soil with trowel in Amherst NY

Moving into autumn: tips from Master Gardeners in Orleans County

As autumn settles in, it’s tempting to focus solely on the checklist—deadheading, mulching, putting beds to rest. But before we rush into end-of-season tasks, consider taking a different approach this month. Step into your garden not as a worker, but as an observer. Notice the subtle shift in light, the way seeds have scattered in unexpected places, the quiet persistence of late bloomers. Your garden has been telling stories all season long. This month, let’s slow down enough to listen. —From…...

Membership Required

You must be a member to access this content.

View Membership Levels

Already a member? Log in here
daylily, daisies going to seed, black-eyed Susans in Amherst NY

Your garden now: It’s not a failure, it’s just August

These articles come from the Master Gardeners of Cornell Cooperative Extension in Orleans County. by Lydia Fernandez and Julia Bender August gardens can feel overwhelming. Everything’s either thriving or dying, weeds are winning battles you thought you’d won, and half your plans have gone sideways. The tomatoes are finally coming in, but the lettuce bolted weeks ago, and don’t even mention the aphids. This late-summer fatigue is real, and it hits most of us. But it’s not failure—it’s just August…....

Membership Required

You must be a member to access this content.

View Membership Levels

Already a member? Log in here
delphinium flowers at Mischler's Florist and Greenhouse

Color your garden with perennials from Mischler’s

by Connie Oswald Stofko Four reasons why you should buy perennials now: Mischler’s Florist and Greenhouses in Williamsville has a great selection of perennials now. Below are just a few. Delphinium: tall The delphinium is a grand perennial that can grow three or four feet high. It makes a good cut flower, said Jessica Limardi, a staff member at Mischler’s. The plant has a huge flower spike, and it also has side shoots coming out of the stem. The side…...

Membership Required

You must be a member to access this content.

View Membership Levels

Already a member? Log in here
lavender in Niagara Falls garden

Scent of flowers brings us joy, brings pollinators to food

This information is from Cornell Cooperative Extension Master Gardeners in Orleans County. In June, the rush is on to get our gardens in top shape. But with roses, peonies and other plants soon to bloom, it’s also a great time to stop and actually smell the flowers. Scent is an important feature of flowering plants. Because they cannot get up and relocate themselves, plants use scent to attract pollinators and to deter hungry creatures. Researchers at Purdue University say that plants emit…...

Membership Required

You must be a member to access this content.

View Membership Levels

Already a member? Log in here
daffodils in Amherst NY

Potted flowers & more gardening tips from Orleans County Master Gardeners

Here’s a bonanza of tips that you can use now from the Master Gardeners of Orleans County. Plus, for folks in Orleans County, the Master Gardeners are launching a program to encourage gardeners to support pollinators Save your spring holiday flowers If you received potted flowers this spring, you may be able to keep them going outside in your garden. See this article by Nancy Walker, Master Gardener. What to do in your garden now See the great list of…...

Membership Required

You must be a member to access this content.

View Membership Levels

Already a member? Log in here
pots with plants

Sales & plant exchanges are popping up in WNY!

by Connie Oswald Stofko It’s a heady time for gardeners—plant sales and plant exchanges from nonprofit groups are popping up all over Western New York! These plant sales are a great way to find bargains, connect with friends and neighbors and find out what other gardeners in WNY are planting. Some of the plants in the sales come straight from the gardens of the members in the organizations. Since those gardeners have extra plants to share, it’s a good sign…...

Membership Required

You must be a member to access this content.

View Membership Levels

Already a member? Log in here
Primrose, a Sign of Spring

Tips for spring from WNY Gardening Matters

“The primrose is one of the very first signs of spring—even before they show up in our gardens,” said Lyn Chimera, Master Gardener in Erie County. “I know spring is coming when the displays of primrose are in the supermarkets. “Given the proper growing conditions, these vigorous plants will multiply each year, adding stunning colors to the spring garden.” Use primrose in garden beds, borders and containers as well as for naturalizing areas in a woodland setting. You can find…...

Membership Required

You must be a member to access this content.

View Membership Levels

Already a member? Log in here
Astilbe Rhapsody flowers

Groundcover & colorful flowers at Mischler’s 69-cent perennial sale

by Connie Oswald Stofko Five varieties of astilbe, one new groundcover and one new true blue flower. That’s what you’ll see in this article, but there will be many more varieties in the 69-cent perennial sale at Mischler’s Florist and Greenhouses, 118 South Forest Rd., Williamsville. Mark your calendar: The sale will start at 8 a.m. Friday, April 25 and continue while supplies last. Sale hours are: Plants are sold in packs of 4 for $2.76. A list of plant…...

Membership Required

You must be a member to access this content.

View Membership Levels

Already a member? Log in here
spring flower exhibit at Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens

Botanical Gardens: spring flowers, 125th anniversary & more!

by Connie Oswald Stofko Just when it seemed like winter was gone and we were solidly into spring, I woke up to snowflakes in the air. But we can always rely on the annual Spring Flower Exhibit at the Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens. It’s always warm inside, there are more flowers than you can squeeze into your gardens, and the deer didn’t eat the plants. Find old photos This year is special because the Spring Flower Exhibit is kicking…...

Membership Required

You must be a member to access this content.

View Membership Levels

Already a member? Log in here
elderberries in North Tonawanda Botanical Garden in Western New York

Wet spot in your yard? Get tips from North Tonawanda Botanical Garden

by Connie Oswald Stofko Does part of your yard turn into a pond in spring? Get some tips from the North Tonawanda Botanical Garden Organization. The organization has been working for about five years to rehabilitate a long-neglected park located at 1825 Sweeney St., North Tonawanda, along the Tonawanda Creek portion of the Erie Canal. The group aims to revitalize the native habitat as well as create a scenic destination. The volunteers also help with educational programs and community activities…....

Membership Required

You must be a member to access this content.

View Membership Levels

Already a member? Log in here