Category: Uncategorized

coral roses with pink dianthus and purple delphinium

Revamp your perennial gardens: height, color & more

by Connie Oswald Stofko A new trend–but not a good one– is gardeners asking for very small plants for perennial beds, said Jen Weber, vice president and manager of Mike Weber Greenhouses, 42 French Rd., West Seneca. “They come in and want plants that are four inches high or smaller,” she said. “From a distance, a four-inch plant disappears. Every single day I have to explain. It makes me shake my head all the time.” Could it be that the plants…...

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Jun 29, 2021
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stages of Gypsy moth

What to do about increase in gypsy moths

This spring, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) received reports of larger-than-usual gypsy moth populations and leaf damage on trees in the state. Cornell Cooperative Extension in Niagara County found that last year as well. Gypsy moths are non-native but are naturalized, meaning they will always be around. Their populations spike in numbers roughly every 10 to 15 years, but these outbreaks are usually ended by natural causes such as disease and predators. Because of this, DEC and its…...

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Jun 29, 2021
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Open Garden in Western New York

Open Gardens start on Thursday, Friday

Open Gardens is one of the amazing gardening events we get to enjoy here in Western New York. Open Gardens are like garden walks, but they take place on Thursdays and Fridays instead of on weekends. They take place only during July. And Open Gardens include just exceptional gardens. This year there will be nearly 100 gardens to visit! The gardens are beautiful, there are no crowds, and the gardeners are friendly and happy to answer questions. To see where…...

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Jun 29, 2021
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lantana in bloom

Seven annuals that can take the heat in Western New York

by Connie Oswald Stofko We’re enjoying a cool break in the weather, but summer has just started. Temperatures are going back up into the 80s– or higher. Be prepared with annual flowers that can take the heat. Here are seven recommendations from Mischler’s Florist and Greenhouses, 118 South Forest Rd., Williamsville.  These flowers will bloom all summer. Most of them are also drought tolerant, so you don’t have to water them constantly when the weather is hot and dry. Consider…...

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Jun 22, 2021
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dead daylily blossom

Reminder: How to make your garden look good for visitors

by Connie Oswald Stofko Whether you will share your landscape on a garden walk or just have a few friends over for a barbecue, you want your yard to look nice. Here are some tips on how to make your gardens look attractive to visitors. Here’s an article on how to prepare for a garden walk that is just as appropriate for a casual get-together. It links to other articles with more tips. Be sure to read the comments left…...

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Jun 22, 2021
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Buffalo Style Garden Art Sale 2019 by Stofko

Buffalo Style Garden Art Sale set this weekend

Celebrating its 10th anniversary, the Buffalo Style Garden Art Sale will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, June 26 and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, June 27 on the front lawn of the Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens, 2655 South Park Ave., Buffalo. Admission is free. Need something unique or handmade to complete your garden? Visit more than 50 vendors of nature-themed items or works that can be displayed in a garden setting – in many mediums:…...

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Jun 22, 2021
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railroad in garden in Lewiston NY

See gardens, vendors & more in Lewiston GardenFest

by Connie Oswald Stofko “You pull into Lewiston and see all the flowers,” said Doreen Albee, second vice president of the Lewiston Garden Club. “It happens because of a dedicated group of 45 people.” The club’s big projects, such as the plantings at town buildings, are supported by the vendor portion of the Lewiston GardenFest. The Lewiston GardenFest will take place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, June 19 and 20 on Center Street from 4th to…...

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Jun 15, 2021
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cover of book Finding the Mother Tree

Author of ‘Finding the Mother Tree’ to speak June 16

Trees live in societies, and “In those societies, there is so much going on,” said Suzanne Simard. “It’s complex. “Trees have complex lives. They know what their neighbors are doing. They communicate with them through these webs of fungal filaments that travel through the soil. They also communicate by sending off chemicals through the air.” Dr. Simard, author of Finding the Mother Tree: Discovering the Wisdom of the Forest, will speak in a free, virtual event to be held at 7…...

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Jun 15, 2021
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seeds

Seed library open at Audubon Library

The WNY Seed Library is again open during library hours at the Audubon Branch Library, 350 John James Audubon Pkwy., Amherst. You don’t need a library card to borrow seeds. You can see all the varieties of seeds here. The WNY Seed Library uses the term “borrowing” seeds because the organizers hope that when your plants are mature, you will save the seeds and donate some back to the seed library. You can also donate seeds that you saved from plants you grew previously as well…...

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Jun 15, 2021
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ladybug hippodamia convergens

Got aphids? Buy ladybugs in Buffalo

by Connie Oswald Stofko “It seems like a lot of people are battling aphids this year,” said Patti Jablonski-Dopkin, general manager of Urban Roots Cooperative Garden Market. A great way to get rid of aphids is to let ladybugs gobble up the aphids. But what if ladybugs haven’t discovered the aphids on your plants yet? You can buy live ladybugs at Urban Roots, 428 Rhode Island St., Buffalo. The ladybugs aren’t in stock today (Tuesday, June 8, 2021), but Jablonski-Dopkin…...

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Jun 8, 2021
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