Travel Stories: Buffalo’s Garden Walk

In early August, I traveled to Buffalo, NY. It was, for the annual conference of the Association for Garden Communicators. In addition to attending workshops and networking with my colleagues, we were in for a treat. We got to visit of private gardens that were a part of this year’s Garden Walk. It has been billed as “America’s largest garden tour.”

If you love gardening but have never heard of Garden Walk, put this destination on your bucket list! 

What is Garden Walk?

For the past 24 years, Buffalo and its many gardeners have been hosting a two-day tour of gardens. It takes place on the last weekend of July. This year, there were over 400 gardens (that’s not a typo) in seven different communities throughout the city.

What’s really amazing is that the self-guided tour is free. There are shuttle buses to help folks get to the various communities. The tour features many different styles of gardens.

Since the writers conference was held the first weekend of August, we missed the official Garden Walk. However, kind gardeners from many of those featured in the tour opened their garden gates to us. That way, we could share in the experience. The gardens were wonderful!

Here is a video I shot about the Buffalo Garden Walk. It has been viewed over 40,000 times! And be sure to read the rest of my post underneath the video. Enjoy!

My impressions of Garden Walk

I couldn’t get over how many eye-catching gardens were in each neighborhood. And all were on tiny city lots. Every garden was unique. Some had a cottage garden feel while others were more reflective. There was a lot of beautiful and fun garden art. Each of us took away new ideas to incorporate into our own gardens.

Some gardeners got really creative. Examples include building platforms on their garages for a beehive or to grow veggies. The latter was accessed by either a library ladder in front of the garage or an attic staircase inside. Some used curving pathways, to add interest and to maximize the space in their small yards.

As I spoke with the homeowners/gardeners, I kept hearing similar comments. The gardens throughout Buffalo’s neighborhoods had done so much for its inhabitants. Each community’s neighborhoods of gardens brought people together. Maybe a passerby stopped to admire them. Or neighbors were connecting and relaxing together on a summer evening.

One gardener told me how the gardening neighborhoods had the positive effect of increasing their property value. I learned there were waiting lists of people wanting to purchase a home in those neighborhoods. Wow.

But here’s what struck me the most. Their willingness to share something that brings them a great deal of joy and pride. And, of course, the lasting tie they share with their neighbors.

I would LOVE to see this idea spread like wildfire throughout our country. A garden is an ideal setting to bring people together. What can we do to get this started in our own regions and neighborhoods?

One last thing. If you’re thinking ahead to your 2018 vacation, consider visiting Buffalo the last weekend in July. My husband and I also spent time in nearby Toronto, Niagara Falls (Ontario). We visited Niagara-on-the-Lake as well, so there is plenty to see and do in the region.