Victory in the Fenway

by FGS Roving Reporter Bruno Rubio

Gardeners in the Boylston section rolled out the welcome mat for the season’s first Open Gardens Night on the evening of June 20. The event offered a chance to visit ten gardens, to meet the participating gardeners, and to draw inspiration from their garden design.

Kristen Mobilia and Susan Povak coordinated the team that made the occasion an entertaining and informative evening. To guide visitors they put together a map showing the location of the participating gardens and supplemented the map with gardener capsule bios. Snacks and cold drinks were also at the ready in the Accessibility Garden — really appreciated given that the thermometer soared into the high 90s.

Kristen Mobilia

The hot spell didn’t melt the spirits or curiosity of the FGS members and casual drop-ins who attended. Eliza, Emma, and Kenny heard about Open Gardens Night through the internet and decided to check out how the Victory Garden works. Experienced balcony and dorm room gardeners all, they’re looking to get a plot. It was gratifying to see how the event attracted new people from the surrounding community.



Eliza, Emma, and Kenny took advantage of Open Gardens Night to ask about getting a plot.

Participating gardeners shared their strategies about dealing with shade, voracious critters, and weeds. They also expressed satisfaction with the administration of FGS and how popular and even trendy gardening has become, especially among the younger crowd. The Open Gardens Night series continues on July 18 (Park section), August 15 (Center North section), and September 19 (Center South section). Garden gates will be open from 5 P.M. to 7 P.M. Y’all come!

Skip says, “I try to have something in bloom all the time. I like dark-leaved plants with the green: the contrast breaks things up a bit.”





Skip’s garden: lush and luscious.

Jung had never gardened before joining FGS. She transformed a shady, abandoned plot under a huge pine into a Zen oasis in the woods.





Inside Jung’s garden: the sunburst seems to radiate tranquility and hope.

Leo, past president and treasurer of FGS. His garden is the first thing most people see when they stroll into the Victory Garden so he’s also an “ambassador”.





 A magnificent stand of lavender in Leo’s garden.



Open Gardens Night: what it’s all about. Ron gives a tour of his garden to passers-by.