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…...
Cozy herb for autumn & winter: rosemary
by Sarah Sorci Rosemary is my most reliable herb to grow on a winter windowsill–no grow light is needed. While my outdoor garden sleeps, rosemary nestles up with me for the coziest months of the year. Cultivation When nighttime temperatures dip below 40 degrees Fahrenheit in the fall, I move the containers indoors to a bright window. When your rosemary is planted in the ground–especially in heavy clay soils–you should avoid overwatering it. Rosemary is native to the Mediterranean; it…...
What to do with worn-out pumpkins
by Connie Oswald Stofko Do you think Halloween monsters are horrible? Here’s something more horrible: throwing a jack-‘o-lantern into the trash! When you’re done with your pumpkin, compost it. You can smash it, too. It’s quite entertaining! Before you place your rotting pumpkin in your compost bin, you need to get it into smaller parts so it will decompose more quickly. You could use a knife, but smashing it on a hard surface is faster, easier and more fun. Remember…...
What should you do with fallen leaves?
by Connie Oswald Stofko What happens when you rake leaves in fall? That’s what Max Ferlauto, a Maryland State entomologist, wanted to find out. In particular, he wanted to explore what happens to insects in the soil, according to this article from the College of Computer, Mathematical & Natural Sciences at the University of Maryland. Ferlauto was one of the researchers who wanted to answer this question: If you remove the leaves from a lawn in autumn, would that reduce…...
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…....
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…...
Diggin In newsletter: resilience
The October edition of Diggin In newsletter includes an essay on resilience in gardening, an introduction into galls and a garden checklist. Diggin In is published by the Master Gardeners in Cornell Cooperative Extension in Orleans County. by Lydia Fernandez, Master Gardener Volunteer As gardeners, one of the most important things we grow is resilience. Season after season, we learn, we adapt and we try again. Whether we see ourselves as optimists or pessimists in life, we are hopeful in…...
It’s time to choose new spring bulbs–and new autumn bulbs!
by Connie Oswald Stofko This is just a sample of the bulbs you can find at Urban Roots Cooperative Garden Market, 428 Rhode Island St., Buffalo. If you’ve never planted bulbs, keep reading–there’s a list of previous articles that you’ll find helpful. But if you’re still stumped, stop in to Urban Roots to get the gardening advice you need. Tulip wildflower mixture (species) These wild tulips (also called species tulips) are shorter than the hybrid tulips you usually see, but…...
Reminder: See how to divide perennials
by Connie Oswald Stofko Learn about all that and more in a previous video with Lyn Chimera of Lessons from Nature. Autumn is a good time to move or divide perennials See the video here…....
Learn the proper way to cut flowers–then arrange them–at Henry’s Gardens
by Connie Oswald Stofko Do you know how to properly cut flowers from a garden? Most people don’t, said Barb Henry, who founded Henry’s Gardens with her husband Martin. People often cut the stem too short, she said. Or they think they are cutting one stem, but they are cutting the entire plant. Or they cut a flower that is already old and won’t look nice for very long. That’s why Henry has created classes to help you learn how…...