I met Brian Minter, my local media “hero in garden writing”, at a daylily farm in South Buffalo

Garden Writers come from all walks of life. Some were doctors or lawyers or landscape architects in other lives. I was and am a Horticulturist, Speaker and Author. Last week we all came together in Buffalo, New York to see the local gardens, to network and to be awed. I spoke with editors about some of my new projects, listened to captivating speakers, and took plenty of photos. Here are some of the images that you might see in future talks as I start booking speaking gigs for 2018.

Colouful planters amazed us in Buffalo.

Many private gardens contribute to Buffalo’s tourist trade by opening their yards during the summer simply by putting their signs out. No judgment. No one left behind. I loved the theme of the open gardens and hope other cities jump in.

An innovative pot holder in a buffalo open garden

Arlan Peters opened his garden in the first ever “Open Garden” tour 23 years ago. Here you can see his strawberries growing between his back steps. What fun.

An old railway battery used as a terrarium in the rail-themed garden

Open Garden “Wit’s End” in South town Buffalo featured a miniature railway and equally exciting miniature evergreens and homes and small-scaled people for all to enjoy. “Don’t forget to slam the door” laughed the owner, as I was entering her tree house. She said she was mocking her own mother who used to say the opposite. These are gardeners with a fun sense of humour.