Discover back yards in bloom at the Georgetown Art and Garden Walk on July 13

In late January 2000, Pacific Northwest magazine profiled lifelong Georgetown resident Jon Dove, that year's grand-prize winner of the Arboretum Foundation's Pacific Northwest Garden contest. The garden of his towering 1905 home was resplendent with lush foliage, prolific roses and an onion-dome-shaped privet.

Georgetown was barely on my radar then. I knew it was south of downtown and, well, somewhere near the Hat n' Boots. But I didn't realize that people actually lived there, let alone cultivated beautiful gardens in their yards.

But Dove sure does, and he's not alone. He and more than 20 of his neighbors are busily sprucing up their gardens for the 13th annual Georgetown Art and Garden Walk, which takes place Sunday, July 13.

While on the tour, visitors will be allowed a rare peek into the back yards of Georgetown residents, from Dove's magnificent roses to the manicured knot garden of Revival Home and Garden owners Leah and Chad Steen.

Many of the homes on the tour sit on small lots, which according to Dove allows visitors to get good ideas on small-space gardening. Other highlights include a hanging garden on the second floor of an apartment building next to the railroad tracks, a plant sale and an 83-year-old garden diligently cultivated to maintain its verdant glory.

Not just for the green-thumbed, this community event includes open artist studios, yard sales, music, historical walking tours and free entry to Georgetown's two museums, the Georgetown PowerPlant Museum and the Museum of Communications.

Georgetown's many restaurants will be open, offering great food and a respite for your feet. Enjoy brunch at the Georgetown Truck Stop, lunch at Calamity Jane's or drinks (if you're over 21) at Smarty Pants.

The event is free and runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Maps will be available the day of the event at a booth set up in the Bank of America parking lot at 1112 S. Bailey St.

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