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Tarbin Gardens |
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Tarbin Gardens evolved from the English passion for gardening.
Purchased in 1973, four acres of gardens have been carved from the large
wooded lot on land scoured by glacial erosion. We cut trees, pulled stumps,
dug rocks and amended the thin soil with assistance from pigs, goats and
Highland cattle. We discovered gardening in New England is more challenging
than tending our small plots in England’s gentle climate. Apart from
adjusting to the extreme temperature variations, the problem was where to
stop cultivating. In England we had set bounds but here with 33 acres we did
not know when to stop. In 1975 we started commercial production of hothouse
tomatoes and bedding plants. After years of providing the
local area with tomato fruit and bedding plants the family decided in 1982 to
start creating the public gardens. The second generation started a landscape gardening business in 1987.
After 12 years of creating gardens for others we decided to concentrate on
developing the public gardens. Throughout three decades family
members moved on and some came back again but we spent long hard hours on our
gardening hobby, gradually claiming the gardens from the rough mature
woodland. Friends and neighbors started to visit the gardens annually, and
then brought their visiting friends and relations for tours. After allowing
the gardens to be used for local fund-raising events we were encouraged by
those who visited to let more people see the gardens. In 2002 the decision was made to
accelerate the development of the gardens as a horticultural tourist
attraction. The gardens opened for a short season in 2003 and visitors were
impressed by the extent of the gardens and the wide variety of their contents.
A stroll through the gardens without taking a rest on a well placed bench to
absorb the peace of the gardens can take two hours. The gardens were featured
on the front page of the Local/State section of the state’s capital city
newspaper. The gardens are both old and new and
demonstrate what can be grown in the central New Hampshire climate.
Conditions include sun and shade, sandy and wet soils. Flowering trees,
shrubs, perennials and water features fill the gardens creating a parade of new
vistas. There is always something new to experience. Tarbin Gardens was featured on the P Allen Smith Garden Show in June 2007. |
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the
English passion for gardening.. |
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To
contact us: |
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(603) 934-3518 |
History
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