Birds and butterflies Archives - Buffalo-NiagaraGardening.com

houseplant with shadow in winter copyright Connie Oswald Stofko

Houseplants, wildlife & more from Orleans County Master Gardeners

Here is the newest edition of Digging In, the newsletter published by Master Gardeners of Cornell Cooperative Extension in Orleans County. Your January Garden Checklist a Garden planning Houseplants Birds and wildlife Upcoming events Second annual seed swap The Orleans Community Seed Share is hosting its annual seed swap from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 31 at the Cornell Cooperative Orleans Trolley Building, 12690 Route 31 in Albion. It is free. Take home free seeds for your 2026 garden. Enjoy seed demonstrations and activities…

Jan 20, 2026

What gardens teach us in winter: ‘Digging In’ newsletter

Here is the latest edition of Digging In, the newsletter published by Master Gardeners of Cornell Cooperative Extension in Orleans County. What our gardens teach us Our gardens keep teaching, even as winter approaches. It’s harder to see the lessons when everything feels cold and dormant, but they’re there. Consider vernalization — the way many plants, from native perennials to fruit trees to spring bulbs, need to experience winter’s chill before they can bloom. It’s what makes the seeds we plant during winter…

Dec 2, 2025

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…

Nov 4, 2025

Terry Brummett, winner in Celebrity Level drawing, shows her garden

by Connie Oswald Stofko Although this garden isn’t particularly large, it appears spacious because of the many plants and decorative items throughout the area. I had the pleasure to visit the landscape of Terry and Mike Brummett in July. Terry was one of the two winners in our Celebrity Level drawing earlier this year, and I enjoyed what they have created. Tip: If you want a chance of being featured in Buffalo-NiagaraGardening.com next year, sign up for the Celebrity Level….

Oct 14, 2025

WNY Gardening Matters: garlic & more

It’s time to plant garlic, and you can learn more in WNY Gardening Matters, the publication of Cornell Cooperative Extension in Erie County. October planting generally results in bigger and more flavorful bulbs, said Peggy Koppmann in the article “This Month in the Garden.” Garlic needs a long period of cold temperatures, so fall planting gives cloves time to sprout and develop established roots. Read about winter watering, a bird buffet and more in “This Month in the Garden.” Other articles…

Oct 14, 2025

metal benches at Urban Roots Cooperative Garden Market

Create a special garden space with benches & fountains

by Connie Oswald Stofko Take a moment to click on the video below. Relax for seven seconds and enjoy the fountain, the water, the plants and the birds at Urban Roots Collaborative Garden Market. a Wasn’t that soothing? Those fountains and others are available at Urban Roots Cooperative Garden Market, 428 Rhode Island St., Buffalo. Add a bench for a seating area to create a comfortable outdoor space in your landscape, said Patti Jablonski-Dopkin, general manager of Urban Roots. Enjoy the…

Aug 26, 2025

Summer tips from Orleans County Master Gardeners

Here are just three of the many tips in the garden checklist for July from the Master Gardeners of Orleans County. Find lots of details within those tips–and more!–here. Do you have gardening questions? Contact the Master Gardeners in Orleans County here. If you live in a different county and have questions, find your Cornell Cooperative Extension office here….

Jul 1, 2025

Scent of flowers brings us joy, brings pollinators to food

This information is from Cornell Cooperative Extension Master Gardeners in Orleans County. In June, the rush is on to get our gardens in top shape. But with roses, peonies and other plants soon to bloom, it’s also a great time to stop and actually smell the flowers. Scent is an important feature of flowering plants. Because they cannot get up and relocate themselves, plants use scent to attract pollinators and to deter hungry creatures. Researchers at Purdue University say that plants emit…

Jun 3, 2025

Potted flowers & more gardening tips from Orleans County Master Gardeners

Here’s a bonanza of tips that you can use now from the Master Gardeners of Orleans County. Plus, for folks in Orleans County, the Master Gardeners are launching a program to encourage gardeners to support pollinators Save your spring holiday flowers If you received potted flowers this spring, you may be able to keep them going outside in your garden. See this article by Nancy Walker, Master Gardener. What to do in your garden now See the great list of…

May 13, 2025

Indigo bunting bird from Buffalo Audubon Society

Backyard conservation for birds & more at Bird-Friendly Buffalo Symposium

Gardeners can learn how to help birds in our area during an event sponsored by the Buffalo Audubon Society. The Bird-Friendly Buffalo Symposium brings together expert environmentalists and advocates to give local residents practical solutions to help build a city where birds can thrive. The symposium will take place 11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Friday, May 2 at the New York State Center of Excellence in Bioinformatics and Life Sciences, University at Buffalo, 701 Ellicott St., Buffalo. The event is free….

Apr 22, 2025