4 // COASTWEEKEND.COM Rhythms of the land Music in the Gardens 2018 held July 21 on the Long Beach Peninsula By MARILYN GILBAUGH FOR COAST WEEKEND T ake a tour of six beautiful private landscapes at Music in the Gardens 2018 — aka the Long Beach Penin- sula Garden Tour — taking place 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, July 21. A fundraiser for the Water Music Soci- ety, it’s a chance for garden and gardening lovers to see what’s doable when there is passion behind nature’s processes. Experienced gardeners can talk shop about soil temperatures and newly discov- ered plantings, while the uninitiated can simply ogle and enjoy the day. Live music and small bites at each of the gardens offer a good way to explore what’s happening on the Long Beach Peninsula, no matter one’s gardening expertise. Co-chairs Nancy Allen and Darlene Houser often spend a good year searching for the next year’s gardens that will “make the cut.” “We are known to drive around streets, neighborhoods and off track all year long in search of that just-right property,” Allen said. “Sometimes something catches our eye and we leave a card. And gardeners, they often become our great good-source friends.” “Each year we think ‘it can’t get any better than this,’” Houser said. “And then it just does.” Garden round-up The garden locations are kept under wraps until the day-of to respect the privacy of participating owners. But tour-goers can look forward to: • Tidy garden beds and mature trees surrounding a 1913 Craftsman home. A comfortable and art-filled bed-and-breakfast offers a look around the grounds and a rare opportunity to explore the home’s interior. Docents will be on hand to answer ques- tions about the extensive original art and the art of inn-keeping. • East Coast meets West Coast at a guest cottage. An unexpected jewel, its garden begins at the end of a winding lane. Look carefully: The meandering driveway COURTESY WATER MUSIC FESTIVAL Continued on Page 16 A drone photo of a garden on display. IF YOU GO MUSIC IN THE GARDENS 2018 When: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, July 21 Where: Private gardens on the Long Beach Peninsula Tickets are $20 and can be purchased at watermusicfestival. com or at the follow- ing three locations the day of the tour: • Basket Case Green- house, 12106 San- dridge Road, Long Beach • The English Nursery, corner of U.S. High- way 101 and Wash- ington State Highway 103, Seaview • Bay Avenue Gallery, 1406 Bay Ave., Ocean Park Tickets purchased online must be presented at one of the above-noted locations to receive the Garden Tour map, which is your ticket. Proceeds from this event assist in the Water Music Society’s mission to bring great music to the Penin- sula throughout the year. A portion of the profits are donated to the Ocean Beach Schools’ music pro- grams. Children under 18 get in free on the tour. (No animals are allowed.)