• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary navigation
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Carol J. Michel

Award winner author of gardening humor books

  • About
    • Contact
  • Blog
  • Books
    • Shop
    • Gardening Humor
    • Children’s Books
    • New – The Halloween Hare
  • Social
    • YouTube
    • Instagram
  • The Gardenangelists Podcast
  • Gardening Humor
  • Children’s
  • All Books

May Dreams Gardens

Postmark Garden Bloggers’ Summer Camp

July 11, 2010 By Carol Michel 17 Comments

Postmark: Garden Bloggers’ Summer Camp, Buffalo, New York
July 11, 2010

Dear Family,

Hello to all from Garden Bloggers Summer Camp, also known as Buffa10. I am having a great time and can’t believe it is almost over. Whew! The activities just never seemed to stop!

Yesterday was quite a day. We all got to see a demonstration garden with all kinds of annuals and perennials being grown – get this – just to see how they would grow up here in this climate. It was at a place called the Erie Basin Marina Test Gardens.

When we got there, we all got some little flags so that we could mark our favorite ones. I sure had a hard time deciding but picked this one as one of my four favorites.

It’s a pretty black and gold petunia that reminds me of my alma mater Purdue’s school colors. I thought they might call it ‘Boilermaker Pete’ or something clever like that but I think they are calling it ‘Petunia Phantom’.

I guess that’s a good name, too.  I think it should be available Spring 2011.

While I was at the demonstration gardens admiring the flowers, I turned around and saw a big ship and a lighthouse.

Turns out that I was right on the shore of the Erie Canal that flows into Lake Erie. Another inspiration for a water feature, but probably a bit big for my garden.

After everyone voted with their flags for their favorite flowers, we got back on the bus (did I mention we were on a really nice touring bus?) and drove over to the Buffalo & Erie County Botanical Garden. They had a big conservatory there that was full of all kinds of tropical plants.

It was so big I could only take a picture of part of it.

Then we got back on the bus and drove out a ways to a place called Lockwood’s Greenhouses. They had a nice lunch for us there and we got to stroll through their retail garden center and see some of the greenhouses, too.

Now, don’t be surprised, but I bought myself a DeWit Cape Cod Weeder and a DeWit Disc Weeder while I was there. I needed a new Cape Cod Weeder on account of the garden fairies stole mine. And I just thought the Disc Weeder was cool looking.

So after we all had finished seeing the greenhouses and buying neat plants and other stuff that people swore they couldn’t find in their hometown garden centers, we got back on the bus and went to see the gardens of Mike and Kathy Shadrack. That’s where I took that self portrait above, in a gazing ball in their beautiful gardens.

Turns out, and I didn’t quite know this until we got there, that Mike Shadrack has written several books on hostas and is quite a fan of miniature hostas. In fact, he and his wife have a new book coming out this fall, The Book of Little Hostas, that is all about miniature hostas.

And get this! The Shadracks know the owners of Soules Garden back home, which as you know is where I’ve bought many a miniature hosta. They said to tell them “Hi” and that they should visit sometime because they haven’t been to the Shadrack’s garden, ever.

I can hardly wait to get back and gloat about tell them about seeing the Shadrack’s amazing gardens.

Goodness, this letter is getting long. There is a lot more to tell everyone about Garden Bloggers’ Summer Camp, also know as Buffa10, but I’ll wait until I get home to do so.

But I’ve got to say before I close that our camp counselors, Elizabeth and Jim, have been outstanding. They really came up with some great gardens for us to see. And the food they’ve picked for our meals… well, let’s just say I might need to go to another kind of camp later, if you get my drift, to work off some of those calories. Delicious!

Anyway, you can plan on me going to “camp” again next summer because Garden Bloggers’ Summer Camp is a great place to meet new gardening friends and talk about gardening pretty much non-stop. Fun!

Love to all from GBSC!

Carol

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: Blogging, humor

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Heather's Garden says

    July 11, 2010 at 9:12 pm

    Love it! Those of us still at camp had a nice afternoon and most are going out to dinner tonight. I am sure you will be missed! So nice to meet you in person, Carol, after all these years of reading you.

    Reply
  2. Cyndy says

    July 11, 2010 at 9:53 pm

    Hi Carol, It was like camp, only a really cool camp where the food is fantastic, your bunk is an air conditioned suite and all the other kids are really nice! It was a blast -Boiler up!

    Reply
  3. commonweeder says

    July 11, 2010 at 10:49 pm

    You certainly covered all the high spots. I was so busy talking to new friends abd trying to decide where to put my flags that I forgot to look at the Erie Canal.

    Reply
  4. Jim/ArtofGardening says

    July 11, 2010 at 10:58 pm

    As your camp counselor, I recommend you come back again for Garden Walk Buffalo – that's not like camp – it's like speed-dating garden viewing.

    Glad you made it. Glad you enjoyed it. Tell the world what we have here in Buffalo…

    Reply
  5. Ramble on Rose says

    July 12, 2010 at 12:48 am

    Sounds like a great time was had by all!

    Reply
  6. Betty says

    July 12, 2010 at 1:06 am

    A Garden Bloggers' Camp! That's a great idea. Wish I lived closer 🙂
    I've just found your blog and am enjoying reading your posts. You've planted a seed in my mind about installing a water feature. Will be following you.

    Reply
  7. Daricia says

    July 12, 2010 at 1:11 am

    Carol, That sounds like such a great time! I am especially excited to hear about those miniature hostas. Garden blogger summer camp – what a great idea. 🙂

    Reply
  8. Darla says

    July 12, 2010 at 12:05 pm

    Sounds like so much fun.

    Reply
  9. Rose says

    July 12, 2010 at 1:02 pm

    Looks like a wonderful time, Carol! I've seen either the same petunia or a similar one this year in our Idea Garden–I think those Purdue colors are a must for your garden. Hope you found a good inspiration for your water feature, though Niagra Falls may be a bit too large to copy:)

    Reply
  10. Lisa at Greenbow says

    July 12, 2010 at 1:39 pm

    Camp sounds like so much fun. Those water features (Niagra Falls and the Canal) would be a bit tricky trying to tuck them into your garden.

    Reply
  11. healingmagichands says

    July 12, 2010 at 2:23 pm

    this has been so much fun to do vicariously through all the different bloggers who went, I may just have to plan on going to the next garden meet.

    Thanks for taking the time to share with us stay-at-homes and inspire us.

    Reply
  12. Layanee says

    July 12, 2010 at 2:23 pm

    Never has a summer camp been so much fun with so many 'instant' friends. I am looking forward to all the Buffalo posts to see what I missed while actually being there.

    Reply
  13. Dee @ Red Dirt Ramblings says

    July 12, 2010 at 2:44 pm

    I think maybe the fairies took your Cape Cod weeder to your sister's garden in a fit of pique because you've torn up their garden all summer. What do you think? Let me know how the disc weeder works. I might want one someday.~~Dee

    Reply
  14. Gail says

    July 12, 2010 at 4:06 pm

    When I saw that disc weeder I thought it was destined to go home with you! In the way the universe works, your 'lost' Cape Cod Weeder will show up now that you've replaced it! xxgail

    Reply
  15. Noel Morata says

    July 12, 2010 at 8:48 pm

    wow, this type of camp looks like alot of fun, i'll have to join next year, but for now, i'm enjoying my virtual tour through your blog, thanks for sharing

    Reply
  16. Anette the Gardener says

    July 12, 2010 at 10:59 pm

    It seems like you're really having a great time together on the Summer Camp. And it also looks like you get the chance to visit some new gardens and enjoy the plants. I can easily understand why you picked the perennials on the picture. The Erie Basin Marina Gardens really seem to be a beautiful place. I have some perennials in my garden too. Just love them.

    Hope you'll enjoy the rest of the Summer Camp 🙂

    Best,
    Anette

    Reply
  17. Mr. McGregor's Daughter says

    July 13, 2010 at 12:44 am

    That was the funnest camp I've ever been to. I want to go every year! Good job summarizing it. I'm still trying to get used to being home and fending for myself for dinner. It was wonderful to see you again! I just wish we'd had more time to chat.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

Updates from Carol Michel

* indicates required
Email Preferences

Categories

  • Blog (3,053)
  • Internal (2)

Blog Tags

annuals Blogging books bulbs dr. hortfreud embrace fairies fall family flowers fruits garden bloggers bloom day garden bloggers book club garden design gardeners gardening gardening geek gardens hoes holidays hortense hoelove houseplants humor indoor gardening insects lawn letters to gardening friends perennials rabbits reviews Secrets seeds shrubs spring tools trees vegetable garden vegetable gardening vegetables weather weeding weeds when a gardener wildflower wednesday winter

The Gardenangelists Podcast with Dee Nash

Gardenangelists Podcast

Footer

Gardenangelists Podcast with Dee Nash

Gardenangelists Podcast

Connect

  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • YouTube
  • maydreams icon

Quick Links

  • Home
  • Contact
  • Books
  • May Dreams Gardens
  • Podcast

Updates from Carol Michel

* indicates required
Email Preferences

Newsletter Archive

Copyright © 2023 · CarolJMichel.com · Sitemap · Privacy Policy

Book purchase links are affiliate links and Carol earns a small commission if you make a purchase.

We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
Do not sell my personal information.
Cookie SettingsAccept
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
SAVE & ACCEPT