Erin Grajek president and CEO of Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens

Grajek is new CEO at Botanical Gardens

Erin Grajek has been appointed president and CEO of the Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens. “It’s an honor to have the board’s trust and support as we enter this transformative chapter in the Botanical Gardens’ history,” Grajek said.  “The Botanical Gardens has been a cornerstone of my professional journey and a passion close to my heart. I look forward to continuing our work to inspire, educate and connect this incredible community to our mission.” Grajek served as interim president and…...

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chestnut mushrooms at Urban Roots in Buffalo NY

Easy-to-grow mushroom kits at Urban Roots: delicious crop, fun for winter

“Let me tell you that growing mushrooms from a kit is the easiest thing going,” said Patti Jablonski-Dopkin, general manager at Urban Roots Cooperative Garden Market in Buffalo. “I grew lion’s mane mushrooms last year and got three harvests out of the kit.” You can buy mushroom kits now at Urban Roots, 428 Rhode Island St., Buffalo. Store hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. (Closed on Mondays.) Urban Roots carries two mushroom grow kits from the Nature…...

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daisies and more flowers in Western New York

Now it’s easier to sign up and subscribe!

by Connie Oswald Stofko Starting Jan. 14, I will begin charging for subscriptions to Buffalo-NiagaraGardening.com. Many current readers have already subscribed to the new system—thanks! Some people were trying to subscribe, but got stuck. I and my wonderful technology people have figured out the problem. See below. If you still get stuck, I’m glad to help. Contact me at connie@buffaloniagaragardening.com. Tip: If you haven’t created an account and subscribed on the new system, do it now before you forget. If you…...

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glass bird bath in Amherst NY

Protect your gardens from heavy snow

by Connie Oswald Stofko Snow is coming to Western New York, and heavy snow is expected in the Snow Belt, according to the National Weather Service. It’s time to protect your gardens from heavy snow—you never know if the winds will shift and surprise you. By the way, if heavy snow warnings are surprising you, it’s probably because most of us in Western New York haven’t gotten any snow yet this season. Buffalo has now set the record for the…...

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Princettia 'Sparkling Rose' at Mischler's Florist and Greenhouses in Williamsville NY

Which is your favorite: traditional poinsettia or Princettia?

by Connie Oswald Stofko Traditional poinsettias are still a welcome sight, but “the Princettia variety is becoming more and more popular,” said Mark Yadon, vice president at Mischler’s Florist and Greenhouses, 118 South Forest Rd., Williamsville. “Princettias are compact, mounded plants,” Yadon said. “The flowers are smaller, but more abundant.” A traditional poinsettia has larger flowers, but there are fewer of them. An aside about poinsettia flowers: What we call flower petals on poinsettias aren’t really petals. They’re bracts, which…...

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Thank you for your support!

by Connie Oswald Stofko I appreciate you! You read the articles in Buffalo-NiagaraGardening.com. You tell your friends about the magazine. You leave comments to ask a question, or to answer questions from others. You attend events and learn more about gardening. People smile when they see your garden. In so many ways, you make our small piece of the world a little bit better. I hope you will continue subscribing to Buffalo-NiagaraGardening.com for 2025. Tip: Sign up by Jan. 13…...

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garlic sprouts in autumn in Amherst NY

What to do when the easiest crop—garlic—fizzles

by Connie Oswald Stofko I had a poor garlic crop this year. Instead of large bulbs with separate cloves, I got small bulbs without any separate cloves. I don’t know what I did wrong. For years I have planted garlic with no problems. I think it’s the easiest food plant you can grow. John Farfaglia, extension educator with Cornell Cooperative Extension in Niagara County, concurred. “It’s hard to go wrong with garlic,” he said. Though garlic is usually easy to grow,…...

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morning glory flowers

Morning glories didn’t flower until fall? Give them poor soil

Did your morning glories wait until autumn to bloom? The Master Gardeners in Erie County received calls from people wondering why their morning glories didn’t bloom earlier, said Carol Ann Harlos in “Lessons from the Hotline” in WNY Gardening Matters. One reason the morning glories didn’t bloom earlier might be the soil. The plant likes poor soil. If the soil is rich in nutrients, the plant tends to put energy into leaf growth instead of making flowers. This article also…...

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bumblebee eating on black-eyed Susan

Sign up now for course from Pollinator Partnership

Get scientific know-how through the Pollinator Steward Certification from Pollinator.org. This course is ideal for home gardeners, land managers (large and small), farmers and anyone that wants to do more to support pollinators. Topics include an introduction to the world of pollinators, how they live and thrive, and how we all can help. Details will be provided on habitat creation for pollinators in many landscapes, including parks, rights-of-way, urban gardens and farms. Additional information on pollinator identification and how to…...

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