Local gardens win big

The rain broke just in time for Dirt magazine’s 5th annual Kitchen Garden Tour this past Sunday, July 29. Over 150 garden peepers set out for a jam-packed day of exploring backyard veggie patches. Some set out caravanning on their own, map-in-hand, to visit the 12 gardens on display this year. Others hopped on Dirt mag’s bus for an exclusive tour led by editor Becca Tucker.

After the gardens closed their gates at 5 pm, ticketholders and gardeners alike met up at farm-to-table restaurant Mohawk House for the after party, where everyone kicked back to enjoy live music, beer, and wine, share experiences and tips, and vote for their favorite gardens.

When the votes were tallied, a few local gardens were recognized as this year’s winners:
1st Place, Best Kitchen Garden: Frank Hennion of Franklin, NJ
2nd Place, Best Kitchen Garden: April and Rocco Perciballi of Lafayette, NJ
3rd Place, Best Kitchen Garden: Karen and John Bower, of
4th Place, Best Kitchen Garden: Bob and Rose Wolverton, of Hamburg, NJ
1st Place, Best Community Garden: West Milford Organic Community Garden
2nd Place, Best Community Garden: Sparta Community Garden
Most Hospitable: Frank Hennion of Franklin, NJ

Thank you to Mohawk House, Angry Orchard, Windy Brow, The Farm at Windy Flats, Get Juiced, 5 Spoke Creamery, Shannon’s Eyes on the Pies, and all of the gardeners for making this Dirt’s biggest Kitchen Garden Tour yet.