Scholarships available for horticulture students The Western New York Nurserymens Association Foundation is now accepting scholarship applications for the Fall 2013 semester and Spring 2014 semester from qualified full-time students enrolled in a degree program and high school students who will further their education in horticulture. For the George O. Adams and Kenneth E. Isaac Scholarship and the WNY State Nurserymens Association Foundation Scholarship, applicants will be considered for two scholarships when submitting one application. In addition, the Toby Martino…...
Tag: Environment
It’s pretty, but invasive– Get rid of lesser celandine
Mike Fabrizio, a reader, recently sent along this photo and asked this question: “Just wondering what this weed is called and how to treat it on my lawn. Thanks!” This particular plant has special interest for me because it is growing in my neighborhood. When I first noticed it growing on my neighbor’s lawn a few years ago, I thought about digging some up and planting it my garden because the flowers are so pretty. But I hesitated– If that…...
Beyond Flowers: New bus tour focuses on the environment
“The National Garden Festival in Buffalo has been known all along for its gardens and beautiful flowers,” said Mary Van Vorst, but she and other organizers have felt that there should be more attention paid to the environment and green movement. That’s why this year you’ll see a new feature as part of the festival: the Beyond Flowers bus tour to be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 3. It’s a little bit different than the other…...
Arboretum needs volunteers & mill stone, plus more news and tips
Arboretum in Amherst needs volunteers, mill stone Volunteers are needed to help maintain the Arboretum at Amherst State Park where woody plants are cultivated for educational and ornamental purposes. The arboretum is located at 400 Mill St., Williamsville, between Main and Sheridan at the site of the former St. Mary’s Convent. Work sessions are scheduled for 9 a.m. to noon on the second and fourth Saturdays of the month from May 11 through Oct. 26. In case of rain, the…...
Rain barrels, bee festival & wildflower series
It’s time to set out your rain barrel or buy a rain barrel If you brought your rain barrel in over the winter, now is a good time to set it out again. And if you don’t have a rain barrel, now is a good time to get one. Not only do rain barrels help the environment, they can provide a convenient source of water in parts of your garden where a hose connected to a tap on the house…...
Impatiens are dying; choose alternative shade plants instead
by Connie Oswald Stofko For decades, impatiens has been the go-to flower for the shade. But now that a blight is wiping out these wonderful flowers, you’ll have to rethink your plant choices for shady gardens. Some garden centers won’t sell impatiens at all this year, while others will grow a limited supply but will sell them without guarantees. Don’t expect to find impatiens at all next year. What should you plant instead? A couple of local events can help…...
Talks coming up on 45 gardening tips, & more great items
Get 45 gardening tips in 45 minutes I will present “45 Gardening Tips in 45 Minutes” at two upcoming events, both of which are open to the public. Monday, April 15: Smallwood Garden Club meeting at 7 p.m. at Forest Elementary School, 250 N. Forest Rd., Williamsville. Monday, April 22: Earth Day talk at 7 p.m. at the North Tonawanda Public Library, 505 Meadow Drive, North Tonawanda. This is a fast-paced presentation– I have to average one tip per minute!…...
Use trash to make vertical garden, plant tags– even furniture!
Items that normally might have been thrown away found new uses in a student exhibit in March at Plantasia, Western New York’s premier garden and landscape show. Aluminum cans became plant tags, coat hangers helped support vining plants and pallets became an A-frame vertical planter and an entire suite of patio furniture! The exhibit was created by students in the horticulture programs at Niagara County Community College (NCCC) and the adult education program at McKinley High School as well as…...
Free plant material available from Plantasia, & more great news
Get free plant material by volunteering at Plantasia; sign up now The Western New York State Nursery & Landscape Association (WNYSNLA) is seeking not-for-profit organizations to participate in a green exchange program. Plant material, such as annuals, trees, shrubs and mulch that is left over from Plantasia will be given to not-for-profit organizations in exchange for a donation of volunteer time at Plantasia, its annual landscape and garden show, which takes place March 21-24 at the Fairgrounds Event Center and…...
Cash prizes offered in photo contest, & more items too good to miss
Cash prizes offered in Jamestown Audubon Society’s photo contest The Jamestown Audubon Society’s Nature Photography Contest offers prizes in three categories and two divisions. The youth division is for ages 8-18 or still in high school and the adult division is for ages 18 and over or post-high school. Youth and adult winners in the categories of landscapes, plants, and wildlife will all receive a $100 cash prize as well as free photo finishing. “Every winner receives a cash prize,”…...