Jul 24
2010
Bountiful and Beautiful Buffalo
One of the real dilemmas for me as a gardener is that I want to travel and visit gardens during the summer—but I also want to be home working in my own garden. So unless work carries me to a place where I can visit gardens in my down time, I’m on an official vacation or a garden is fairly close by, it’s hard to pry me away from home to go garden hopping.
But the Garden Bloggers Buffa10 was an event I wouldn’t miss. This is the third year that garden bloggers have staged a meet-up, organized and hosted by volunteer garden bloggers. The Austin, Texas, gardeners kicked off the idea and spread out a wonderful welcome mat. Gardeners in Chicago hosted last year. This year Elizabeth Licata (Gardening While Intoxicated and Garden Rant) and Jim Charlier (Art of Gardening) put together four days of fabulousness in Buffalo. I had heard from Elizabeth about the hotbed of gardening activity in Buffalo, but I had no idea Buffalo was such a charming city.
As you can see, we were able to wander into the private sanctuaries of Buffalo homeowners, many of whom had gussied up their yards in preparation for Garden Walk Buffalo. Most of the gardens we visited are small, lush gardens in cozy neighborhoods.
Frankly, I found myself drooling over the tidy homes, well-maintained gardens and the idea that it was all so compact and bountiful.
These gardeners have invested some time and love in creating their outdoor havens.
These were not just show houses though. It was clear that people lived in and enjoyed these gardens. There were pets, areas for dining, tools and whimsical artwork.
If you’re a garden blogger—or are looking for another reason to become one—this event should convince you that there are some definite perks to sharing your garden stories. What you don’t see here, but can see from many of my fellow bloggers’ blogs, is the great group of people who came together for the event. Many of us are old friends from previous years. We were happy to add new friends to our crowd. It was a beautiful and bountiful event on many levels.
July 24th, 2010 at 6:23 pm
Great pictures and a wonderful description of our get together. We are all looking forward to seeing each other next year!
July 24th, 2010 at 7:33 pm
I feel the same about leaving the garden in summer. I guess New Zealand and Australia are good options for us! Loved your pictures and notes on the event.
July 25th, 2010 at 10:40 am
We always want what we don’t have – I long for acreage. I agree with you about garden blogger get-togethers. They are the best.
.-= Mr. McGregor’s Daughter´s last blog ..Feeling Austin- Texas =-.
July 25th, 2010 at 7:33 pm
I missed that trike. But I wonder how they keep that grass in check. It’s invasive, I’m pretty sure.
.-= Kathy from Cold Climate Gardening´s last blog ..Garden Bloggers Bloom Day July 2010 =-.
July 26th, 2010 at 11:26 pm
It was a delight to meet you in person after reading and enjoying your blog for years. But I want to know how you always looked so good while the rest of us were sweating and wilting around you!
August 5th, 2010 at 5:46 pm
I’m in love with charm of these small gems and their front yard gardens. Very well done!
.-= Lisa´s last blog ..Vanessa Atalanta- She’s Not Who You Think She Is =-.
September 18th, 2010 at 7:15 pm
I was there this summer (lived in Buffalo for 24 years) — and went on the garden walk. I also heard about the bloggers get-together, and how fabulous it was. I’m so glad you got to see what I think of as my “home town” (even though I’m in Tennessee now). It is a wonderful place in the summer — winters, not so much! And summer lasts about 2 weeks!