May 15 Is the Deadline to Apply for the Buffalo Garden Fling — Here's Everything You Need to Know

Apr 29
3 min read

We're about three-quarters full—and Friday, May 15 is the last day we can guarantee you a spot at the 2026 Buffalo Garden Fling. After that, we may not be able to accommodate new applicants. If you've been thinking about it, now is the time.

The Fling runs July 9-12 in Buffalo, NY, and we're deep in the details—the schedule is coming together, and we're excited about what's ahead. Here's everything you need to plan your trip.

The Weekend at a Glance

Mornings are bus trips to suburban and rural gardens that most visitors to Buffalo never get to see. Afternoons open up for self-guided walking tours through Allentown, Elmwood Village, and the Cottage District—popular neighborhoods on Garden Walk Buffalo—maps provided, pace your own.

Organized social events include a Thursday evening Welcome Reception within easy walking distance of the hotel, and a Friday evening sit-down dinner event.

This is a city with a genuine, citywide gardening culture—home to Garden Walk Buffalo, the largest garden tour in the U.S. The Fling is designed to show you both the famous neighborhood gardens and the outlying spaces that most visitors never reach.

Yes, You Get a Free Tree

Sponsor My Patio Tree—a family-run, second-generation nursery from Oregon's Willamette Valley—is giving every attendee (and garden host) a free premium ornamental tree. Options include weeping cherry, hydrangea, lilac, and hibiscus standards in proven varieties, and you'll work directly with their reps to make your pick.

Help Us Build the Door Prize Table

We're looking for attendees and sponsors to donate items for door prizes—garden tools, books, products, gift certificates, garden art, anything you think this crowd would love. If you'd like to contribute something, email us at buffalofling@gmail.com.

Hotel Details

The Fling hotel is on the downtown Buffalo waterfront, 20 minutes from the airport. Here's what you need to know:

The group rate is $199/night, with a minimum four-night stay to qualify. The reservation link covers the nights of Thursday, July 9 through Monday, July 13 only. If you'd like to arrive before July 9 or stay past July 13, those nights would be at the standard rack rate—but call the hotel at 716-768-7345 and they'll try to extend the group rate if availability allows.
The room includes complimentary Wi-Fi. Check-in is guaranteed at 4 pm; check-out is 11 am. Parking is in a connected ramp: self-parking overnight is $20 plus tax, valet is $25 plus tax.
The hotel booking deadline is Thursday, June 11, 2026.

See Who's Coming

There are already 64 confirmed attendees from 27 states and Canada—social media mavens, content creators, and digital storytellers, all coming together in one place. Take a look at the guest list so far—you may already know some of these people, or be about to.

Ready to Apply? Apply First, Register Second.

We're about three-quarters full as of this posting—plenty of spots left, but the May 15 deadline is real.

Fill out the Garden Fling Qualification Form. This does NOT guarantee registration—it verifies your online presence. See the full qualifications here.
If confirmed, you'll receive a link to the Registration Form to reserve your spot by credit card ($300) and book your hotel room. Watch for a confirmation email (check spam if you don't see it).
Applications are processed first-come, first-served.