rows of flowers in cutting garden at Henry's Gardens in Eden NY

Enjoy acres of flowers in bloom at Henry’s cutting gardens

by Connie Oswald Stofko “Bring your children. Bring your mom,” said Barb Henry, referring to the scenic cutting garden at Henry’s Gardens in Eden. “Take a photo out in the field; we’re not charging.” Even professional photographers are welcome; they are just asked to tag Henry’s Gardens on social media. Last year, a man proposed in the cutting garden, said Barb Henry, who founded Henry’s Gardens with her husband Martin. A yoga group also met for a few weeks in…

bumble bee on goldenrod by Stofko

30 x 30: Help conserve land & water by 2030 in New York State

by Connie Oswald Stofko Do you want to help conserve 30 percent of lands and waters by 2030? Learn more and offer your comments on a proposed strategy for New York State. A virtual meeting will be held from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Aug. 15 where you can offer your input. Here are the details: See the draft New York State 30×30 Methodology and Strategies document. You can offer your comments until Aug. 30. See more here. 30 x 30…

painted surface roots on a path in Niagara Falls NY

Random gardening tip: Don’t trip on tree roots

by Connie Oswald Stofko Rick Martinez of Niagara Falls offers this simple gardening tip to prevent tripping on tree roots: “My wife has poor depth perception,” Martinez said, “so I painted the surface roots on the path from our back door to the garage.” Here are two other tips he has shared: Do you have a tip to share with other gardeners in Western New York? Send it to connie@buffaloniagaragardening.com. If you can, attach a photo, too….

Mary's Garden on Garden Walk Buffalo and Open Gardens in Buffalo NY

The big finale: Garden Walk Buffalo!

by Connie Oswald Stofko This is the last week to visit gardens in Western New York, and there are so many to see! First, don’t forget about Open Gardens this Thursday and Friday, your last chance to tour about 100 select gardens this year. You’ll also be able to see Artists in Open Gardens, where visual artists will be creating art in gardens in Alden, Buffalo, Cheektowaga, East Aurora, Eden, Grand Island, Hamburg, Lockport, Tonawanda, West Falls, West Seneca and…

flowers for bouquets at the Market at Graycliff in Deby NY

Market at Graycliff: special fun on Gardeners Night

We’re the proud sponsor of Gardeners Night! by Connie Oswald Stofko The theme for the Market at Graycliff this Thursday is Gardeners Day, and it’s sponsored by Buffalo-NiagaraGardening.com! It takes place from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday, July 25 at Graycliff, 6472 Old Lake Shore Rd., Derby. It’s free to attend. The Market at Graycliff continues 5 to 8 p.m. Thursdays through Aug. 29. The Market is a producer-only market, meaning that the re-selling of items is not permitted. All…

Asian longhorned beetle in pool

Just in case: look for Asian longhorned beetle

by Connie Oswald Stofko The Asian longhorned beetle, an invasive insect, has been a problem in the New York City area. The good news is that it has been eradicated in some of those areas, according to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. We hope that the ALB isn’t in Western New York, but we have to be on the lookout in case it is. It’s important to identify it immediately so we can control its spread and…

Raspberry 'Caroline'

Plant figs, raspberries, blackberries & more from Mischler’s

by Connie Oswald Stofko This isn’t the end of the growing season—or the planting season—in Western New York. In fact, there are new offerings of fruit plants at Mischler’s Florist and Greenhouses, 118 South Forest Rd., Williamsville. You can plant them now and as long as you keep them watered, “They’ll do fine,” said Mark Yadon, vice president at Mischler’s. Tip: When planting these or any perennials, water them properly in the heat of summer, said Jessica Limardi, staff member…

garden on East Side Garden Walk in Buffalo NY

Bumper crop repeated: Seven more garden walks this weekend!

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…

Hippodamia convergens, commonly known as the convergent lady beetle

Learn about ladybugs in the newest issue of the Optimistic Gardener

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)….

Japanese beetle with winsome fly eggs

How to deal with Japanese beetles in Western New York

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…