by Connie Oswald Stofko
You can find perennials at plant sales and plant & seed exchanges being held by garden groups in Western New York.
Yes, you can still plant perennials, but don’t wait too long. As soon as you get your plants, put them into the ground. You want to give them time to make sure they get established before the first frost and first freeze. See this table for frost and freeze dates for your area.
If you have a plant sale or other event, send it to me and I’ll add it to our Events page. Email it to me at connie@buffaloniagaragardening.com. Please get it to me by the Friday before the Tuesday edition that you need your event to be published in.
Genesee County Master Gardener’s Fall Garden Gala
The Genesee County Master Gardeners will host their annual Fall Garden Gala and Plant Sale from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 14 at Cornell Cooperative Extension of Genesee County, 420 East Main St., Batavia.
Arrive at 10 a.m. for the best plant selection. No early birds please.
This plant sale features hardy garden perennials, most of which are grown by Master Gardeners. A wide variety of house plants will also be available for sale.
Other activities
- Learn how to artfully arrange flowers fresh from the garden, as talented Master Gardeners create arrangements and bouquets right before your eyes. These beautiful flower arrangements will be available for sale.
- Stop inside for the basket auction, which ends at 12:30 pm. You never know what treasures may appear. Winners will be notified on Monday, Sept. 16 and will be able to pick up their baskets during office hours from Tuesday to Friday, Sept. 17-20.
- The Master Gardener Helpline will be open to answer your gardening questions.
- Not sure what your garden soil pH is? Bring in a soil sample for a free pH testing.
All proceeds benefit the educational outreach of the Genesee County Master Gardener Program.
Pelion Outdoor Classroom at City Honors School
Pelion Outdoor Classroom at City Honors School and Grassroots Gardens will hold a tour and plant sale from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Sept. 14 at Pelion Garden, 212 Best St., Buffalo.
Want to add more native plants to your yard? Want to see what they look like in real life? Want to see what to avoid?
“We’ve made all the good and bad mistakes so you don’t have to,” say the organizers. During the tour, “We will introduce you to plenty of native plants, show you some of their best pollinator friends and share what we’ve learned.”
You are invited to dig up specific clumps of plants. Clumps are $3 a shovel. They have other natives already potted up for sale. You can also harvest seeds.
Note: There are many insects in the garden, so don’t wear perfumes, aftershaves or fragrant detergents.
Native plant sale in North Tonawanda
The North Tonawanda Botanical Garden Organization (NTBGO) will hold a plant sale from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Sept. 21 at the garden, 1825 Sweeney St., North Tonawanda.
Native plants, shrubs and trees grown by NTBGO will be for sale. Planting information will be available.
Check their website to see what plants are available.
For more information, contact ntbgo@hotmail.com.
Plant and Seed Exchange in Buffalo
The Samuel Capen Garden Walk will hold a plant and seed exchange from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 28 at University Presbyterian Church, 3330 Main St., corner of Niagara Falls Boulevard, Buffalo.
Plant and seed exchanges are an opportunity to share perennials and seeds; you don’t have to buy the plants or seeds. If you have extra plants and seeds, take them to the exchange to share with others. In addition, free seeds are provided by the ARTseeds program of the University Heights Arts Association.
Tip: Learn how to divide perennials in this video with Lyn Chimera of Lessons from Nature.
There will also be a sale of pots and other garden art. Donations of used pots, garden ornaments, vases, tools and any other garden-related paraphernalia are gladly accepted for resale. Proceeds go to the Christine Brooks Memorial Garden Grant Fund.
Wild Ones of Western New York & Silo City
Wild Ones of Western New York and Silo City are hosting a native plant sale from noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 29 at Duende at Silo City, 85 Silo City Row, Buffalo. 14203
Have a drink or a bite to eat and purchase native plants from local growers. They include:
Thanks for the update, Matthew.
Samuel P Capen Garden Walk plant & seed exchange has been moved to September 28th from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at University Presbyterian Church, 3330 Main St., corner of Niagara Falls Boulevard, Buffalo.