This information is from Cornell Cooperative Extension Master Gardeners in Orleans County. In June, the rush is on to get our gardens in top shape. But with roses, peonies and other plants soon to bloom, it’s also a great time to stop and actually smell the flowers. Scent is an important feature of flowering plants. Because they cannot get up and relocate themselves, plants use scent to attract pollinators and to deter hungry creatures. Researchers at Purdue University say that plants emit…...
Here’s a bonanza of tips that you can use now from the Master Gardeners of Orleans County. Plus, for folks in Orleans County, the Master Gardeners are launching a program to encourage gardeners to support pollinators Save your spring holiday flowers If you received potted flowers this spring, you may be able to keep them going outside in your garden. See this article by Nancy Walker, Master Gardener. What to do in your garden now See the great list of…...
by Connie Oswald Stofko It’s a heady time for gardeners—plant sales and plant exchanges from nonprofit groups are popping up all over Western New York! These plant sales are a great way to find bargains, connect with friends and neighbors and find out what other gardeners in WNY are planting. Some of the plants in the sales come straight from the gardens of the members in the organizations. Since those gardeners have extra plants to share, it’s a good sign…...
“The primrose is one of the very first signs of spring—even before they show up in our gardens,” said Lyn Chimera, Master Gardener in Erie County. “I know spring is coming when the displays of primrose are in the supermarkets. “Given the proper growing conditions, these vigorous plants will multiply each year, adding stunning colors to the spring garden.” Use primrose in garden beds, borders and containers as well as for naturalizing areas in a woodland setting. You can find…...
by Connie Oswald Stofko Five varieties of astilbe, one new groundcover and one new true blue flower. That’s what you’ll see in this article, but there will be many more varieties in the 69-cent perennial sale at Mischler’s Florist and Greenhouses, 118 South Forest Rd., Williamsville. Mark your calendar: The sale will start at 8 a.m. Friday, April 25 and continue while supplies last. Sale hours are: Plants are sold in packs of 4 for $2.76. A list of plant…...
by Connie Oswald Stofko Just when it seemed like winter was gone and we were solidly into spring, I woke up to snowflakes in the air. But we can always rely on the annual Spring Flower Exhibit at the Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens. It’s always warm inside, there are more flowers than you can squeeze into your gardens, and the deer didn’t eat the plants. Find old photos This year is special because the Spring Flower Exhibit is kicking…...
by Connie Oswald Stofko Does part of your yard turn into a pond in spring? Get some tips from the North Tonawanda Botanical Garden Organization. The organization has been working for about five years to rehabilitate a long-neglected park located at 1825 Sweeney St., North Tonawanda, along the Tonawanda Creek portion of the Erie Canal. The group aims to revitalize the native habitat as well as create a scenic destination. The volunteers also help with educational programs and community activities…....
by Connie Oswald Stofko “It was just a makeshift thing,” said Kim Kaiser, talking about the wooden stakes that her husband Seth set up to try to keep deer out. “It was kind of ugly,” she said. “But the fence is too low, so I had to think of something. I could put up a better fence, but I don’t want to disturb the clematis on the fence.” Wooden stakes, the kind you would buy to stake trees, were set…...
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…...
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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