by Connie Oswald Stofko
Peter Kurtzworth is the fourth generation of his family to live in the home at 491 Morgan St., City of Tonawanda. When he married Judy four years ago, she brought pieces of her heritage to his homestead: plants from her former home, from her aunt’s cottage and from her mother’s garden.
The Kurtzworths shared their gardens on the City of Tonawanda Garden Walk, which featured a nighttime tour on Friday, July 15 and a daytime tour on Saturday, July 16.
Plants that Judy brought to the landscape from her aunt’s or mother’s gardens include rose bushes, black-eyed Susans and a yucca plant.
Peter and Judy both work full time, yet find time to work on their gardens just about every night.
“We have dinner, then just start putzing,” Judy said. “We work a couple hours, at least. Then we have a glass of wine, a can of beer and just relax.”
Looking around at her landscape, she said, “You have to feel it to get this– It has to be in your heart.”
“Whatever work you put into it,” Peter said, “comes back to you.”
“Gardening isn’t work,” Judy said, then added, “except for mulching. I hate mulching!”
Garden walks coming up this weekend include:
The Ken-Ton Garden Tour will feature the Night Lights Evening Tour from 8:30 p.m. – 11 p.m. Friday, July 22 and Saturday, July 23. The daytime tour will take place from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Saturday, July 23 and Sunday, July 24. Maps for the event can be picked up at the Aquatic and Fitness Center, 1 Pool Plaza, Tonawanda. The tour will feature over 50 different gardens with many water features and great landscapes. The tour is free and self-guided.
The Garden Walk of Niagara Falls, USA will be held from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Saturday, July 23. Maps for the tour can be picked up at the Niagara Falls Public Library, 1425 Main St.; Oakwood Cemetery, 763 Portage Rd., and the NACC, 1201 Pine Ave. at Portage Rd., Niagara Falls. Donations are gratefully accepted. The walk will include a tour, speakers, and transportation to each venue by New York State Parks trolley.
The West Seneca Garden Tour will be held from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Saturday, July 23 and Sunday, July 24. Maps for the tour can be picked up at The Charles Burchfield Nature Center, 2001 Union Rd., West Seneca. More than 30 gardens will be featured. For more information, contact Dave and Sharon Pulinski at (716) 824-3995 or email sharonpulinski@yahoo.com.
