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…...
Two native species of trees, sassafras and spicebush, are at risk of an invasive fungal disease called laurel wilt. The disease has been detected on Long Island. It’s the first detection of the disease in New York State. Note: Mountain laurel, despite its name, is not in the same family and isn’t impacted by the disease. Also, spicebush is relatively small; it can be grouped as a shrub or as a small tree. The groups working on this are: Why we don’t want…...
“Trees for the Future” is the theme of the 2026 Arbor Day poster contest in New York State. The 2026 theme expresses connections between people and trees, the importance of planting trees for future generations, and the role of trees in providing resilience in a changing climate. “Trees are powerful allies in building resilient communities, ecosystems, and a healthier future,” said Amanda Lefton, commissioner of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). “As we work together towards our goal…...
The first signs of colorful leaves are here in Western New York! The first I LOVE NY Fall Foliage Report came out last week. Salamanca, in the Chautauqua-Allegheny group, had the most significant foliage change in Western New York. A new report will come out on Wednesday (Sept. 17). The I LOVE NY Fall Foliage Report relies on more than 90 volunteer field observers to let us know when leaves start to change color and when they will be at…...
As autumn settles in, it’s tempting to focus solely on the checklist—deadheading, mulching, putting beds to rest. But before we rush into end-of-season tasks, consider taking a different approach this month. Step into your garden not as a worker, but as an observer. Notice the subtle shift in light, the way seeds have scattered in unexpected places, the quiet persistence of late bloomers. Your garden has been telling stories all season long. This month, let’s slow down enough to listen. —From…...
Was your house roasting during the 80- and 90-degree days? Did your energy bill go sky high? Take this tip from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation: Plant a tree. Once it grows tall enough, a tree placed on the west or northwest side of a house can provide critical shade during the hottest times of day. This lowers the temperature inside the house and can reduce your cooling bill by up to 35 percent! To bring energy savings…...
The good news is that we haven’t seen an Asian longhorned beetle (ALB) in Western New York. The bad news is that this invasive insect kills maples and other broad-leafed trees. That’s not good for our street trees–or for our forests. And it could wipe out the maple industry. The good news is that you can help by watching for the ALB; it’s active now. This quick video gives you the high points. Get a fact sheet with photos here…....
These articles come from the Master Gardeners of Cornell Cooperative Extension in Orleans County. by Lydia Fernandez and Julia Bender August gardens can feel overwhelming. Everything’s either thriving or dying, weeds are winning battles you thought you’d won, and half your plans have gone sideways. The tomatoes are finally coming in, but the lettuce bolted weeks ago, and don’t even mention the aphids. This late-summer fatigue is real, and it hits most of us. But it’s not failure—it’s just August…....
Oak wilt is a disease that can kill both red and white oak trees, according to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). Symptoms are more noticeable in red oaks, which can die in as little as six weeks after infection. Residents and visitors of Niagara and Erie counties should especially be alert to signs of this disease. Oak wilt was found two years ago in the Ontario municipalities of Niagara Falls, Niagara-on-the-Lake and Springwater. It may be…...
July is the time to take inventory of the blank spaces in your garden, according to Peggy Koppmann in “This Month in the Garden.” That’s one of the articles in the most recent edition of WNY Gardening Matters, produced by the Master Gardeners of Cornell Cooperative Extension in Erie County. “Perhaps a plant has died, or (gasp!), you killed it,” Koppmann said. “Maybe it got eaten by rabbits or it was overwatered or was in the wrong place. Maybe it was…...
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