Garden Walk Buffalo

It's that time again!
You're all invited to Garden Walk Buffalo, the largest garden tour in the U.S. Large doesn't mean much though–it may just be the best garden tour in the country. But that's subjective, I'm the president of the whole shebang. There's 20 or more committee members that meet year 'round to make this happen. And another 75+ that volunteer the weekend of the Walk to "person" the three headquarters we have throughout the area. And 341 gardeners.

You'll also get to see LOTS of unique garden art. It's sort of like visiting a museum with 341 garden tableaux set up.

Oh, and it's totally free. Even the shuttle bus is free. Garden Walk is Saturday & Sunday, July 25 & 26 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day. It's self guided, no tickets required. All you need is a map (online version found here). Then start touring. Go at your own pace. That's it.

If you'll be attending the Walk, we have a party for you.
There will be a small party for visiting Garden bloggers in the garden of Elizabeth of Garden Rant/GardeningWhileIntoxicated. Yes, you'll have a drink or two in the Gardening While Intoxicated garden. Leave a comment below to let us know you'll be coming and we can send you details.

You'll see plenty of great ideas for you to take home. Bring a camera.

What will you see on the Walk?

• Flower, rose, vegetable, herb and organic gardens; Japanese, English and water gardens; butterfly, pocket, container and rock gardens; sidewalk and community gardens.
• Multiple-level decks, pergolas, espaliers, outdoor kitchens, grape arbors, lighting schemes, fountains, wall murals, sculpture, koi ponds, waterfalls, potting sheds, carriage houses, playgrounds, playhouses, treehouses and a putting green.
• Victorian homes, Civil War-era cottages, secret houses hidden from view and turn-of-the-century mansions, homes by Frank Lloyd Wright and McKim, Mead & White, buildings by H.H. Richardson and Eliel and Eero Saarinen, parkways and traffic circles laid out by Frederick Law Olmsted.
• The place Teddy Roosevelt took the oath of office, the spot where President McKinley ultimately died, award-winning urban sculpture, unique shopping and dining galore.
• Erie Basin Marina University Test Gardens, testing plants not yet on the market, for seed companies from around the world.
  

Who will attend?
Tens of thousands of visitors are expected from around the U.S. and Canada. Since everything is free, and no tickets required, we can only guesstimate the number of visitors. We figure between 40,000 and 50,000 based on the number of maps handed out and downloaded from the website–assuming two people per map. That might be low. Suburban ladies travel in packs of three or more.

Garden Walk Buffalo better than the Philly Flower Show?
Terry Ettinger (arborist, nursery professional, horticulturist, garden column writer, host of a garden radio show and YNN-TV's garden guy AND greenhouse manager of SUNY-College of Environmental Science & Forestry's greenhouses) seems to think so. After a radio interview he did with me, a listener writes in to Terry's column, in Central New York's Eagle community papers, asking if Garden Walk Buffalo is worth a visit. Terry states, "Worth it? Without hesitation, Garden Walk Buffalo is the best horticulture-related event I've ever attended-including the Philly Flower Show!" He is exuberant, even when depressed, and talks with exclamation points. But we consider this high praise from a guy with so many garden credentials.

You can even see my garden.

What will you take away?
Ideas. Inspiration. Enthusiasm. And you'll get to meet the gracious gardeners that love to share their gardens and, on occasion, even plants. You'll gain a completely different idea of how rich and creative this community is with their small, urban spaces. We've been told it's like getting a Ph.D. in gardening in two days.

This year's poster, seen up top, was selected from more than 80 entries submitted to a poster committee. Photo by Anne Gareis, design by Sue Hough of Travers Collins & Company, digital magic by Don Zinteck, printing by Dual Printing, Inc.