Pests & Weeds

It’s pretty, but invasive– Get rid of lesser celandine

May 7, 2013
It’s pretty, but invasive– Get rid of lesser celandine

Mike Fabrizio, a reader, recently sent along this photo and asked this question: “Just wondering what this weed is called and how to treat it on my lawn. Thanks!” This particular plant has special interest for me because it is growing in my neighborhood. When I first noticed it growing on my neighbor’s lawn...
Read More »

Impatiens are dying; choose alternative shade plants instead

April 9, 2013
Impatiens are dying; choose alternative shade plants instead

For decades, impatiens has been the go-to flower for the shade. But now that a blight is wiping out these wonderful flowers, you’ll have to rethink your plant choices for shady gardens. Some garden centers won’t sell impatiens at all this year, while others will grow a limited supply but will sell them without...
Read More »

Cash prizes offered in photo contest, & more items too good to miss

February 26, 2013
Cash prizes offered in photo contest, & more items too good to miss

Cash prizes offered in Jamestown Audubon Society’s photo contest The Jamestown Audubon Society’s Nature Photography Contest offers prizes in three categories and two divisions. The youth division is for ages 8-18 or still in high school and the adult division  is for ages 18 and over or post-high school. Youth and adult winners in...
Read More »

Act now to keep leaves out of pond & deer from eating bushes

October 15, 2012
Pond Stream Cover Lancaster NY

Now is the time to take steps to keep leaves out of your pond, which will save you lots of time during spring clean-up.  Now is also the time to prevent deer from eating your shrubs in the winter. What can help you with both projects? Netting. Leaf nets for ponds ”As most pond...
Read More »

Keep deer, rabbits & mice away, plus more items too good to miss

October 2, 2012
deer in Western New York from Donna Brok

Keep deer, rabbits, squirrels and mice away with Bounce dryer sheets Use Bounce dryer sheets to keep deer away, says Bob Bracikowski of Opportunities Unlimited in Niagara, who showed us recently how to create a succulent garden. In the vegetable garden at Opportunities Unlimited, everything was being eaten, week after week. “During my lunch...
Read More »

Q&A: roses, black-eyed Susans & sunchokes

September 11, 2012
rose in garden of Helen Waterhouse in Amherst NY

Every so often, I get questions from readers that I can’t answer. That’s no surprise; when it comes to gardening, I am just a hobbyist. I’m able to bring you great information each week because I can interview people who know more than I do. So when I get questions I can’t answer, I...
Read More »

Disease that’s killing impatiens may return for years; no treatment exists

September 4, 2012
impatiens early signs downy mildew disease Margery Daughtrey

If you had problems with your impatiens this year, the good news is that you probably didn’t do anything wrong. The bad news is that your impatiens were probably killed by a fungus-like disease called downy mildew. The disease remains in the soil, so you should plan on planting something different in that spot...
Read More »

Put your garden to bed: Tips from Toronto writer & horticulturist

August 28, 2012
lilac transplant from gardening-enjoyed.com

Labor Day is approaching, the kids are heading back to school and the sun is setting earlier and earlier. Autumn is on its way, but that doesn’t mean that the gardening season is over, according to Toronto garden writer Ken Brown. Brown, a horticulturist who landscaped exhibits at the Toronto Zoo, will be the...
Read More »

Objects picked from trash add beauty to Amherst garden

July 10, 2012
Perennial garden in Amherst NY

Suzi Redino estimates that only 5 to 10 percent of the furniture and decorations in her yard were purchased. The rest were picked out of the garbage. Literally. Suzi specializes in trash to treasure in her interior design business, Cherry Tree Design. Her husband Rick’s family business is a junk yard, R & R...
Read More »

Williamsville yard that has sun & shade makes good use of containers

July 3, 2012
Williamsville yard that has sun & shade makes good use of containers

Container plantings add color to the garden surrounding the backyard patio of Mary Murrett, who shared her gardens at 178 Hirschfield, Williamsville, during the Village of Williamsville Garden Walk on June 30. She has fun designing her containers as she goes along. “I go nuts at the nursery,” Murrett said. “I take one of...
Read More »