On Saturday, July 9 from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 pm., the public will be able to visit beautiful local gardens during the 10th Annual For the Love of Africa Society Water Garden Tour. The tour is self-guided; for $25 an individual is given a map and the addresses of 10 homes in the greater Victoria area.
All of the gardens have a water feature; some are large, some are small, and there is something for every place and every style. One of the gardens on the tour has a designer pond with a waterfall flowing into it. The owners also have a veggie and fruit garden (in raised beds) on the side of their property. This is a water feature that would fit in many properties – it is compact yet striking.
Musicians will be playing at most gardens and artists will be at some; two gardens will have master gardeners and four designers will be present to answer any questions regarding ponds, streams, waterfalls, fountains etc. A well-balanced garden provides a pesticide-free environment for birds and other wildlife, while providing a soothing and relaxing atmosphere for all to enjoy. Visitors are given a tour rich in visual texture and a vision of what is possible.
Enjoy the day visiting water gardens, knowing you’ll be helping For the Love of Africa Society open its trade school in Tanzania. All proceeds of the tour go towards the society’s current project: the Dodoma Technical Institute. Visit www.fortheloveofafrica.ca for details of other projects: four schools, a non-profit medical dispensary with a maternal and childcare wing, and an orphans’ centre for vulnerable children. All society members are volunteers: all members travelling to Africa pay their own airfare, meals, accommodations etc. All donations go to Africa. For the Love of Africa Society became a local society in 2004 and has charitable status.
It is recommended that a person bring their own detailed map or GPS along. Visit www.watergardentour.ca for a list of ticket vendors or for online sales. Tickets will be available for sale starting in early June. There are several ticket vendors in Sidney.
Note: #5 home (Weald) has unfortunately had to cancel from the tour. Please delete this home from the tour and from the map.
