by Connie Oswald Stofko
During the gardening season, our local nurseries, garden centers and farmers markets provide us with wonderful plants, tools, supplies, garden decorations and produce.
Don’t forget about them when you’re shopping for holiday items and gifts.
You can find poinsettias, Christmas trees, floral arrangements, gifts and local produce at hometown shops. “Shop small” on Small Business Saturday, Nov. 28, to support these local businesses.
How can you find local businesses? Check out our advertisers–the businesses that make it possible for me to bring you gardening information every week that is focused on Western New York. You can click on the ads to the right or find more businesses in our Gardening Directory. (By the way, one of my goals is to expand the Gardening Directory and make it the very best place to find gardening businesses in Western New York.)
Nonprofits are another important component of our gardening community, and you can remember them on #GivingTuesday, Dec. 1. Now in its fourth year, #GivingTuesday kicks off the charitable season, when many people focus on their holiday and end-of-year giving.
Nonprofits depend on donations to stay in operation, and there are many gardening-related organizations that could use your help.
One of them is the Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens, which uses donations to preserve and restore the horticultural collection, to provide educational programming and maintain the facilities. You can donate online or support them in other ways, such as through tributes and dedications. Have your personal message engraved on a paver to be placed in the Perennial Peace Garden or on a brick in the outdoor Children’s Garden.
As we prepare for the winter holidays, please remember our local businesses and organizations.
