by Connie Oswald Stofko You may have seen damage to your plants recently and not known what was causing the damage. Here are two possibilities: gypsy moth caterpillar and fourlined plant bug. The worst is over for this year, but you should be on the lookout for them next year. Below is some general information on Gypsy moth caterpillars and fourlined plant bugs. If you have more questions about damage to plants or if you want an identification of an…...
The Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens is holding a variety of new online art classes beginning today, Tuesday, July 21. There are watercolor classes for all skill levels, including a foundational level for beginners with little to no experience, a beginner level for those looking to learn more techniques, an intermediate level for those with more experience, and an advanced masters class for those looking to fine tune their skills. The classes will be held online via Zoom. All classes are suitable for anyone…...
by Connie Oswald Stofko You can harvest vegetables and herbs into the fall–and even winter–when you plant cool weather vegetables at this time of year. Unlike plants such as tomatoes and peppers that need warm weather to thrive, cool weather vegetables are plants that actually like the cooler temperatures. Some can tolerate temperatures as low as 20 degrees Fahrenheit. See the table below for more than 20 herbs and vegetables you can still plant this year. “Many experienced gardeners, not…...
by Connie Oswald Stofko Don’t hurry to plant shrubs in Western New York. That’s one tip from Jen Weber, vice president and manager of Mike Weber Greenhouses, 42 French Rd., West Seneca. We’ll give you more details on when to plant shrubs, as well as a suggestion for a tried-and-true shrub and a couple of shrubs that may be new to you. When to plant shrubs When people lose shrubs, it’s usually because they planted too early. “Wait until Father’s Day,”…...
Walk through lovely landscapes during Open Gardens in July. These are selected gardens that you can visit on Thursdays and Fridays at certain times and dates. The gardens are clustered in 12 geographic areas that you can visit over the course of five weeks. To get all the information, you need an Open Gardens guide. There are three ways to get the guide: Purchase one online here ($20 donation). Buy the Open Gardens smartphone app ($4.99). It has GPS, maps, photos and…...
“We are getting reports from some gardeners that Japanese beetles are showing up now,” said John Farfaglia, extension educator with Cornell Cooperative Extension in Niagara County. The Japanese beetle, which is native to Japan, is a highly destructive plant pest here. In Japan, natural predators keep the population in check. Hand picking works well in small gardens but must be repeated frequently, Farfaglia said. Neem oil is also an option for control. See more details in our previous article here. Also…...
by Connie Oswald Stofko Remember that snow we got in May? We couldn’t wait for sunny, summer weather in Western New York. Well, it’s here– in full force! Let’s look at some ways you can keep your garden–and yourself– healthy and happy during this summer heat. Water your plants “Watering is number one on the list for this week,” said John Farfaglia, extension educator with Cornell Cooperative Extension in Niagara County. “In this heat, water loss from evaporation from the soil…...
by Connie Oswald Stofko Finally! We can visit wonderful landscapes on several garden walks this weekend. Please be good to the folks you may meet on the garden walks–your fellow visitors and the generous folks who are opening up their gardens to you– by always using safety etiquette. Keep six feet away from others. Wearing a mask is a good idea, too, even though you’re outside. Try not to touch things in the yards. Take a bottle of hand sanitizer…...
Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens will reopen to the public on July 15, with early access to members on Wednesday, July 8. The reopening plan is organized into three phases: Phase One: Initial, many restrictions Phase Two: Modified, some restrictions lifted Phase Three: New Normal operations. Pre-purchased e-tickets are recommended for the foreseeable future. Phase One Phase One of opening is planned to run for four weeks. The first week, starting Wednesday, July 8, is open to members only. Members will…...
Garden Walk Buffalo and the East Side Garden Walk are sharing gardens differently in 2020 with a program called Garden Views. Activities will happen every day in July and will include strolling by front yard gardens, seeing backyard gardens on video, hearing live gardening experts and hearing garden stories. Below is the schedule. As soon as we get times for the various activities, we will update this article and our Events page. Wednesdays/ONLINE: Garden Stories See weekly features from the Buffalo…...