Frequently Asked Questions

1.  Can I use my ticket on both Saturday and Sunday and can I go back to the  gardens  more than once.  Answer:  Yes to both questions.

2. Are the gardens handicap accessible?  Answer:  Most of the gardens are accessible but not 100%.  If you have questions on which are or are not accessible please call Anne at 413 443 1832.

3. How much does a ticket for my 8 year old cost?  Answer:  Children 12 and under go to the tour free of charge and do not need a ticket.

4.  Do I have to purchase an advance ticket or can I get it on the day of the tour?  Answer: No you do not need an advance ticket (although you save $3.00 per ticket if purchased the week prior).  You can purchase a ticket at the Garden Tour Headquarters (in 2009 these are located at The American Red Cross, 480 West Street), at any of the stores listed as selling tickets or at any of the gardens on the tour.  You will recognize these gardens by the large pink tent sign with pink and white balloons.

5.  What happens if it rains?  Answer:  The tour goes on rain or shine and there are no ticket refunds for rain. 

6. Can my garden to be considered for next year's tour?  Answer:  Yes!  We are always looking for beautiful gardens.   Call or e-mail the information to any committee member.  There is a sign-up sheet in each garden where you can list your information.

7.  Can I recommend a friend's or neighbor's garden?  Answer:  Yes! see answer above.

8.  How do I buy a raffle ticket?  Answer:  From any committee member and on tour days at the gardens or Garden Tour Headquarters - 480  West Street, Pittsfield.

9.  What does the committee do with the monies raised from the tour?  Answer: A portion of the money is used to fund the expenses of the next tour.  All profits go into a fund at the Berkshire Taconic Foundation.  Some of it is granted for various enhancement projects in Pittsfield.  For instance:

     During the past 12 years the Pittsfield Garden Tour has donated some $80,000 to various projects.  Examples:  Pittsfield Beautiful for downtown planting, Master Gardeners of Western Massachusetts for plantings at Springside House and for building raised garden beds at Providence Court so that those in wheelchairs can do gardening.
For three years the Garden Tour sponsored the public sculpture program of ARTSCAPE.
$21,000 was donated to the Colonial Theatre for landscaping and several thousand dollars  were   given to the Gladys Brigham Center on East Street for landscaping. There have been other small projects that the Garden Tour has funded.

10. Is it possible for me to volunteer to help the Garden Tour and do I need to be an experienced gardener?  Answer:  Yes we would love to have more volunteers - each person who volunteers during the tour is given a complimentary ticket.  No - no gardening experience is necessary.    Call or e-mail any one of the committee members.

11.  Do you show the same gardens every year?  Answer: Heavens, no.  Including this 13th year tour we have shown 96 different gardens and have only repeated 8 or 9 gardens.  So there is something new and different about every year's tour.