When we think of plant hardiness, we think of hardiness zones. If a plant can’t withstand the cold temperatures in Western New gardens, it’s not hardy in our area. But water– too much or too little– is another factor that determines whether plants will survive here. See more in the article “Plant Hardiness” by Carol Ann Harlos in the latest edition of WNY Gardening Matters, produced by Master Gardeners of Cornell Cooperative Extension in Erie County. Other articles in this…...
by Connie Oswald Stofko Is it the tips and hints for your garden? The inspiring garden photos? Or the fact that everything is geared to Western New York? My readers have told me time again how much they love Buffalo-NiagaraGardening.com. More than one reader has said they can’t wait for Tuesday because that’s the day the newest edition arrives! If you feel the same way, consider becoming a Super Reader. Producing this magazine is a business for me just like…...
by Connie Oswald Stofko Attract fireflies, support pollinators, save yourself some work and have cleaner air. Those are some of the benefits you can reap when you get rid of some of your lawn. Support pollinators Pollinators include butterflies, insects, birds and other animals. To support them, turn a section of your lawn into a garden and include native plants. Native plants are better than non-natives in providing what native pollinators need: nectar, pollen and seeds, according to the New…...
by Connie Oswald Stofko “I don’t have to get down on my hands and knees to water the Christmas tree anymore,” said Rick Martinez of Niagara Falls. If you have a real Christmas tree, you know you have to keep it watered. Here’s a great tip from Martinez that makes watering your Christmas tree a little bit easier. You need a small funnel and four feet of half-inch tubing. Insert the funnel into the tubing. Use zip ties to attach…...
To celebrate its 120th anniversary, the Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens will offer a virtual basket raffle and a three-course to-go meal from Wednesday to Friday, Dec. 2-4. Order tickets online at BGAnniversary.givesmart.com or email events@buffalogardens.com. Call 827-1584, ext. 220 with questions. Virtual basket raffle Purchase your raffle tickets and enter to win on the items of your choice. The raffle baskets were carefully selected and put together by their committee and are just as fabulous as always. Raffle tickets are…...
by Connie Oswald Stofko We can never get enough tips on ways to keep deer from damaging plants. Some of these ideas may work for you and some may not. And even if the technique you’re using does work, it may stop working after a while, so you have to try something new. Here are four new tips on dealing with deer in your garden. Recipe for deer deterrent Michael Sheehan of the Western New York Hosta Society says this…...
by Connie Oswald Stofko “During this Covid pandemic, gardening has been our therapy,” said Marie Wysocki of Hamburg. She and her husband Jerry shared their landscape during Open Gardens. “Weeding is very therapeutic for us. I’m usually a calm person, but if I didn’t have this…” Many gardeners echoed that sentiment this year, and I feel the same way. We were able to get plants, thanks to the folks at our local garden centers who scrambled to create new systems…...
Gardens After Dark: Magical Poinsettias is the first in a new series of lighting exhibits at Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens, 2655 South Park Ave., Buffalo. The Botanical Gardens will be filled with colorful and soft lighting to enhance and showcase the plant collection and the beautiful historic landmark that surrounds it. Various exhibits in the Gardens After Dark series will be held throughout the year. Magical Poinsettias will be held from 5 to 8:30 p.m. on these dates:…...
by Connie Oswald Stofko One way to make Christmas last a little longer is by buying a living Christmas tree. You can decorate it, enjoy it inside, then plant it outside where it will grow for years to come. Living Christmas trees are available now at at Urban Roots Cooperative Garden Market, 428 Rhode Island St. Buffalo. “We have three or four families who come in every year,” said Patti Jablonski-Dopkin, general manager of Urban Roots. “You’d think kids would want…...
by Connie Oswald Stofko I was intrigued by this tip. I have rabbits in my yard, and in the spring they munch on everything, including my rose bushes. But here is a way to use the canes from rose bushes to protect your other plants from hungry rabbits. This tip was shared by a reader named Susan: We had problems with rabbits munching our morning glory vines (or any lovely vine, for that matter). When I trimmed the rose bushes,…...