by Connie Oswald Stofko How many times have you looked at a landscape on Garden Walk Buffalo and thought, “Oh, my yard doesn’t look anything like this!” Well, their yards didn’t start out like that, either. See photos—before and after—of some of the most visited landscapes on Garden Walk Buffalo. You’ll find the photos and more in Garden Walk at 30, a commemorative magazine to celebrate the event’s three decades of changing the world through gardening. You can buy Garden…
by Connie Oswald Stofko There’s a heat advisory for Western New York through Thursday, according to the National Weather Service. (There might also be thunderstorms and damaging winds, so watch the forecast in your area.) What do high temperatures mean for your garden–and for yourself? Protect your garden in heat wave Watering is a high priority for your garden during a heat wave. High temperatures will quickly dry out the soil, so it’s important to keep watering your plants. Which…
Transform your garden with one-of-a-kind pieces from over 75 vendors during the The Garden Art Sale on the Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens front lawn, 2655 South Park Ave., Buffalo. It will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, June 29 and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, June 30. Admission is free; no tickets or reservations are required. There is an unprecedented lineup of artisans and vendors this year—more than 30 new ones! See nature-themed artworks in mediums including sculpture, metalwork, paintings, woodwork, architectural remnants, found art, ceramics…
Did you paint a fence or garage? Did you coat a deck? What will you do with the leftovers? Paint products can harm the environment if not managed properly and there have been few options for reuse or recycling, according to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). Now there’s a network of paint retailers, local government facilities and reuse stores where you can drop off your leftovers. It’s provided by New York State’s Paint Stewardship Program. The DEC oversees…
If you want fragrant roses in your garden, what variety should you choose? Find out at the annual Rose Show to be held by the Western New York Rose Society from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, June 15 at the Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens, 2655 South Park Ave., Buffalo. The Rose Show is included in admission. Enter the front doors of the conservatory to pay, then exit through the back door and walk to the Administration Building…
The first garden walk of the season, the Lewiston GardenFest, will be held take place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, June 15 and Sunday, June 16 along Center Street in Lewiston. The event is held by the Lewiston Garden Club. “Part of the fun is that we offer plenty of ideas, no matter what level of gardener you may be,” said Mary Ann Yates, Lewiston GardenFest chair. “Gain inspiration from our open gardens and speakers, find the right plant for your front porch, or accentuate…
by Connie Oswald Stofko The bad news: Giant hogweed is a nasty invasive plant that can cause severe burns on your skin if you touch it. The good news: In many areas of New York State, giant hogweed has been eradicated. The bad news: Western New York has the most giant hogweed in the state. The good news: If giant hogweed is on your property, you can get advice on what you should do. Even better, staff from the Department…
by Connie Oswald Stofko Jen and Joe Weber moved their family into their new home three years ago. When they got there, they found that the previous owners had planted bishop’s weed (also called goutweed), a nasty, very aggressive plant that spreads easily and is hard to get rid of. The bishop’s weed is still there, stretching 66 feet along one side of the house. Other projects, such as fixing “the path to nowhere,” haven’t been started yet, either, and…
by Connie Oswald Stofko Check out the new website for the Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens. It’s easier to find what you’re looking for—and you may find things you hadn’t even heard about before. For instance, did you know that the Botanical Gardens has a Farm Garden that provides more than 13,000 servings annually of fresh produce to Gerard Place in East Buffalo? (Here’s some recent news about the Farm Garden: It was awarded financial support from the U.S….
A special event, Gather in the Garden, will mark the 30th anniversary of Garden Walk Buffalo on the summer solstice from 5:30-8 p.m. Thursday, June 20. Guests will gather in the garden designed by Ellen Biddle Shipman, known as the greatest garden designer in America in the first half of the last century, at the Forman Mansion, 77 Oakland Place, Buffalo. (Parking is available along both sides of Oakland Place.) Tickets are $125 per guest. Buy tickets here. For more…