Great fall escapes - Eastern Canada

Here is a guide to the lovely gardens of a small sampling of inns, bed and breakfasts and restaurants that dot this country from coast-to-coast. We hope they'll inspire you to take an afternoon drive in September's mellow light, or arrange for a longer stay. So hit the road, and please let us know of any others in your neck of the woods that should be included on our next list. You can write to us or send an e-mail to mailbox@canadiangardening.com.

Inn at Bay Fortune
(Souris RR 4 (Hwy. 310), Bay Fortune, PE C0A 2B0; 902/687-3745; www.innatbayfortune.com)

Type of establishment: inn, restaurant
The garden: one-acre plot with herbs and fruit and approximately three acres with flowers and vegetables; a re-creation of an early-20th-century-style Bay Fortune circular garden
Zone 4
Growing conditions: good soil, well-sheltered location, no early frost; close to the sea
Key plants: Swiss chard, pea shoots, spinach, arugula, lettuces, pattypan squash, broccoli rabe, lovage; 14 different mints, sage, sweet marjoram, bronze and green fennel, dill
Gardening secrets: a spring application of locally made fish fertilizer and a fall application of horse manure and compost; seeds are sown every three weeks to keep a fresh and young supply of vegetables and herbs for the kitchen
Best time to visit: end of July through September

Marshlands Inn
(55 Bridge St., Sackville, NB E4L 3N8; 800/561-1266; www.marshlands.nb.ca)

Type of establishment: inn, restaurant
The garden: partially wild rose garden, hanging baskets, herb and vegetable gardens defined by wooden frames with walkways separating plots. A stone path takes you through vine-covered arches bordered by shrubs
Zone 5b
Growing conditions: heavy clay; open to a marsh with strong winds from the bay. Rear gardens face south and receive full sun
Key plants: lupines, lilacs, flowering crabapples, rhododendrons and rhubarb; hanging baskets are filled
with annuals; herb garden has chives, mint, parsley and rosemary; vegetables, such as beans, peas, peppers, zucchini, cucumbers, tomatoes, onions, pumpkins, as well as some 2,000 pansies for garnish
Gardening secrets: almost totally organic; fresh black topsoil and peat moss are applied to beds to lighten
the clay
Best time to visit: June through end of September