by Connie Oswald Stofko You can see a huge decorative ruler topped with a snowflake, which, in the winter, marks how much snow is on the ground in the backyard of Linda Washut and Kathleen Kelkenberg, 175 Highland Ave., Hamburg. It measures all the way up to four feet. “We got it at a garage sale,” Washut said. “We thought it was hilarious.” But during the Snowvember Storm of 2014 the ruler was buried. “We got seven feet of snow,”…...
Did you know that if you are going to show your yard on a garden walk, you can get a 15 percent discount at Mike Weber Greenhouses? Just mention it when you check out. Oh, and you can get the discount if you’re in a garden club, too! Mike Weber Greenhouses is located at 42 French Rd., West Seneca. Tip for all gardeners: If your hands are dry and cracked, get Gardener’s Healing Balm, created by Jen Weber, retail manager…...
by Connie Oswald Stofko Here’s a question I received from a reader: Hi Connie, thanks for your newsletter, it’s always so informative! I have entered the Amherst Garden Walk this year. As a part-time transplant Buffalonian, I am unsure of what will be blooming on July 11, the day of the walk. I like a good challenge, however I’m thinking I bit off too much? Are there tips, a web site to guide, anything to assist the process of coaxing…...
by Connie Oswald Stofko Imagine Community Gardens is looking for volunteers to help plant trees, shrubs and perennials at the “Peace Garden” at Hope House, a homeless shelter for woman and children, 585 Genesee St., Buffalo (one block from the Jefferson Street exit of the Kensington Expressway/Route 33). What is now a lawn area is being turned into a butterfly garden with nature paths and a seating area. On the work day, volunteers will also lay wood chips on the…...
by Connie Oswald Stofko Go big. That’s the lesson I took away from the gardens of Jerry Powarski of George Dr., West Seneca. Powarski gave me a sneak peek last week as a preview of the West Seneca Tour of Gardens, which will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, July 18 and 19. The garden walk season kicks off this weekend with the 10th annual Lewiston GardenFest, which will be held 10 a.m. to 5…...
by Connie Oswald Stofko Without giving too much away, a community garden plays a central role in Old South, a documentary that takes place on one block in Athens, GA, showing the conflict between a historically black community and a fraternity that holds antebellum parades. The community garden “emerges as a bit of a surprise,” said Danielle Beverly, director and producer of the documentary, who also did the camera work. “It’s an unexpected place of healing.” You can see the…...
Home-grown strawberries last only about two weeks, and by the time some people realize strawberries are available, the season is over. Get local strawberries quick while they’re still available at Goodman’s Farm Market, 2227 Cayuga Dr. Ext., Niagara Falls, NY. They carry home-grown fruits and vegetables in season, as well as honey and other local products. Swiss chard and leaf lettuce are in season now. There’s still time to plant flowering perennials and vegetables, and Goodman’s has a good selection…...
Visit 30 vendors of nature-themed items that can be displayed in a garden setting during the annual Garden Art Sale, which will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, June 28 at the Parkside Lodge in Delaware Park, Buffalo. Admission is free. Media include sculpture, metalwork, paintings, woodwork, architectural remnants, found art, jewelry, ceramics, and planters– anything that looks good in a garden. See the list of vendors here. Representatives from area plant societies will also be on hand to answer your questions about their…...
by Connie Oswald Stofko Coleus doesn’t get showy flowers, yet it’s the featured plant in the Celebration of Coleus and Color show that starts Saturday, June 13 at the Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens, 2655 South Park Ave., Buffalo. Even without an emphasis on flowers, this exhibit is a favorite among some visitors to the Botanical Gardens, said Jeff Thompson, director of horticulture. What’s the attraction of coleus? Today we’ll give you eight reasons why the Botanical Gardens showcases…...
by Connie Oswald Stofko Carol Ann Harlos will give a talk on herbs at the 10th annual Lewiston GardenFest, which will be held 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, June 20 and 21, on Center Street in Lewiston. I asked her to share one tip as a preview. “Plant Egyptian walking onions,” Harlos said without hesitation. Why? “Because they walk through your garden!” she said. The plants get bulbils or bulblets at the top of the stem, the…...