Garden tips Archives - Page 9 of 110 - Buffalo-NiagaraGardening.com

How to prepare your trees for storms

Did you have tree damage during Western New York’s summer tornadoes or winter storms? Proper planning and good care can help keep trees healthy, which prevents expensive damage, according the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. September is National Preparedness Month, so this is a good time to review your emergency plans for storms. Tip: If your community is ready to get started with storm mitigation, see the new Storm Mitigation Workbook and Template available now. Trees Start right Plant the…...

Monthly Subscription Membership Required

You must be a Monthly Subscription member to access this content.

Join Now

Already a member? Log in here

Sep 24, 2024

Reminder: Keep watering, weeding & harvesting

by Connie Oswald Stofko I was shocked when I saw the pitiful state of my impatiens. The flowers were limp, the leaves were sagging and the plant looked miserable. I don’t know when I had watered them last, but, obviously, it was too long. I felt bad. Luckily, impatiens spring back fast. I checked back a few hours later and they were perky and happy again. But don’t wait until your plants start wilting to let you know that they…...

Monthly Subscription Membership Required

You must be a Monthly Subscription member to access this content.

Join Now

Already a member? Log in here

Sep 17, 2024

Neem oil can harm beneficial insects; see more in WNY Gardening Matters

Neem oil is used as a pesticide. However, just because neem oil is organic doesn’t mean it is totally safe. It can harm beneficial insects, according to an article in WNY Gardening Matters. “Don’t be confused by the ‘organic’ label,” said writer Lyn Chimera. “Remember—nicotine is also natural.” Read more in “Neem Oil: Friend or Foe?” Other recent articles in WNY Gardening Matters include:…...

Monthly Subscription Membership Required

You must be a Monthly Subscription member to access this content.

Join Now

Already a member? Log in here

Sep 10, 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…...

Monthly Subscription Membership Required

You must be a Monthly Subscription member to access this content.

Join Now

Already a member? Log in here

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…...

Monthly Subscription Membership Required

You must be a Monthly Subscription member to access this content.

Join Now

Already a member? Log in here

Sep 3, 2024

Cottage garden in Lancaster is colorful in three seasons

by Connie Oswald Stofko “My garden has color from spring to fall,” said Elaine Bialecki, founder of the original Elaine’s Flower Shoppe in Depew. What does it look like at this time of the year? Watch the video below, made by Jay Jinge Hu of Williamsville at this time last year. Hu has shared many of his videos with us, and you can see them here. He has also welcomed visitors to his own wonderful garden on Open Gardens. While…...

Monthly Subscription Membership Required

You must be a Monthly Subscription member to access this content.

Join Now

Already a member? Log in here

Aug 27, 2024

annual plants on shelves in North Tonawanda NY

Random gardening tip: plants on shelves

by Connie Oswald Stofko When I visited the gardens of Nancy Townsend (Bachman) in North Tonawanda, I was drawn to what looked like a vertical garden, but the plants were simply set on shelves. I wrote about her landscape back in 2020, but the idea about the shelves didn’t fit into the article about the 360-degree views of her gardens. Since it had been awhile since I had seen her gardens, I gave her a call to see if she…...

Monthly Subscription Membership Required

You must be a Monthly Subscription member to access this content.

Join Now

Already a member? Log in here

Aug 20, 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…....

Monthly Subscription Membership Required

You must be a Monthly Subscription member to access this content.

Join Now

Already a member? Log in here

Aug 20, 2024

Slug traps: Effective & easy to make

by Connie Oswald Stofko “With the rain and high humidity, it’s been a bountiful year for slugs,” said Lyn Chimera of Lessons from Nature. Many gardeners aren’t happy that the slug population has increased; slugs can injure plants by chewing holes in the leaves and stems. (See photos of damage on this page from Cornell College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CASLS). Find more information about dealing with slugs and snails on that page, too.) One way to deal with slugs…...

Monthly Subscription Membership Required

You must be a Monthly Subscription member to access this content.

Join Now

Already a member? Log in here

Aug 13, 2024

Reminder: plant another crop of vegetables, find seed libraries

by Connie Oswald Stofko Second vegetable crop The growing season isn’t over yet. In fact, you can plant a second crop of some herbs and vegetables. It’s called succession planting. In our previous article, Patti Jablonski-Dopkin, general manager at Urban Roots Cooperative Garden Market explains what to plant and when to plant. It’s all spelled out so you know what vegetables you can plant in your area now. Urban Roots has seeds in stock and will get more. Seed libraries connected to public…...

Monthly Subscription Membership Required

You must be a Monthly Subscription member to access this content.

Join Now

Already a member? Log in here

Aug 13, 2024