Garden tour and tree planting Saturday in Wheatley

The Wheatley Garden Tour takes place on Saturday, July 9 and is highlighted by a ceremony celebrating the newly approved Wheatley Arboretum and Learning Trail.

To kick the day off, a flag-raising and tree planting ceremony will take place behind Wheatley Arena as the arboretum project launches for the municipality.

Garden tours will begin after the ceremony, all of which celebrate the Year of the Garden.

The garden tour will feature eight Wheatley gardens and tickets are still available at Moody’s Flowers, Bowman Feeds and Lil Hil’s at Talbot Trail. Cost for tickets is $25 each.

The learning trail has been approved by the Municipality of Chatham-Kent, but the trees, shrubs, signs, benches and outdoor workout equipment are being funded through donations and fundraising events hosted by the Wheatley Horticultural Society.

One of those fundraising events is the garden tour and they are also selling raffle tickets as a fundraiser.

The trail park will feature Carolinian, edible and pollinator gardens, as well as trails and outdoor workout equipment.

Ground was broken earlier this year and the drawings will be on display inside the arena on July 9.

The ceremony will get underway at 9:30 am and Mayor Darrin Canniff is expected to be there for the flag raising.

The arboretum and trail will be located at the back of the ball diamond complex.