GARDEN TRAVEL TIPS•
Due Diligence The key to successful garden trekking in the Big Apple and beyond by Jenny Koester Recently I traveled to New York City to explore some of its public gardens. As I put the final touches together for my trip, I realized how easy it is to get caught up in planning and how that just adds stress. You can never see it all in one trip, and chances are you haven’t seen any of it yet. So relax! Have a short hit list of must-see gardens and sights, then simply go with the flow. Follow your nose and remember—some of the best garden discoveries come by chance. Here are three garden-trekking tips that stand out to me as I reflect on my NYC trip.
Research. Expand the enjoyment of your visit by researching the history of the garden and those who played a critical role in its development and design. I appreciate a garden more when I am aware of its historical significance and the people who designed the garden. Reading about a garden lets me experience, or at least reflect on, the garden before I ever step foot within it. Many garden trips are once-in-a-lifetime journeys, so I am all for extending the experience.
Routes. When I plan my travels, I spend time studying the transportation options. For New York City, I relied on subway, rail and buses. While I will never have the routes memorized, I learned enough to get around town without much worry. Keeping a map on hand was also a big help.
Relax. I have learned not to schedule every minute of every day, but some of the best discoveries are found by asking, What’s around that corner? When I ask nicely that nice doorman often lets me see! I like to pick a walking route that weaves through a few parks and gardens, and then I eagerly veer off course without much concern. I have all day to explore, and I have allowed ample time for extra discoveries. I never want to tell myself, You don’t have time to go down that street—you have a schedule to keep! *
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GARDENERS ON THE GO!