, children are inside and not getting the exercise and fresh air they should," said Jayne Glass, member of the Munster Garden Club. "Parents who have gardens include their children in the work and enjoyment of them."

Amber List, Illiana Garden Pond Society's 2011 Pond Walk chairman, sees technology as both beneficial and detrimental to gardening.

"Technology has allowed us to manage our gardens more efficiently. Research and development have provided us with information at our fingertips," List said. "However, getting outside and getting our hands dirty allow us to slow down this fast-paced world and appreciate Mother Nature firsthand."

Smutniak uses technology and the computer to help design gardens.

"With the use of computers, we can look for information and growing habits of flowers or vegetables, basically check anything we need to know to improve the beauty and bounty of the gardens."

Gardening is a way to relax and also unwind from the trials and tribulations of everyday life.

"I garden because I like to commune with nature and enjoy creating an eye-pleasing spot in my corner of the world," said Suzanna Tudor, member of Porter County Master Gardeners Association. "I'm happy to share my love of flowers with my community in that way."

Smutniak put it simply.

"I garden because it makes me happy."

Some highlights of the garden and pond walks include a 6-acre garden, gazing balls, a greenhouse solarium, waterfalls and a hosta breeder's "laboratory."

Besides allowing the public to enjoy the beauty of the gardens, many clubs also use the profits to give back to the community.

Crete Woman's Garden Club helps finance $5,000 of student scholarships. Illiana Garden Pond Society's proceeds go towards scholarships and community service projects at schools and nursing homes. They also are dedicated to the education of the public on water gardening. Porter County Master Gardeners Association uses their proceeds for horticulture scholarships, community gardening grants, and awards. For 2011, PCMGA expects to give up to $5,000 in gifts, grants, and scholarships.

The garden walks aren't just for those with a green thumb; everyone can enjoy them, according to Luke.

"Even if you're not interested in gardening, you can still enjoy the beautiful butterflies or interesting insects and toads. It just blows you away when someone has a beautiful, well-placed front yard, and then the back yard is a totally different world."

Even though the walks are to show off the hard work of horticulturists, the pride is really "just the icing."

"The peace of mind of gardening can not be compared to any other activity, " Glass said. "Organizing what should be planted in shade or sun, coordinating colors, heights of plants and having 'the bones' of the garden for winter display are the fun part."

For more information, please call or email the clubs' contacts.