Another Buffalo garden hits the national stage in the Spring 2009 issue of Garden Ideas & Outdoor Living, a Better Homes & Gardens special interest publication. The 8-page story, titled In-Town Seclusion, explains how gardener Mike Banks made his wedge-shape yard more beautiful, private and useful with good garden planning. His secret to success? Dividing the yard into individual spaces, which flow together naturally.

This gorgeous space is literally in downtown Buffalo, in the shadow of city hall.

The article features an interview with Mike, a "before & after" photo of the wedge-shaped, 700 sq. ft. garden, an illustrated map of how he designed & planted the space, soil tips especially important for city-dwellers), a "How to plant this bed" list of plants, and a side for bar rules of great garden design. Also, in the resources section in the back of the magazine, there is a plug for Garden Walk Buffalo.

Mike Banks is a former organizer of Garden Walk Buffalo and is a great fan & supporter of the tour, now the largest garden tour in the country.

The photos are by Toronto photographer Andreas Trauttmansdorff. The BH&G producer (and scout and stylist) for the story was Donna Talley. The writer was Julie A. Martens.

Garden Ideas & Outdoor Living, which traces its history back to 1940, is the oldest special-interest gardening publication in America. This Spring 2009 issue is available on newsstands now.

Garden Ideas & Outdoor Living editor, Luke Miller, is a Rochester, NY native. He's also got a vegetable gardening blog, Smart Gardening. It's brand new - please visit and leave him a comment. Tell him you want to see more Buffalo gardens featured in Garden Ideas & Outdoor Living because you can't get enough of them!