Taking a Tour of Local Greenhouses
By Carol Fisher-Linn
Pssst! It’s me! Don’t look outside – just slip on your sunglasses (preferably the rose-colored ones), pick up your seed catalogs, slip into your coziest armchair, and dream. Recent Easter displays of hyacinths, lilies, pansies, and other colorful potted plants whispered HOPE to the wanna-be gardeners who are still shoveling snow! Let’s do this!
If you must have your plant fix immediately, visit the Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens (pictured, 2655 South Park Avenue, Buffalo, NY) where connecting with nature is painless. The Botanical Gardens is a national historic site and education center and the perfect place in any weather to enjoy exotic horticultural treasures from around the world. Opened in 1900, it was designed by Lord & Burnham, premier designers of Victorian glass houses who fashioned it after the famous English Crystal Palace. Whether you crave the sight of elegant orchids, ivy, cacti, succulents, bromeliads, carnivorous plants, or medicinal plants, you will find them at the gardens. (bufflaogardens.com)
A day trip to Sonnenberg Gardens in Canandaigua NY is worth the drive. They open with a Spring Wildflower and Orchid Show April 29-May 1. Celebrate the arrival of Spring by strolling through the Arboretum and gardens laden with early spring flowers. Enjoy the collections of orchids in their historic greenhouse. Tickets available online and at admissions sonnenberg.org/events/ Admission $10.00 | $5.00 (3-15 years old) | Free (Under 3) | Pre-sale Online through April 27th. On May 7-10 enjoy “I Love My Park Day.” Help them by volunteering to help clean up their park. Free to Volunteers that sign up through Parks & Trails New York ptny.org/events/i-love-my-park-day. Non-volunteers will pay regular admission. On May 8, 9:30-4:30 treat mom as you stroll the nine formal gardens and walk through the historic mansion and greenhouses. Admission – All Mom’s get in for $1.00
If you just want to start drawing your plans for showing some love around your homes and gardens with flowers, shrubs, trees and vegetables, stay in that armchair and begin planning. There is a bountiful selection of greenhouses and nurseries in our surrounding counties which are gearing up to turn your gardening dreams into fragrant and colorful reality. Before you get too sidetracked with flowers and herbs let me give you a bit of advice I received from Jake Williams, proprietor, with his wife Rachel, of Jakes Greenhouse on 11904 Route 240 in E. Concord, three miles past Route 39 (BIG, red-roofed building – cannot miss it). It’s no secret that food prices are rising. Jake suggests you meet inflation head-on by growing your own veggies. (And it’s healthier!) Not a lot of space? Opt for a container garden; just be sure to use pots large enough for the veggies you want, provide support for plants that need it (beans, tomatoes and green peppers), provide for very good drainage with gravel (and a few rocks for weight). DON’T use soil from your garden (it will quickly compact and suffocate your plants). Consider planters on wheels to move plants around to catch the optimum sunlight requirements. Consider an organic water-soluble fertilizer. Thanks to Jake for that suggestion. Stop in at their place for a bite to eat and a walkaround while you develop your garden plans. They feature annual flowers, perennials, shrubs, bushes, their own beef and eggs, milk, Cuba Cheese, lunches, & ice cream. It’s a one-stop shop! Jakesgreenhouseny.com
There are many great greenhouses and local nurseries around. Here’s a quick run-down on those answering their phones this early in the season: Eastwind Landscape Nursery in Belmont on State Route 19, celebrating its 20th anniversary May 1. They even offer fieldtrips for kids. Take I86 to Exit 30. Eastwind3@verizon.net
Windy Acres Greenhouse, 6175 Wagner Road Springville, opening May 1. This one-woman show has a lot going on. It helps that owner, Beverly Fitts, has thirty-some years of experience in the business. 716-541-4923
Stillwater Garden Market – 1445 Foote Avenue, Jamestown says their biggest draw for gardeners of all levels is their bulk topsoil and mulch. 716-664-3747