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prize from Urban Roots Cooperative Garden Market in Buffalo NY

Find out who the lucky winners are in our prize drawing

by Connie Oswald Stofko Please help me congratulate the three lucky winners in our recent prize drawing held by Buffalo-NiagaraGardening.com. They are: Elizabeth Girome of Angola Kathleen M. Bielec of Hamburg Shannon Feely of Buffalo The names were drawn at random. Everyone who was subscribed to Buffalo-NiagaraGardening.com by March 22 was entered into the drawing. Even readers who subscribed years ago were included in the drawing. I love my loyal readers, too! I want to thank all my new subscribers– and my…

Apr 19, 2022
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hummingbird at honeysuckle

When to hang hummingbird feeder in Western New York

by Connie Oswald Stofko Hang your hummingbird feeder two weeks before hummingbirds are expected in Western New York. Get more details below as well as tips on attracting hummingbirds to your garden and When to expect hummingbirds in Western New York Hummingbirds will return to Western New York in about mid-May, said Penny Durnin of North Tonawanda, who for many years was moderator of the Hummingbird Forum. (That forum is no longer online.) Hummingbirds could arrive earlier if they get a…

Apr 12, 2022
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dandelion with seeds blowing

Act now on weed seeds, lesser celandine, gypsy (spongy) moths & roses

by Connie Oswald Stofko Some gardening tasks have a small window of opportunity. Here are four things you should do in your garden now. Stop weeds before they pop out of the ground Pre-emergent herbicides stop weeds before they even pop out of the ground– they act on seeds at the germination stage. The optimal time to use pre-emergent herbicides is early in the spring, just before the forsythias bloom or while they are in bloom. Corn gluten meal is…

Apr 12, 2022
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penstemon in Lewiston

Lewiston Gardenfest seeks vendors, gardeners

Lewiston GardenFest is recruiting vendors as well as residents interested in showcasing their gardens. The deadline for vendors is May 1 and the deadline for gardeners is May 15. Vendors Businesses and vendors who sell items related to gardening, horticulture and the outdoors, including nurseries, landscapers, garden artists, and others, are encouraged to apply. Vendor applications are due by May 1 and can be downloaded here. The application fee varies from $125 – $225 based on the size of the…

Apr 12, 2022
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seedlings with seed on bottom

When should you start seeds inside for tender plants in WNY?

by Connie Oswald Stofko Tender plants, such as tomatoes, peppers and some flowers, need warm temperatures to thrive, so you want your seedlings to be ready to transplant ouside when the weather is warm. If you plant your seeds inside too early, the weather might still be too cold to transplant outdoors. When should you plant seeds inside to have the plants ready for your garden at the right time? It depends on what you are planting and where you…

Apr 5, 2022
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poster for Samuel Capen Garden Walk 2021

Cash prizes, poster for Capen Garden Walk offered in art competition

The 2022 Beauty in Our Backyard Gardening Art Competition, produced by the University Heights Arts Association (UHAA), will offer three cash prizes. In addition, the first place winner’s art will be used to create the official poster for the 2022 Samuel P. Capen Garden Walk. The deadline for entries is Saturday, May 7. Artwork, which must be original, may take the form of a painting, photograph, drawing, illustration, digital art or mixed media art.  Artists should keep their artwork clean, simple and easy…

Apr 5, 2022
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Mischler's prize basket in Williamsville NY

Suspense continues in our prize drawing

by Connie Oswald Stofko I still haven’t heard back from a subscriber who was chosen randomly in our prize drawing worth nearly $500. The suspense will continue even longer. When I emailed the deadline for that person to respond, I meant to include the date for last Thursday, but put in the date for this Thursday instead. I’m sorry that my mistake is dragging out the wait! If that person doesn’t respond by Thursday, I will see who is next…

Apr 5, 2022
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fence in Orchard Park NY

Make your garden more welcoming with fences

by Connie Oswald Stofko Fences are usually used to keep things in, like pets, or to keep things out, like rabbits and deer. But fences can also make your landscape more welcoming. Here are two examples from the large Orchard Park landscape of Pat Gurney, who I visited last year during Open Gardens. (See her tips on using annuals and perennials here.) The photo at the beginning of this article shows a long fence between a sunny area and a…

Mar 29, 2022
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pansies in a watering can at Mischler's in Williamsville NY

Get pansies now to brighten outdoor spaces, large & small

by Connie Oswald Stofko Pansies are in bloom now and can add color to your garden, porch or patio. While cold temperatures won’t kill pansies, temperatures in the 20s Fahrenheit can damage the blooms, said Jessica Limardi, who is on the staff at Mischler’s Florist and Greenhouses, 118 South Forest Rd., Williamsville. Nightime temperatures may get that low in the coming week. “Without a good thick blanket of snow, the flowers can get damaged, so pull them close to the…

Mar 29, 2022
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Graycliff in Derby NY looking for volunteers

Volunteers sought to work in historic gardens at Graycliff

Graycliff is recruiting volunteers for its Green Team to help maintain the historic gardens and grounds. No experience is necessary. Graycliff will provide you with the tools and training to feel comfortable in the gardens. You will work with the English Gardener and Graycliff staff. You’ll learn about the historic landscape, designed by famed architect Frank Lloyd Wright and landscape architect Ellen Biddle Shipman, while having fun and helping the nonprofit further its mission.  The Green Team will work on Wednesday mornings….

Mar 29, 2022
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Upcoming Events

Sunday, May 22, 2022 | 9:00 am - 1:00 pm

Pancake breakfast at Draves Arboretum

Location:
Draves Arboretum

Sunday, May 22, 2022 | 10:00 am - 11:30 am

Spring stroll at Penn Dixie

Location:
Penn Dixie Paleontological Outdoor & Education Center