Winter Archives - Buffalo-NiagaraGardening.com

Butterfly Pea seeds at Photo courtesy Urban Roots Cooperative Garden Market

Add these seeds to your spring list

by Connie Oswald Stofko Snow is on the ground–still!–but you can make your list of seeds now. Check out Urban Roots Cooperative Garden Market, which is now carrying two especially delightful offerings. “We are excited about these seeds,” said Patti Jablonski-Dopkin, general manager at Urban Roots, 428 Rhode Island St., Buffalo. And don’t forget about seeds for cool weather vegetables. Seed shakers for flowers These seeds “are a mix of annuals, biennials and perennials,” said Jablonski-Dopkin. “Each mix has a…...

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Feb 17, 2026

Dealing with February, plus more gardening tips

by Peggy Koppmann, Master Gardener at Cornell Cooperative Extension in Erie County Forget all that hearts-and-flower stuff in February. Even chocolate can’t erase the fact that February is a cruel month. The snow and gray skies go on forever, snow piles are dirty and ugly, and the groundhog is really not much of a weather forecaster. So cherish those little peeks of sunshine, watch for the snowdrops and hellebores, and remember that what is hidden by the gloom of February…...

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Feb 10, 2026

Winter: A time for rest & getting ahead

a by Eileen K. Sorochty, Master Gardener in Orleans County For any avid gardener, winter is a time of conservation and rehabilitation. I’m glad, in a way, that the toil has ended and I get a bit of rest from all the tasks that feel never-ending. But I’m still drawn to next season’s plan. I’m scouring heritage seed catalogs in an attempt to add some new varieties of veggies. I’m mapping out the new garden addition I started before the…...

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Feb 3, 2026

Brr! How will this frigid cold affect our gardens?

by Connie Oswald Stofko The predictions were worrying, but Western New York didn’t get much of a storm (yay!). Yes, there was a day with constant snowfall, but the snow fell in teeny, tiny flakes. Here in Amherst, even when the snow piled up, we could shovel easily because the snow was granular and very light. There wasn’t much wind, either, which helped. But things are different today. It’s windy, there’s lots of snow and it’s still super cold. (How…...

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Jan 27, 2026

houseplant with shadow in winter copyright Connie Oswald Stofko

Houseplants, wildlife & more from Orleans County Master Gardeners

Here is the newest edition of Digging In, the newsletter published by Master Gardeners of Cornell Cooperative Extension in Orleans County. Your January Garden Checklist a Garden planning Houseplants Birds and wildlife Upcoming events Second annual seed swap The Orleans Community Seed Share is hosting its annual seed swap from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 31 at the Cornell Cooperative Orleans Trolley Building, 12690 Route 31 in Albion. It is free. Take home free seeds for your 2026 garden. Enjoy seed demonstrations and activities…...

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Jan 20, 2026

Let’s look back to this year in WNY gardening. What will 2026 be like?

by Connie Oswald Stofko When you think of this year in gardening, what comes to your mind? If weather is the first thing that comes to mind, you aren’t alone. I asked a few gardening folks in Western New York to look back on 2025, and several brought up the wild weather we had this year. And 2026? No one can foresee the weather, but looking at the plans these people have, other aspects of gardening will be amazing! What…...

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Dec 16, 2025

See you next year!

by Connie Oswald Stofko This is my last edition for 2025. I’m taking a break, but I’ll be back on Jan. 20, 2026 with a new edition of Buffalo-NiagaraGardening.com. Have a happy New Year!…...

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Dec 16, 2025

Learn during winter in online courses

There isn’t much to do outside during winter, but indoors you can learn about horticulture through online courses being held by Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE). These non-degree, online courses bring the expertise and experience of CCE educators to you at home or wherever you learn. There is a fee for each course. Courses include: See the catalog here…....

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Dec 16, 2025

During winter, bring color & scent inside

“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…...

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Dec 9, 2025

Christmas tree farm in Chautauqua County

Caring for fresh Christmas tree; consider buying local

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…...

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Dec 9, 2025