Tour historic Genoa homes, gardens

This year the emphasis is on the garden, as speakers share their experience with visitors on the annual Genoa Home & Garden Tour on Sunday.

Jim Vinton of Mountain Shadows Landscape will talk about soil, Dave Ruf of Greenhouse Garden Center will discuss critter resistant plants and gardening in the high desert, Heather Kahbka of Plant It Nursery will talk about container gardening, Dan McClure of Nevada's Own will discuss perennials he developed specifically for the high Sierra, and Ron Brown will talk about the care and growth of exotic orchids at his home located at 2428 Genoa Aspen Drive.

"People really liked the speakers last year, so this year there are more," Antiques Plus owner and tour organizer Martha Williams said.

Speakers will be from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Dake House, 2242 Main St., a gothic Victorian built in 1872.

Williams said the house has remained in its original condition and is like stepping back in time. The home includes a 140-year-old poppy garden.

Some of Nevada's oldest homes will be open for the 11th year of the tour, which allows visitors to peek inside and explore gardens.

Besides the Dake House, Dr. Eliza Cook's house and the Genoa Cemetery are included in the tour.

The self-guided tour is 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $12 each and may be purchased at Antiques Plus in Genoa, the Carson Valley Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Authority in Gardnerville, Greenhouse Garden Center in Carson City, Timothy Stoll Dentistry at 1625 Highway 395, Suite 201, in Minden and Tumblewinds at 1600 Esmeralda Avenue in Minden.

On the day of the tour, tickets will only be available at Greenhouse Garden Center and the Dake House in Genoa.

For more information, go to www.genoaevents.com or call 782-4951.