The organization imported the idea of "open days" from England, where keen gardeners get the chance to view exceptional private gardens that they ordinarily wouldn't be able to tour. The proceeds help the Garden Conservancy with its goal of preserving important American private gardens. In addition, participants like me get to donate part of the funds raised to a charity of their choice. I'm delighted to be a part of the Open Days Program.

I wish this tour wasn't in September, but that wasn't up to me. I'm usually pretty lazy in mid to late summer, so I don't usually keep up on the garden grooming. I've been a bit more disciplined this year, but if you want to see a garden with not a leaf out of place, this isn't it.

Still, there are many interesting perennials and container plants to see. I was counting on my asters to provide masses of colorful purple and pink blossoms, but they're not cooperating. The sweet autumn clematis is equally stubborn. My fear all summer has been that everything will look lush and lovely--two weeks after the tour.

I hope gardeners will enjoy my garden as it is and be forgiving of its shortcomings. They'll certainly enjoy seeing the other gardens in the Open Days Program, where grooming standards are higher than mine. To participate, just show up at my garden or one of the other gardens listed below. Admission is $5 for a single garden or $20 to tour all five gardens. Hours are from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Locations:

Dan Johnson Garden
2819 South Sheridan St.
Englewood

Tatroe's Godwottery
17156 East Berry Pl.
Centennial

Menter Garden
4 Red Fox Lane
Greenwood Village

Weckbaugh Garden
2250 South Monroe St.
Greenwood Village

Proctor & Macke Garden
3030 West 46th Ave.
Denver

For more information and directions to these gardens, visit www.opendaysprogram.org.