Gardening class: compost

Three in-person fall gardening classes will be held by Master Gardener volunteers in Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) of Erie County. The cost for the public is $15 per class or three classes for $45. The cost for Master Gardeners from any county is $15 per class or three classes for $40. Register online here. For more information, contact (716) 652-5400, ext. 176 or jah663@cornell.edu. For accommodations for persons with special needs, please contact them at least five days before the event. Garbage…

Evening in the Garden: succession planting, composting

Cornell Cooperative Extension of Chautauqua County‘s Master Gardener Volunteer Program will hold Evening in the Garden educational programming at 6 to 8 p.m. on the third Wednesday from June to September. It will be held at the College Community Gardens on the campus of Jamestown Community College, Curtis Street (near the tennis courts). Dates and speakers are: Guests are asked to bring their own chairs. Evenings in the Garden are free. Light refreshments will be served. Guests are invited to…

Seed Lenders: Magic of Compost

The Magic of Compost, part of the Seed Lenders’ Lecture Series, will be the topic from 6 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 27 at Orchard Park Public Library, S-4570 South Buffalo St., Orchard Park. Learn about the healthy benefits of gathering up your own biodegradable compost to use for next year. Compost is the superfood of gardens. The lecture series is hosted by the Orchard Park Public Library and the Master Gardeners of Cornell Cooperative Extension in Erie County….

Gardening workshops: composting

Space is limited and registration is required. To register, contact events@grassrootsgardens.org or 405-473-4209. For more information, go to Grassroots Gardens. Composting Noon to 1:30 p.m. Saturday, January 13 at Massachusetts Avenue Project, 387 Massachusetts Ave, Buffalo, NY 14213. Farmer Pirates Compost will teach this session. Garden planning 101 Noon to 1:30 p.m. Saturday, January 27 at Grassroots Gardens Western New York, 389 Broadway, Buffalo, NY 14204. Learn how to plan out your growing season with a panel of experienced and professional horticulturists and…

Vermicomposting in Ellicottville or on Zoom

Join Master Gardeners and 4H of Cattaraugus County for a lunch & learn short intro on vermicomposting. Learn how worms reduce food waste and turn it into rich organic matter for your garden. Adult & kid friendly. Join in-person at 28 Parkside Dr., Ellicottville or via Zoom. Register here….

herbs, compost, rose hips, birds in snow

Autumn tips: rose seeds, herbs, new garden, spreading compost & more

by Connie Oswald Stofko Here are six reminders–or perhaps new ideas–for activities that Western New York gardeners can do in autumn. Start roses from seeds Yes, you can actually start roses from seeds, and autumn is the time to do it, said David Clark, CNLP. The seeds are inside the rose hip, which is the fruit of the plant. It’s a green or red ball that forms when the rose flower drops off. See more in the article “How to…

the Earth Machine Composter for sale in Erie County

Reduced pricing on rain barrels, composters in Erie, Niagara counties; order by Aug. 15

Residents in Erie and Niagara counties can buy rain barrels, composters and accessories at prices lower than they were in 2022 during the Erie/Niagara County 2023 Rain Barrel & Compost Bin Sale, held by Erie County in partnership with the Western New York Stormwater Coalition. The items are significantly discounted this year because several grants were obtained to subsidize sales, plus the organizers expect to have high volume, which reduced unit pricing. Residents will be saving 50-60 percent off the 2022 pricing. In…

photo of food waste turning into compost

‘National Learn About Composting Day’ is May 29, but you can learn today

Cornell Cooperative Extension of Chautauqua County’s Master Gardeners are marking “National Learn About Composting Day,” which falls on May 29, by sharing great composting tips. There are many good reasons to compost. You save money by making rich, organic soil fertilizer. You reduce erosion. You conserve and replenish groundwater. And you keep organic material out of landfills. Organic material sent to a landfill creates methane, a greenhouse gas that contributes to the negative impacts of our environment. In his recent…

graphic of four leaves in four seasons

Pruning, composting & more in ‘The Optimistic Gardener’

Why should you prune? What do the terms “greens” and “browns” mean for composting? Those are just two of the topics in the newest edition of The Optimistic Gardener, the local horticulture newsletter for Cattaraugus and Chautauqua Counties. It is produced by the Master Gardeners of Cornell Cooperative Extension in those counties. Find the newsletter on the gardening page of Cornell Cooperative Extension in Chautauqua (on the lefthand side) and in Cattaraugus (on the righthand side)….

gift bag that is compostable

Make gift bags you can compost in WNY

by Connie Oswald Stofko Have you accumulated extra paper bags since the ban on plastic bags at stores went into effect in New York State? I have. And I’ve done it on purpose. The other day I stopped into a store and bought one small item. It wasn’t raining out; I could have easily carried the item to my car with no help from a bag. But when the cashier asked me if I wanted a bag for just a…