mass of mums at Lockwood's in Hamburg NY

Should you treat mums as perennials or annuals?

by Connie Oswald Stofko Are mums perennials? For almost all the varieties that you will find for sale in Western New York, the answer is no. Local growers will call them fall mums or garden mums, but they won’t call them hardy because they’re not. And they definitely won’t call them perennials. There are two reasons that mums aren’t considered perennials, according to staff at Lockwood’s Greenhouses in Hamburg and Mischler’s Florist and Greenhouses in Williamsville. The first reason is…...

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Sep 9, 2014
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closeup soil and trowel in Western New York garden

Soil, design & common problems to be covered in Cooperative Extension classes in East Aurora

A series of three gardening classes will be held by the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Erie County in its auditorium (second floor), 21 South Grove St., East Aurora. All classes will be held from 7 – 8:30 p.m. Wednesdays. Dates and topics are: Sept. 24: Soil Is the Key. Learn how to improve your soil and learn about the role of compost. Bring a soil sample and you can get the pH tested. Oct. 1: Good Garden Design or How…...

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Sep 9, 2014
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Gazebo from Buffalo Erie County Botanical Gardens

Ceremony marks Honorary International Peace Garden at Botanical Gardens

The existing Peace Garden at the Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens was designated in a ceremony today as an Honorary International Peace Garden. The designation was made by the International Peace Garden Foundation and the War of 1812 Bicentennial Peace Garden Trail. As an Honorary International Peace Garden, this garden will become part of an international registry, display a commemorative stone marker and have an interpretive panel linking this garden with other Peace Gardens along the 1812 Commemorative Trail…....

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Sep 9, 2014
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computer helps you get gardening information

Daylong WordPress Camp offers sessions for beginners & developers; join me there

by Connie Oswald Stofko I’ll give writing tips for bloggers at WordCamp Buffalo on Saturday, Sept. 13 in the Science Hall at Canisius College, 2001 Main St., Buffalo. If you have considered starting a blog or website, or if you already have one, you can learn a lot at WordCamp. WordCamp is a daylong conference on WordPress, a free platform for blogs and websites. The schedule includes three tracks: a track for users and beginners, a track for developers and…...

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Sep 9, 2014
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three season container planting from Mischler's in Williamsville

Learn the secret of this award-winning container– It lasts from spring to winter!

Here’s a great container called “Winter Green” created by Mark Yadon of Mischler’s Florist and Greenhouses, 118 South Forest Rd., Williamsville. You can plant up a container like this in spring and enjoy it throughout summer, autumn and even into winter. “It will stay nice probably until Christmas, even if it gets snowed on,” Yadon said. “More people have to do this.” Of course, the gardening season doesn’t end with Labor Day, and you can still plant up a container…...

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Sep 2, 2014
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dog house at succulent show in 2011 at Buffalo Botanical Gardens

Succulent Show starts Saturday; see all the activities at Botanical Gardens

by Connie Oswald Stofko I think gardeners sometimes overlook succulents. You can grow them outdoors in a garden or in a pot inside. They come in many shapes, colors and growing habits. And while they’re not known for their flowers, these plants can be showy. To get inspiration on how you might display succulents, visit the Succulent Show at the Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens, 2655 South Park Ave., Buffalo. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily from…...

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Sep 2, 2014
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trowel in garden compost with bushel basket of autumn leaves in Western New York

Hurry: Register by noon Wednesday for classes & you could win Lockwood’s certificate

by Connie Oswald Stofko If you register by noon Wednesday, Sept. 3 for any class at this weekend’s Fall Garden Fair at Lockwood’s, you will be entered into a drawing to win a $50 Lockwood’s gift certificate. By registering early, you’ll make sure you reserve a spot for yourself in your favorite class or classes. You’ll also be helping out the Lockwood’s staff so they can plan how many chairs they will need and how many handouts to prepare. Your…...

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Sep 2, 2014
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dew on blades grass in lawn in Western New York

Reminder: Don’t use fertilizers containing phosphorus on your lawn

In order to help protect our waterways, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is reminding gardeners not to use lawn fertilizers that contain phosphorus. The 2012 Dishwasher Detergent and Nutrient Runoff Law prohibits the use of phosphorus fertilizers unless a new lawn is being established or a soil test shows that the lawn does not have enough phosphorus. “Too much phosphorus is harmful to the state’s water resources,” said DEC Commissioner Joe Martens. “Rain and snow runoff…...

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Sep 2, 2014
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Docents needed at Botanical Gardens; training starts Sept. 11

If you love gardening and botany, consider sharing your passion with others by volunteering as a docent at the Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens, 2655 South Park Ave., Buffalo. Docents work with people of all ages. They lead tours of the Botanical Gardens for a variety of groups year round, teach hands-on programs to school-aged children and scout groups, facilitate activities in the Wegmans’ Family Garden, answer visitor questions during special plant exhibits and events and assist staff in…...

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Sep 2, 2014
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cut tulips in Amherst NY

Get tips on spring-flowering bulbs and more at Lockwood’s Fall Garden Fair Sept. 6 & 7

by Connie Oswald Stofko “Winter is too long,” said David Clark, horticulturist and national garden speaker.”With our Western New York winters, it’s nice to have something pop up in mid- to late winter.” That’s why he recommends planting spring bulbs– The first ones can come up when there’s still snow on the ground. “I like to have a big show in spring,” Clark said. “And if you plan it correctly, you can have flowers from mid-winter through July when you…...

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Aug 26, 2014
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