by Connie Oswald Stofko You can get lots of well researched information in a new online-publication called WNY Gardening Matters produced by the Cornell Cooperative Extension Master Gardeners in Erie County. They plan to publish several articles online every month. They’ll let me know when new articles are available, and I’ll share them with you. Here are the first two: 1. “Invasives: Yellow Flag Iris” The yellow flag iris (Iris psuedacorus) is pretty, but it can get out of control…...
by Connie Oswald Stofko We’re concerned about how our gardening practices affect the environment, and that concern can extend to the ornaments we use in our garden, too. You can get garden decorations made with stones and rocks that are not only charming, they were created using sustainable practices. These garden ornaments are available at Lockwood’s Greenhouses, 4484 Clark St., Hamburg. You can also find them at the Lockwood’s booth at Plantasia, fitting this year’s theme of “Plantasia Rocks.” Plantasia…...
by Connie Oswald Stofko Enter for the chance to win a prize package valued at more than $250 simply by subscribing to Buffalo-NiagaraGardening.com, the online gardening magazine for Western New York. It’s free to subscribe! If you are already subscribed, you are already entered. Hey, I appreciate the support of my longtime readers! Three winners will be selected at random from our list of subscribers. Each will win a prize package worth more than $250! The deadline to enter is…...
You can show your garden or participate as a vendor at the 11th annual Lewiston GardenFest to be held 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, June 18 and 19 along Center Street in Lewiston. Businesses and vendors who sell items related to gardening, horticulture and the outdoors, including nurseries, landscapers, garden artists, builders, and others are encouraged to apply. Vendor applications are due by May 1. The application fee varies from $125 – $225 based on the size…...
by Connie Oswald Stofko Here’s a question I received from a reader early last week when the weather became warm and sunny: Hello. Can I plant liatris bulbs now? Or should I wait until the soil warms? Thank you. Linda in Tonawanda In case you’re not familiar with this plant, here’s a little bit of information about liatris. It blooms in summer with large flower spikes that attract butterflies. The plant is drought-resistant, so it doesn’t need much care. It…
by Connie Oswald Stofko Wouldn’t it be nice to have a professional makeover for your landscape? Imagine it: a new design with paths and trees, a waterfall, maybe an outdoor cooking area– whatever you want. At Plantasia, Western New York’s premier garden and landscape show, you can get lots of ideas for your dream landscape, and you could win a $16,000 backyard makeover. It’s free to enter! When you’re at Plantasia, go the area where they have the contest bank…...
by Connie Oswald Stofko I need your help today. I want to find new subscribers for Buffalo-NiagaraGardening.com, the online gardening magazine for Western New York, so I’m holding a contest and offering great prizes for gardeners. Please help me spread the word by emailing this information to a friend. Or share it on on Facebook, Pinterest, LinkedIn, Twitter or your favorite social media. Or pick up the phone and call a relative. Or mention it to a coworker. If you’ve been…...
Cornell Cooperative Extension of Chautauqua County will hold its first Master Gardener Core Training class in three years from Sept. 6 through Oct. 1 on the campus of the State University New York at Fredonia. The deadline to register is Friday, April 29. For an application, email lpc33@cornell.edu or contact Lucia Conti at 664-9502, ext. 209, or stop into the Frank W. Bratt Agricultural Center, 3542 Turner Rd., Jamestown. Applicants will be interviewed by a team of Master Gardener volunteers in…...
by Connie Oswald Stofko Physical barriers such as tall fencing may be too expensive for you, and repellents that have to be reapplied may get pricey, too, said Nancy Jager, Master Gardener with Cornell Cooperative Extension in Chautauqua County. But a relatively inexpensive method of discouraging pests is by modifying their habitat. Jager will present “Deer in my Dahlias, Voles in my Turnips: Preventing Wildlife Damage in the Garden” during the GROW Jamestown Garden Fair and Home Show to be…...
Enter for the chance to win a prize package valued at more than $250 simply by subscribing to Buffalo-NiagaraGardening.com, the online gardening magazine for Western New York. It’s free to subscribe! If you are already subscribed, you are already entered. Hey, I appreciate the support of my longtime readers! Three winners will be selected at random from our list of subscribers. Each will win a prize package worth more than $250! The deadline to enter is Tuesday, April 5. The…...