My father, Serge, is an amazing, well-organized Gardener. At over 80-years old, he still grows delicious tomatoes, zucchini, cucumbers and green beans in his small New Jersey town. The asparagus, once a mainstay, is now too bitter to eat. 
There are even some wild strawberries thrown in for good measure and a compost heap as tall as as the Hollywood Sign.
But my father is very protective about his vegetable garden. He doesn't allow me to step into it unsupervised even now as I am a full-grown adult. As a teenager, I'd sneak into the garden and grab summer's best and make some gazpacho for a quick lunch. But there was no sneaking this weekend, because I treated myself and my friend Denise to a Garden Tour with Olive Branches, a non-profit organization dedicated to greening the landscape of Los Angeles.
The self-guided tour took us through six beautiful private gardens in the upscale Windsor Square and Hancock Park sections of Los Angeles. Surprising gardens included a Tropical Garden on North McCadden, a Historic on South Hudson, Italianate Garden on South Lorraine and an English Cottage on South Plymouth. They were all beautiful. Perhaps some were too "park-like" in design. As a Professional Organizer I am all about ease of use, and simplicity. So I was wondering how much time is spent on these peaceful retreats. I suppose it's not the time spent, but the value and beauty they bring. Yes.
The most spectacular was the Mediterranean garden on North June Street at La Casa de Las Campanas. Spanish Colonial Revival architecture played nicely with the lavender, fescue, Mexican sage and many other drought-tolerant plants (called zero-scaping.) The after-tour cocktail party at the home's pool was indeed dreamy. So was the home: I took a sneak peek at the Butler's pantry, just off the main kitchen. Stately oak cabinetry with glass fronts, crown molding, crisp white lights. The counters were absolutely void of any kind of disorganization except a Sunday Los Angeles Times, half-read. Inside the tall, stately cabinets was a shiny collection of silver urns, vases, bowls, pitchers and goblets-- all lined up like soldiers waiting to go into battle, or in their case, dinner. Like a row or path-- like a garden path.
Perhaps my favorite garden was the Arts and Crafts on South Van Ness. Built around the turn of last century, and complete with two-car garage (very progressive for that time), the red brick garden path ran the perimeter of the property in a large square. One side of the garden path had a simple herb garden complete with white pebble stones and brass labels, along with a vintage rusty Victorian-style 6-inch fence to ward off the critters. Basil, oregano, thyme, parsley and some others draping slightly over the red brick walkway. The Docent told me the owner has a family friend who visits weekly for a cooking class they oversee as Chef. The family friend sneaks through the gate and grabs a handful of herbs for their students, and heads right back out the gate without much stirring. Much like I used to do in my father's garden. Hurry and grab what you need, before Dad sees you.
I think I'll have some gazpacho for lunch this week. And call my Dad.
