Buffalo-NiagaraGardening.com

gardeners at International School 45 in Buffalo

Grassroots Gardens needs volunteers, supplies; workshops set for immigrants

If you enjoy gardening and would like to share your time, consider volunteering with Grassroots Gardens WNY, which educates and leads neighborhood gardeners. They’re also looking for donations of supplies. And please spread the word about workshops for new immigrant and refugee gardeners. Volunteer As an individual or part of a group—class, church group, coworkers, club, circle of friends—you can volunteer with Grassroots Gardens. It can be one-time special event or you can volunteer on an on-going basis. See the…...

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Jul 26, 2016

dining area at Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens

You can hold private events at Botanical Gardens; find out more at open house, get discount

Are you looking for a great venue for a cocktail party, holiday party, luncheon or team-building event? Do you know someone who is looking for a gorgeous location for their wedding ceremony, reception, shower or rehearsal dinner? The Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens has many indoor and outdoor locations for events. You can learn more at an open house to be held from 5:30-8 p.m. Thursday, July 28 at the Botanical Gardens, 2655 South Park Ave., Buffalo. The open…...

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Jul 25, 2016

Hill becomes focal point in South Buffalo garden

by Connie Oswald Stofko A steep hill that some people might see as an obstacle has become the focal point of Paul Sabato’s backyard. He shared his garden on South Buffalo Alive, a garden walk that took place Sunday, July 17. When he moved in 23 years ago, the staircase to the right was already there, but Sabato put in the rest, including an above-ground swimming pool. The soil was full of rocks. “You put a shovel in the ground…...

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Jul 19, 2016

Want to water less often? Try using mulch

by Connie Oswald Stofko Have you gotten any rain lately? If so, lucky you! I’ve been hearing forecasts of thunderstorms, and I happily anticipated having my rain barrels refilled. But we got only lightning. There was barely enough rain to dampen the porch– and the areas under the plastic lawn chairs stayed dry! We’re significantly below average for precipitation, said John Farfaglia, extension educator with Cornell Cooperative Extension in Niagara County. The last summer that was comparable to this was…

Jul 19, 2016

How are gardeners dealing with red lily leaf beetle?

by Connie Oswald Stofko Here’s a question from a reader: “My Asiatic lilies were attacked by the lily beetles last year. “This year they (the red lily leaf beetles) are back in my garden. I literally pulled about 6-8 of my lilies and just tossed them out because they were so bad and distressing me– I even tossed out the soil around them. I still have some beetles and twice daily, I go out and look for them and catch…...

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Jul 19, 2016

gardens along fence in City of Tonawanda

Gardener brings plants from her family to husband’s fourth-generation home

by Connie Oswald Stofko Peter Kurtzworth is the fourth generation of his family to live in the home at 491 Morgan St., City of Tonawanda. When he married Judy four years ago, she brought pieces of her heritage to his homestead: plants from her former home, from her aunt’s cottage and from her mother’s garden. The Kurtzworths shared their gardens on the City of Tonawanda Garden Walk, which featured a nighttime tour on Friday, July 15 and a daytime tour…

Jul 19, 2016

Coming next week: Our email will be easier to read on phone, tablet

by Connie Oswald Stofko Many of you now use your phone or tablet to check your email, and I want to make sure it’s easy for you to get all the latest news and tips from Buffalo-NiagaraGardening.com. Next week you’ll notice that the email you get will be easier to read on those smaller devices. And if you open your email on a laptop or desktop computer, I think you’ll also find the new look attractive. I’ll still be offering…...

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Jul 19, 2016

Buffalo in Bloom is back, with a twist: Nominate your own garden

by Connie Oswald Stofko Buffalo in Bloom, the project that recognizes City of Buffalo residents who maintain their properties with gardens in their front yard, is back after a hiatus of several years. In past years, the idea was for teams of volunteers to cover the entire city, block by block, and recognize residents who put effort into their front yards. Unfortunately, it was too difficult to get enough volunteers for such a massive undertaking, said Linda Garwol, chairperson of…...

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Jul 19, 2016

Phlox and oriental lilies add fragrance, color, height & drama to garden

by Connie Oswald Stofko “My favorite flowers are phlox and oriental lilies because they’re fragrant,” said Ed Dinki, “and I love the color. Asiatic lilies are nice, but they’re not too fragrant.” You can get tips like that and see some amazing gardens when you dare to stray from the clusters of gardens at the center of a garden walk map and take a few minutes to visit some of the outliers. The Amherst Garden Walk, which took place July…...

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Jul 12, 2016

outdoor living room with Afro-Caribbean theme

Peaceful gardens make visitors feel happy on Snyder-Clevehill Garden Tour

by Connie Oswald Stofko “It looks pretty peaceful out here,” Joyce Heath said, surveying her yard on the Snyder-CleveHill Garden View on July 10. With so much happening in the world, especially in recent weeks, it’s a feeling she tries to convey in her gardens. Rocks in a side garden were inscribed with “Tranquility” and “Peace Love Joy.” A flag emblazoned with “Peace: Back by popular demand” found a prominent spot elsewhere in her yard. “It’s a happy place,” exclaimed…...

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Jul 12, 2016