One way to keep mosquitoes from biting you is by keeping them out of your yard in the first place. The most common mosquito in New York State is Culex pipiens, which has a very small territory. It usually stays within 300 feet of its breeding site, according to this page on mosquitoes from New York State Integrated Pest Management (NYS IPM). If you and your Western New York neighbors make sure there are no breeding sites, everyone can have a…...
The Amherst Garden Walk is looking for gardeners to share their landscapes. The deadline to sign up is Saturday, June 17. See the registration form here. The organizers are looking for gardens of all sizes and shapes, and designed by amateurs or professionals. The walk will take place 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, July 8 and 9. For more information, contact Darryl Moden or Chuck Hidy at 716-839-0018…....
by Connie Oswald Stofko “Plugs are a soil-filled fabric tube planted with one or more cuttings,” explained Jen Weber, vice president and manager of Mike Weber Greenhouses, 42 French Rd., West Seneca. The fabric acts as the container for the plant. Regular plugs have one plant. Combo plugs have three types of plants together in one plug. “The combos are great if you have trouble getting inspiration or aren’t sure what color combinations work well,” she said. Buying plant plugs has…...
The Western New York Iris Society will hold its Iris and Perennial Flower Show from 1-4 p.m. Saturday, June 3 at at the Julia B. Reinstein Library, 1030 Losson Rd., Cheektowaga. Anyone can enter to win ribbons and awards. Irises & perennials To enter irises and perennials: People who want to enter plants in the show should be at the Reinstein Library by 9 a.m. Judging will occur from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Design People can make reservations to make a…...
Time is running out to add your garden to Garden Walk Buffalo, America’s largest garden tour. The deadline to sign up is Monday, May 15. Sign up here. Anyone who has a garden in the footprint of Garden Walk Buffalo can participate. Your garden does not need to be perfect; no one’s ever is. There are no fancy garden criteria–no site visits, no judging, no entry fees, nothing– all you have to do is be proud of your little spot…...
by Connie Oswald Stofko Lilies, gladiolus and dahlias are just three of the stunning flowers in a group of plants referred to as summer bulbs. Patti Jablonski-Dopkin, general manager of Urban Roots Cooperative Garden Market, gives us an overview of summer bulbs and how you can use them in your Western New York garden. Urban Roots, located at 428 Rhode Island St., Buffalo, offers a variety of summer bulbs. Don’t confuse these with spring bulbs (such as crocus, hyacinth and tulips)…....
by Connie Oswald Stofko Many nonprofit organizations are holding plant sales in the coming days and weeks throughout Western New York. More sales or plant exchanges may be added; check our Events page for the latest on gardening activities. African violet show & sale, Amherst The African Violet & Gesneriad Society of WNY will present Meteorological Violets and Gesneriads on Saturday and Sunday, May 6 and 7 at the John James Audubon Library, 350 John James Audubon Parkway, Amherst. Times are noon…...
Update: You can watch a recording of the talk here. Tony Hiss, one of the most important conservation writers working today, will discuss his seminal book Rescuing the Planet: Protecting Half the Land to Heal the Earth. The talk will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday, May 25 at the Montante Cultural Center at Canisius College, 2001 Main St., Buffalo. The event is being held by the Western New York Land Conservancy. Hiss is a world-renowned author and one of the strongest advocates…...
by Connie Oswald Stofko Start planning for summer by getting the booklet that gives you all the details for Tours of Open Gardens. These 100 beautiful gardens are open for free on Thursdays and Fridays in July–and there are no crowds! Most of the gardens are generous in size and can be found across Erie and Niagara Counties. To find out where the gardens are located and when they are open, you need the booklet. You can order the booklet…...
by Connie Oswald Stofko There seems to be confusion over which home gardeners can legally plant cannabis in Western New York. Right now only people that have their medical cannabis card from their practitioner can grow cannabis, said Melissa Moore, co-coordinator of the Horticulture Program and instructor of Cannabis at Niagara County Community College (NCCC). Those people can grow up to six plants per person, and a total of 12 plants per residence. People without a medical card are not…...