by Connie Oswald Stofko Slugs chomp on a variety of garden plants, and Western New York’s rainy weather means that some gardeners are battling with an increased population of slugs. What should you do if you have slugs? Well, keep things in perspective. You can reduce the numbers of slugs, but not get rid of them completely. To decrease the number of slugs, slug bait seems to be your best bet. There are two kinds of slug bait. The conventional…...
In 2022, voters passed a $4.2 billion Environmental Bond Act for clean air, clean water and green jobs. What projects will be funded with that $4.2 billion? Don’t leave it up to others; you can have input now. The folks on the Environment Bond Act Listening Tour have been traveling around the state to hear what residents want. If you missed the in-person listening events in Western New York, check out the recording of the virtual event. You will get…...
The elm zigzag sawfly (Aproceros leucopoda), an exotic insect pest, has been found this summer in Allegany County and is spreading rapidly through New York State. The elm zigzag sawfly is an insect that eats only elm leaves and can cause severe defoliation (leaf loss) that threatens tree health. It was first detected in August 2022 in St. Lawrence County in the northern part of New York State. This summer it has been found in Allegany, Ontario, Madison, Ulster, Schenectady,…...
by Connie Oswald Stofko It’s only August, so there is still a lot of gardening you can do in Western New York. Succession planting Succession planting is when you plant and harvest a second crop in one year. There is still time to squeeze in another crop of cool weather vegetables! If you missed planting them in early spring, take advantage of this second chance. In our previous article, Patti Jablonski-Dopkin, general manager at Urban Roots Cooperative Garden Market explains what to plant…...
The Hosta, Daylily & Iris Sale will be held in a new venue this year–the Lake Erie Italian Club, 3200 South Park Ave., Buffalo. It will take place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 12. 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…....
by Lyn Chimera, owner of Lessons from Nature After a busy day, sitting down with a good cup of herbal tea from the garden is one of the joys of my life. I started growing a few mints and was hooked on the amazing taste of fresh mint tea. The freshness makes a huge difference. Every year my first cup of fresh tea is a cause for celebration. Technically, herbal teas are not teas. Tea comes from the tea plant…...
by Connie Oswald Stofko A tall plant with huge leaves can become the focal point in your yard, and banana plants fit that bill. You can find them now –and on sale–at Mischler’s Florist and Greenhouses, 118 South Forest Rd., Williamsville. They include: They come in 6.5-inch pots. They were $19.99 each and are now on sale for $9.99. In addition, any plant in a 6.5-inch pot is now on sale at Mischler’s for $9.99. The sale continues while supplies…...
The Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens’ popular dining event, Courses in the Conservatory, returns for an upscale farm-to-table dining from 5 to 10 p.m. Friday, August 11. Reservations must be made by 11:59 p.m. Friday, August 4. Courses in the Conservatory was introduced in the winter of 2022, and with its great success, is now taking place in the summer to celebrate the harvest season. Guests will have the opportunity to eat and drink their way through the conservatory for…...
by Connie Oswald Stofko “This is the hidden gem everyone wants to see,” said Christina Brown as she showed me the sandstone pond that is original to her house, built in 1916. It may be the only pond like it in our area. “I couldn’t make a pond like this now,” she said. “I couldn’t afford it. The cost of sandstone is ridiculous.” You can visit her landscape on Chatham Avenue during Garden Walk Buffalo, the largest garden tour in…...
A virus new to the United States is striking tomatoes and peppers, according to this article by Beth Mattimore in the newest edition of WNY Gardening Matters, produced by the Master Gardeners of Cornell Cooperative Extension in Erie County. Tomato brown rugose fruit virus (ToBRFV) is spread by tomato seeds. There are no current treatments or sprays that will cure infected plants. Tomato production worldwide is threatened. The virus has been seen in other parts of the world since 2015…....