We are thrilled to welcome you to the garden center this season! Here you’ll find our current schedule of classes and events. Please note, many classes require pre-registration as space is limited.
Our favorite event of the season! Join in the fun of our 14th annual Honey Harvest Festival on October 3rd, 2026. Fun for all ages! Check out the festival webpage for more info!
We all know that we're supposed to inspect our hives. But what the heck are we looking for in there?
Join us in the apiary for a hand-on experience. We'll open up a hive together and see what the bees can teach us. From suiting up and lighting a smoker to proper hive etiquette to locating the queen, we'll share what we've picked up over the years.
We all know that we're supposed to inspect our hives. But what the heck are we looking for in there?
Join us in the apiary for a hand-on experience. We'll open up a hive together and see what the bees can teach us. From suiting up and lighting a smoker to proper hive etiquette to locating the queen, we'll share what we've picked up over the years.
We all know that we're supposed to inspect our hives. But what the heck are we looking for in there?
Join us in the apiary for a hand-on experience. We'll open up a hive together and see what the bees can teach us. From suiting up and lighting a smoker to proper hive etiquette to locating the queen, we'll share what we've picked up over the years.
We all know that we're supposed to inspect our hives. But what the heck are we looking for in there?
Join us in the apiary for a hand-on experience. We'll open up a hive together and see what the bees can teach us. From suiting up and lighting a smoker to proper hive etiquette to locating the queen, we'll share what we've picked up over the years.
Swarming is part of being a bee. Dealing with swarms is part of being a beekeeper! Knowing what to do and when to do it can be tricky, even for experienced beekeepers.
We all know that we're supposed to inspect our hives. But what the heck are we looking for in there?
Join us in the apiary for a hand-on experience. We'll open up a hive together and see what the bees can teach us. From suiting up and lighting a smoker to proper hive etiquette to locating the queen, we'll share what we've picked up over the years.
We all know that we're supposed to inspect our hives. But what the heck are we looking for in there?
Join us in the apiary for a hand-on experience. We'll open up a hive together and see what the bees can teach us. From suiting up and lighting a smoker to proper hive etiquette to locating the queen, we'll share what we've picked up over the years.
What is the difference between a nuc and a package? What do you need to have ready when your bees come home? We'll get you ready to install your nuc or package an hopefully calm some new beekeeper jitters.
Pre-registration is required. Register today so we can save you a seat!
Thinking of becoming a beekeeper this year? This is the place to start! We’ll cover all of the basics you need to know before deciding to get your first hive, plus everything you’ll want to know before you bring your bees home.
Thinking of becoming a beekeeper in 2026? This is the place to start! We’ll cover all of the basics you need to know before deciding to get your first hive, plus everything you’ll want to know before you bring your bees home.
Learn how you can get started on your beekeeping journey with Dan Masterson and Erin Masterson Holko.
We often get the question, "What do bees do in the winter?" It's a great question! In this class, we'll talk about what our bees are naturally inclined to do to prepare for and survive the cold months ahead and what we can do to help them through.
Join us for the 13th annual Honey Harvest Festival! Vendors, classes, demonstrations, and so much honey…
Check out the event webpage for more info.
To get the most out of your pollinator garden, it’s important (and way more fun!) to understand how bees and other pollinators interact with our gardens. Join the beekeepers from Masterson’s for a glimpse into successful pollinator gardens from the honeybees’ perspective. You’ll learn about the bees’ favorite colors and flower shapes, what they are actually doing when they are visiting, and how they communicate with their friends about great stuff they find in your garden. You’ll leave with a deeper appreciation for the work our pollinators do, and new inspiration and knowledge about the role you can play in helping them.
From herbal teas to salves and tinctures, there are a variety of ways that we can harness the power of plants to create herbal remedies right at home! In this hands-on class, we’ll learn to combine the power of plants with the medicines that come from a beehive by practicing a few simple techniques. Participants will leave with a custom herbal infusion and supplies to craft an herbal salve at home.
Join Dan and Erin to learn all about inviting nature to your own backyard! Creating wildlife habitat is incredibly important, but it can seem overwhelming when we don’t know where to start. Dan and Erin will help to break it down and show you how anyone, no matter how big or small the space, can help to promote a healthy habitat.
This class is held at the Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens.
Join Ken Parker for this fun and tasty class!
Hosted at the Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens! This workshop is focused on educating participants about the diverse range of edible wild native plants found in Western New York. Attendees will learn to identify, harvest, and prepare these plants, enhancing their appreciation for local biodiversity and promoting sustainable foraging practices.
We all know that we're supposed to inspect our hives. But what the heck are we looking for in there?
Join us in the apiary for a hand-on experience. We'll open up a hive together and see what the bees can teach us. From suiting up and lighting a smoker to proper hive etiquette to locating the queen, we'll share what we've picked up over the years.
Join Ken Parker for this fun and fascinating class!
This workshop is focused on educating participants about the diverse range of edible wild native plants found in Western New York. Attendees will learn to identify, harvest, and prepare these plants, enhancing their appreciation for local biodiversity and promoting sustainable foraging practices.
We all know that we're supposed to inspect our hives. But what the heck are we looking for in there?
Join us in the apiary for a hand-on experience. We'll open up a hive together and see what the bees can teach us. From suiting up and lighting a smoker to proper hive etiquette to locating the queen, we'll share what we've picked up over the years.
Interested in learning more about the plants we encounter in our forests and fields? Join us for an educational walk in the woods as we learn tips for identifying native trees and shrubs, and we'll learn to take cues from nature to determine how to incorporate these species in our home landscapes. This is a hands-on program, so bring your hiking boots, binoculars and questions!
We’re excited to partner with Buffalo’s favorite summer festival, the Taste of Buffalo! Along with our friends at Fariytale Farms, we’ll be hosting the Kid Zone this year, talking all about how important bees are when it comes to producing delicious food.
We’re excited to partner with Buffalo’s favorite summer festival, the Taste of Buffalo! Along with our friends at Fariytale Farms, we’ll be hosting the Kid Zone this year, talking all about how important bees are when it comes to producing delicious food.
We all know that we're supposed to inspect our hives. But what the heck are we looking for in there?
Join us in the apiary for a hand-on experience. We'll open up a hive together and see what the bees can teach us. From suiting up and lighting a smoker to proper hive etiquette to locating the queen, we'll share what we've picked up over the years.
We all know that we're supposed to inspect our hives. But what the heck are we looking for in there?
Join us in the apiary for a hand-on experience. We'll open up a hive together and see what the bees can teach us. From suiting up and lighting a smoker to proper hive etiquette to locating the queen, we'll share what we've picked up over the years.
Well, obviously we’re going to be a part of this super cool event! Join us and the beekeepers from Fairytale Farms at the Blueberry Treehouse in West Falls to talk all about bees, pollinators, and honey. We’ll have a live honeybee observation hive and lots of other “bee stuff” with us. Whether you are interested in bees, honey, or just learning more about this super special place, come on by!
Join local native plant expert Ken Parker for a class we're really excited to host! Ken will take you through a selection of his favorite native plants for the home garden. You'll learn why these plants are not just pretty to look at, but incredibly important to restoring our local ecosystem. We're sure you'll leave feeling inspired to add a few of these beauties to your landscape!
There is no fee for this class, but please register so we can save you a seat.
Meet members of our local Wild Ones chapter and talk native plants here at Masterson’s! We’re thrilled that WNY has our very own Wild Ones chapter. If you’re into native plants, or WANT to be, this group is an amazing resource for our community.
In this class, we'll cover everyone's least favorite part of beekeeping: hive health issues. While we will certainly touch on other pests, this class will focus on the varroa mite. Varroa mites are one of the biggest threats to the health of honeybee colonies, and having a plan in place for managing these pests is an important part of keeping healthy colonies.
Swarming is part of being a bee. Dealing with swarms is part of being a beekeeper! Knowing what to do and when to do it can be tricky, even for experienced beekeepers.
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