Although in-person gardening classes and workshops are canceled, there are still many ways you can get gardening information for Western New York.
An advantage is that you can get information from other counties without having to drive long distances.
If you have a favorite resource, please share by leaving a comment below.
Horticulture classes from Botanical Gardens
The great series of horticulture classes taught by smart and fun David Clark for the Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens didn’t get canceled– it went online!
The next class, “Creative Containers and Raised Beds,” will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, April 25. Get all the details here.
A different series of online gardening lectures will be held from 7 to 8 p.m. starting Thursday, May 14 with “Gardening for Butterflies.” See all the details.
See more learning activities here.
All about vegetable gardening
In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, the “JUST PLANT IT, NY!” campaign is offering free resources for new vegetable gardeners.
See great information, including videos, here. There are also recommendations for families and educators.
The resources come from the Cornell Cooperative Extension Master Gardener Volunteer program and Cornell Garden-Based Learning program.
Videos on soil & hydroponic gardening, plus you can ask questions
Cornell Cooperative Extension of Chautauqua County’s 4-H Program has created an online video series comparing and contrasting soil gardening vs. hydroponic gardening. Here is the link
4-H youth educators Molly R. Brown and Kate Ewer created the series called “Cooperative Gardening with Molly and Kate” when they couldn’t do face-to-face programs.
Molly and Kate will also answer questions online.
Another way to get your questions answered is by contacting the Master Gardener helpline by calling 716-664-9502 ext. 224 or emailing chautauquamg@cornell.edu.
Garden Fence Chats, ask questions
Cornell Cooperative Extension in Erie County hosts Garden Fence Chats from 10 a.m. to noon Monday through Friday via Zoom.
They open each day with a 10-to-15-minute presentation covering a timely topic or frequently asked question.
After that, you can ask your gardening questions.
Wednesday, April 22 – Timely Garden Updates from MG Volunteer Carol Ann Harlos
Thursday, April 23 – Planting and Caring for Young Trees – Sharon Bachman
Friday, April 24 – FeedMore WNY’s Response to COVID-19 and how Gardeners Can Support These Efforts – Marla Ryan, FeedMore WNY
WNY Gardening Matters
When insects wound a plant, it can cause an increase in antioxidants in the fruit of that plant. That’s good news for people who eat the fruit!
You can get all the details in this article in the latest issue of WNY Gardening Matters, produced by the Master Gardeners of Cornell Cooperative Extension in Erie County.
You can also read Article 137: Gardening with Native Plants and Insects and Article 138: Tomato Brown Rugose Fruit Virus (ToBRFV).
More garden activities for kids
Find lots of activities for parents and kids at Kids Gardening. The nonprofit aims to create opportunities for kids to play, learn and grow through gardening, engaging their natural curiosity and wonder.
You should ask the Master Gardeners. The information on how to contact them is in the article. See the sections headed Videos on soil & hydroponic gardening, plus you can ask questions and Garden Fence Chats, ask questions.
I was just given Amaryllis blooms by a neighbor and told that I could plant them and they would develop a bulb. I have never heard of such. Is this true?