We headed back to Kinderhook. I stopped at the farmer’s market and bought out Samascott’s supply of sour cherries—twelve pints. Time to make what Nick Malgieri calls the once-a-year pie.

Up Albany Avenue to Sue Chiafullo’s garden. Entering through an arch in a hemlock hedge after admiring the perennials in her front yard, you are now in heaven. Statuary, gold fish pond, another dining nook, and lovely green plants.

Back to Broad Street to see Michael Devine’s divine garden, recently featured in a magazine. A harpist played lovely music on the porch, and you entered through a gate and an alley with spectacular blue hydrangeas. Through another gate and WOW! The docent sat at a table under the biggest and bluest bouquet of delphiniums. The garden was long and narrow with raised beds, the planters nicely covered in twigs. At the back of the garden was a dining shed, although shed may have been what it started out as, it is now a little gem.

Across Broad Street, is Irene Stone’s garden, a true oasis. The first thing to catch my eye was a Japanese Stewartia in bloom. I have lusted after the one at the Berkshire Botanical Garden but was put off by the cost of actually owning one. Irene’s is not as big but just as beautiful. This garden too is long and narrow, but the side gardens all have a gentle curve. She has interesting plants. A delicate bell-like flower called Campanula Takesimana (Korean bell flower) in pink and also in white. Astrantia Major which has a small two-level flower on a long stem and very lovely leaves.

Down Broad Street to Barry Herbold’s garden, which has enormous trees, a welcoming swimming pool attached to a pool house with a pool table. Tiny strawberries give color to a basically green garden with a collection of charming statuary made of mechanical parts.

Two doors down is Vicki and David Smith’s lavish garden. Gorgeous collection of pink and red astilbes alternating with hostas. You enter the swimming pool area through an arch covered with wisteria, unfortunately already bloomed. The yard is bordered with alternating trees and lower bushes, lots of shades of green.

Anne Schomaker’s garden is next. The 1800 house is a gem and to the left is a pebbled area with a water pool and seating. Anne brought in the pebbles and revived what was an area of weeds and rocks. Behind the house is a large vegetable garden which is in the beginning stages. The stump of a giant tree has soil piled up on it and lettuces of varying colors are planted around it, with zucchini plants at the base. A newer area has been added with raised beds bordered by heavy wood planks. Nearer the house and separating it from the garage is an arbor covered in pink roses.

The last house for me was Rima Bostick’s on Hudson Street. This was a fun garden setting. Another inviting swimming pool, this time with a dark liner, which I prefer. Lots of water items including a goldfish and water lily pond and a fountain. Attached to the house were indoor/outdoor rooms with plexiglass ceilings covered in fairy lights—must look great at night. The garden itself was a shady one and the plantings were in shads of green.

Well, now it was time for lunch. As we sat in Bean’s on Albany Avenue, the rains couldn’t wait a minute longer, and once again it poured.