After reading a previous article about roses, a reader asked a follow-up question: “Hello! I was always told to cut back rose bushes in the fall. That’s wrong?” Here is the response from Bonnie Vitale, president of the Western New York Rose Society: Save the hard pruning for spring. In the fall, cut off any broken stems. Some gardeners like to cut their rose bushes down to a height of 18-24 inches in the fall to prevent wind and snow…
Quick tip on marking one plant in a bunch of similar plants
by Connie Oswald Stofko It’s easy to designate a patch of plants– there are many kinds of plant markers you can buy or make. But what if you want to remember where one particular plant is in that bunch? I have columbine with yellow flowers as well as columbine with flowers that are yellow with a bit of red in them. I’d like to save the seeds from the yellow-with-red variety. Of course, now that the seeds have developed, the…
Artwork sought for two Arbor Day poster contests
Contests for artwork for two Arbor Day posters are being held by the Urban and Community Forestry program of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). One contest is for all members of the public and the other is for fifth-grade students. Both contests aim to promote the value of trees in the environment and New Yorkers’ lives. Contest winners will have their artwork replicated as either the 2020 New York State Arbor Day Original Artwork Poster or…
Plant bulbs in fall for spring blooms
by Connie Oswald Stofko Every spring I hear of someone who wants to plant tulips. If you want tulips, you can’t wait until spring! This is the time to plant tulip bulbs. The same goes for crocuses, daffodils or narcissus, hyacinths and allium. This the time of year when garden centers generally have spring bulbs available, said Mark Yadon, vice president at Mischler’s Florist and Greenhouses. He recommends getting them planted right away; they have a rather short shelf life. If…
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