updated on 3/10/2023

REGULAR CLUB MEETINGS

African Violet & Gesneriad Society of WNY meets the third Tuesday of the month, March–December, at 7pm, Greenfield Health & Rehab Facility, 5949 Broadway, Lancaster. judyoneil1945@gmail.com.

Alden Garden Club meets the second Wednesday of the month (except July & August) at 7pm, Alden Community Center, West Main Street, Alden. New members and guests welcome. Plant sale each May. 716-937-7924.

Amana Garden Club meets the second Wednesday of the month (except January) at Ebenezer United Church of Christ, 630 Main Street, West Seneca. Visitors welcome. 716-844-8543, singtoo@aol.com. 

Amherst Garden Club meets the fourth Wednesday of the month (except December, March, July & August) at 10am, St. John’s Lutheran Church, Main Street, Williamsville. New members and guests welcome. 716-836-5397.

Bowmansville Garden Club meets the first Monday of the month (except June, July, August & December) at 7pm, Bowmansville Fire Hall, 36 Main Street, Bowmansville. New members and guests welcome. For more information, 716-361-8325.

Buffalo Area Daylily Society. East Aurora Senior Center, 101 King Street, East Aurora. Friendly group who get together to enjoy daylilies. Plant Sales, May & August. Open Gardens, June–August. Facebook.

Buffalo Bonsai Society meets every second Saturday at 1pm at ECC North Campus, STEM Bldg, 6205 Main St, Williamsville, NY 14221. Two exceptions on the third Saturday: 4/15 and 9/16. buffalobonsaisociety.com. 

East Aurora Garden Club meets at noon on the second Monday of each month, except January. Club meets at Nativity Lutheran Church, 970 E. Main Street, East Aurora, NY (just west of the 400 Expressway exit). The club’s objective is to stimulate, create interest and promote education on horticulture, the art of gardening, flower arranging and environmental conservation; and to promote the beautification of surrounding areas. For more information about the club or membership call 716-912-1589.

Federated Garden Clubs NYS—District 8 Nancy Kalieta, director, nancyk212@aol.com. gardenclubsofwny.com.

Forest Stream Garden Club meets the third Thursday of the month (September–May) at 7pm, Presbyterian Village, 214 Village Park Drive, Williamsville and other locations. Summer garden teas & tours. Ongoing projects include beautification of the Williamsville Meeting House, garden therapy at a local nursing home, youth gardening, and Victorian Christmas decorating. eileen.s@markzon.com

Friends of Kenan Herb Club meets the third Monday of the month at 5:30pm at the Taylor Theater. New members are always welcome. 

Garden Club of the Tonawanda meets the third Thursday of the month at 7pm, Tonawanda City Hall, Community Room.

Garden Friends of Clarence meets the second Wednesday of the month at 7pm, September–June, Town Park Clubhouse, 10405 Main Street, Clarence. gardenfriendsofclarence@hotmail.com.

Hamburg Garden Club meets the second Wednesday of the month at 10am, VFW Post 1419, 2985 Lakeview Rd, Hamburg, NY. June plant sale. Summer garden tours. Guests are welcome. Contact lonabutler4@gmail.com.

Kenmore Garden Club meets the second Tuesday of the month (except July, August, & December) at 10am, Kenmore United Methodist Church, 32 Landers Road, Kenmore. Activities include guest speakers, floral designs and community service. New members and guests welcome. Songnbird@aol.com. 

Ken-Sheriton Garden Club meets the second Tuesday of the month (except January) at 7pm, St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, 576 Delaware Road, Kenmore. Monthly programs, artistic design and horticulture displays. New members and guests welcome. 716-833-8799, dstierheim@gmail.com.

Lancaster Garden Club meets the second Wednesday of the month (except January, July, & August) at 7pm, St. John Lutheran Church, 55 Pleasant Avenue, Lancaster. All are welcome. Meetings are currently on hold. 716-685-4881.

Lewiston Garden Club meets the fourth Monday of the month. See website for meeting information, lewistongardenfest.com/garden-club.html or contact at PO Box 32, Lewiston, NY 14092.

Niagara Frontier Koi and Pond Club meets the second Friday of the month at 7pm, Zion United Church, 15 Koening Circle, Tonawanda.

Niagara Frontier Orchid Society (NFOS) meets the first Tuesday following the first Sunday (dates sometimes vary due to holidays, etc.), September–June, Botanical Gardens, 2655 South Park Avenue, Buffalo. niagarafrontierorchids.org.

Orchard Park Garden Club meets the first Thursday of the month except July and December at 11:30am at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 4536 South Buffalo St., Orchard Park. Contact Diana  Szczepanski at 716-674-8970 for membership information. Guests are always welcome.

Ransomville Garden Club meets the third Wednesday or Saturday of the month at 5:45pm, Ransomville Community Library, 3733 Ransomville Road, Ransomville. Meetings are open to all. Community gardening projects, educational presentations, June plant sale. bbonnie2313@gmail.com. 

Silver Creek-Hanover Garden Club meets the second Saturday of the month at 11am, Silver Creek Senior Center, 1823 Lake Road (Rte. 5), Silver Creek. edlorrie@yahoo.com, Facebook. 

South Towns Gardeners meets the second Friday of the month (except January) at 9:30am, West Seneca Senior Center. New members welcome. 

Town and Country Garden Club of LeRoy meets the second Wednesday of the month (except February) at 6:30pm, First Presbyterian Church, 7 Clay Street, LeRoy. New members and guests are welcome. 585-768-2712, ritawallace005@gmail.com, Facebook.

Western New York Herb Study Group meets the second Wednesday of the month at 7pm, Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens, 2655 South Park Avenue, Buffalo.

Western New York Honey Producers, Inc. Cornell Cooperative Extension of Erie County, 21 South Grove Street, East Aurora. wnyhpa.org.

Western New York Hosta Society. East Aurora Senior Center, 101 King Street, East Aurora. Meetings with speakers, newsletter, sales. Hosta teas first Saturday of July, August, September. h8staman@aol.com, wnyhosta.com.

Western New York Hosta Society Breakfast Meetings, a friendly get-together, first Saturday (winter months only) at 10am, Forestview Restaurant, Depew. wnyhosta.com.

Western NY Iris Society meets at the Julia B Reinstein Library, 1030 Losson Road, Cheektowaga, NY at 1:30 pm on first Sunday of each month. 

Western New York Rose Society meets the third Wednesday of each month at 7pm. St. Stephens-Bethlehem United Church of Christ, 750 Wehrle Drive, Wmsvl. Check the Facebook page or website for meeting content, wnyrosesociety.net. 

Youngstown Garden Club meets the second Wednesday of every month at 7pm, First Presbyterian Church, 100 Church Street, Youngstown.

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CLASSES / EVENTS

FREQUENT HOSTS:
BECBG: Buffalo & Erie County Botanical Gardens, 2655 South Park Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14218. 716/827-1584; buffalogardens.com. 

REIN: Reinstein Woods Nature Preserve, 93 Honorine Drive, Depew, NY 14043. 716-683-5959; reinsteinwoods.org.

F  Indicates activities especially appropriate for children and families.
S Indicates plant sales/swaps.
T Indicates garden tours.
O Indicates online event.

January 1–March 31: 2023 Winter Birding Challenge. This Winter Birding Challenge provides participants with 30 tasks to complete. These tasks range in difficulty; some will be completed in a day, and some will take all winter. Buffalo Audubon Society. Register at outsidechronicles.com/winterbird

OS January–April 15: The Great Plant Sale Online. Order online only and pick up May 19–20. BECBG

March 8–April 30: Animals in Art Exhibit. Included with Admission. BECBG

March 11–April 6: Flock of All Colors Exhibit. Included with Admission. BECBG

O March 14: Start Your 2023 Food Garden, 10am–12pm. Join to this online class to learn how to grow a healthy and productive garden this year. In this class you’ll learn: How to plan your garden seeds or seedlings, seed germination test, planting times for Allegany County. Free. Allegany County CCE, 5435A County Rd. 48, Belmont, NY 14813. 585-268-7644; allegany.cce.cornell.edu.

S March 16–19: Plantasia, Thr 10am–8pm, Fri & Sat 10am–9pm, Sun 10am–5pm. Fairgrounds Event Center and Artisan Hall, 5820 South Park Avenue, Hamburg, NY 14075. $10/general, $8/Seniors, Free/Children 12 & Under. plantasiany.com

March 18–April 16: Spring Flower Exhibit. Included with Admission. BECBG

T March 18: March Migrations, 10am. Woodland ponds and wetlands are important habitat for migrating wildlife. Join them on this guided walk to search for migrating ducks, geese, and salamanders. Registration required. REIN

March 18: Woods Walk: Sweet Taste of Spring, 1pm. Learn about the maple syrup making process and taste some homemade product, as we check the preserve for signs of trees awakening. No registration required. REIN

March 19: Spring Soiree, 10am–3pm. Talk with Horticulture staff, and stroll through the fragrant Botanical Gardens to see the bright, blooming bulbs with a glass of bubbly. $40/person BECBG

March 23: Intro to Birding in Your Backyard, 6–7pm. Do you want to see more birds in your backyard? This workshop will help you identify some of the birds that are most likely to be seen in our area and discuss ways to attract birds into your space. $45/person, $40.50/member. BECBG

March 18: Spring Symphony, 10am. Listen to the sounds of spring and learn to identify animals by the sounds they make. Registration required. REIN

March 25: Rain Gardens. Landscaping Horticulture Series. 10:30am–12:30pm. Landscaping Horticulture Series. $25/person, $22.50/members. BECBG

T April 1: April Fool’s Day Walk, 10am. Explore some of the ways nature can “fool” us. Registration required. REIN

T April 1: Woods Walk: Nature Guide’s Choice, 11am. Join a guided nature walk through the woods. No registration required. REIN

F April 5: Birding for Kids, 11am. Learn tips and tricks for spotting birds in the woods and try out binoculars on a guided walk. Registration required. REIN

F April 6: Adventures in Astronomy, 8pm. Enjoy a night under the stars learning about spring constellations and the legends behind them. For kids ages 8–15. Registration required.  REIN

F April 7: Busy Beavers, 10:30am. Celebrate International Beaver Day by learning about these amazing rodents, which are also our official New York State mammal. Registration required. REIN

F April 7–8: Botanical Bunny Days, 10am–3pm. Take in the sights and smells of the gorgeous blooming bulbs and say hello to the Botanical Bunny. All visitors with an e-ticket are welcome to take photos with our fuzzy friend. Also included with admission on these two days will be a fun scavenger hunt to find golden eggs and carrots. Included with admission. BECBG

April 8: Natural Egg Dyeing, 10am and 11:30am. Discover how spices, fruits, vegetables, and other natural materials can create rich natural colors and patterns as you dye your own eggs. Two sessions available. Registration required. REIN

T April 12: Senior Stroll, 10am. Experience nature at your own pace and enjoy a leisurely hour-long guided walk through the woods. For adults only. Registration required. Repeats May 10. REIN

F April 12: Wild Wednesday, 4:30pm. Together, kids and their caregivers can enjoy a fun, hour-long outdoor activity. For children in grades K–5. Registration required. Repeats May 10. REIN

T April 15: Lavocat’s Open House, 10am–3pm. Come see what’s “growing on” at Lavocat’s Family Greenhouse & Nursery. Get a backstage tour on how a commercial greenhouse grow annuals & perennials, have a Q&A with expert landscapers, learn about their Design Services, and ask questions about pond installations & care with Waterscapes of WNY. Scavenger hunt for kids. Refreshments from one of WNY’s quality vendors. Tours are 11:30, 12:30, & 1:30. Lavocat’s Family Greenhouse & Nursery, 8441 County Rd., East Amherst, NY 14051.

April 15: Great Grasses and Lawn Care, 10:30am–12:30pm. Landscaping Horticulture Series. $25/person, $22.50/members. BECBG

F April 15: Stories in the Woods, 10:30am. Enjoy hearing a nature story, followed by a guided walk in the woods. For children ages 3–7. Registration required. REIN

T April 12: Woods Walk: What’s Up and at ‘Em, 1pm.It’s the middle of spring; have things—plant or animal—started making their way back in the woods yet? No registration required. REIN

April 22: World Tour of Garden Design, 10:30am–12:30pm. Landscaping Horticulture Series. $25/person, $22.50/members. BECBG

April 22: Earth Day Celebration, 10am–3pm. Celebrate our Earth this year surrounded by exotic plant life at the Botanical Gardens. BECBG

April 22: Earth Day Fair, 10am–1pm. Celebrate Earth Day at this open-house event designed to connect you to local resources. Learn about incentives to help you save energy and how to buy electricity from renewable sources; explore electric cars and sustainable food choices, and more. No registration required. REIN

T April 22: Aliens!, 2pm. Are there visitors from outer space in Reinstein Woods? No—just plants and animals that have been introduced from other parts of the world. Join a guided tour to meet some of these invasive species. Registration required; call 716-683-5959

T April 28: Tree Trek, 3–4pm. Celebrate Arbor Day weekend by visiting some of the trees in their collection. $25/person, $22.50/member. BECBG

April 28: Name that Tree, 6:30pm. What better way to celebrate Arbor Day than by taking a hike in the woods and identifying common trees? Join them to learn the tricks to tree identification and to learn fun tree facts along the way. Registration required. REIN

F April 29: Educators Take Action!, 9:30–11:30am. Join the Niagara River Greenway Commission for a clean-up along the Niagara River. Learn tips for leading and funding stewardship projects with students such as trash clean-up, invasive species removal, native planting, and more. Friends and family members are welcome as well. Register online. REIN

April 29: Vernal Vegetation, 10:30am. Join a naturalist on a walk through the woods as we observe and learn the stories of flora that accompany spring. Registration required. REIN

April 29: Backyard Ecology, 10:30am–12:30pm. Backyard Gardening Horticulture Series. $25/person, $22.50/members. BECBG

F May 6: Family Spring Planting Workshop, 10–11am. Celebrate spring with this new all ages gardening workshop. All participants will create a small mixed container with annuals and a decorative plant stake while learning all about spring and the beginning of our gardening season. $25/person, $22.50/member. BECBG

F May 6: Earth Day in May/I Love My Park Day.  Keep the Earth Day spirit alive by caring for Reinstein Woods’ trails on I Love My Park Day. Small groups will venture out to work on projects throughout the day. Scouts and other organizations are welcome, but please note that large groups will be split into multiple parties that may have different start times. Online registration will open in March. REIN

May 6: Woods Walk: Woods in Spring, 11am. The woods are springing back to life after the long winter! Let’s see which trees, plants, and wildflowers are bursting open and what the animals are up to as the days begin getting longer and warmer. No registration required. REIN

May 11: Stop Drop, an Toad!, 6:30pm. Listen for and get an up-close look at frogs and toads that live at Reinstein Woods. Registration required. REIN

May 13: Educator Workshop: Day in the Life of the Watershed, 9am–12pm. This water quality field study will model how to lead the “Day in the Life” event with students. Participants will be eligible to borrow water quality testing kits from Reinstein Woods throughout the school year. For educators of students in grades 7–12. Register online. REIN

F May 13: Intro to Field Journaling, 2pm. Learn how to set up your own nature field journal and take a walk around the woods while making observations. For adults and children ages 14 and older. $5 fee/free for Friends members. Registration required. 

SAVE THE DATE

May 20: Plant and Seed Exchange, 10am–2pm. University Presbyterian Church, 3330 Main Street at Niagara Falls Boulevard, Buffalo, NY 14214. Sponsor Samuel P. Capen Garden Walk, capengardenwalk@gmail.com.

S June 3: Herb and Plant Sale, 10am–3pm. The sale will be held on the Kenan lawn at 433 Locust St., Lockport, NY 14094, Friends of Kenan Herb Club. 

June 3: Small Space and Urban Gardening. Backyard Gardening Horticulture Series. BECBG

June 10: Creative Containers and Raised Beds. Backyard Gardening Horticulture Series. BECBG

June 15: Herb Container Garden. BECBG

June 17: Herbs & Medicinal Plants. Backyard Gardening Horticulture Series. BECBG

June 17–18: Lewiston GardenFest 2023, 10am–5pm. lewistongardenfest.com

June 24: Vegetables & Organic Gardening. Backyard Gardening Horticulture Series. BECBG

July 8: Tough Plants for Tough Sites. Backyard Gardening Horticulture Series. BECBG

T July 21, 22, 23: Lancaster Garden Walk 2023, Friday 8:45–11pm, Sat & Sun 10am–4:30pm. 

T July 21–22: Ken-Ton Garden Tour-Night Lights, 8:30–11pm. kentongardentour.com

T July 22–23: Ken-Ton Garden Tour-Day Tour, 10am–4pm. kentongardentour.comurban gardens. Free. gardensbuffaloniagara.com