hanging baskets at Lockwoods in Hamburg by Stofko

Invest in plant tags, plus three more tips for shopping & planting

by Connie Oswald Stofko Spring is so unpredictable in Western New York. In early May, we had temperatures in the 80s, and it was tempting to get our tender annuals and vegetables in our garden beds. But last week we had frost warnings. That’s why it’s a good idea to follow the rule of thumb and wait until Memorial Day to plant anything that might be damaged by frost. Some people are even more conservative and wait until the end…...

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May 19, 2015
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cactus in bathtub in Tonawanda NY

Register your garden for Ken-Ton Garden Tour; deadline is June 5

The Ken-Ton Garden Tour is now accepting applications for the 2015 tour. Residents in the Town of Tonawanda and Village of Kenmore can register their gardens. You can register online. You can also download an application to be printed and mailed via US mail. Paper applications are also available in the Tonawanda Town Supervisor’s Office, 2919 Delaware Ave., Kenmore. All applications—whether online or by mail—must be received no later than Friday, June 5. Late entries will not be accepted. Gardeners…...

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May 19, 2015
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floral clock photo illustration by Connie Oswald Stofko

Get 45 gardening tips in 45 minutes on Grand Island

by Connie Oswald Stofko My presentation on “45 Gardening Tips in 45 Minutes” and a plant exchange will be held at the meeting of the Cinderella Isle Garden Club at 7 p.m.Thursday, May 21 in Trinity United Methodist Church, 2100 Whitehaven Rd., Grand Island. (Go to the newer building behind the historic church.) In my presentation, I’ll share some of the best tips I discovered as I interviewed home gardeners and gardening experts for the online gardening magazine for Western…...

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May 18, 2015
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Impatiens Bounce courtesy Ball Horticultural

Shade gardeners: new ‘Bounce’ may be good alternative to impatiens

by Connie Oswald Stofko Gardeners who are looking for colorful flowers for the shade have a promising alternative to impatiens called ‘Bounce’. A few years ago, downy mildew began killing impatiens walleriana, the regular old impatiens that shade gardeners depended on for decades. Ever since then, gardeners have been looking for alternatives. See some alternatives to impatiens here. I know it’s confusing, but one of those alternatives that we’ll be talking about has a similar-sounding name, New Guinea impatiens. ‘Bounce’…...

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May 12, 2015
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false eranthemum from Buffalo Erie County Botanical Gardens

Get unusual plants from collection at Botanical Gardens; sale opens Saturday to public

by Connie Oswald Stofko Some unusual plants from the collection of the Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens will be included in the Great Plant Sale, which will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, May 16 and 17 in the Administration Building, 2655 South Park Ave., Buffalo. Admission is free. The quantity of each variety is limited. A plant that you really want may sell out, so aim to get there early for the best…...

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May 12, 2015
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lawn problem from Martha Neri of Williamsville NY

Can you help this reader with a lawn problem?

by Connie Oswald Stofko A reader came to me with a gardening question. Do you have any suggestions on how she can resolve her problem? If so, please leave a comment. Here’s her question: I have an area of my lawn that has had moss, bare spots and grayish/brown grass for several years. It isn’t getting smaller despite suggested treatments from my lawn maintenance company. They recommended lime but it didn’t work. They tested the pH and it is within…...

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May 12, 2015
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tomato seedlings from ECC garden

ECC offering farm-to-table courses this summer at Canalside in Buffalo

Two farm-to-table courses, which will teach people how to grow food in an urban setting as well as cover the nutritional aspects of growing your own food, will be offered this summer by Erie Community College. There will be demonstrations by local chefs and speakers from various garden backgrounds. Classes will be held in a learning garden in a 2,000-square-foot donated plot of land in the Canalside development next to Harbor Center, 100 Washington St., Buffalo, as well as at…...

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May 12, 2015
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Monet flower arrangement from Mischler's

20 ideas for Mother’s Day in Western New York

by Connie Oswald Stofko Mother’s Day is coming up this Sunday, May 10, and you want something that will make your mother smile. Since no two mothers are the same, we’ve come up with a long list of ideas– I counted 20– for things that might please Mom on her special day. There are ideas for traditional gifts, practical gifts,  quirky gifts and things to do together. What do you think makes a great Mother’s Day gift? Please leave a…...

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May 5, 2015
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CD's to keep deer away in Amherst NY

Use old CD’s to keep deer & rabbits away, plus more tips on garden pests

by Connie Oswald Stofko When it comes to dealing with pests such as deer and rabbits, the bad news is that there is no single technique that works all the time. The good news is that there are lots and lots of things you can try. When I speak to gardening groups, I get a chance to talk with gardeners, and they’re happy to share what works for them. I’m always coming across new ideas on how to deal with pests…....

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May 5, 2015
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annie watering from Opportunities Unlimited in Niagara County

Raffle of personal landscape consultation with David Clark set at Vines & Wines

You could win a personal landscape consultation with nationally known gardening expert David Clark at Vines & Wines, a fundraising event to benefit the horticulture program and its participants with disabilities at Opportunities Unlimited of Niagara. He will also give a presentation on organic growing tips. The event will be held from 3-8 p.m. Thursday, May 21, at the Merani Hotel Group’s Four Points by Sheraton, 7001 Buffalo Ave., Niagara Falls. The hotel is offering a reduced room rate for…...

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May 5, 2015
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