Brand new garden walk begins this year in West Seneca
The West Seneca Garden Walk will take place for the first time from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, July 21 and 22.
Get the map right here, and maps will also be available on the Burchfield Nature & Art Center website. You can pick up paper maps at Ebenezer Greenhouse, 1347 Union Rd., West Seneca.
The West Seneca Garden Walk is being organized by Sharon and Dave Pulinski. They would go on garden walks in other towns and asked each other, “How come West Seneca doesn’t have a garden walk?”
Last August and September they started talking to neighbors about the idea and got people interested. They now have 21 gardens for their debut event.
Help keep your plants moist and happy with these watering tips
These first three tips are from Linda Blyth of Tonawanda. You can see the impressive gardens that she tends with her husband Brian at 939 Delaware Road on Open Gardens from 2 to 6 p.m. Thursdays as well as on the Ken-Ton Garden Tour, which runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, July 21 and 22.
Watering tip number one: Bury pots in garden bed
Keeping plants in pots is a good way to prevent plants from spreading all over your garden. To cut down on watering, set the pots two to four inches into the soil. When you water, excess water will drain into the garden bed and keep moisture at the roots of your plant.
Watering tip number two: Line containers with plastic
In this heat, you might have to water your containers more than once a day. To cut down on watering, Blyth lines her containers with plastic shopping bags to help retain the moisture.
However, you still have to water regularly. Remember that the plastic bag plugs up the drainage holes that allow excess water to drip through. If you let your poor plant dry out then try to fix it by drenching it, you’ll just be alternating underwatering with overwatering.
Watering tip number three: Water the hole before you add a plant
This is a good tip whenever you’re planting, but is especially important during the hot, dry weather we’re experiencing now. When you dig the hole for your plant, water the hole before placing the plant. Blyth also suggests creating a moat around the plant and filling it with compost or mulch, then watering the moat.
Watering tip number four: Make a slow-release irrigator
I found this tip on Pinterest. The directions originated at Provident Living, and you can see more photos and detailed instructions there on how to make this irrigation dripper that is quick to fill but releases water slowly to the roots of your plants.
Take a 2-liter pop bottle, juice bottle, milk carton or other plastic bottle. Using a pocket knife or box cutter, make two small slits in the bottom of the bottle. Make two more small slits halfway up your bottle.
Fill the bottle with water to test it. If it empties too slowly, make bigger slits.
Dig a hole next to your plant and place the bottle right-side up. Cover with dirt about two-thirds of the way up.
Fill the bottle with a hose.
The Provident Living site discusses how to regulate water flow by screwing on the cap, adding an air hole and adding sand. It also discusses placing the bottle in the hole upside down and using it as a funnel.
Are there any organic gardening groups in the area?
A reader is interested in joining an organic gardening group, but I don’t know of any. If you know of an organic gardening group in Western New York, please leave a comment below. Thanks!
D’Youville researcher is looking for gardeners
I got this message from Dr. Michele Karnes, assistant clinical professor of occupational therapy at D’Youville College in Buffalo:
“I am looking for adults over the age of 65 who participate in -community gardening’ for a research project that is investigating the benefits of community gardening activities on quality of life. Please email me at michele.karnes@gmail.com if interested. Your involvement will include consenting to participate and attending a 1-hour or so focus group meeting in the community. We will provide a light snack, date to be announced. Thank you!”
Please spread the word if you know someone who might be interested.
Buy Botanical Gardens raffle tickets online by July 21 and you could win a second ticket
The Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens is running a Summer Sweepstakes with a top cash prize of $2,500.
Buy your raffle tickets online by July 21 and you will be entered to win another ticket, giving you 10 more chances to win. For every ticket purchased, you will be entered to win one more ticket.
Raffle tickets are $50 each and only 500 will be sold. Winners will be drawn on
October 1.
Each ticket costs $50 and gives you 10 chances to win. Only 500 tickets will be sold.
Winners will be drawn at noon on Oct. 1 at the Botanical Gardens. You do not need to be present to win.
Other prizes are:
- 2nd Prize – $1,000 cash
- 3rd Prize – $500 cash
- 4th Prize – $250 cash
- 5th Prize – $250 cash
- 6th Prize – $100 Wegmans gift card
- 7th Prize – $100 Wegmans gift card
- 8th Prize – $100 Wegmans gift card
- 9th Prize – $100 Wegmans gift card
- 10th Prize – $100 Wegmans gift card
All proceeds benefit the Botanical Gardens.