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This weekend there is a wonderful garden tour in Lebanon. I am planning on going. The gardens on the tour should look fabulous, as our weather lately has been very favorable. I know my own garden is doing very well with our frequent rains alternating with lovely sunny days.

The tour, sponsored by the Lebanon Council of Garden Clubs, raises funds for the upkeep of the Lebanon Station (built by the Garden Council) and for beautification projects throughout the city.

The tour consists of five gardens in Lebanon and the Lebanon Station grounds. Each garden will feature a handmade quilt on display. The Festival of Fine Arts will also be held in downtown Lebanon on Saturday, June 28, of the tour.

WHAT: 18th annual Garden Tour in Historic Lebanon, Ohio, "Patchwork of Gardens." The tour is self-guided.

WHEN: Saturday and Sunday, June 28 and 29; 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

WHERE: The Lebanon Station (one block south of the Golden Lamb Inn) 198 S. Broadway, Lebanon.

MORE INFO: (513) 932-3430.

Tour features

• Country Cottage Garden on 150-acre homestead with koi pond and vegetable garden.

• Williamsburg inspired vegetable garden with raised beds protected by fencing; European Horn Bean trees sheared into cylinder shapes; decorative columns consisting of a 45-year-old collection of grinding stones.

• 50-year-old tree peony in the yard of a home twice its age!

• Paverstone driveway and patio, limestone bed walls and natural impression retaining walls outlining gardens, including Globosa Blue Spruces, Bloodgood Japanese and Coral Bark Maples, a Weeping Cherry and Bracken Brown Beauty Magnolias.

COST: Tickets/maps are $8 for adults; children younger than 12 are free. Purchased the days of the tour at the station.

MORE INFO: www.ohio4fun.org for more information.

Should I wash herbs?

Q When I run my hand over the herb plants (oregano, mint, etc. ) I can smell a strong natural aroma. However, after rinsing the harvested plants in clear water, I notice a reduction in the aroma. No doubt the washing process has removed some of the natural oils. How can herbs be cleaned without reducing the strong original aroma? — David

A I don't think that washing the herbs will diminish their flavor. I always wash my herbs and don't notice any loss of flavor. Always rinse herbs before using, as there could be dirt or small insects on them. I do confess to munching on parsley every time I am out in the garden (after inspecting it briefly, of course). If you have a lot of herbs to wash, save time by using a salad spinner. Fill with cold water and a bit of salt, swish the herbs around gently, pour off the water and spin dry. My favorite salad spinner is made by OXO — it is excellent. Remember to NEVER use any pesticides or herbicides around or on herbs. They rarely get diseases or get bothered by insects. Don't bother fertilizing them either, as this will diminish their flavor.

Dividing peonies

Q When and how is best to divide peonies? Also I have Dianthus, which I thought were annuals but they survived the winter. Would it be wise to cut the dead bloom off now? — Jack

A The best time to divide peonies is in September. Dig up the root carefully and cut into sections that have at least three to five "eyes."

The eyes are the pointy pink protuberances that are the beginnings of the shoots for next year. Only plant the newly divided root about an inch or two deep at the most. If planted deeper, it may not bloom. Are you sure you want to divide them? Peonies do not ever "need" dividing and after dividing or moving, they usually don't flower for one or two years. As to your dianthus, dead blooms can be snipped off of any dianthus at any time to encourage further bloom. Use a small pair of scissors and snip carefully to insure you don't cut off any emerging buds. Some dianthus are annuals but most are perennials. If pressed for time, you can also just shear them back after a flush of bloom.

Keep deadheading all your summer annuals and perennials that rebloom for continued bloom. Deadheading prevents seed formation which signals to the plant that it is time to stop blooming.