by Connie Oswald Stofko You can see the Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens in a whole new light– literally– during the popular Night Lights event. Photographers love the exciting and sometimes abstract images they can capture, so an entire evening is set aside just for them. Photographers Night is 6 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 4. You may bring a tripod on this night only. You may bring cameras and monopods on any night. Night Lights continues 6 to…...
Indoor gardening: Create a container of succulents during WNY winter
by Connie Oswald Stofko I know most of you are dreaming of spring right now. You can’t wait to get outside and arrange perennials in a garden bed or mix annuals in a container. Don’t just pout and wait for spring. Here’s a gardening project you can do right now: Create a container garden of succulents that you can grow inside. A project like this allows you to use your creativity, but if you’re a beginning gardener (or a lazy…...
More tips on making frozen spheres for your winter garden: add candles
by Connie Oswald Stofko You know what they say about Western New York: If you don’t like the weather, wait 10 minutes. You may think we’ve had nothing but snow and cold this winter, but I can assure you we’ve had thaws. I know because the arrangement of frozen spheres that I told you about in mid-December melted before Christmas. Luckily, just before New Year’s Day we got more cold weather (hey, I’m looking for the silver lining), so I…...
90-acre farm in WNY will remain agricultural land under conservation easement
Even those of us who grow vegetables in our gardens still depend on farmers for most of our food. But that food supply could be constrained if we lose Western New York farmland to housing and other development. The Western New York Land Conservancy is working to protect local farmland. Earlier this month it announced that the 90-acre Meyer Farm in the Town of Eden is now permanently protected from development and will remain farmland for future generations. This $244,000…...
Spring tree seedling sale by DEC now under way
The spring tree seedling sale of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation is now under way. The Department of Environmental Conservation operates the State Tree Nursery in Saratoga Springs, which produces tree and shrub seedlings for conservation plantings on public and private lands. Native New York seed-sources are used when available. Trees and shrubs are beneficial because they: Improve air and water quality Stabilize streambanks Create windbreaks Conserve energy Reforest idle land Produce wood products Produce wildlife food…...
Night Lights to feature outdoor fire performers on certain days; launch party set, too
by Connie Oswald Stofko To kick off Night Lights, the popular event where the exhibits at the Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens are illuminated with theatrical lighting, a launch party will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 28 at the Botanical Gardens, 2655 South Park Ave., Buffalo. Tickets to the launch party include a cash bar of beer and wine, delicious snacks and special entertainment. Tickets are $15 for Botanical Gardens members and subscribers to Buffalo…...
Amaryllis is great flower to grow indoors now; see show under way now at Botanical Gardens
by Connie Oswald Stofko The amaryllis is a favorite flower for Western New York gardeners to grow indoors at this time of year because there’s not much going on bloom-wise outdoors. Amaryllis bulbs are popular holiday gifts. My niece, Carrie Hoffman of Cheektowaga, got one and started charting its amazing growth. The plant can grow 1 1/2 inches a day! Amaryllis gets tall and has huge, trumpet-shaped flowers. It’s quite a spectacular plant. Find out how to care for your…...
No nails needed to make heart-shaped trellis
by Connie Oswald Stofko If you need a slightly larger trellis or just want a slightly different shape, try this heart-shaped trellis. Take two trellises that are curved on the top. Instead of inserting them into the ground straight up, insert one at an angle to the left and the other at an angle to the right. Use a couple of bungee cords to hold them together. You have a heart-shaped trellis. This tip is from Jennifer Guercio of Buffalo,…...
Grants available from Garden Walk Buffalo; deadline is Feb. 15
Applications are now being accepted for Garden Walk Buffalo Marvin Lunenfeld Beautification Grants, named for Garden Walk Buffalo’s founder. These grants have helped fund dozens of garden beautification projects across the West Side of Buffalo for a total of more than $50,000 in the last several years. Completed applications are due Feb. 15. Get a application here or call 716-247-5004 to have one mailed to you. To be eligible, the project has to be in the footprint of Garden Walk…...
Quirky way to add color to your winter garden: Frozen spheres molded inside balloons
by Connie Oswald Stofko If you want to add color to a winter garden, try this easy craft project that even kids can do. The instructions are pretty simple. Take a balloon, squirt some food coloring inside the balloon, then add water the way you would if you were making water balloons during the summer. As you add water, the food coloring will get mixed. Put the balloon outside and let it freeze. When the water is frozen solid, snip…...