On Saturday, August 16, the Garden Conservancy's Open Days program offers a rare, one-day-only chance to step inside two extraordinary private gardens in Western Massachusetts. These are not just manicured landscapes; they're deeply personal spaces that reflect the unique passions of their owners—one a bountiful homestead focused on feeding a family, and the other a historic farmhouse garden lovingly cultivated for over three decades. This exclusive event provides a fascinating look at two quite different approaches to gardening and a chance to meet the gardeners behind them. The gardens are:
Rock Valley Paradise, Holyoke, MA. This garden serves as a sanctuary, an engaging activity, and a happy place for its owner. Although flowers and herbs are present, the primary focus is growing food for the family. The space includes a small orchard of fifteen fruit trees—apples, peaches, plums, pears, apricots, and cherries. The garden also features a variety of berries, including blueberries, goji berries, elderberries, raspberries, blackberries, and black, red, and champagne currants. ‘Concord’ grapes are grown for juice to be enjoyed throughout the winter months. Seasonally, the garden produces five types of tomatoes, along with cucumbers, peppers, squash, eggplant, and other common vegetables. Besides the garden, the homestead also has two dairy goats, a dozen chickens, and two hives of honeybees. The estimated size of the garden is 1/4 of an acre.
Thayer Garden, Hadley, MA. For 32 years, the owner has lovingly tended the gardens around the 1747 farmhouse and 1884 barn. She often thinks of the home’s history as she cares for the phlox, iris, daylilies, peonies, lilacs, and wisteria that have been there for generations. Over the years, she has enjoyed expanding and adding to the gardens. The property now includes a fishpond, a wisteria-covered pergola, a shade garden, and a 28-foot square vegetable garden with raised beds and brick pathways. There are also blueberries, a small daylily border, and a shrub border. Near the house's entrance, there are herbs and perennials. Lately, the focus has been on planting more native pollinator plants. The property offers scenic views, with Mount Holyoke to the east and farm fields bordered by trees along the Connecticut River to the west. The estimated size of the gardens is 2 acres.
The gardens will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. for registered guests. Tickets are $10 per person; $5 for members of the Garden Conservancy. Children 12 and under are admitted for free when accompanied by a parent or guardian. Visitors are reminded that no pets are allowed. All registrations must be processed online through the Garden Conservancy's website. Visit gardenconservancy.org/opendays.
Fueling America’s passion for gardens, the Garden Conservancy’s Open Days™ program is the only nationwide garden visiting program. In 2025, Open Days marks its 30th year. Over three decades, Open Days has welcomed more than 1.4 million visitors into thousands of inspired private landscapes—from urban rooftops to organic farms, historic estates to suburban sanctuaries—in 41 states.
