White stones instead of lawn: see it on South Buffalo Garden Walk

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white stones in yard surrounded by garden in South Buffalo Garden Walk
Instead of a grassy area in the front yard, white stones add a unique element. Surrounding the front deck is a lovely garden full of perennials, with a few annuals dropped in for color. Photo by Connie Oswald Stofko
side porch on South Buffalo Garden Walk
Peter Nightengale has cared for his ill wife, Joann, for the past four years. The side deck, here, replaced a porch and was made level so she could get outside with her walker. She is now in a nursing home. When you’re going through a difficult period, “you have to do something like gardening,” Peter said. He pointed to a sign in his garden that has kept him going: “Gardening is my therapy.” Photo by Connie Oswald Stofko

by Connie Oswald Stofko

“I hated mowing,” said Peter Nightengale, “and I wanted my yard to look like nobody else’s.”

That’s why he got rid of all the lawn in his South Buffalo property.

In the front yard, white stones cover an area that used to be grass. There isn’t any lawn in the backyard, either. Even the hellstrip (the area between the sidewalk and street) has no grass—it’s all flowers.

You can see this landscape and many others on the South Buffalo Garden Walk. It will be held It will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, June 30.

You can pick up maps at The Garden Art Sale from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, June 29 (the day before the walk) and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, June 30 (the day of the walk). The Garden Art Sale will take place on the front lawn of the Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens, 2655 South Park Ave., Buffalo.

The South Buffalo Garden Walk had been held for several years, then it lapsed for five years, said Nightengale, director of the walk. It was restarted last year from scratch with 20 gardeners. This year there will 26 landscapes to visit.

front deck on South Buffalo Garden Walk
This is just one small view of the front deck seating area. In addition to the seats, tables and potted plants, there is a water feature in the back corner. Like the side deck, this front deck was made level so Joann Nightengale could walk outside. Peter Nightengale enjoys eating his breakfast out here. “It’s calm and peaceful,” he said. Photo by Connie Oswald Stofko
new garden replacing concrete driveway in South Buffalo Garden Walk
A month ago, this garden bed was part of the driveway. Nightengale hired a contractor to remove the concrete and hired a landscaper to plan and plant this and other gardens. The landscaper created the flagstone area that allows Nightengale to get to his hose, something he wouldn’t have thought of. Get help from professionals if you can afford it, Nightengale said. Photo by Connie Oswald Stofko
pergola in grassless backyard in South Buffalo NY
This pergola in the backyard is one of many comfortable seating areas in his landscape. “You have to make people comfortable,” Nightengale said. “You can’t sit on beautiful flowers; you have to have really good outdoor furniture.” The pergola has a tin roof. “The sound is amazing,” he said. “It’s very comforting. It’s serenity.” Photo by Connie Oswald Stofko
flagstone party area in South Buffalo on South Buffalo Garden Walk
An island garden is the focus of a wide open area at the rear of the backyard. It gives Nightengale room for visitors. With all of his various seating areas, last year he hosted 150 people after the garden walk. If there is rain, he has more seating in the garage. Photo by Connie Oswald Stofko

16 Comments on “White stones instead of lawn: see it on South Buffalo Garden Walk”

  1. Peter, everything turned out so beautifully ! So happy that I was in on seeing the transformation from the start 🤗 I know how hard you’ve been working and now your time has come to show it off 🌸🌼🌷🌿 🥂Cheers to you and 🩷 to JoAnn .

  2. What an amazing garden conceived out of love and devotion! Peter you are indeed s gift to Joann and to iur community for your dedication and love for Joann and for your home you two created tohether! Everyone needs to stop by and see the gardens that love built!

  3. What an amazing garden conceived out of love and devotion! Peter you are indeed s gift to Joann and to iur community for your dedication and love for Joann and for your home you two created tohether! Everyone needs to stop by and see the gardens that love built!
    🌸💐🌺🌷🌻🌹🌻🌷🌸💐🌻🌺🌹🌸💐🌷🌸💐🌻🌺❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

  5. Wow! Your gardens and yards are beautiful!! I wish mine was that good! I’ve been fighting weeds in my flower gardens every day! Why can’t I post?

  6. Wow! Your gardens and yards are beautiful!! I wish mine was that good! I’ve been fighting weeds in my flower gardens every day!

  8. Peter, you have outdone yourself! Your gardens were always beautiful, but these are show stoppers. Congratulations and enjoy your many appreciative guests on Sunday.

  9. Plan shows great imagination and planning combining beautiful gardens with relaxing seating areas.

  10. So many thanks to Connie Oswald Stofko for amazing photography.The pictures capture the essence of my gardens.
    More importantly,thanks for the heartfelt thoughtful words. She relayed the message of coping with my wife’s long journey with dementia & subsequent catastrophic illnesses.
    Gardening has been an essential coping tool.
    Know that if you are a caregiver, finding gardening or a similar hobby is a life saver.
    Please join me for my garden walk!
    Peter Nightengale
    South Buffalo Garden Walk Director

  12. Hi Beth, yes, you can pick up maps at The Garden Art Sale from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, June 29 (the day before the walk) and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, June 30 (the day of the walk). The Garden Art Sale will take place on the front lawn of the Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens, 2655 South Park Ave., Buffalo.

  13. Absolutely beautiful in every way!!! Truly unbelievable. Lots of hard work but worth it all. And it is wonderful therapy. Vacation in your own backyard! Way to Peter!!!

  15. What a marvelous garden concept. No need for chemical lawn spraying, or emission emitting mowers, AND it’s beautiful!

  16. Amazing! A beautiful respite to sit and relax. Lots of work, and a lot to show for it.

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