Cape May, NJ - June 12, 2014 - Have you always wanted to learn the ins and outs of gardening, but you didn't know where to start? Join the Nature Center of Cape May for fun and educational garden programs all summer long.

TOURS OF PRIVATE WILDLIFE GARDENS
10 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. each day
More butterfly and hummingbird gardens are tucked into Cape May County than probably anywhere else in the country. Gardening naturalist and author, Pat Sutton leads these tours, which include her own garden in Goshen (North tour). Mark your calendar with the following dates and plan to join one, several, or all nine of the 2014 "Tours of Private Wildlife Gardens". This series visits 18 private gardens over a three-day period - six delightful and unique gardens each day.

A variety of gardens will showcase young and old, sun and shade, large and small, containers, water features, meadows, dragonfly ponds, lovely native perennials and caterpillar plants. Gardens look completely different from month to month (so seriously consider all nine tours). Bring lunch as groups will leisurely eat in one of the gardens.

These Tours require advanced reservations and are limited to 15 participants, so reserve your spot today before they sell out. Cost per tour: $35 members, $45 nonmembers. Join three tours at a discounted rate of $90 members, $115 non-members.

South and Mid-County tours and programs commence at the Nature Center of Cape May, 1600 Delaware Avenue; and the North tours commence at the Cape May Bird Observatory, 701 East Lake Drive, Cape May Point.

You may register by phone at 609.898.8848 with a credit card or send payment to the Nature Center of Cape May, 1600 Delaware Avenue, Cape May, NJ 08204 (noting which tours and full names of registrants). We reserve the right to cancel programs, and refunds are available only if we cancel the event. Walk-ins are welcome on a space-available basis. Become a member of NJAS and receive discounts in the gift shop and on many programs.

Before the tour, download, print, & bring along (for ease of note taking) NJ Audubon's article, "How to Create a Butterfly and Hummingbird Garden," and the "Recommended Plantings to Attract Hummingbirds, Butterflies, and Moths," by Patricia Sutton, available at:
http://www.njaudubon.org/SectionBackyardHabitat/CreateaGarden.aspx
http://www.njaudubon.org/SectionBackyardHabitat/RecommendedNectarPlants.aspx.

Here are the dates for the Private Wildlife Gardens Tours:

TOURS OF PRIVATE BUTTERFLY GARDENS
Friday, July 18: SOUTH "Cape Island"
Saturday, July 19: MID-COUNTY "North Cape May to Rio Grande"
Sunday, July 20: NORTH "Goshen to Dennisville"
Mid-July is the time of peak butterfly diversity and numbers. Gardens will showcase native nectar plants, key caterpillar plants, diverse design ideas, and a blizzard of butterflies and hummingbirds.

TOURS OF PRIVATE HUMMINGBIRD GARDENS
Friday, August 15: NORTH "Goshen to Dennisville"
Saturday, August 16: SOUTH "Cape Island"
Sunday, August 17: MID-COUNTY "North Cape May to Rio Grande"
At the peak of Ruby-throated Hummingbird migration, we'll savor an array of diverse gardens that have hosted nesting hummingbirds since May and are now drawing in dozens of migrants. Native nectar plants, healthy insect populations, water sources, and adequate cover are key elements of each garden.

Friday, September 19: MID-COUNTY "North Cape May to Rio Grande"
Saturday, September 20: NORTH "Goshen to Dennisville"
Sunday, September 21: SOUTH "Cape Island"
At the peak of Cape May County's world-famous fall Monarch migration, tour diverse gardens that have hosted Monarchs since May. Each features native nectar plants and as many as five different kinds of milkweed (used by Monarchs for egg laying to create the next generation). Expect Monarchs and other butterflies, Monarch eggs, caterpillars, and maybe even a chrysalis. The complex Monarch migration will be both explained and enjoyed.

The Nature Center of Cape May is also proud to offer these additional garden tours as well:

GARDENING WITH GRETCHEN AND OTHER MASTER GARDENERS
Mondays, June 23 through August 25
10:30 - 11:30 a.m.
Join sanctuary director and avid gardener Gretchen Whitman, master gardener Evelyn Lovitz, and other experts in our Nature Center gardens to learn about wildlife-friendly gardens and the challenges of gardening at the shore. Become a regular volunteer and receive a free T-shirt and a pair of garden gloves! Cost: Free

WHAT'S YUM ABOUT BEACH PLUMS
Friday, August 29
8:30 a.m. - noon
Explore the culinary delights of Prunus maritima, a native shrub of the northeastern coastal United States. This program includes a trip to Cape Island's plum-dandy, plum picking spots, a recipe book and sampling of all recipes. Wear comfortable shoes and attire for walking the back dunes of the Delaware Bay. Sunscreen, a hat and water are strongly recommended. Preregistration is highly recommended as this program is limited to 25 participants.
Cost: members - $8 adults, $5 children 3-12, under 3 free; nonmembers - $10 adults, $7 children 3-12; under 3 free.

All tours require preregistration with payment. You may register by phone at 609.898.8848 with a credit card or send payment to the Nature Center of Cape May, 1600 Delaware Avenue, Cape May, NJ 08204 (noting which tours and full names of registrants). We reserve the right to cancel programs, and refunds are available only if we cancel the event. Walk-ins are welcome on a space-available basis. Become a member of NJAS and receive discounts in the gift shop and on many programs.

For more information about these programs or the Nature Center of Cape May, call 609.898.8848 or email nccm@njaudubon.org. You can also visit www.njaudubon.org/centers/nccm.

The Nature Center of Cape May (NCCM) is situated on the rim of Cape May Harbor at 1600 Delaware Avenue in Cape May. One of 7 centers operated by New Jersey Audubon, the Center provides family oriented programming in the marine sciences and other nature oriented themes. Programs are scheduled throughout the year; public visitation is available 7 days per week, April through October. Visit our campus, shop at the nature store and view the breathtaking harbor and its environment from the Trucksess Observation tower.