What might be the age range of those going on organized garden tours or those who love to check out private and public gardens. We started out speculating they would be folks like us - 50+. But research is saying they're younger - 40+. It's an important question because my family and I are launching a new monthly magazine May 1 called Garden Travel Journal dedicated to garden day trips, tours and treasures (garden accessories). We'd be glad to send anyone our subscription pamphlet - but would love to get a fix on the age question.

I'm only 35 and have been garden gawking seriously for at least 3 years, but I have been interested in gardens all my life.

my sister and i both visit public gardens whenever we travel. she is 53 and i am 46. i currently live in coastal southern california, and the whole place is one big garden to gawk at.

I am 40 years old. I have been actively gardening for about 15 yrs. now, but have been garden gawking for as long as I can remember (thanks in a big part to my flower gardening grandpa).
~ Louise in Iowa

I do not know the average age of garden gawkers, however, I can add some ancillary information:
-- my garden club sponsors a garden walk annually, and because of the 'foot traffic' we allow all who buy a ticket to go through the gardens although we do not permit strollers in the garden.
-- our garden club meets during the day and has attracted many mothers of young children. we provide babysitting for a small fee. during babysitting the children participate in the junior garden club; we provide an activity, e.g., growing grass seeds, planting a paperwhite bulb and tell about some aspect of horticulture and read a childrens book re gardening or nature.

At over 70 I am still going strong and will be visiting gardens of Cornwall, UK next month as a independent traveler. I plan a trip every 2or 3 years to some interesting garden sites in the US or other areas of the world. These have been very worthwhile as I am an avid gardener and like to learn about different styles of gardening and unusual plant materials.

Hope this will be of some help to you.

Dot dotd@teleport.com

I'm 44, but having been collecting ideas for gardening since I was 32. We lived in Europe for 9 years and their gardens were so magnifique!!

I am 46 and have been gardening for 20 years. I joined a small group garden tour of England in May of 1998. There were 21 of us, ages from 30 - 80 (mostly 60+), from Scotland, Canada, Australia, Austria, Japan and the US. The gender breakdown was 3 men (husbands) and 18 women.
It was a wonderful trip - the more agile did more walking while the less mobile spent more time taking tea and chatting.

Today I turned half a centry old and I know that I have been an avid gawker while living in England for six years as a young child..I can only say that the English have wonderful gardens happy gardening from your gardening angel

I am 39 years old. I have been going to gardens on my vacations since I graduated high school. My grandparents on both sides were farmers. My mom sends me home with a trunk full of flowers every time I visit.

Started when I was two taking walks with my
dad - still at it mid forties.

i'm 23, i like visiting nurseries to gawk at the plants. i don't know where the public gardens are in texas, have seen some in california

I am 29 an have loved everything about gardening for about 10 years now. I am looking forward to finding out more info on some trips I could take, especially abroad, to peek at some gardens!! Would I feel out of place and too young? i would love a pamphlet of your upcoming mag!!

I am 32 ok almost 33 and have loved garden gawking since I was a teen when I was in high school and living just out side Victoria B.C. I use to go to beacon hill park to look at the flowers all the time

I'm 33 and I am on the verge of some serious gawking now that my youngest is almost 3. I can leave'em with Daddy now and take a weekend trip occasionally. Eventually a European tour or Master Gardener International Convention!

i am a garden gawker 'wanna-be'...i belong to a rose society and we tour private gardens annually which isn't as often as i would like...'garden gawkening' is my favorite thing to do(even if it's through a car window going 65 down an interstate)...i try to find gardens to visit on all our vacations...next vacation is to the northeast to see the fall foliage and hope to visit a few gardens along the way...oh yes, my age is 55...regards, pat in plano, tx

how can i get a copy of your brochure?

I wonder how credible the information is that you are gathering through this line of inquirey. First, you would have to find out the spread of age of the people using the chat rooms on the internet. I am 63, an avid gardener and garden tourist, as are many of my friends, but I only know one or two people my age who are comfortable using the internet. I suspect that the reason you are getting answers from younger people is because they are the only ones reading your question.

Please send me your subscription pamphlet. Thanks!

I love gardening. And I am 26. I'm really looking forward to gawking at the Northwest Flower & Garden Show this weekend, in Seattle, Wa.
I would love a subscription to your magazine. Good luck with it!

my garden was on a local tour a few years ago (?3). i would say we got the 60+ group, also the 35-50+ group. mostly people who were actively gardening themselves.

I do not know an age,I was gardening vigorously in my 20's with my first child and stopped to go back to work and raise the family. Now, I am 51 and for the last 10 years I have returned to gardening. Garden visiting is my primary vacation occupation, I am intriqued with all the different aspects and flavors people engage into their gardens. This summer I hope to visit the state of Oregon in the early part of June. I would love any advice on where to look.

Please send me a subscription pamplet.

I am 29 and I have been a gawker for 3 yrs now and love it. My grandpa started me loving plants at the ripe age of 5-6 and I have always loved looking at peoples gardens. It is not unsual for me to see an unusual plant or flower and go knock at the door to find out what it is and how to get a start. I have met wonderfull people that way because all of us flower people love to show off our gardens don't you agree?? :-) Good luck with the mag. Tasha in IL.

Hi, I am 47 but have been an avid garden visitor and flower show attendee since my mid-20's. I've visited gardens in the US, Canada, Hawaii, Australia, many islands in the Caribbean, Bermuda and especially in England where I lived for a year. And I have many more on my "list" that I want to see!

Photographing gardens, the landscape, shows and tours is one of my greatest passions here on eastern Long Island, NY (better known as 'The Hamptons'). Although I usually shoot for publication, I frequent many venues out of state for my own pleasure whenever I can and have seen all ages of people (and gender) in attendance.

As far as local garden tours through the museums and private clubs, I'd say most are 40+ and younger folks (usually 30 something couples) will almost always have kids in tow.

Hope this information helps. I'd also love a subscription pamphlet for "Garden Travel Journal" - hope it launched well last Spring. I also have press contacts in this area if you are looking to promote & get listings into coming issues.

Here is a link that might be useful: The Garden Geek

Here is a link that might be useful: My garden and other pictures