Garden Tour Highlights Healthy Landscapes

More than 100 people toured “healthy yards” around Northern Westchester on July 21 to observe landscaping practices that benefit both nature and the climate.

The event, organized by Healthy Yards and Bedford 2030, featured approximately 30 gardens, 24 in Bedford and Pound Ridge, showcasing landscaping practices that have a positive impact on the environment.

These practices support biodiversity, sequester carbon and minimize emissions, according to the event organizers. They include reducing lawn areas; planting native trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants; use of electric, rather than gas-powered tools; and implementing methods such as composting and mulch-mowing leaves.

“We had many visitors who were completely new to this concept of landscaping and were excited to learn about it,” said Stone Barns horticulturalist Laura Perkins.

“This is the second year we joined the Healthy Yards Westchester Pollinator Garden Tour, and we were not disappointed,” said Jan Linskey, one of the hosts. “The native plant garden plot was full of pollinators. This idea doesn't need acreage; it's something we can do in our small suburban backyard.”

The July 21 program was the fifth Healthy Yards Garden Tour, which is scheduled at different times throughout the year to illustrate how a natural garden changes over the seasons.