lavender in Niagara Falls garden

Scent of flowers brings us joy, brings pollinators to food

This information is from Cornell Cooperative Extension Master Gardeners in Orleans County. In June, the rush is on to get our gardens in top shape. But with roses, peonies and other plants soon to bloom, it’s also a great time to stop and actually smell the flowers. Scent is an important feature of flowering plants. Because they cannot get up and relocate themselves, plants use scent to attract pollinators and to deter hungry creatures. Researchers at Purdue University say that plants emit…...

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climate change illustration copyright Stofko

$15.3 million grant for air quality in Medina was cut; Skyven may appeal

Federal actions are having real effects on our environment. Changes in weather, air quality, and other broad environmental shifts impact Western New York. Gardeners, it’s worth paying attention and speaking up. Contacting your representatives is one way to make sure your voice is heard. a Below is a summary from The Daily News Online, which serves Genesee, Orleans and Wyoming counties. Read the entire article here. a A federal grant of $15.3 million for a project to improve air quality…

gardens in different landscapes in Western New York

Tuesday, June 3 was final day to enter drawing for Celebrity Level

by Connie Oswald Stofko Time is running out—this is your final opportunity to be part of our exciting Celebrity Drawing, exclusively for Level 3 Celebrity subscribers! Two lucky winners will be featured on Buffalo-NiagaraGardening.com! I’ll visit your garden, take stunning photos, interview you, and share your story with our readers. It’s your moment to shine in Western New York’s gardening spotlight! Want your garden to be famous? Sign up at the Celebrity Level for just $29.79 for a full year—a small investment for a…

box tree caterpillar

Box tree moth now detected in Chautauqua County

by Connie Oswald Stofko Chautauqua County is now the fourth county in Western New York where the box tree moth has been identified, according to the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets. The other counties where box tree moths have been identified are Niagara, Erie and Orleans. Box tree moths are invasive insects that can quickly damage or kill boxwoods. The other counties in Western New York—Genesee, Wyoming, Cattaraugus and Allegany—haven’t yet detected box tree moths. If you…...

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guide at Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens

Be a garden guide at Botanical Gardens

Learn how to lead guided tours through the beautiful conservatory at the Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens. As a garden guide, you’ll receive all the necessary training to share the history and indoor collections with visitors.  The classes will be held from noon to 2 p.m. Tuesdays starting June 3. Volunteers are expected to attend all four training sessions and commit to leading at least three tours a year. Full attendance at training is required to ensure you’re fully prepared…....

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gardens in different landscapes in Western New York

Last week for Celebrity drawing: will you be in the spotlight?

by Connie Oswald Stofko This is the last week to enter our exciting Celebrity Drawing—an exclusive opportunity for our Level 3 Celebrity subscribers! There will be two lucky winners. Each will be featured in a special article on Buffalo-NiagaraGardening.com! I’ll visit your garden, interview you, take beautiful photos and share your story with our readers. You’ll be a star in Western New York’s gardening scene! Want a shot at garden fame? Sign up at the Celebrity Level for just $29.79…...

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graphics of snow tomato and rain

Don’t rush Mother Nature

by Connie Oswald Stofko You have to watch the weather and can’t rely on dates. If you wanted to plant tender vegetables on Mother’s Day or Memorial Day this year, you’re probably feeling disappointed right now. Many parts of Western New York had frost warnings last night. Even if you didn’t get frost, it was too cool overnight for tender plants, such as tomatoes. “Not just tomatoes, said Patti Jablonski-Dopkin, general manager at Urban Roots Cooperative Garden Market. “I’d be careful of…...

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gardens in different landscapes in Western New York

At the Celebrity Level, you could show your garden to the world

by Connie Oswald Stofko Your garden may not be extravagant, but I bet it’s interesting! You can tell the rest of us all about it if you are one of the two winners in our new Celebrity Drawing. This drawing is an exclusive perk for our paid subscribers at Level 3, the Celebrity Level. If you are a winner, I will come to your home, interview you and take photos, then publish an article about you in Buffalo-NiagaraGardening.com! Do you wish…...

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jars of jelly

Can your preserved food win a ribbon at a fair?

Have you ever wondered if your baked goods or preserved foods could be prize winners at a local or state fair? Find out what it takes to be a winner at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 28 at the Cattaraugus County Cornell Cooperative Extension office, 28 Parkside Dr., Ellicottville. The event is free to attend, but registration is encouraged. Call the CCE office at 716-699-2377 or email cattaraugus@cornell.edu. Janet Tighelaar, who is qualified to teach judging of canning and baking to fair…...

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apples showing cuts to SNAP and other federal cuts to FeedMore WNY

Gardeners: Be a citizen & talk to your representative

UPDATE, MAY 22 The legislation passed 215 to 214 in the House of Representatives. It now goes to the Senate. As written, the bill would: by Connie Oswald Stofko Inflation was high in 2022, so I wrote an article on growing your own vegetables. I also told gardeners how they can share their extra vegetables with FeedMore WNY, which distributes food to hungry people throughout Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie and Niagara counties. There are people throughout Western New York who have…