Multiple garden tours taking place this weekend in Pittsburgh neighborhoods

Summer is a time when gardens are in full bloom. The picturesque views create spaces to enjoy, which is why many garden tours are held in June and July, including the Wexford Garden and Pond Tour on July 8.

“We have property owners who have done awesome work,” said event producer Debra Dion Krischke. “This is a wonderful opportunity to showcase their fine work. It will be an opportunity for guests of the tour to learn things from these property owners.”

There will be a dozen gardens and ponds and six kitchens — indoor and outdoor — showcased through a self-guided tour or a VIP coach tour.

A percentage of proceeds will support clean water projects in Uganda as well as a girls’ school in Pakistan.

Being part of this tour is wonderful, said Kevin Soergel, owner of Soergel Landscape and Aquascapes based in Pine. He said it is good business to have his work seen this way.

He used to produce a tour to raise money for the Ronald McDonald House. He met Krischke through the rotary.

Before the internet, he maintained a garden to show potential clients that he creates and designs outdoor spaces that can include ponds and other water features.

“I think people really enjoy their outdoor spaces,” Soergel said. “Being part of this tour is a nice way for people to see my work. They can see different styles of work and decide which one they like for themselves. It is also important to raise money for good causes.”

This event is supported by Inspired Women Paying it Forward and the Greybrook Garden Club. A member of that club is Sue Semple. She is also a member of the Shaler Garden Club, which is hosting its garden tour on July 9.

Proceeds go to the Shaler North Hills Library.

The club helps gather the houses and provide docents, people who guide visitors on the tour and provide information about the garden.

“There are some amazing gardens on our tour,” said Karen Reilly, co-chairperson of the Shaler Garden Tour with Elaine Liberati. “When you see these spaces you can feel the character and personality of the people who live there. You feel the soul of the home and you get ideas for your home.”

One of the properties has a 90-foot stream and ponds with fish. It was the winning garden in a contest last year held by the Shaler North Hills Library. It is a certified wildlife habitat. To receive that certification takes a garden that has native plants that provide food eaten by a variety of wildlife. Feeders can supplement natural food sources. It has to have water, and wildlife need places to take shelter from bad weather, places to hide from predators or hunt for prey. It also needs to have resources where animals can reproduce and protect and nourish their young.

And it needs to be maintained in natural ways to ensure soil, air, and water stay healthy and clean.

“It has a little bit of everything,” Reilly said. “It’s whimsical and inviting for kids, too. We need the younger generation to get involved in garden clubs.”

On Pittsburgh’s South Side, the seventh annual South Side Garden Tour is July 9. The self-guided tour features gardens throughout the neighborhood from traditional to modern to “green” gardens. Proceeds from the tour support the South Side Community Council gardens and green spaces.

Mike McCullough, co-chair of the eighth annual South Side Garden Tour, called the gardens “eclectic” and said they range from small courtyards to one that features a variety of berry and fruit trees. Some are more suburban-looking, he said.

They are all located in the South Side Flats between 17th and 24th streets.

“Some are in hidden spaces,” McCullough said. “You might have to go through an alley or garage to get to them. We love being able to help raise funds to help maintain our parks with everything from weeding to planting flowers.”