Amaryllis 'Apple Blossom' in Buffalo NY

Reminder: What to do now so your amaryllis blooms next year in WNY

by Connie Oswald Stofko There aren’t many plants blooming outdoors right now, but many Western New Yorkers are enjoying stunning amaryllis flowers indoors. Amaryllis bulbs are popular holiday gifts. If your plant is done blooming, don’t throw it away–it can bloom again next year. It’s pretty easy to get an amaryllis to bloom again, and the small effort you put into the project is well worth the effort. Amaryllis has huge, trumpet-shaped flowers–it’s spectacular! The most important thing to know…...

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hand with flower

Horticulture scholarship offered by Master Gardeners in Erie County

A $1,000 college scholarship is being offered by the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Erie County Master Gardener Program volunteers. The deadline to apply is 4 p.m. Friday, March 31. The scholarship is for graduating high school seniors from public, private and home schools who reside in Erie County. To be eligible for the scholarship, students must be accepted by a recognized, accredited college or university to study horticulture, botany or a related field. Related fields may include but are not…...

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Lavandula Munstead courtesy Ball Horticultural

Order now in Great Plant Sale from Botanical Gardens

by Connie Oswald Stofko For gardeners, one of the joys of winter is planning for spring! Start your planning now with the Great Plant Sale from the Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens. Not only can you browse through the selections now, you can order now before anything is sold out. Pick up your plants on May 19 or 20. (The sale will be online only this year.) Joe Mannion, director of horticulture, noted that the Botanical Gardens has contracted…...

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woodchuck and shadow

What does Woodchuck Day mean to WNY gardeners?

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…...

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new plants and soil for gardening classes in Buffalo and East Aurora NY

Master Gardeners to hold classes in East Aurora & Buffalo

Master Gardeners from Cornell Cooperative Extension of Erie County will hold Communities in Bloom classes on two dates in February. Both topics will be presented on both days. Topics are: The classes are for beginners as well as veteran gardeners. Dates and locations are: Both classes will be held from 9 a.m.-12:15 p.m. with registration at 8:30 a.m.  The cost is $35 for the public and $30 for Master Gardener volunteers. Pre-registration is required. Register here, email jah663@cornell.edu or call 716-652-5400, ext. 176…....

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tree seedlings from NYS Department of Environmental Conservation

5 reasons to buy tree & shrub seedlings; sales are open now

by Connie Oswald Stofko Sales of tree and shrub seedlings are again being held in Western New York through counties and through the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). Here are 5 reasons why you should consider buying tree or shrub seedlings: Tree & shrub seedling sales The sales have different ordering deadlines. The organizers suggest you order early to make sure the items you want are still in stock. The county sales generally have you pick up…...

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lilies and roses in flower arrangement at Mischler's in Williamsville NY

Brighten your day–or a friend’s day–with flowers now

by Connie Oswald Stofko If you’re tired of the gray, gloomy skies we’ve been seeing for weeks, get a little sunshine in your life with fresh flowers. Spread the cheer by sending flowers to your Valentine or to your friends. What might make you even happier is supporting a local grower and getting flowers picked that day. At Mischler’s Florist and Greenhouses, 118 South Forest Rd., Williamsville, they grow their oriental lilies in their own greenhouses. “We cut them fresh daily,”…...

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looking at mint plant in Amherst NY

Garden Talks begin in Batavia & on line

The Genesee County Master Gardeners will hold monthly Garden Talks starting in February. Garden Talk programs start at noon and can be 30 to 60 minutes long, depending on the topic. They will be held on Thursdays. This free series is open to all, but registration is required. You can attend in person at the Cornell Cooperative Extension office, 420 East Main St., Batavia, or online via Zoom. To attend in person, contact Mandy at 585-343-3040, ext. 101 or amm532@cornell.edu. For a Zoom…...

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wood sorrel in Amherst NY

Weed or volunteer in WNY: wood sorrel

by Connie Oswald Here’s another article on the theme: What is this plant and do I want it in my garden? This pretty plant looks like clover with yellow flowers. It added itself to several of my pots. I hoped it was clover and would add nitrogen to my soil. Unfortunately, it isn’t clover. It’s wood sorrel. “It can be aggressive,” said Lyn Chimera of Lessons from Nature. Because it can spread easily, “if it’s in the lawn, I wouldn’t…...

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tree trunk with snow and missing a branch in Williamsville NY

Winter damage to shrubs & trees, plus more from Master Gardeners

“Helping Woody Plants Survive Heavy Snowfalls” by Carol Ann Harlos is the topic of an article in the most recent edition of WNY Gardening Matters, produced by the Master Gardeners of Cornell Cooperative Extension in Erie County. You can find more tips on dealing with damaged trees and shrubs in this previous article with David Clark. For information on how to prune, see the article on page 34 of the December 2020 edition of NYS Conservationist Magazine. _____ Also in…...

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