Environment Archives - Page 4 of 27 - Buffalo-NiagaraGardening.com

goldenrod with grass-carrying wasp, ground yellowjackets and sweat bee in Amherst NY

Beyond milkweed: aim for native plants throughout our growing season

by Connie Oswald Stofko You may already have some milkweed and other native plants in your summer garden. Can you try for a loftier goal? Here’s a suggestion from Kim Eierman, an environmental horticulturist and ecological landscape designer: Have three native plants blooming in your garden at any time throughout our entire growing season. “Pollinators don’t all wake up on the same day,” Eierman said. “What if all you had in your garden was milkweed?” In early spring, when we…...

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Feb 25, 2025

Monarch butterflies could become extinct: See what you can do

by Connie Oswald Stofko In order to protect monarch butterflies, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (FWS) has proposed listing the monarch under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). “This is good news for conservationists and nature lovers,” said Jay Burney, a local conservation activist. The monarch would be listed as threatened, which means it is likely to become endangered within the foreseeable future. (Endangered means a species is in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range.) By…...

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Feb 11, 2025

Moth gardens, hardiness zones and more from Master Gardeners

Master Gardeners in Erie and Orleans counties share tips on moth gardens, what to do in your gardens now, a reminder about hardiness zones and more. Moth gardens Here’s a review on the book Gardening for Moths, a regional guide. The spectacular photos drew her in, but the text is attention grabbing, too, said Lyn Chimera, Master Gardener with Cornell Cooperative Extension in Erie County. Moths are responsible for a tremendous amount of pollination. We think about butterfly gardens, but…...

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Feb 4, 2025

Tree & shrub sales are here; free seedlings for kids!

You can buy tree and shrub seedlings through the state as well as several counties in Western New York. Schools and youth education organizations can get some seedlings for free from New York State. Tree & shrub sales Tips Links to state and county sales NYS Department of Environmental Conservation Cattaraugus County Chautauqua County Erie County Genesee County Niagara County Orleans County Free seedlings for schools, youth organizations Apply online by March 28 to receive 25-50 free seedlings to plant with…...

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Jan 28, 2025

Sign up now for course from Pollinator Partnership

Get scientific know-how through the Pollinator Steward Certification from Pollinator.org. This course is ideal for home gardeners, land managers (large and small), farmers and anyone that wants to do more to support pollinators. Topics include an introduction to the world of pollinators, how they live and thrive, and how we all can help. Details will be provided on habitat creation for pollinators in many landscapes, including parks, rights-of-way, urban gardens and farms. Additional information on pollinator identification and how to…...

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Nov 19, 2024

How does climate change affect WNY gardens?

Our climate is changing, and it’s changing in many different ways, said Stephen Vermette, professor of geography at SUNY Buffalo State University. Some changes are beneficial to gardens in Western New York, but other changes cause problems. Here are some takeaways: a by Stephen Vermette Warming temperatures The air temperatures have been getting warmer since 1965. The graph below shows average annual air temperatures, as reported at the National Weather Service (NWS) station at the Greater Buffalo International Airport in…...

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Nov 12, 2024

swallowtail butterfly in Amherst NY copyright Stofko

Leaf litter isn’t trash—it’s gold!

by Connie Oswald Stofko “One of the craziest things people do is to rake up leaves and put them in a bag,” said Tom Kerr, senior naturalist at Buffalo Audubon Society. “Leaf litter is important, but some people scoop it up and throw it away!” Why you should leave the leaves Remember the food chain in science class? A plant is food for a certain insect, and that insect is food for a bird, and so on. If you took…...

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Oct 29, 2024

elderberries, New Jersey tea and black chokeberries

See the bigger picture of native plants & permaculture

by Connie Oswald Stofko When I think of permaculture, I picture an apple tree in a backyard. If you move away, the apple tree still produces fruit, even though you’re not there. “Permaculture” is permanent agriculture. Learn how permaculture can provide you with food—and help the environment—with talks on “Introduction to Permaculture and Native Plant Communities.” The talks will be presented by Kathy Contrino, a Master Garden in Orleans County and owner of CW Native Plant Farm. She is also…...

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Sep 3, 2024

Report spotted lanternfly in WNY before it spreads

The spotted lanternfly (SLF) is an invasive species that feeds on on 100 different plant species including grapes, hops, maple trees and other woody plants. It could be a problem for your landscape, but it’s an even bigger issue for agriculture, especially in our grape-growing region, and could pose a severe threat to our natural resources. The SLF has been found in Western New York, and we want to get rid of it before it spreads. You can help by reporting any…...

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Sep 3, 2024

sign in Ellicott Creek Park Tonawanda NY about harmful algal bloom HAB

Gardeners: Help prevent harmful algal blooms in Western New York

by Connie Oswald Stofko Algae are important in our creeks, ponds and other waterways in Western New York. But when algae grow out of control—or blooms—that’s a big problem. Harmful algal blooms (HAB) can produce toxins that make fish, pets and people sick. But gardeners can help prevent HABs. Conditions that create harmful algal blooms HABs are happening more often in Western New York as our climate continues to warm and extreme weather events increase, according to Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper…....

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Aug 20, 2024