Did you know there are other parts of the country that have only one garden walk for an entire region? Or even no garden walk at all? In Western New York, we had seven garden walks last week. And three before that. And another seven are coming up this weekend! There’s only one problem with all these garden walks: You won’t be able to visit every single garden. Such a nice problem to have! PS: The largest garden tour in…
Ladybugs aren’t bugs at all. They’re beetles. That’s just one thing you’ll learn in the newest edition of the Optimistic Gardener. The publication is produced by the Master Gardeners of Cornell Cooperative Extension in Chautauqua and Cattaraugus counties. Find the newsletter on the gardening page of Cornell Cooperative Extension in Chautauqua County (on the lefthand side) and in Cattaraugus County (on the righthand side)….
by Connie Oswald Stofko It’s the time of year when Western New York gardeners may be finding Japanese beetles in their gardens. If you have Japanese beetles, you will see them; they’re easy to spot. About half an inch long, they’re big enough to see, plus their coloration catches your eye. They are green and copper, and they’re shiney. The damage they do may catch your eye as well. They feed on rose petals— and on about 300 other kinds…
by Connie Oswald Stofko “Your garden is yours, but you’re sharing it with other creatures,” said Laurie Ousley, president of Gardens Buffalo Niagara. That’s the message Conservation Day wants to share with gardeners. “Gardening of any kind, style or size has an impact on our environment,” Ousley said. “What kind of an impact do you want to make?” Conservation Day will be held from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, July 13 at the north end of the Elmwood Village…
There will be seven garden walks this weekend for you to enjoy. Two nighttime tours will also take place: one in Lockport on Friday and the other on the Capen Garden Walk on Saturday. Lockport in Bloom Lockport In Bloom Free walking/driving tour of the gardens and public parks throughout Lockport. Twilight tour: 7-10 p.m. Friday, July 12 Daytime tours: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, July 13 & 14 Maps: Pick up maps here: North Tonawanda Garden Walk North…
by Connie Oswald Stofko “It’s funny that many people think we have a double lot,” said Beth Kreutzer. I thought the same thing when I visited her and her husband Brian, but she said their Cheektowaga lot is the usual suburban size: about 50 feet wide and 100 feet long. Their backyard probably feels so much larger because of how much there is to see. There’s a large koi pond, streams, waterfalls, grass paths, a boardwalk, and lots of shrubs…
This year’s Amherst Garden Walk offers more gardens to see—the Village of Williamsville will also be included. The walk will take place from 10 am to 4 pm on Saturday and Sunday, July 6 and 7. You can get maps at these garden centers: Lincoln Park, Hi Way, Spoths, Arbordale, Badding Bros, Lavocats, Spoths Market, Mischler’s Florist and Greenhouses and George’s. They can also be picked up at 111 Campus Drive West. You can also download maps at the Town…
Free, self-guided tours of a native plant farm will be part of the next meeting of the Western New York Native Plants Collaborative. Anyone may attend. The WNY Native Plants Collaborative will meet at 6 p.m. Wednesday, July 10 at the Gardens at Murder Creek and CW Native Plant Farm, 12288 Tonawanda Creek Rd., Akron. The hosts are Kathy Contrino and Ron Winkelman. The event will include a potluck dinner (bringing food to share is optional). Native plant farm and…
by Connie Oswald Stofko “I hated mowing,” said Peter Nightengale, “and I wanted my yard to look like nobody else’s.” That’s why he got rid of all the lawn in his South Buffalo property. In the front yard, white stones cover an area that used to be grass. There isn’t any lawn in the backyard, either. Even the hellstrip (the area between the sidewalk and street) has no grass—it’s all flowers. You can see this landscape and many others on…
by Connie Oswald Stofko Wednesday, July 3 is the deadline to subscribe to a Summer Vegetable CSA or Cut Flower CSA—or both—from Henry’s Gardens. CSA is short for community-supported agriculture. When you subscribe for a CSA share, you get vegetables or cut flowers every week from Henry’s Gardens during the growing season. The CSA shares are available for pickup only. Summer Vegetable CSA The Summer Vegetable CSA will run for eight weeks, starting Saturday, July 13 and ending Saturday, Aug….