New program will replace Garden Walk Buffalo this year

grassless front yard — The periwinkle groundcover in her front yard is very successful, said Valerie Hotchkiss of 15th Street, Buffalo. It doesn’t have to be mowed and it looks lovely in the spring when it flowers. Photo by Connie Oswald Stofko

by Connie Oswald Stofko

Garden Walk Buffalo won’t be held as a two-day walking tour this year. Instead, a new program called Buffalo Garden Views will feature a variety of activities throughout July suited for these difficult times.

Gardeners from the Buffalo Niagara region–and around the world–can experience these activities from home on social media.

And there will be some in-person activities, too, such as touring front-yard gardens.

We know that Buffalo has gorgeous front yards. What you might not realize is how much variety there is.

If you don’t believe me, check out this small sampling of gardens that I visited in previous years on Garden Walk Buffalo and the former Parkside Garden Walk (now part of Garden Walk Buffalo).

Not only are these gardens fun to look at, but you can get lots of ideas for your own landscape.

front garden on Summer Street Buffalo NY — This front yard full of flowers on Summer Street is what many people think of when they picture Garden Walk Buffalo, but there is actually a wide assortment of front gardens in Buffalo. Photo by Connie Oswald Stofko

Here are a few of the other ideas in development for the month-long Buffalo Garden Views :

Video tours of backyards in bloom
Live conversations with and tips from garden experts
Online giveaways, games and shopping experiences
Stories from gardeners across the region

Other garden walks, Open Gardens and the Buffalo Style Garden Art Sale are still planned. See the current event schedule here for Gardens Buffalo Niagara.

terraced front yard in Buffalo — This sloped front yard on Prospect Street was difficult to mow, so Maria Hernandez turned it into a garden. The various levels add interest to the garden. Photo by Connie Oswald Stofko

front of house on Garden Walk Buffalo — A raised bed to the left of the front steps provides an area for plants in this front yard on Hudson Street. Photo by Connie Oswald Stofko

front garden on Parkside Garden Walk in Buffalo NY — You don’t have to relegate all of your seating to the backyard. This front-yard garden on Parkside has a lovely bench nestled under a shady tree. Photo by Connie Oswald Stofko

coleus replaces impatiens in front yard on Garden Walk Buffalo 2013 — These gardeners on West Delavan used to plant mounds of impatiens in their front yard. When downy mildew killed those flowers, they turned to coleus to add color. Photo by Connie Oswald Stofko

13 Comments on “New program will replace Garden Walk Buffalo this year”

Diane, I know what you mean!

Thank you for the photos. I’m watching it snow at the moment so the photos are taking me to warmer days.

Miriam, a lot of neighborhoods have that problem. You can contact your town or county for more advice.

Sorry to say that holes in garden beds may also be from rats…

Eva, thanks for sharing!

Almost every year, after a Garden Walk, I always say – “I wish I had taken a photo of this or that”. So I think it will be fun to look at this year’s gardens on social media. I look forward to “in person activities” and additional pics of front yards. Thank you Connie.

Neela, here are some articles that might help you. Read about woodchucks here. Read about moles and voles here. For more specific information, contact the Master Gardeners. See the article here for ways to contact them. Good luck!

I’m glad you all enjoyed the photos. It’s exciting to know we will have opportunities to look at wonderful gardens this summer.

These beautiful gardens are signs of hope and happiness. Thank you

Hello Connie
Thankyou for beautiful pictures.
I wonder if you can help – I noticed a hole in my garden bed – haven’t seen the animal yet ! But it is eating my new plants coming up . Help . Thanks Neela