by Connie Oswald Stofko You can never have too many tips for keeping deer and rabbits away from our plants. Even if we find something that works, the animals often get used to that technique and we have to try something else. Here are a bunch of tips. One is from me, but the rest are ones that local gardeners have shared with me. (These tips are often shared in quick conversations, so I often don’t have the name of…...
Applications are available for Marvin Lunenfeld Beautification Grants, named for Garden Walk Buffalo’s founder. Completed applications are due Feb. 17, 2017, with anticipated funding awards announced in early spring of 2017. You can find applications and eligibility requirements here or call (716) 247-5004 and they will mail you an application. The organizers say the application process is easy and they will offer help if you have any questions. The grants have helped fund dozens of garden beautification projects across the…...
Scholarships are available for college or technical school students who are interested in pursuing a career in garden writing, photography or blogging. The scholarships are awarded by the GWA Foundation, a 501(c)(3) charitable subsidiary of the GWA: The Association for Garden Communicators. The application deadline is Tuesday, Dec. 20. View the full scholarship guidelines and criteria here. The scholarship awards will range from $500 or $2,000 per student and include a complimentary full-year membership to GWA. Students must be enrolled…...
by Connie Oswald Stofko This would have been a great weekend for raking leaves. The sun was shining, the weather was mild, and I wanted to do something outside in the yard. Unfortunately, most of the leaves in my neighborhood are still firmly adhered to the trees. This happens to me at this time every year. I have to look around for things to do in my garden and yard. Here’s one task: reclaim your patio or sidewalk from your…...
You can hear international speakers, see orchid vendors from across the United States and view spectacular judged orchid displays in an expanded fall Orchid Show at the Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens, 2655 South Park Avenue, Buffalo. Hours are 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 12 and 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 13. The show is presented by the Niagara Frontier Orchid Society and the Botanical Gardens. The special features this year are by special arrangement with…...
by Connie Oswald Stofko PLANT WNY, the trade association for the professional landscape and nursery trades in Western New York, has announced two awards, and one goes to Buffalo-NiagaraGardening.com! The awards will be presented Nov. 18 at the group’s Harvest Dinner. Chris Zeisz: 2016 Person of the Year First let me tell you about Chris Zeisz, CNLP, who was named the 2016 Person of the Year. This is the second time he has received this award. Only two other people…...
The Western New York Land Conservancy is creating a new 57-acre nature preserve at the site of Jackson Falls on Hubbard Road in the Town of Aurora. The property will be named the Owens Falls Sanctuary in honor of Barbara and Don Owens who donated $200,000. It was announced at the land conservancy’s 25th anniversary dinner on Sept. 21 that the fundraising goal of $600,000 was surpassed. The property features two magnificent waterfalls that were formed by a 2,000-foot long…...
by Connie Oswald Stofko It’s not a comfortable topic: Ordering flowers when someone you know has died. But Maggie Wittmer, floral designer at Mischler’s Florist and Greenhouses, gives us some guidelines in this video that may relieve your anxiety. If a close family member has died, the flowers you choose will depend on the kind of services that will be held, she explains. Flowers for services where a casket will be on display differ from those at a memorial or…...
Get a first look at displays of Christmas gifts and ornaments during the annual Christmas open house to be held by Lockwood’s Greenhouses from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 12 at Lockwood’s, 4484 Clark St., Hamburg. This year they will have a Christmas tote giveaway, Thymes gift basket raffles and a free gift with purchase. As is their tradition, they will offer sweet and savory treats, including Barb Lockwood’s famous spiced cider. This event is free and open…...
by Connie Oswald Stofko I will present “45 Gardening Tips in 45 Minutes” at the meeting of the Hamburg Garden Club at noon Wednesday, Nov. 9 at the Hamburg Village Community Center, 107 Prospect Ave., Hamburg. I will share 45 tips that I have come across while writing for Buffalo-NiagaraGardening.com, the online gardening magazine for Western New York. I have to average one tip per minute, so it’s fun to see if I can squeeze them all in! Whether you’re…