red poinsettias at Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens

Poinsettias & more at Botanical Gardens

by Connie Oswald Stofko Enjoy the traditional colors of red and green at the annual Poinsettia Exhibit at the Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens. Then–surprise! You’ll also see rows of poinsettias in yellow and pink and peach. The Poinsettia Exhibit is open now from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. through Jan. 4. The cost is included in admission. Special hours: Below are some of the other events being held at the Botanical Gardens. See even more events here. Poinsettias…...

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Nov 25, 2025
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rose in bloom in autumn in Amherst NY

Are your roses still blooming? Enjoy!

by Connie Oswald Stofko On a gloomy day in autumn, it’s wonderful to see a colorful rose in your garden. But if you have already pruned your roses, you’re missing something beautiful. On top of that, autumn isn’t the best time for pruning. You’re better off cutting roses in spring. See more in the article “Should you cut back roses in autumn?”…...

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Nov 18, 2025
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two bees facing each other on flower by Stofko

Share your news on our Events page!

by Connie Oswald Stofko If you want people to come to your plant exchange or hear the speaker at your next meeting, send us the information for that event. On our Events page, we post the information for gardening events in Western New York. If you’re in a nonprofit organization, we’ll post your event for free! The events must be open to the public. If you’re going to have a private meeting in someone’s home or if there’s a holiday party that…...

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Nov 18, 2025
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recycling courtesy rawpixel.com on Freepik

Your opinion: Is recycling a waste of time?

by Connie Oswald Stoko Last week I published an article on “National Recycling Day is Nov. 15: What to do with electronic devices.” EeVeE from Buffalo responded with this comment: “We at Unity Buffalo’s EarthCare Animal Ministry team are considering bringing more ‘recycling awareness’ to our church and community. I am wondering if there is a program where you can have someone come to our church and give an informed guidance on how the process works and how to get…...

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Nov 18, 2025
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Snow November 9 2025 on Stevenson Blvd., Eggertsville NY

Drought, rain & snow in WNY

by Connie Oswald Stofko Drought & rain Good news! We’re almost out of the drought. The announcement came last Wednesday from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). Recent rainfall has improved dry conditions, and all of Western New York is now at the lowest level of drought, called “Drought Watch.” The counties moved from the drier “Drought Warning” to “Drought Watch” are Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, Genesee, Niagara and Orleans. Wyoming County already had been downgraded to…...

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Nov 11, 2025
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taking phot of garden with phone

National Recycling Day is Nov. 15: What to do with electronic devices

by Connie Oswald Stofko If you’re reading this, you’re using an electronic device. At some point that device will be obsolete. What will you do with it then? National Recycling Day is Nov. 15, and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) offers two tips here on how to keep your old equipment out of a landfill. Old cell phones In New York State, you can take your old cell phone to any wireless service provider’s retail store…...

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Nov 11, 2025
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wildflowers by Stofko

How to choose wildflower seeds, plus more tips from Erie Master Gardeners

You may be looking now for “wildflower” seed mixes to sow later in winter, wrote Peggy Koppmann in “This Month in the Garden,” an article in the newest edition of WNY Gardening Matters. Gardeners may look for wildflower seeds to create a meadow that attracts and supports pollinators, said Koppmann, a Master Gardener. But a meadow is complicated and it’s important to choose the right seeds. Purchase only seed mixtures that list the botanical names, she said. That way you…...

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Nov 11, 2025
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drawings of garden tools and leaves

Diggin In: Clean your tools & more

Here is the newest edition of Diggin In, the newsletter published by the Master Gardeners of Cornell Cooperative Extension in Orleans County. Articles for November Clean Up in the Toolroom by Nancy Walker, Master Gardener Volunteer November Garden Checklist: A Little More Time to Plant, by Lydia Fernandez, Master Gardener Volunteer You can have a mission, too by Lydia Fernandez, Master Gardener Volunteer When Julia Bender decided to join the Master Gardener Program in 2024, she came with the specific…...

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Nov 4, 2025
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homegrown flowers in centerpiece at Mischler's Florist and Greenhouses in Williamsville NUY

Get homegrown flowers for Thanksgiving at Mischler’s

by Connie Oswald Stofko If you want fresh flowers–very fresh flowers–stop in to Mischler’s Florist and Greenhouses in Williamsville. Mischler’s grows many of their flowers right in their greenhouses, then cut the flowers fresh. “I don’t think anyone else in Western New York is doing this,” said Mark Yadon, vice president at Mischler’s. While Mischler’s still buys some flowers, “we’re trying to grow more here,” he noted. The floral staff is always working on new arrangements, such as the new…...

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Nov 4, 2025
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orchid show at Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens

Enjoy hundreds of flowers at Orchid Show this weekend

The Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens and the Niagara Frontier Orchid Society will host their popular biannual Orchid Show on Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 8 and 9. Times are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday. The show will feature hundreds of exotic and award-winning orchids, expert orchid growers and sellers, as well as other orchid vendors. Exhibitors at the Orchid Show include members of the Niagara Frontier Orchid Society. You will have the opportunity to see hundreds of exotic and award-winning orchids from expert growers, and you can shop…...

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Nov 4, 2025
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