by Connie Oswald Stofko A month ago, I published Lesser celandine is back: What to do if it’s already out of control, but I still keep getting questions from readers. I also have gotten comments on that article and previous lesser celandine articles about how bad the situation has become on their property. Let’s address some of these issues. You can’t apply herbicide once the plant has flowered. Why? Here’s the answer from Andrea Locke, coordinator of WNY PRISM (Partnership for Regional…...
by Connie Oswald Stofko We talked about No Mow May in an article last year. The idea is to take a break from mowing your lawn until the end of May. That way, you’re allowing plants in your lawn to flower, providing early food for bees and other pollinators. “But it’s just a starting point,” said Matthew Shepherd, director of Outreach & Education at the Xerces Society. “We want to see landscapes transformed. We want lawns that are less manicured, where…...
Why should you prune? What do the terms “greens” and “browns” mean for composting? Those are just two of the topics in the newest edition of The Optimistic Gardener, the local horticulture newsletter for Cattaraugus and Chautauqua Counties. It is produced by the Master Gardeners of Cornell Cooperative Extension in those counties. Find the newsletter on the gardening page of Cornell Cooperative Extension in Chautauqua (on the lefthand side) and in Cattaraugus (on the righthand side)…....
The 2023 North Tonawanda Garden Walk is looking for sponsors as well as for gardeners to share their landscapes. The sponsorship deadline is Monday, June 5. Sponsorship applications are available here. To share your garden, you must be within the drawn city borders. There’s a focus on the downtown and Sweeney Estate historic districts. There is no judging of spaces; gardens of all types are welcome. Organizers encourage gardeners to get a neighbor to sign up, too, because gardens that…...
by Connie Oswald Stofko Shady areas can be a challenge for gardeners, and if the shady area is dry, that’s even more difficult. If you have an area like that, try planting lamium. “It’s drought tolerant,” said Mark Yadon, vice president at Mischler’s Florist and Greenhouses. “It grows in dry shade areas. That’s a hard thing to find.” What’s even better is that you can buy it during the 69-cent Perennial Sale at Mischler’s, 118 South Forest Rd., Williamsville. The…...
by Connie Oswald Stofko It looks like we will have a week of warm spring weather in Western New York! It’s a great time to get outside and enjoy some gardening tasks. But don’t get ahead of yourself–some tasks should wait a little longer. See what’s happening in your yard See what plants have started to grow. Pick up any trash that blew into your yard. Look for damage from rabbits, deer or moles and voles. Check for winter storm damage. Some things you…...
The East Side Garden Walk is looking for gardeners to share their landscapes. The deadline to sign up is May 15. Register online at EastSideGardenWalk.com. These free, self-guided garden tours will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, July 22 & 23. Your garden does not need to be perfect; no one’s garden ever is. If you have a garden in the footprint of East Side Garden Walk, you’re welcome to participate. Looking for tips to enhance your…...
by Connie Oswald Stofko She was known as the greatest garden maker in America. Ellen Biddle Shipman “trained herself in her own garden for 15 years, which so many of us can identify with,” said Rebecca Allan, garden designer. By 1910, Shipman was becoming prominent as a landscape designer—in a field dominated by men—and made an impact throughout her 40-year career. “She broke barriers to become a successful garden designer,” Allan said, “and she was a mentor to a younger…...
Lewiston GardenFest is looking for vendors for this year’s event, as well as for residents interested in showcasing their own gardens. The event, presented by the Lewiston Garden Club, will be held Saturday, June 17 and Sunday, June 18 along Center Street in Lewiston. The event also includes a variety of speakers and Master Gardeners on hand to answer questions throughout the weekend, garden-themed craft activities for children, and a container garden contest open to the public. Proceeds from Lewiston…...
by Connie Oswald Stofko I’m so happy to announce the three lucky winners in the prize drawing held by Buffalo-NiagaraGardening.com! They are: They each get a prize package worth about $450! Everyone who was subscribed to Buffalo-NiagaraGardening.com by March 21 was entered into the drawing. That includes gardeners who subscribed years ago as well as new subscribers. Thank you new subscribers! And thank you, loyal readers! I also want to thank our wonderful sponsors who supplied the prizes for our…...