Where does the 2021 Swissvale Edible Garden Tour start?

Anywhere you want!  This event is CYOA (Choose-Your-Own-Adventure) -- check out the map and pick where you would like to start.  A hard copy of the map is available at the Swissvale Farmers Market and Carnegie Free Library of Swissvale.  Start at any time between 11 and 3 (ok, maybe 2:30, so you have time for at least one!). Go to as many or as few gardens as you like and in any order that you choose.

Who is leading the tour? Do I go with a group?

This event is CYOA (Choose-Your-Own-Adventure). You are free to roam on your own or with friends, family, and fellow tour-goers. Go to as many or as few gardens as you like and in any order that you choose. At each stop on August 7, the garden’s tender will be available to show you around, answer questions, and provide info and insights into their garden specialties.

What is the difference between the Nebby Neighbor Garden Walk and the Open Gardens?

Open Gardens is the time when you can go into hosts’ yards and gardens, meet them, learn about what they are growing, and ask them questions. The Nebby Neighbor Garden Walk is a more extended, crowd-conscious tour option. The Nebby Neighbor Garden Walk stops all have gardens that are visible from public sidewalks and alleyways. All of the Nebby Neighbor Garden Walk stops are also Open Gardens stops, but not all Open Gardens stops are nebbable.

What does the 2021 Swissvale Edible Garden Tour cost?

The 2021 Swissvale Edible Garden Tour is entirely FREE, thanks to our generous sponsors. If you are inspired to contribute to the Swissvale Community Garden, you will find information on how to do so at each stop along the way.

Where can I get the event guide?

Printed guides will be available at the Swissvale Farmer’s Market and the Carnegie Free Library of Swissvale. All of the information within the guide will also be available digitally on our website.

Are there bus stops nearby?  

Yes!  The following bus routes serve Swissvale on weekends: P1, 59, 61a, 61b.

How do I get around? Do I walk or bike or drive or what?  

That is entirely up to you. This event is CYOA (Choose-Your-Own-Adventure).  You may use any mode of transport you want. If you decide to drive, please be mindful of residential parking restrictions, including fire hydrants, driveways, and accessible parking spaces, so the neighbors don’t hate us. If you choose to bike or walk, be aware that Swissvale is no stranger to hills like much of the region. The total distance from the first stop to the last stop is 5.7 miles on foot, with approximately 580 feet of elevation gain. No matter what, we encourage tour-goers to pace themselves and bring a reusable water bottle.

Does the 2021 Swissvale Edible Garden Tour include activities for kids?

Yes!  One of our goals is to encourage young gardeners. Throughout the 3-day event, kids and families can participate in the Swissvale Edible Garden Scavenger Hunt, documenting what they see from stop to stop. These activity maps were created in partnership with the Make It To Grow Artist Residency and can be picked up at the Swissvale Farmer’s Market and the Carnegie Free Library of Swissvale. Please ask your children to respect the gardens and garden owners’ wishes regarding where you may travel in the garden, etc. 

Additionally, on Saturday, August 7, Miss Cece will host Saturday STEAM at Carnegie Free Library of Swissvale, featuring pollinators and bees. And on the afternoon of Sunday, August 8, Miss Cassidy Creates will lead garden-themed children’s activities at the Swissvale Community Garden. See the printed schedule of events or our website for more information.

Are there bathrooms?

There are not any official tour bathrooms, but Swissvale has several businesses with public restrooms with open hours on the weekend.  

Are there refreshments?

Some hosts may put out some light snacks, but they are not required to. We will have a few water stations marked on the map. We will provide cups, but we recommend tour-goers bring their reusable water bottles. We also encourage you to support local Swissvale businesses.

The Pub in the Park sells two special cocktails, a Berry Mojito and a Vodka Mint Lemonade, featuring their fresh homegrown mint. $2 from the sale of each of these drinks August 6-8 will benefit the Swissvale Community Garden.

Parisi Cafe & Italian Market is selling a hot or iced Lavender Latte special for August 6-8. $2 from the sale of each will benefit the Swissvale Community Garden. 

Can I pick things?

At the Swissvale Community Garden, you are welcome and encouraged to pick anything ripe and ready to be harvested. We ask you to refrain from picking anything unless given explicit permission by the garden host at all other stops.

Do I have to wear a mask?

All tour activities are outside, and therefore, masks are not required (unless otherwise indicated), per current CDC guidelines and state mandates. We ask that everyone be respectful of garden hosts and other guests if they wear a mask or ask to maintain physical distance. You are welcome to wear a mask if it makes you feel safer and more comfortable. We strongly encourage you to wear a mask if you are unvaccinated.

Can I donate?

Thank you for considering contributing. There will be tip containers at each stop to collect cash donations or you are welcome to donate online.

Is there anything for sale?

The Pub in the Park sells two special cocktails, a Berry Mojito and a Vodka Mint Lemonade, featuring their fresh homegrown mint. $2 from the sale of each of these drinks August 6-8 will benefit the Swissvale Community Garden.

Parisi Cafe & Italian Market is selling a hot or iced Lavender Latte special for August 6-8. $2 from the sale of each will benefit the Swissvale Community Garden. 

Through August 14, you can buy 2021 Edible Garden Tour Merch, including T-shirts in several colors, Tanks, Youth T-shirts, Totes, and Mugs. All proceeds benefit the Swissvale Community Garden.

Can I bring my dog?

During Open Gardens, because of the possibility of garden hosts having their dogs or cats on-site and the unpredictable number of people at each stop, we recommend that your four-legged friends stay home. We love dogs and make this recommendation for their safety and comfort.
If you would like to bring your pet along the tour, we suggest doing so during the Nebby Neighbor Garden Walk at off-peak times on Friday or Sunday. Please clean up after your pet at all times and particularly mind their bathroom habits at streetside gardens.

Will there be an after-party?

The final event of the 2021 Swissvale Edible Garden Tour will be a community planting at the Swissvale Community Garden at 3pm on Sunday, August 8. Tour-goers and community members are welcome to bring a beverage of their choice to toast to another wonderful event. We look forward to hopefully bringing back the celebratory picnic in 2022.

What's next?

Keep the conversations going! Follow @SwissvaleAction on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter and share comments and questions about all things gardening. Sign up for the email list on our website to be informed about other work we do in Swissvale. Join us for volunteer workdays at Swissvale Community Garden, and learn about opportunities to get involved with planning next year’s tour.