Saturday, June 3 | 10 am – 4 pm
Sunday, June 4 | 1 pm – 4 pm
Tickets: $10/person
The Secret Garden Tour is your opportunity to stroll through intimate gardens tucked away in local homes around Murfreesboro. Proceeds benefit the Discovery Center.
The Secret Garden Tour map will be available closer to the event date.
5035 Sulphur Springs Road
The enchanting property of Honorable Royce and Susan Taylor is the setting for our Secret Garden Party, and will also be featured on the tour this year. Guests are instantly greeted with beauty as they make their way down the tree lined driveway. Enjoy a cozy sitting nook amongst green foliage, and the prettiest irises you have ever seen that have been passed down many generations. This secret garden is rich in history and love and is not to be missed.
4768 Hammock Drive
At this stop you can see how a suburban farmer has transformed her backyard into a beautiful and functional garden. Radishes, asparagus, blackberries, blueberries, and many other delicious fruits and vegetables are bountiful. As older landscaping plants die off they have been replaced with edible plants. Nothing goes to waste in this garden as a compost bin, rain barrel, and fun recycled glass and wrought iron pieces adorn the garden beds. This homeowner truly enjoys sharing her love for gardening. Adults and children love visiting to see how fresh food grows and to snack right off of the vine. You will enjoy seeing the wonderful evolution of a backyard garden.
225 N Academy Street
This secret garden is only a couple of blocks from the Murfreesboro public square but as soon as you enter you will definitely not feel as if you were downtown. The Childress home was built in 1847 and is in the National Register of Historic Places. The lush grounds have beautiful flowers and gardens that wrap around the entire home. There are many nooks and crannies to sit and enjoy your serene surroundings. You will not want to miss this garden that is beaming with personality and beauty.
1312 Crescent Ridge Drive
At the top of the hill you will be greeted with a spectacular view and a plant and rock oasis at this secret garden. Peonies from the homeowner’s grandmother’s garden invite you into a yard filled with many other plants that have been shared by family and friends making this really a garden of love. Repurposed wood from trees that were cleared make for a fun and functional garden bed. This garden is truly on good ole rocky top with an expansive limestone patio where fossils can be found demonstrating that this was all once at the bottom of the ocean. After fossil hunting you can find a cozy seating nook where garden visitors can relax to take in the beauty.
718 River Rock Boulevard
This front yard garden habitat is constantly evolving, providing, and teaching all those who visit it. The homeowners love to share their knowledge with neighbors and friends and sometimes even the occasional passerby on the road. The garden has been certified as a Smart Yard and a Monarch Waystation with over 66 monarch butterflies being released. They are working constantly to provide plants and spaces that not only feed insects and animals that are necessary for the environment, but also provide shelter, protection, and a home for them. No pesticides or chemicals are used in the space, they are very mindful about water usage, and strive to keep “weed” species in the habitat that are edible, herbal, or medicinal, such as clover and dandelions. Since they began their garden they have seen an increase in bird species, dragonfly species, butterflies, bees, and so many others. A lot of time and effort is spent in using repurposed items in the garden, recycling items, sharing plants and seeds, and making sure that everything they are doing helps the environment and their community.
Discovery Center - 502 SE Broad Street
A stop at the Discovery Center on this garden tour will be fun and educational for you and your young garden enthusiasts. Guests will be able to plant their own seeds, dissect flowers, learn about bee pollination and create nature inspired art. Take a stroll along Murfree Spring wetland habitat to view plants and maybe even some wildlife that call this area home. A perfect way to end your visit is with some museum exploration, as your ticket to the Secret Garden Tour grants you admission to the Discovery Center on this special day
