By Ellen Goldstein

To love God is to love the world God created
And to work to perfect it.
                                             Mishkan T’filah

 The words above shape my feelings about gardening, flowers, and nature perfectly. How can I grow so many blossoms of different shapes, colors, smells? Why are there so many kinds of fruits and vegetables? Where do they all come from? From God.

As I look forward each spring to little green stems emerging from the ground, fragrances delicately scenting the air, and birdsongs returning to the skies, I feel so grateful for this literally awesome world that God has created for us. And so aware of my responsibility to do what I can to take care of these natural gifts.

One of the ways I do this is by being a part of the Gardens Buffalo Niagara organization, which presents Garden Walk Buffalo, East Side Garden Walk and other events. As we move into this last weeks of July, a time of full-blown, gorgeous summer, for me, it is THE moment of flowers, because last week was East Side Garden Walk during which a Federation-sponsored group toured 10 welcoming East Side gardens, and it is once again Garden Walk Buffalo, with the event taking place in the city throughout Elmwood Village, Parkside and the West Side this Saturday and Sunday, July 26th and 26^th from 10 am to 4 pm both days.

Garden Walk Buffalo features more than 300 Buffalo homes opening their gardens for the public to stop by and visit.  And do we get visitors at this, the largest garden walk in the country!  Thousands of garden lovers descend on our city, stopping in backyards, front yards, streetscapes to take in the breathtaking beauty that is Buffalo gardens.

And you can participate. First, you’ll need a map and information. You can find printed maps at HQs at the Darwin Martin House on Jewett Pkwy. and Canisius High School on Delaware Avenue, and also online. There’s a shuttle bus available, and even some working artists in gardens. All this information and more is online at gardensbuffaloniagara.com.

My garden is open to visitors this weekend, too, as part of Garden Walk Buffalo. Please feel free to contact me at [email protected] if you have any questions about the events. I hope to see you in one of these green havens/heavens soon.

Ellen Goldstein is a Board Member of Gardens Buffalo Niagara, Buffalo Seminary’s Alumnae Board and Head’s Council, and Temple Beth Zion’s Social Justice Committee and Community Choir when she can get out of the garden.