“Now is the time to make sure to have nature inside your home,” said Patti Jablonski-Dopkin, general manager at Urban Roots Cooperative Garden Market. “We all garden, not only for the pleasure that it brings, but also for the aesthetics and the calm that nature provides. “Simple items can remind us of our colorful, fragrant outdoor world when we find ourselves inside more than outside.” Here are just some of the items that you can find at Urban Roots for yourself or…...
Consider choosing a locally grown and cut Christmas tree this year. “Supporting our local farms is a great way to purchase quality goods and contribute to our local economy,” said Katelyn Walley-Stoll, Farm Business Management Educator with Cornell Cooperative Extension of Chautauqua County’s Agriculture Program. “For every $1 spent on local agricultural products, $2.29 is generated in the community. “Shop local, not only for Christmas trees, but also delicious food gifts, holiday meal supplies and more.” Visit Chautauqua Grown, the local…...
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…...
by Connie Oswald Stofko Decorate outside with a patio pot from Mischler’s Florist and Greenhouses, 118 South Forest Rd., Williamsville. The pots hold a variety of fresh evergreen branches that are decorated with pine cones, a bow and artificial berries. In addition to displaying them on porches and patios, many people remember their departed loved ones by setting patio pots in cemeteries, said Mark Yadon, vice president at Mischler’s. There is no care needed for the patio pots; they will…...
by Connie Oswald Stofko “People love cardinals around Christmas because it reminds them of loved ones,” said Barb Henry, who founded Henry’s Gardens with her husband Martin. And with their showy feathers in snowy weather, it’s not surprising that people look to cardinals as the mascot of winter. You can find cardinals on glass ornaments, in snow globes, on pillows and more at Henry’s Gardens open house to be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. this Saturday, Nov. 29 at Henry’s…...
by Connie Oswald Stofko Enjoy the traditional colors of red and green at the annual Poinsettia Exhibit at the Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens. Then–surprise! You’ll also see rows of poinsettias in yellow and pink and peach. The Poinsettia Exhibit is open now from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. through Jan. 4. The cost is included in admission. Special hours: Below are some of the other events being held at the Botanical Gardens. See even more events here. Poinsettias…...
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…...
by Connie Oswald Stofko To keep at least some of your potted poinsettias looking pretty longer, try this tip from my sister, Sharon Moriarity of Cheektowaga. She was able to start out with many potted poinsettias. On Jan. 6, the end of the Christmas season, her church was taking down the poinsettias, but no one else wanted them. Moriarity was glad to take them home. After a while, some of the “flowers” weren’t doing well. (What we think of as…...
Get ideas for holiday decorations with materials that you already have in your garden. Nancy Walker, Master Gardener trainee with Cornell Cooperative Extension in Orleans County, has compiled tips on using natural materials. Some of the materials she lists are: Read her article here. Tip: You can get the Master Gardens Journal and updates from the Master Gardeners in Orleans County by signing up here. See more holiday ideas here:…...
Stroll through holiday plants and sparkling lights now at the Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens, 2655 South Park Ave., Buffalo. There is a lot to see and do!…...
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