2 weeks Ago
WILLIAMSBURG — When Kevin and Denise Malecki planted a small backyard vegetable patch in 2022 — based largely on knowledge from YouTube videos — they never would have imagined being part of a prominent local garden tour.“No way. Not on your life!” Denise Malecki said.
“In fact, we still kind of can’t believe it.”Organizers of this year’s Williamsburg Historic Garden Week tour, however, hoped to showcase a mix of grander and simpler properties on the upcoming 92nd edition of the event. They thought the Maleckis’ modest but successful vegetable, herb and flower garden was a perfect pick.
“It’s very high-producing and very impressive for its size, but it still feels achievable,” said Joyce Feder, chair of the 2025 tour for the Williamsburg Garden Club, which hosts the tour in partnership with Colonial Williamsburg. “I think it will really help inspire people who haven’t done a lot of gardening before.”The Maleckis’ garden will be one of the 13 properties on the April 29 tour, one of 29 statewide tours scheduled during the Garden Club of Virginia’s Historic Garden Week.
The annual fundraiser supports the club’s mission of restoring and conserving historic gardens.Denise and Kevin Malecki in their vegetable, herb and flower garden, which will be on this year’s Williamsburg Historic Garden Tour. Courtesy of the MaleckisThe Williamsburg edition, one of the largest in the state, will include four private homes and two private gardens along with three historic homes and four gardens in Colonial Williamsburg.
Private properties are in the Indian Springs and Burns Lane neighborhood and date from the late 1700s to the 1950s.“It’s a full day, no question,” Feder said. “Our hope is to educate people and instill a love of gardening, especially in younger people who come.
We need them to help keep our beautiful state beautiful.”The homes incorporate a mix of historic and modern design elements that Garden Club members will augment with 150-plus floral arrangements. One was a former kitchen for the Raleigh Tavern; another was relocated from Gloucester in 1928 and restored over three decades by its current owners.
Two others once housed college students.Rules for the tour include no indoor photography — professional pictures of floral arrangements will be posted online — no sharp-heeled shoes and no children under age 18 without a parent. Homes also may not be handicapped accessible.
Along with the Maleckis’ yard, which will provide information on seed growing and “no dig” gardening techniques plus a nutritional display on vegetables, the tour will feature an extensive two-acre woodland garden created by owners Ed and Glenda Lindsey.The Lindseys have handled much of the physical work of their garden themselves, including building bridges and creating winding paths, hauling 48 tons of stone down inclines with wheelbarrows and planting hundreds of boxwoods, hellebores and over 15 other varieties of tree species.Ed and Glenda Lindsey’s garden on Burns Lane features wooden bridges and winding paths.
Courtesy of Craig Davenport“It’s stunning what they’ve done — so peaceful, shady and soothing,” Feder said.Homes in Colonial Williamsburg’s historic area are the Bracken Tenement, Lightfoot House and Moody House, all along Francis Street and dating back to the 18th century. Four CW gardens also will be open in easy walking distance of the houses.
Visitors can move at their own pace during the day, although guided tours with horticultural specialists are available for the CW gardens. Volunteer hostesses will be stationed at each stop to point out historic items and notable décor.The Belle Farm House on Indian Springs Road, owned by Bill and Missy Carr, is one of the homes on the Williamsburg Historic Garden Week tour.
The home was originally built in Gloucester County and moved to Williamsburg in 1928 with the assistance of J.D. Rockefeller.
Courtesy of Craig DavenportThe Maleckis, who had gardened mostly in containers since moving to Williamsburg in 1995, said they’re looking forward to talking to visitors about their roughly 800-square-foot kitchen or “potager” garden. That translates to “for the soup pot” from French.The couple was inspired by similar gardens they saw on European travels and watched YouTube videos and read books on the “no-dig” method.
Rather than tilling, they lay down 4 to 6 inches of compost on a cardboard layer and plant directly into that mixture, which they report is good for soil health and cuts down on weeding.Williamsburg Garden Club member Leslie Coe holds a basket arrangement of greenery and flowers. Courtesy of Joyce FederThe Maleckis have faced plenty of frustrations, particularly damage from hungry rabbits, deer and voles.
Yet through trial and error and expert advice, they have grown tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, corn, pumpkin, squash, watermelon, berries, basil, parsley, oregano and more. They also have canned pickles and tomatoes and made salsa, hot pepper jelly and pesto.Kevin Malecki’s message to wannabe gardeners is to “just do it!”“Don’t be scared,” he said.
“There’s definitely a learning curve and an evolution to it, and some bad moments, but overall, it’s rewarding and a lot of fun.”Alison Johnson, [email protected] to go?What: Williamsburg Historic Garden Week tour, featuring seven homes and six gardensWhen: April 29, 10 a.
m. to 4:30 p.m.
, rain or shineTickets: $50 in advance and $60 day of; available online at gcvirginia.org or in person at Seasons of Williamsburg and Wild Birds Unlimited. Boxed lunches from The Carrot Tree also are offered by preorder for $20 apiece.
Information: Visit gcvirginia.org, the “Historic Garden Week in Williamsburg” page on Facebook or @historicgardenweekwilliamsburg on Instagram. Email questions to williamsburg@vagardenweek.
org..
