Last year, her garden was part of the West Seattle Garden Tour … this year, author/gardener Lorene Edwards Forkner is the guest speaker, and her presentation on “The Handmade Garden” is included in your ticket to the WSGT, one week from today. The centerpiece is of course a guide to, and admission to, nine fabulous West Seattle gardens. The map’s in your ticket book, which you can buy at local outlets OR reserve online right this very moment (go to this page on the Brown Paper Tickets website).

Proceeds support local nonprofits, which in turn is why the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce named the WS Garden Tour “nonprofit of the year” this year. The ticket book and poster art (right), as mentioned before, is by local artist Sheila Lengle, and during the tour, you can meet her at the Pollinators’ Paradise garden, noon-4 pm, where she’ll be happy to sign your ticket book or tour poster (many asked if the poster’s for sale – this year, it is!). She’s also displaying her work and selling some of it through a silent auction. If that’s not enough, you can also check out this year’s raffle – $5 ticket for a chance at a 5-foot granite bench, cooking class for up to 10 people, garden-design consultation, and more (here’s the full prize list). We’re so enthusiastic about the Garden Tour, we’re one of the sponsors again this year. Even if you’re planning a West Seattle Summer Fest visit that day, you can tour the gardens before and after – 9 am to 5 pm, next Sunday, July 15th.