by Connie Oswald Stofko Here’s a question from a reader: Hi,I bought an amaryllis in a home hardware store. Bulb and container. It is blooming beautiful right now in January. It’s named “Holland Star.’ I have two stalks, lots of blooms but no leaves??? What does that mean? Hope you can give me some advice. So glad I found this site. I have bought these for my mother many years ago. I did not know they would keep from year…
Marvin Lunenfeld Beautification Grants, which are awarded to groups within the geographic area of Garden Walk Buffalo, have been awarded for 2019. Applications are available for 2020. Even if you don’t live in that area, mark you calendar for this year’s Garden Walk Buffalo. And did you know you can get a map for that walk mailed to you? 2019 grant recipients The Marvin Lunenfeld Beautification Grants are awarded to block clubs and community groups to help beautify Buffalo through…
by Connie Oswald Stofko We got snow in November, then it melted. In late December, the weather was surprisingly warm, with air temperatures reaching the high 50s. The grass looked so green! Then the temperatures hit lows in the teens. This past weekend we got socked with snow. One thing you can say for weather in Western New York– it’s not boring. Here are some things you can do to deal with these changes in winter weather. Protect your plants…
You may know that dandelion leaves can be eaten, but there are even more uses for this plant. The milky sap of a variety of dandelion can be used to make rubber, according to an article by Lyn Chimera in the most recent issue of WNY Gardening Matters. WNY Gardening Matters is produced by the Master Gardeners of Cornell Cooperative Extension in Erie County. Also in this issue: Learn about an invasive pest called the hemlock wooly adelgid, which can…
The Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens will host Lumagination, with the interior of the gardens illuminated to excite imaginations, stimulate the senses and entertain all ages. “Mysterious Minerals” is the theme this year. Visitors will experience the extraordinary facets of Earth and minerals. From simulated salt caves and stalactites to wooden sculptures, balancing stones, geodes and crystals, Lumagination will take visitors on a journey like no other. This is part three of a four-part series exploring water, air, earth…
by Connie Oswald Stofko Do rabbits make nests in your garden? Do cats use your garden for a litterbox? Here is one tip to solve both problems. Make the space less appealing by breaking it up with sticks. In addition to sticks from a tree, you can recycle disposable chopsticks, Popsicle sticks, old plant tags and plastic forks and spoons. In my garden I have a metal spoon that was damaged when it fell into the garbage disposal. Don’t go…
by Connie Oswald Stofko We’re coming up to the end of the year, a time when we look back at the previous year and make plans for the future. What will you do differently in your garden next year? Here are my gardening resolutions for 2020. Please share yours by leaving a comment below. When I buy plants, I will get them in the ground quickly. To me, “as soon as possible” often means “when I get around to it.”…
by Connie Oswald Stofko This is my last issue of 2019, but I’ll be back next year with more great gardening tips for Western New York! In the meantime, you can plan for next gardening season by reviewing articles from past years. Use the “Popular Topics” box to get inspiration from gardens on past garden walks, learn how to deal with pests or explore other past articles. If you’re viewing this on our website, you will see the “Popular Topics”…
by Connie Oswald Stofko A weed is any plant you don’t want in your garden. So who would want a plant with “weed” already in its name? And “wort” sounds like “wart,” those unappealing skin blemishes. Yuck! “Wort” is often coupled with the name of some body part —such as in “lungwort.” Double yuck! Don’t be turned off by those names. “Weed” comes from an Old English word for herb. The archaic meaning of “wort”, which has lingered in some…
You can contribute important scientific data to NASA and help scientists studying Earth and the global environment. While NASA can use tools such as satellites, citizen scientists like you can add data that they don’t have. Use the GLOBE Observer App. It currently includes four main tools: Clouds, Trees, Mosquito Habitat Mapper and Land Cover. Clouds By photographing clouds, recording sky observations and comparing them with NASA satellite data, you can help scientists gain a new perspective on clouds that satellites…