by Connie Oswald Stofko The Asian longhorned beetle, an invasive insect, has been a problem in the New York City area. The good news is that it has been eradicated in some of those areas, according to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. We hope that the ALB isn’t in Western New York, but we have to be on the lookout in case it is. It’s important to identify it immediately so we can control its spread and…
by Connie Oswald Stofko It’s the time of year when Western New York gardeners may be finding Japanese beetles in their gardens. If you have Japanese beetles, you will see them; they’re easy to spot. About half an inch long, they’re big enough to see, plus their coloration catches your eye. They are green and copper, and they’re shiney. The damage they do may catch your eye as well. They feed on rose petals— and on about 300 other kinds…
by Connie Oswald Stofko The bad news: Giant hogweed is a nasty invasive plant that can cause severe burns on your skin if you touch it. The good news: In many areas of New York State, giant hogweed has been eradicated. The bad news: Western New York has the most giant hogweed in the state. The good news: If giant hogweed is on your property, you can get advice on what you should do. Even better, staff from the Department…
by Connie Oswald Stofko Gardeners in Western New York have the opportunity to address the problem of lesser celandine. That’s because lesser celandine is right in our own backyards. Or front yards. Or the lawns and gardens of our neighbors. If you don’t know what lesser celandine is, read on. And if you are already familiar with this invasive plant, please tell others. Tip: Our weather has been warm, and lesser celandine may be coming up sooner than it has…
Environmental grants are available to some landowners, municipalities and groups. Deadlines are coming up quick. See the details below. Regenerate NY Grant for landowners; deadline is Oct. 6 Regenerate NY is accepting applications until 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 6. If you own five or more acres of forestland or land suitable for establishing forest, you may be eligible for a Regenerate NY grant. This cost-share grant program aims to help private landowners promote forest regeneration on their land. Projects must…
One way to keep mosquitoes from biting you is by keeping them out of your yard in the first place. The most common mosquito in New York State is Culex pipiens, which has a very small territory. It usually stays within 300 feet of its breeding site, according to this page on mosquitoes from New York State Integrated Pest Management (NYS IPM). If you and your Western New York neighbors make sure there are no breeding sites, everyone can have a…
by Connie Oswald Stofko I have been writing about lesser celandine for 11 years, but I realized I hadn’t addressed in detail what to do if your whole yard, or a large section of your yard, is covered with lesser celandine. Here are questions I got from a local gardener: Hi Connie, I bought a new house last spring in the Elmwood Village (area of Buffalo). It’s beautiful but both the front and back yards are total carpets of lesser…
by Connie Oswald Stofko When will spring get here? We’re supposed to find out on Thursday, Feb. 2: Groundhog Day. Maybe we should call it Woodchuck Day because we call these animals woodchucks. If the groundhog or woodchuck doesn’t see its shadow, that’s supposed to mean we get an early spring. So for an early spring, we want overcast weather on Thursday. But if it’s sunny and the groundhog does see its shadow, that means winter will linger for six…
by Connie Oswald Stofko Yes, Western New York has seen winter weather already, but the calendar says it’s still autumn. With a few days of milder weather in the forecast, get outside and do those late-season tasks while you can. Harvest herbs & cold weather veggies If you have any herbs or cold-weather vegetables, such as parsley, onions and peas, still growing, don’t let them go to waste. Harvest them now while they’re not hidden under a blanket of snow….
by Connie Oswald Stofko I didn’t see many brown marmorated stinkbugs in October, which is the time when they are usually trying to get into our houses. Other Western New York gardeners have told me they have seen fewer–or even none–this fall. Could the population of brown marmorated stinkbugs be declining in Western New York? “It does seem to be that way,” said Liam Somers, state entomologist with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. Brown marmorated stinkbugs in…
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