by Connie Oswald Stofko I am happy to say that my website is fixed and you shouldn’t have any problems. Last week my website wasn’t working well and you may have missed some of the articles. (I’m so sorry!) But you can see those articles now: Thanks for your patience!…...
by Connie Oswald Stofko Do you know how to properly cut flowers from a garden? Most people don’t, said Barb Henry, who founded Henry’s Gardens with her husband Martin. People often cut the stem too short, she said. Or they think they are cutting one stem, but they are cutting the entire plant. Or they cut a flower that is already old and won’t look nice for very long. That’s why Henry has created classes to help you learn how…...
The gardener’s emphasis is often on annuals and perennials, but shrubs are an essential component of garden design, said Peggy Koppmann, Master Gardener. There are many reasons to use shrubs: You can see more in the article “This Month in the Garden,” which is part of WNY Gardening Matters, published by Cornell Cooperative Extension in Erie County. Other articles in this edition are:…...
If your houseplants have been vacationing outside, don’t let them stay out too long. When should you bring them in? Before you turn on your furnace, said David R. Clark, CNLP. That’s just one of many tips he shares in this previous article, “Houseplants on summer vacation? Time to bring them back inside.” Clark also discusses pests in depth: how to keep pests from coming into your house and what to do if you find your houseplant is infested…....
It’s the time to go back to school–even for gardeners! You can learn a lot at the Back-to-School event at Mischler’s Florist and Greenhouses, 118 South Forest Rd., Williamsville. It will take place from Friday, Sept. 5 to Saturday, Sept. 13. Times are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. There will be talks, a tour of Mischler’s cutting gardens (gardens where flowers are grown to be cut and placed in a vase), people to…...
As autumn settles in, it’s tempting to focus solely on the checklist—deadheading, mulching, putting beds to rest. But before we rush into end-of-season tasks, consider taking a different approach this month. Step into your garden not as a worker, but as an observer. Notice the subtle shift in light, the way seeds have scattered in unexpected places, the quiet persistence of late bloomers. Your garden has been telling stories all season long. This month, let’s slow down enough to listen. —From…...
Mark your calendar: Genesee County Master Gardeners will host their annual Fall Garden Gala and Plant Sale from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 13. It will take place in Cornell Cooperative Extension of Genesee County, 420 East Main St., Batavia. The event will include plant sales, demonstrations of flower arrangements and a basket auction. Arrive at 10 a.m. for the best plant selection. (No early birds please.) All proceeds benefit the educational outreach of the Genesee County Master…...
by Connie Oswald Stofko Take a moment to click on the video below. Relax for seven seconds and enjoy the fountain, the water, the plants and the birds at Urban Roots Collaborative Garden Market. a Wasn’t that soothing? Those fountains and others are available at Urban Roots Cooperative Garden Market, 428 Rhode Island St., Buffalo. Add a bench for a seating area to create a comfortable outdoor space in your landscape, said Patti Jablonski-Dopkin, general manager of Urban Roots. Enjoy the…...
Cornell Cooperative Extension in Cattaraugus County will offer a three-day Master Food Preservation workshop on Tuesday through Thursday, October 7-9. It will take place at the Seneca Allegany Community Center, 3677 Administration Dr., Salamanca, NY 14799. This training is for those who would like to go beyond the basics of home food preservation in their home. Topics include the science of food preservation, hands-on experience with boiling water canning, pressure canning, atmospheric steam canning, observation and participation with fermentation, freezing and dehydrating/drying. The…...
Sharon Webber, Lifetime CNLP, was inducted in the 2025 Court of Honor Hall of Fame by PLANT NYS, the Professional Landscape and Nursery Trades across New York State. The ceremony took place Wednesday, Aug. 20 at the New York State Fair in Syracuse. Webber’s horticulture career started more than 30 years ago in Long Island where she worked for the legendary Lois Woodhull at The Plantage, Inc. She returned to Western New York and started Earth Lines, a landscape design,…...