by Connie Oswald Stofko People from Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Genesee, Orleans and Wyoming counties can now borrow tools from The Tool Library, 5 W. Northrup Place, Buffalo. “It’s a bit of a drive, but somebody could save a couple hundred dollars by borrowing tools,” said Darren Cotton, founder and president of The Tool Library. The Tool Library, a non-profit program that lends tools to people to help them in their gardens and homes, originally served residents in Erie and Niagara…...
No matter where you live, you can attend this series of garden talks with the Master Gardeners of Cornell Cooperative Extension in Genesee County. The gardening-themed programs will be held via Zoom. The classes are free. Pre-registration is required. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing the link to join the program. Scheduled classes are: Noon Thursday, Oct. 1 “Easy Preserving” Learn some quick and easy ways to preserve fall bounty from the garden. The instructor will demonstrate how to safely…...
by Connie Oswald Stofko What does climate change mean for your garden? As the climate continues to change, how will you, as a gardener, keep up with the changes? This is Climate Week, and in this article we’ll bring you some resources to help you understand climate change and adapt as a gardener. Ebook on climate change for gardeners What do you see when you look at your garden? A flower here, a tree there, a butterfly over yonder? Your…...
It’s the first day of autumn and leaves are just beginning to change color in the Ellicottville area, according the most recent Fall Foliage Report produced by ILoveNY.com. Ellicottville is the first place in Western New York to report leaves beginning to change color. Reports are obtained from volunteer field observers and reflect expected color conditions for the coming weekend. Reports are issued every Wednesday afternoon, so tomorrow’s report may reflect more WNY areas where the leaves are changing color…....
If you want to install some native plants in your garden, or if you just want to try something new, check out these upcoming events. See our Events page for even more gardening activities. Plant & seed exchange Sept. 26 Capen Garden Walk will hold a plant and seed exchange from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 26 at University Presbyterian Church, 3330 Main St., Buffalo. It will take place rain or shine. Perennials and seeds will be exchanged at this free…...
by Connie Oswald Stofko Here are some topics from previous issues that may answer a question that has come up for you recently, or may act as a timely reminder. Have you had houseplants outside for the summer? Here is information on how to get rid of bugs before you bring your plants inside. If you want a delightful springtime show of blossoms, plant bulbs now. Find suggestions here on what perennials to plant around tulips to hide the dying…...
by Connie Oswald Stofko I like to have worms in my compost bin to help break down the plant matter that will turn into rich compost. When I harvest my finished (or partly finished) compost from the bottom of my bin, it’s full of worms. I don’t need the worms in my gardens or containers; I’d prefer to keep them in my compost bin, but I don’t want to take the worms out one by one. Here’s a quick way…...
The Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens will hold their Gala at the Gardens virtually this year. You can bid on the silent auction and participate in the basket raffle from 8 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 22 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 24. Preview the items now and sign up to participate. Browse and bid at your convenience on your mobile device on both the virtual silent auction and basket raffle, and receive live text updates on your bids. Bid often! Do you have an item…...
by Connie Oswald Stofko If you want to take cuttings of annuals to take inside for the winter, now is is the time to do it. Cuttings need to be taken while the plants are in their prime, not after they start to fade, said Lyn Chimera of Lessons from Nature. The coleus in the photo can be rooted easily placing the cutting in a glass or small vase of water. Tip: Cut off the leaves on the part of…...
by Connie Oswald Stofko Late blight, which affects tomatoes and potatoes, is present in Chautauqua County and is expected it to be found fairly soon in Cattaraugus County and Pennsylvania, according to the Cornell Cooperative Extension Vegetable Program. Given the current weather patterns, there is real risk that late blight has already traveled on the storm fronts to new places. You may not be upset if you lose a few tomato plants, but this disease spreads easily and can be very…...