Hard work goes into preparing for Garden Walk — but it's worth it

Bonnie Watkins said she spent much of the last week in the mud, with sweat running down her forehead and mascara running down her cheeks.

She always enjoyed gardening, but this year, she's paying a bit more attention to detail, she said.

Next week, she and her husband will welcome 300 guests into their yard.

The YWCA will host its 22nd annual Garden Walk on Thursday. In the form of a self-guided tour, gardens at six Grand Island homes will be on display from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 4 to 8 p.m.

While Watkins has helped with the tour the past four years, this is her first time hosting it in her garden.

"And, thank goodness, I don't do it every year," Watkins said.

Watkins and her husband, Joe, have planted and arranged more than 60 potted plants and dozens of other grass, bush and flower combinations in the gardens surrounding their house on Ponderosa Lake.

"I should be the skinniest lady in Grand Island with all the dirt and mulch I've moved around and with running in the hail to save my plants," she said.

While the recent cold and wet weather has put a damper on the growth of many plants, Watkins said the walk will continue as usual.

"It's just an opportunity to see gorgeous gardens and get new and interesting ideas for your home garden," said Jen Larson, YWCA executive director.

Tickets cost $10 before the event or $12 the day of the walk. They are available at the YWCA and various garden centers. Proceeds go to the YWCA's general programming, Larson said.

"It's not a bad deal for tickets," she said. "Just think, if you go to the store and buy a garden magazine, it's $5. And that's just for pictures. This is the real thing."

Refreshments and raffle prizes will be at two homes. The various gardens are located as far east as Kuester Lake and as west as Ponderosa Lake, Larson said.

Ace Hardware and Garden Center will provide a garden expert at one of the homes, and homeowners will be able to answer questions about their gardens, she said.

The expert, Watkins said, is an asset, as she does not consider herself and her husband scientific gardeners.

"We just grow things," she said. "People ask, ’Oh, what variety is this? What is that?'

"And I say, ’I don't have a clue. But don't you love the color?'"

Watkins is on the YWCA board and said members choose different houses for the walk every year. The tour has drawn more than 300 attendees in the past, and that's what the organizers expect this year, she said.

The Garden Walk is one of the YWCA's three signature events, Watkins said.

"This is just so special for us," she said. "We've put so much sweat equity into our garden."