Event schedule:

9:00AM-1:00PM: Open Gardens (community-wide) - Visit private gardens all over Swissvale and meet the gardeners! Stop by the Info Table at the Carnegie Free Library of Swissvale (9AM-1PM, 1800 Monongahela Ave) to pick up event guides, ask questions, and fill your reusable water bottle. We’ll also have guides available to pick up at the Swissvale Farmers Market (9AM-12PM, 1400 S Braddock Ave). The event guide and map will also be available online. Visit as many or as few garden as you’d like, in any order.

This year’s tour features 30 gardens all over the neighborhood - no one is expected to rush around all morning and see them all! Most people set a leisurely pace and see as many gardens as they can comfortably wander around to in four hours, chatting to gardeners and other tour-goers along the way. We do recommend starting on the early side, especially if it’s a hot day.

1:00PM-3:00PM:Community Picnic at the lower pavilion at Les Getz Memorial Park (1 Les Getz Dr, Swissvale, PA 15218) - It’s our summer garden party! Join us for food, activities for all ages, and entertainment. Local band headed by one of our garden stop hosts, Chris Leone and the Spurs of the Moment, will be playing for us. We’ll have subs from Triangle Bar & Grill, ice cream sandwiches from Swissvale Dari Delite, and other picnic-y and pickle-y food and drink to share, all free to attendees. Everyone who attends gets a raffle ticket for a pickle-themed prize basket!

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Frequently asked questions

  • Anywhere you want!  Check out the map and pick where you would like to start.  A hard copy of the map is available during the event at an Info Table at the Carnegie Free Library of Swissvale (9AM-1PM) or at the Swissvale Farmers Market (9AM-12PM). Start at any time between 9AM and 1PM (okay, maybe 12:30, so you have time for at least a couple!). Go to as many or as few gardens as you like and in any order that you choose.

  • This event is CYOA (Choose-Your-Own-Adventure). You are free to roam on your own or with friends, family, and fellow tour-goers. Go to as many or as few gardens as you like and in any order that you choose. At each stop, the gardener will be available to show you around, answer questions, and provide info and insights into their garden specialties.

  • The Swissvale Edible Garden Tour is entirely FREE, thanks to our generous sponsors and the work of a bunch of volunteers. If you are inspired to donate, you can do that here online and you will find information on how to do so at the Info Table at the Swissvale Library or during the picnic.

  • Printed guides will be available during the event at the Carnegie Free Library of Swissvale and at the Swissvale Farmer’s Market. The information within the guide is also available here on our website.

  • Yes!  The following bus routes serve Swissvale on weekends: P1, 59, 61a, 61b.

  • A lot! You can find closure and detour details here.

  • Yes, you can park in the lower lot.

  • You can drive, bike, or walk. If you decide to drive, please be mindful of residential parking restrictions, including fire hydrants, driveways, and accessible parking spaces, so the neighbors don’t hate us. If you choose to bike or walk, be aware that Swissvale is not flat. No matter what, we encourage tour-goers to pace themselves and bring a reusable water bottle.

  • There are bathrooms downstairs at the Carnegie Free Library of Swissvale during their open hours (9am - 4pm on Saturday).

  • During the tour:

    You can refill your water bottle at the Info Table. We will provide cups, but we recommend tour-goers bring their own reusable water bottles.

    We also encourage you to support local Swissvale businesses:

    The Pub in the Park is open for drinks and food from 11am to 2am.

    Parisi Cafe & Italian Market is selling a hot or iced Lavender Latte special!

    Swissvale Dari-Delite always has great cool treats!

    Bombay to Burgh is a great new restaurant featuring Indian cuisine.

    At the Picnic (1:30-3:30 at the Swissvale Farmers Market - 7301 Schoyer Ave) there will be lots of food and drink! Think picnic foods, plus some generous donations from local businesses. You’re welcome to bring a dish, but there will be plenty there.

  • At the Swissvale Community Garden, you are welcome to pick anything ripe and ready to be harvested. At all other stops we ask you to refrain from picking anything unless given explicit permission by the garden host.

  • We ask that your four-legged friends stay at home. We love dogs and make this recommendation for their safety and comfort, as well as that of the garden stop hosts.

Visit the Info Table at the Carnegie Free Library of Swissvale (9AM-1PM, 1800 Monongahela Ave) to pick up a printed copy of the guide, ask any questions, or refill your water bottle. Guides will also be available to pick up at the Swissvale Farmers Market (9AM-12PM, 1400 S Braddock Ave).