You may be missing emails and not even know it. Every week I eagerly send out the newest issue of Buffalo-NiagaraGardening.com and I’m happy to see people opening and reading the email. But each week I’m also disappointed to see that some readers didn’t get the email at all. Why? Because their mailbox is full. Don’t let this happen to you! Your mailbox could be full without you realizing it. Many people assume that when they place an email in…...
It’s time to plant sunchokes in WNY & I will share some with you
by Connie Oswald Stofko I’m beginning to harvest my sunchokes, which I think are the coolest plants ever, and I’ll give some to anyone who wants to plant them. You can plant them now in Western New York. The only catch is that I don’t want to mail them, so I ask you to arrange to pick them up. If you don’t live near me (I’m in the Eggertsville area of Amherst), you probably work with someone whose cousin lives…...
Question: How should a Hydrangea paniculata ‘Limelight’ tree be pruned?
Here’s a question from a reader: I bought a Hydrangea paniculata ‘Limelight’ tree in the fall of 2012. I pruned it a tiny bit as my goal is to have it grow taller. They say to prune it in late fall or late winter. This year I had a ton of big, heavy blooms, and many of the branches drooped over. I am wondering 2 things: 1) Should I prune back the thinner branches…and, if so, by how much? Will…...
Trip to prestigious Chelsea Flower Show planned for May; get lower rates before Nov. 17
The Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens, in conjunction with Collette Vacations, are arranging a trip called “The Gardens of London,” featuring the Chelsea Flower Show May 17-24, 2014. The Chelsea Flower Show is the most prestigious garden show in all of Great Britain. The royal family attends opening day every year. On this excursion you can: Attend the members-only opening day of the 101st Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Chelsea Flower Show. Explore Hampton Court Palace with its fabulous gardens…...
Now for something totally different: Bike safety video that’s hilarious
by Connie Oswald Stofko This has nothing to do with gardening, but it’s hilarious. My friend Neil Carroll of Nickel City Graphics mentioned that he was producing short videos on road safety for GO Bike Buffalo. I ride my bike places and I would love drivers to be more aware of the rules of the road for bicyclists, so I said I’d help him out by acting in– no, starring in!– in a video. The result, I am told by…...
Grow rose bush from wedding bouquet– or use any roses you get from the florist
by Connie Oswald Stofko A reader came across the story we did awhile back on starting plants from cuttings and left a question in the comments section. “How do I root roses from the florist?” asked Tina Strength. “How do I start them rooting and growing?” This question intrigued me. It never even occurred to me that you might be able to grow a plant from a rose you get in a bouquet from the florist. I turned to David…...
Chrysanthemum Show starts Saturday and runs through Nov. 10 at Buffalo Botanical Gardens
It’s been happening every year for more than a century, and yet the Chrysanthemum Show at the Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens stays fresh and new. See what’s in store this year when the show kicks off Saturday, Oct. 19 and continues through Sunday, Nov. 10 at the Botanical Gardens, 2655 South Park Ave., Buffalo. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at the door. Prices are $9 for adults, $8 for seniors (ages 55…...
Thinking of switching from gardening to farming? Check out info from Cornell
If you enjoy gardening, you might yearn to do what you love and make it into your job. But there’s a lot to know if you want to be a farmer. Whether you want to supplement your income by selling what you grow, you’re dreaming of quitting your day job or you’re already a farmer, you can get help at Cornell University’s website for beginning farmers. Online courses for aspiring, new and experienced farmers are being offered. The courses fill…...
Forest Lawn & Re-Tree WNY seek volunteers to plant trees
Forest Lawn & Re-Tree WNY seek volunteers to plant trees from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Friday and Saturday, Nov. 1 and 2 at Forest Lawn, 1411 Delaware Ave., Buffalo. No experience is necessary; a brief training session will take place each day. Children under age 16 must be accompanied by an adult. During this event, about 300 bare root deciduous hardwood trees will be planted throughout Forest Lawn as part of Forest Lawn’s ongoing efforts to “return the forest…...
Free class at Lockwood’s covers what you should do in garden in October
Don’t prune in autumn. That’s one of the important bits of advice gardening expert Sally Cunningham will share during a free class on “Yard and Garden Care in October (for a Better Spring!)” at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, October 12, at Lockwood’s Greenhouses, 4484 Clark Street, Hamburg. While the class is free, seating is limited, so please call 649-4684 to make a reservation. Whether you maintain a yard or grow vegetables and flowers, the jobs you do now will make a…...