by Connie Oswald Stofko “This year seems to have been running ahead of schedule from the beginning,” said John Farfaglia, extension educator with Cornell Cooperative Extension in Niagara County. “We had a mild winter, early spring and and early summer.” And summer has been hot! What does this mean for our gardens now? Tomatoes and other food plants With the higher temperatures we’ve had, your tomato plants and other vegetable plants may have started fruiting earlier than usual, Farfaglia said….
by Connie Oswald Stofko The annual Hosta, Daylily & Iris Sale will be held will from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 10 at the Lake Erie Italian Club, 3200 South Park Ave., Buffalo. It’s suggested that you arrive early; the plants often sell out fast. Admission to the sale is free. The sale is hosted by the Western New York Hosta Society, Buffalo Area Daylily Society and Buffalo Iris Society. Hundreds of daylilies, hostas and irises will be for sale. Members of the societies…
Two Western New Yorkers will receive statewide honors from the New York State Nursery and Landscape Association (NYSNLA). Steven S. Sypniewski, Lifetime CNLP, will receive the CNLP of the Year Award. Carolyn A. Stanko, CNLP, will receive the President’s Award. They are both members of PLANT WNY, the Western New York trade association for the professional landscape and nursery trades. They will receive their honors on Aug. 21, the opening day at the Great New York State Fair. The awards…
by Connie Oswald Stofko “Bring your children. Bring your mom,” said Barb Henry, referring to the scenic cutting garden at Henry’s Gardens in Eden. “Take a photo out in the field; we’re not charging.” Even professional photographers are welcome; they are just asked to tag Henry’s Gardens on social media. Last year, a man proposed in the cutting garden, said Barb Henry, who founded Henry’s Gardens with her husband Martin. A yoga group also met for a few weeks in…
by Connie Oswald Stofko Do you want to help conserve 30 percent of lands and waters by 2030? Learn more and offer your comments on a proposed strategy for New York State. A virtual meeting will be held from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Aug. 15 where you can offer your input. Here are the details: See the draft New York State 30×30 Methodology and Strategies document. You can offer your comments until Aug. 30. See more here. 30 x 30…
by Connie Oswald Stofko Rick Martinez of Niagara Falls offers this simple gardening tip to prevent tripping on tree roots: “My wife has poor depth perception,” Martinez said, “so I painted the surface roots on the path from our back door to the garage.” Here are two other tips he has shared: Do you have a tip to share with other gardeners in Western New York? Send it to connie@buffaloniagaragardening.com. If you can, attach a photo, too….
by Connie Oswald Stofko This is the last week to visit gardens in Western New York, and there are so many to see! First, don’t forget about Open Gardens this Thursday and Friday, your last chance to tour about 100 select gardens this year. You’ll also be able to see Artists in Open Gardens, where visual artists will be creating art in gardens in Alden, Buffalo, Cheektowaga, East Aurora, Eden, Grand Island, Hamburg, Lockport, Tonawanda, West Falls, West Seneca and…
We’re the proud sponsor of Gardeners Night! by Connie Oswald Stofko The theme for the Market at Graycliff this Thursday is Gardeners Day, and it’s sponsored by Buffalo-NiagaraGardening.com! It takes place from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday, July 25 at Graycliff, 6472 Old Lake Shore Rd., Derby. It’s free to attend. The Market at Graycliff continues 5 to 8 p.m. Thursdays through Aug. 29. The Market is a producer-only market, meaning that the re-selling of items is not permitted. All…
by Connie Oswald Stofko The Asian longhorned beetle, an invasive insect, has been a problem in the New York City area. The good news is that it has been eradicated in some of those areas, according to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. We hope that the ALB isn’t in Western New York, but we have to be on the lookout in case it is. It’s important to identify it immediately so we can control its spread and…
by Connie Oswald Stofko This isn’t the end of the growing season—or the planting season—in Western New York. In fact, there are new offerings of fruit plants at Mischler’s Florist and Greenhouses, 118 South Forest Rd., Williamsville. You can plant them now and as long as you keep them watered, “They’ll do fine,” said Mark Yadon, vice president at Mischler’s. Tip: When planting these or any perennials, water them properly in the heat of summer, said Jessica Limardi, staff member…