This is the time of year when Asian longhorned beetles (ALB) emerge as adults and are most active outside of their host tree. If they have invaded Western New York, this is the time when you would see them. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) wants people to report any sightings of these beetles before they can cause serious damage to our forests and street trees. If you have a pool If you have a pool, you…
by Connie Oswald Stofko No, it’s not too late to plant perennials! In general, you should plant perennials by the middle of September, said Mark Yadon, vice president at Mischler’s Florist and Greenhouses. You want to give the plant enough time to establish roots before the ground freezes. Depending on the winter, you might be able to plant later, but you should be safe if you get your perennials in by the middle of September. Now is a good time…
Late blight was detected in Genesee, Cattaraugus and Allegany counties on Aug. 16, according to Cornell Cooperative Extension in Genesee and Chautauqua counties. It could make its way to other parts of Western New York, too, because it can spread dozens of miles on storm fronts. Late blight is a serious disease that can kill tomato and potato plants in just one week, according to Cornell Cooperative Extension in Chautauqua County. It’s best known for causing the Irish potato famine….
The Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens will host a hosta, daylily and iris sale from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 24 in the administrative building of the Botanical Gardens, 2655 South Park Ave., Buffalo. Admission to the sale is free. Hundreds of daylilies, hostas and irises, labeled and described, will be for sale at reasonable prices. Experts will be on hand to answer plant questions. Get there early; there will be a long line waiting for the doors to open….
by Connie Oswald Stofko Phyllis Lobbins, a Master Gardener from Cheektowaga, had a swing frame that might have gone out to trash, but she came up with a great use for it: She made it into a trellis for her cucumbers and squash. “I used regular garden twine because that was all I had on hand at the time,” Lobbins said, “but I would prefer using nylon string, or something that would not break down as quickly as twine. “I…
We don’t when it could happen, or even if it will happen, but it looks like another stinky corpse flower might bloom in the next several weeks at the Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens. Morticia, the plant that might produce a flower, is on display now. What might be even more interesting is that Fester, another Amorphophallus titanium, has produced an unusual set of five leaves. Fester is also on display. Hours are 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. daily and 10 a.m-9…
You can sign up now to save your spot in the horticulture classes to be held at the Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens, 2655 South Park Ave., Buffalo. The classes will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays in the Administration Building at the Botanical Gardens. You can sign up for an entire series or just one class at a time. You don’t have to take the classes in order. If you complete all the classes in a…
by Connie Oswald Stofko Bringing nature indoors was an aim of Frank Lloyd Wright, the famed architect who designed the Darwin Martin House in Buffalo. Wright wanted the Martin family to be able to enjoy nature even when they were inside. Rather than being an afterthought, the landscape was an integral part of the architectural design. That landscape, designed more than 100 years ago, has now been brought back to life. “We tried to re-create what had been here by…
by Connie Oswald Stofko The pond in the photo the may look overgrown, but all that foliage serves a purpose: It stops herons from eating fish in the pond. In this article, you can also find details on the last garden walk for 2019: the Black Squirrel Home and Garden Walk in Niagara Falls. Stop herons from eating your fish Marcia Panzarella shared her Camden Ave. landscape last week during the Northwest Buffalo Tour of Gardens. She has a pond,…
Is your zucchini going wild? Did you plant more peppers than you can use? Do you have so much garlic you are no longer afraid of vampires? Share your extra harvest with people who will appreciate it. Groups such as Friends of Night People are happy to get fresh, nutritious food to share with the working poor and others who need a little help. Do you know of a food bank or soup kitchen that is looking for fresh food from home…