Upstate Gardeners' Journal March-April 2024

Ear to the ground

Hello, friends!

With this issue I’d like to welcome our new managing editor, Christine Green. Christine is a keen gardener and a talented editor, and I know you will enjoy her work.

You may notice the absence of our usual Almanac feature . . . we are trying something new this year and put the entire almanac in the Directory / Almanac issue that comes out in January of every year. Don’t have a copy of that issue? It’s free to read online at our website, upstategardenersjournal.com.

Speaking of “totally,” if you’re in the area, we hope you enjoy the eclipse on April 8 here in the “Path of Totality.” We can’t wait!

Thanks, as always, for reading.

Hello, gardeners!

When the opportunity to be the next managing editor here at Upstate Gardeners' Journal came up, I was very excited. You see, like you, I am absolutely in love with my garden.

I look at my garden as a room in my house that is locked up all winter. The snow reminds me of crisp white sheets tossed over the furniture in the living room of a closedup mansion. When spring comes, I throw open the doors and “dig” into rearranging, cleaning, and sprucing everything up as I get ready for the season.

I hope this issue inspires you as you prepare for spring gardening the way it has inspired me. I cannot wait for the beautiful days of summer!

SUBSCRIBE! Never miss another issue to our area’s guide to everything gardeners want to know! Get the UGJ delivered to your door six times a year for just $20.00. SAVE! Subscribe for 2 years for $38.00. TO GIVE AS A GIFT, simply check the gift option and add your name. We’ll send a notice and start the subscription.

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ABOVE: Christine Green, left, and Jane Milliman testing out solar eclipse glasses.

UDig NY is the First Step in Your Safe Digging Project

Digging without knowing the approximate location of underground utility lines is dangerous. If you are planning to dig on your property for any reason, UDig NY encourages you to submit a location request online or by calling 811 before digging. Whether you are landscaping, planting a tree, or building a fence, no project that involves digging is too small.

Free Seeds with an Important Message

UDig NY’s Partner Nursery Program

Every spring, UDig NY distributes free wildflower seed packets with a reminder to contact 811 before digging to more than 100 retail location across Upstate New York. Visit UDigNY.org/nursery-program, or scan the QR code below to find a location near you.

Ear to the ground

Gardening around town

By Graciella Dressler

FOLLOW THE WINTER WIZARD!

Want to be a wizard’s apprentice for a couple of days? Monroe County 4-H Youth Development is calling children ages five to nineteen who wish to be a wizard’s apprentice, complete spells from a wizard’s spellbook, and search for the Winter Wizard before the Sorcerer of Spring arrives and melts the winter wizard. Monroe County 4-H will host at least six outdoor challenges for kids and teens to complete in the Monroe County Parks. After completing each challenge, the young apprentice should submit their spell book sheet with photo evidence of completed spells to monroe4h@ cornell.edu, or parents can share photos of each completed spell on social media, tagging @monroe4HonInstagram, or Monroe County 4-H Youth Development Facebook, using the hashtag #followthewinterwizard.

By doing this the wizard apprentices get the chance to win prizes like gift cards to Wegmans, ice rink skate passes, board games, or gift cards from Just Games and gift boxes from Bristol Hills Lavender Farm.

For those who want to get a head start on their spells, Monroe County 4-H will also host two free guided winter walks. For full information including the Follow the Winter Wizard registration link, contact info, and helpful resources visit the Cornell Cooperative Extension website at monroe.cce.cornell.edu. Hard copies of the Spell Book can be found at the CCEMonroe Office, 2449 St. Paul Blvd. The office is open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m.–3 p.m.

MASTER GARDENING 101 & LANDSCAPING EDUCATION

Volunteers will be trained in horticulture and environmentally sound gardening techniques. From there, Master Gardeners will be able to lead programs like pollinator friendly garden certification, seed to supper programs, and many others. Applications are offered biannually and can be found online at: bit.ly/ CCEMG.

The application deadline is June 15, 2024. There is a $200 fee for the training, and partial scholarships are available upon request. The hybrid course will run October 2024 through April 2025. Completed applications may be returned via email to Master Gardener coordinator, Ashly Piedmont, at ap842@cornell.edu or mailed to Cornell Cooperative Extension Monroe County, 2449 St. Paul Blvd., Rochester, NY 14617.

Cornell Cooperative Extension of Monroe County is also recruiting interested students for the 2024 Landscape Technicians Training Program (LTTP). The LTTP has trained hundreds of Rochester-area residents over the courses of the last thirty years. With more than sixty instructors from the landscaping industry, the LTTP gives students the opportunity to explore careers in all aspects of landscaping.

Classes include topics such as plant and soil science, integrated pest management, landscape design, hardscaping, tree service, and entrepreneurship. All participants will receive an OSHA 10 Hour Safety Certification as well as the Basic Horticulture Certification through Cornell Cooperative Extension.

Become a master gardener through the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Monroe County Master Gardener Volunteer Program. This program is all about environmental sustainability and food insecurity.

Classes are held Monday through Friday, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., in the Lower Level of Olmstead Lodge, 170 Reservoir Avenue, Rochester, NY 14620. Tuition is $1000 for the full six-week program, though a variety of scholarship opportunities are available. For more, contact Michael Kincaid at mgk72@cornell.edu or (585) 753-2574.

INSET: Echinacea SUPREME Cantaloupe; photo courtesy Terra Nova Nurseries.

BUILDING BEAUTY IN BUFFALO

Gardens Buffalo Niagara is offering awards up to $1,000 through the Marvin Lunenfeld Beautification Grants. Gardeners are encouraged to draw up projects to help beautify Buffalo neighborhoods. Projects must be visible to the public and bring neighbors together. Money will be awarded based on overall project cost and matching funds from government, private contributions, and volunteer sweat equity. Applications are due by March 15, 2024, and funded projects must be completed by July 15, 2024. For more information and application link go to: GardensBuffaloNiagara.com/ lunenfeld-grants, email grants@gardensbuffaloniagara. com or call (716) 247-5004 with questions.

TERRA NOVA 2024 COLORS OF THE YEAR

Global leader in plant breeding Terra Nova Nurseries announced its 2024 colors of the year plant list. The chosen colors correspond with the five most popular color predictors in North America paired with focus groups and color studies from the top paint brands in North America.

“The colors announced for 2024 showcase the

balance of moody and uplifting color trends we’ve seen since the pandemic,” says Chuck Pavlich, director of new product development with Terra Nova Nurseries.

Terra Nova paired its Lithodora ‘Crystal Blue’ and Brunnera ‘Alexandria’ with C2 Paint’s Thermal, a pale-yet-punchy-baby blue. Terra Nova believes the color in both paint and plant evoke restoration and calming feelings. Another great partner plant for the C2 blues is the Sedum ‘Marina’ and Pulmonaria ‘Moonshine’. Terra Nova has also paired Dutch Boy’s Ironside with Begonia SILVER ‘Lace’. The colors in both are meant to evoke a mysterious yet lovely, dark and earthy undertone. Terra Nova also recommends pairing Ironside with Heuchera LITTLE CUTIES ‘Shimmer’ and Aphelandra NOVA ‘Fuego’ and Heuchera ‘Hollywood’. For more plant and paint pairings visit terranovanurseries.com.

Graciella Dressler is journalism and broadcasting major at SUNY Brockport.

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Moonlight garden meets goth foliage

Reflections on the value of gardening trends

Story and photos by Michelle Sutton

TABOVE: ‘Around Midnight’ iris from the author’s greenand-black garden.

he year is 1996, and my undergrad work-study job is a plum one—editing a gardening newsletter for the Virginia Tech Horticulture Extension office. I am excitedly pitching story ideas to the director. She is supportive even as she casually tosses off, with regard to garden writing, “There’s nothing new under the sun.” She shows me passages in decades-old and even century-plus-old gardening books that were giving more or less the same advice as we were giving to the public. It is enlightening, if also a bit dismaying.

As a young person whose mind was buzzing with all the new plants and landscapes I was being exposed to, I didn’t like to think that all we were doing was recycling

ideas and knowledge. After all, there is unique and original horticultural research underway; there are new plant cultivars being selected and new hybrids being bred all the time; and there are garden memoirs being written and published that are as singular as the people who write them.

At first, I hoped the director was exaggerating about the “nothing new.” But, thirty years later, I better understand what she meant, especially as applies to gardening advice. I see the recycling of advice and fanciful notions most vividly in the framing of annual lists of Gardening Trends.

UNINTENTIONAL TRENDINESS

In the early 2000s, I planted a green-and-black garden in front of the farmhouse apartment I rented. I loved the contrast of black with a whole matrix of green hues. I enjoyed playing with texture within the structure of a dichromatic color palette. It was a fun challenge.

For as long as it lasted, the green-and-black garden was pretty fabulous, even as some plants didn’t make it. The greens were provided by ornamental grasses, sedges, boxwoods, lime-colored nicotiana flowers, golden creeping Jenny (Lysimachia ‘Aurea’), lime-green sedums, ‘Limelight’ hydrangea, and little mounds of a globe-shaped basil in summer. The black components of the garden were, in reality, either a very, very dark red, or a very, very dark purple—but in the right light and at a little distance, they looked black. Dark upright perennial sedum formed the foundation of the dark colors along with a perennial sweet William (Dianthus barbatus) cultivar and an ‘Around Midnight’ iris that was a stunner. I planted black hollyhocks that were really dark red. I tucked in black pansies and dark petunias, which appear to have come a long way since then in terms of approaching true and uninterrupted black. Can you tell I was into it?

I’d like to think I came up with the green-andblack garden theme out of my own creative well, and nowhere else. But as I’ve been ruminating on this story, I’ve remembered that I was influenced by a new grower in our town who was trying out all the latest cultivars. I believe my conversations with her, and buying the plants she produced, surely did influence me. I’m also remembering interviewing a nurseryman outside Ithaca who had a bold approach to color; he loved high contrasts and dark foliage, and I wouldn’t be surprised if his ideas worked their way into my ultimate plan for the green-and-black garden. None of my ideas were truly new.

Dark plants are trendy again, only now they are called “Goth” plants. Iridescent green plants are also in vogue and are framed as “futuristic.” My farmhouse garden of twenty-five years ago was both Goth and futuristic! And, lo and behold, I’ve learned that moneyed Victorians were passionate about, among other trends, all-green gardens or those with lots of dark foliage. Maybe I should be thankful for trends?

Nature kept me from taking my garden’s color theme too seriously. One summer, a giant puffball mushroom (Calvatia gigantea) the size of a bowling bowl rose overnight (seemingly, at least) in my green-and-black garden, like a living garden ornament. The cheek of it! I wish I had the knowledge and confidence to fry that sucker up and savor it while it was still young and edible*. All glowing white, it reappeared several times over the life of the garden, regrowing from mycelium.

*Make sure you get a mycologist to green-light eating any wild mushroom!

TRENDS VS. PLEASURES

I’ve taken a tour through the plant marketing world’s “Gardening Trends of 2024,” and, no surprises there, the “trends” often come with specific, patented plants they recommend you buy to participate in the trend. Marketers are just doing their job—I get that. They have to thread needles like: “There’s a trend toward simplicity . . . now go buy these plants!”

But does anyone else think that couching things like “Planting for Pollinators” and “Getting Rid of Lawns” and “Getting Kids interested in Ecology” as “Garden Trends” is silly, at best? If these forms of hyperlocal environmental stewardship are trends, that means they will be fleeting. I’d rather contemplate lists of “The Pleasures of Nearby Nature.” But I realize that’s not very catchy . . . and may not sell as much product and as many services.

On my dream “Pleasures of Nearby-Nature” list would be things like tracking plant and animal phenol-

BOTTOM: By

TOP: The ‘Black Knight’ pincushion flower (Scabiosa) seen at left in 2003 gave a wispy darkcolored element to the author’s greenand-black garden. It behaved as an annual in this greater Rochester location.

2006, some of the blackflowering plants were petering out . . . but the puffball mushroom was thriving.

ogy for Nature’s Notebook, looking at insects with a hand lens or microscope, learning animal tracks, reducing the amount of noise you make when you’re outside, raising monarch butterflies, doing gentle pruning to encourage good cover and fruit set for birds, building woodpiles for bird cover, learning bird calls and nest types, practicing nature photography, identifying rock types, dividing and sharing plants, removing invasive plants while they’re tiny, mulching with the leaves that the trees around you provide, making compost, and so on.

Because nature is going to have fun with you. In our household, we have a saying: “The woodchuck always wins.” It means I buy kale from farmers; I don’t try to grow it here, because the woodchuck made her position very clear. I’m happier accepting these kinds of realities.

INSET:

Am I officially a curmudgeon now? I can see how I might be perceived that way. After all, I had my era of chasing plants and big showy displays. I had my time looking through glossy magazines and seeking the newest cultivars.

My values and priorities are just different now.

TUNING IN

Garden trends can lead to simple and innocuous pursuits, like growing succulents in a dry place or houseplants in a bright room. Just know that while some trends are becoming more ecology-focused, others are still also trying to get you to spend a lot of money.

When you think about putting in a pond, for example, think through whether the maintenance is going to be fun for you (or whether you can pay someone else to do it). Will you be ok with blue herons eating the fish?

Other questions you might ask of yourself, to save money and heartache: If you have an elaborate hardscape put in, who will weed the plants that come up through the cracks? (Oh my goodness—there will be so many weeds in the cracks.)

If you keep expanding your gardens, can you afford to hire someone if you are laid up or disabled or simply getting older? What kinds of wildlife do you have coming through?

Can you dial in to what will nourish you in your pursuit of gardening? Maybe you have an accelerator personality, like a chickadee, and you want to move fast on your ideas and projects. Or maybe you have a reflective personality, like a cardinal, and you like to observe from the sidelines before you dive in, after the scene has quieted down. You get to proceed at a pace congruent with your nature, with what makes you feel alive, calm, and connected. Trends are not important, unless they are to you.

Michelle Sutton is a horticulturist, writer, and editor.

TOP LEFT: Closeup of the puffball mushroom.

TOP RIGHT: Container gardens are in . . . again!

This adorable toad did not care about the author’s garden color scheme.

SOME ( JUST SOME! ) 2024 GARDENING TRENDS AS SEEN ONLINE

Rewilding

Porchscaping

Edible plants

Purple food plants

Urban gardens

Xeriscaping

Colorful houseplants

Hanging houseplants

Pollinator plants

Engaging kids in gardening

Reducing or getting rid of lawns

Zero-waste gardening

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• WORKSHOPS & EVENTS

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Dark colors

Bright colors

Muted, earthy colors

Peach-colored flowers

Planting for wildlife

Texture

“Wellness” gardens

Gardens to sit in

Exotic fruit

Small fruits

Native plants

Tropical plants

Hydrangeas

Rain gardens

Night/moonlight gardens

Container gardens

Vertical gardens

Local seed sources

Natural ponds

Food forests

Pushing hardiness zones

Chickens

“The

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BUFFALO

REGULAR CLUB MEETINGS

African Violet & Gesneriad Society of WNY meets the third Tuesday of the month, September–August, at 7 p.m., Greenfield Health & Rehab Facility, 5949 Broadway, Lancaster. avgswny@gmail.com

Alden Garden Club meets the second Wednesday of the month (except July and August) at 7 p.m., Alden Community Center, West Main St., Alden. New members and guests welcome. Plant sale each May. 716-937-7924

Amana Garden Club meets the second Wednesday of the month (except January) at Ebenezer United Church of Christ, 630 Main St., West Seneca. Visitors welcome. 716-844-8543, singtoo@aol.com

Amherst Garden Club meets the fourth Wednesday of the month (except December, March, July, and August) at 10a.m., St. John’s Lutheran Church, Main St., Williamsville. New members and guests welcome. 716-836-5397

Bowmansville Garden Club meets the first Monday of the month (except June, July, August, and December) at 7 p.m., Bowmansville Fire Hall, 36 Main St., Bowmansville. New members and guests welcome. For more information, 716-361-8325.

Buffalo Area Daylily Society. East Aurora Senior Center, 101 King St., East Aurora. The society is a friendly group who get together to enjoy daylilies. Plant Sales, May, and August. Open gardens, June–August. Facebook.

Buffalo Bonsai Society meets every second Saturday at 1 p.m. at ECC North Campus, STEM Bldg., 6205 Main St., Williamsville, NY 14221. 2/10, Hank Miller; 3/9, David Williams Ikebana;4/13, Creating surface roots Dan Zak; 5/11, Workshop bring your own tree and preparing for the show; 6/1&2, Buffalo Bonsai Society Bonsai Tree Show at the Buffalo Botanical Gardens; 6/8, TBD; 7/13, Terry Monroe, (Pittsburg, PA) deciduous; 8/10, Picnic/Auction; 9/14, Ron Maggio (Rochester, NY) Suiseki; 10/12, Mark Arpag; 11/9, Indoor lighting Christine Wilkolaski buffalobonsaisociety.com

East Aurora Garden Club meets at noon on the second Monday of each month, except January. The clubs meets at Nativity Lutheran Church, 970 E. Main St., East Aurora, NY (just west of the 400 Expressway exit). The club’s objective is to stimulate, create interest, and promote education on horticulture, the art of gardening, flower arranging, and environmental conservation; and to promote the beautification of surrounding areas. For more information about the club or membership call 716-912-1589

Federated Garden Clubs NYS–District 8. Nancy Kalieta, director: nancyk212@aol.com. gardenclubsofwny.com

Forest Stream Garden Club meets the third Thursday of the month (September–May) at 7 p.m., Presbyterian Village, 214 Village Park Dr., Williamsville, and other locations. Summer garden teas and tours available. Ongoing projects include beautification of the Williamsville Meeting House, garden therapy at a local nursing home, youth gardening, and Victorian Christmas decorating. eileen.s@markzon.com

Friends of Kenan Herb Club meets the third Monday of the month at 5:30 p.m. at the Taylor Theater. New members are always welcome. kenancenter.org/ herb-club

Garden Club of the Tonawandas meets the third Thursday of the month at 7 p.m., Tonawanda City Hall, Community Room. Facebook.

Garden Friends of Clarence meets the second Wednesday of the month at 7 p.m., September–June, Town Park Clubhouse, 10405 Main St.,

Clarence. gardenfriendsofclarence@hotmail.com.

Hamburg Garden Club meets the second Wednesday of the month at 10 a.m. at the VFW Post 1419, 2985 Lakeview Rd, Hamburg, NY. Events include a June plant sale and summer garden tours. Guests are welcome. Contact lonabutler4@gmail.com.

Kenmore Garden Club meets the second Tuesday of the month (except July, August, and December) at 10 a.m., Kenmore United Methodist Church, 32 Landers Rd., Kenmore. Activities include guest speakers, floral designs, and community service. New members and guests welcome. songnbird@ aol.com.

Ken-Sheriton Garden Club meets the second Tuesday of the month (except January) at 7 p.m., St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, 576 Delaware Rd. Kenmore. Monthly programs, artistic design, and horticulture displays. New members and guests welcome. 716833-8799, dstierheim@gmail.com

Lancaster Garden Club meets the second Wednesday of the month (except January, July, and August) at 7 p.m., St. John Lutheran Church, 55 Pleasant Ave., Lancaster. All are welcome. Facebook.

Lewiston Garden Club meets the fourth Monday of the month. See website for meeting information, lewistongardenfest.com/garden-club.html or contact at PO Box 32, Lewiston, NY 14092.

Niagara Frontier Botanical Society meets the second Tuesday of the month September through May at 7:30 p.m. (except April) at the Harlem Rd. Community Center, 4255 Harlem Rd., Amherst. Entrance is on the north side of the building. Meetings are open to the public.

Niagara Frontier Orchid Society (NFOS) meets the first Tuesday following the first Sunday (dates sometimes vary due to holidays, etc.), September–June, Botanical Gardens, 2655 South Park Ave., Buffalo. niagarafrontierorchids.org

Orchard Park Garden Club meets the first Thursday of the month (except July and December) at 11:30 a.m. at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 4536 South Buffalo St., Orchard Park. Contact Diana Szczepanski at 716674-8970 for membership information. Guests are always welcome.

Ransomville Garden Club meets the third Wednesday or Saturday of the month at 5:45 p.m., Ransomville Community Library, 3733 Ransomville Rd., Ransomville. Meetings are open to all. Activities include community gardening projects, educational presentations, and June plant sale. bbonnie2313@ gmail.com

Silver Creek-Hanover Garden Club meets the second Saturday of the month at 11 a.m., Silver Creek Senior Center, 1823 Lake Rd. (Rte. 5), Silver Creek. edlorrie@ yahoo.com, Facebook.

South Towns Gardeners meets the second Friday of the month (except January) at 9:30 a.m., West Seneca Senior Center. New members welcome.

Town and Country Garden Club of LeRoy meets the second Wednesday of the month (except February) at 6:30 p.m., First Presbyterian Church, 7 Clay St., LeRoy 14482. Prospective members and guests are welcome. Contact: leroynygardenclub@gmail.com Facebook: facebook.com/GardenClubLeRoyNY.

Town and Country Garden Club of Williamsville generally meets the second Thursday of the month from 2–4 p.m. at the Ransom Oaks Community Club House, 101 Ransom Oaks Dr., East Amherst. Some meetings are held off-site for garden tours and special events. The club maintains a garden at the Clearfield Library, 770 Hopkins Rd. Membership brochures with program information are available in the library. For information, contact Lanscombe@ Rd.runner.com.

Tropical Fish Society of Erie County meets the third Tuesday of the month at 7:30 p.m., Lake Erie Italian Club, 3200 South Park Ave., Lackawanna, NY 14218.

tropical-fish-club-of-erie-county.com

Western New York Herb Study Group meets the second Wednesday of the month at 7 p.m., Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens, 2655 South Park Ave., Buffalo. Facebook.

Western New York Honey Producers, Inc. Cornell Cooperative Extension of Erie County, 21 South Grove St., East Aurora. wnyhpa.org

Western New York Hosta Society. The WNYHS was formed to encourage members to appreciate hostas and to provide them with access to quality new varieties. The group meets three times a year at the East Aurora Senior Center, 101 King St., East Aurora NY 14052. Wnyhosta.com

Western New York Hosta Society Breakfast Meetings are friendly get-togethers the first Saturday (winter months only) at 10 a.m., Forestview Restaurant, Depew. wnyhosta.com

Western New York Iris Society meets at the Julia B Reinstein Library, 1030 Losson Rd., Cheektowaga, NY at 1:30 p.m. on the first Sunday of each month.

Western New York Rose Society meets the third Wednesday of each month at 7 p.m. St. StephensBethlehem United Church of Christ, 750 Wehrle Dr., Williamsville. Check the Facebook page or website for meeting content, wnyrosesociety.net. 3/20, 7p.m.: Rose Garden Prep Lecture “Pruning, Planting, Fertilizing and Spraying.”

Youngstown Garden Club meets the second Wednesday of every month at 7 p.m., First Presbyterian Church, 100 Church St., Youngstown. Facebook.

FREQUENT HOSTS

BECBG: Buffalo & Erie County Botanical Gardens, 2655 South Park Ave., Buffalo, NY 14218. 716/827-1584; buffalogardens.com

CCE/CC: Cornell Cooperative Extension, Cattaraugus County, 28 Parkside Drive, Ellicottville, NY 14731. 716-699-2377; cattaraugus.cce.cornell.edu

CCE/EC: Cornell Cooperative Extension, Erie County, 21 South Grove St., East Aurora, NY 14052. 716-652-5400 x174; erie.cce.cornell.edu

REIN: Reinstein Woods Nature Preserve, 93 Honorine Drive, Depew, NY 14043. 716-6835959; reinsteinwoods.org.

URBN: Urban Roots Cooperative Garden Market, 428 Rhode Island St., Buffalo, NY 14213, patti@ urbanroots.org, 716-362-8982, urbanroots.org

CLASSES / EVENTS

F- Indicates activities especially appropriate for children and families.

S- Indicates plant sales/swaps.

T- Indicates garden tours.

O- Online event.

First Wednesday of the Month for 2024: Free Community Nights, 5–8 p.m. Visitors can enjoy free admission the first Wednesday evening of the month. Sponsored by Assemblyman Pat Burke.

BECBG

Every Thursday March–February: Buffalo Audubon Society Thursday Morning Hikes, 10–11 a.m. Take a guided morning hike along the trails at Beaver Meadow. Register at buffaloaudubon.org.

F Wild Wednesdays: October–June, (check quarterly program schedule for specific dates and times)

Together, kids and their caregivers can enjoy a fun, hour-long outdoor activity. For children in grades K–5. Registration required 716-683-5959. REIN

December 1–March 21: Buffalo Audubon 2024 Winter Birding Challenge. Those who join can complete twenty of thirty birding tasks to earn a 2024 patch and a chance to win a pair of binoculars. Sign up at outsidechronicles.com/winterbird.

O January 14–May 4: The Great Plant Sale Online. The horticulture team hand selected unique plant varieties that buyers won’t find at a local nursery. Shoppers are invited to some jammies, snuggle up on the couch, and shop for your dream garden! BECBG

March 8–9: Spring Houseplant and Succulent Event, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Celebrate all things succulents and get great deals on plants. Mischler’s Florist and Greenhouses 118 S Forest Rd, Williamsville, NY, United States, New York 14221.

March 12: Master Gardener Terrarium/Fairy Garden Fundraiser, 6–8 p.m. Attendees can enjoy a terrarium making workshop. CCE/CC

March 13: Container Gardening, Noon–1:30 p.m. Register at grassrootsgardens.org/workshops. URBN

March 14: Hand Built Ceramic Planters, 6:30–8:30 p.m. Make a hand-built planter that will be fired and glazed to add a personal touch to your potting arrangements. (No experience needed.) Life is Succulent 1249 Eggert Rd, Buffalo, NY 14226. Register at lifeissucculent.com.

March 14-17: Plantasia Garden and Landscape Show (See inside back cover for seminal schedule.) Fairgrounds Event Center and Artisan Hall, 5820 South Park Avenue, Hamburg, NY 14075

March 15– April 15: Spring Flower Exhibit, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Included with Admission. BECBG

March 16: Kokedama Workshop, 1–2 p.m. Register at buffalogarens.com BECBG

March 21: Orchid Repotting, 5–7 p.m. In partnership with Niagara Frontier Orchid Society. Bring your orchid and learn tips and tricks about repotting and caring for your orchid. Register online. BECBG

O March 21: Lunch for a Livable Planet: Food and Food Waste, noon. How can eating delicious food and reducing food waste help the planet? Find out at this virtual presentation. Registration required; visit reinsteinwoods.org/events. REIN

March 22: Macrame with the Plant Outfitter, 6:30–8:30 p.m. Learn how to make your own macrame plant hanger with Brian at Life is Succulent. (No experience needed.) 1249 Eggert Rd, Buffalo, NY 14226. Register at lifeissucculent.com.

March 23: The Music of Nature, 9–11:30 a.m. Get tickets at forest-lawn.com/events/ to attend an indoor presentation and a stroll through Forest Lawn to learn about avian sounds. Forest Lawn, 1990 Main Street, Buffalo; 716-885-1600.

March 24, 29, 30: Botanical Bunny Days at the Spring Flower Exhibit, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Take in the sights and smells of the gorgeous blooming bulbs and say hello to the Botanical Bunny. All visitors with an e-ticket are welcome to take photos with every gardener's favorite fuzzy friend. BECBG

March 30: Native Plants, 12–1:30 p.m. Register at grassrootsgardens.org/workshops. URBN

April 18: Gardening for Pollinators (Speaker Series), 6 p.m. The beekeepers from Mastersons will teach about pollinator gardens. Register online. BECBG

April 20: Orchid Repotting, 12–2 p.m. In partnership with Niagara Frontier Orchid Society. Bring your orchid and learn tips and tricks about repotting and caring for your orchid. Register online. BECBG

April 21: Plants around the Planet: Earth Day Celebration, 10 a.m.–4pm. BECBG

April 26: Tree Trek: Arbor Day Tree Tour, 2–3 p.m. BECBG

April 26– June 19: Madeline Bartley Exhibit, at the Archangel Gallery. BECBG

April 27: Bulb Sale, 8–10 a.m. BECBG

SAVE THE DATE…

May 24–25: Master Gardener Plant Sale, First Presbyterian Church One Symphony Circle, Buffalo. CCE/EC

June 15–16: Lewiston Garden Fest, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Venders, speakers, open gardens, and a container garden contest. Lewistongardenfest.com

June 29–30: The Garden Art Sale. The Gardens Buffalo Niagara Garden Art Sale, in partnership with the Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Garden,s presents live music, food trucks, plant society booths, and basket raffles while exploring vendors’ naturethemed creations.

July 19–20: Ken-Ton Garden Tour Night Lights, 8:30–11 p.m. kentongardentour.com

July 20–21: Ken-Ton Garden Tour Day Tour, 10 a.m.– 4 p.m. kentongardentour.com

July 8-12, 22- 26, 29 to August 2, 5–9: Summer Nature Week, 10–11:30 a.m. For parents and children ages 2–8. Explore, discover, craft, play games and learn about nature. Friday sessions spent at the stream, for more information and to register visit friendsoffiverivers.org.

July 27–28, 2024: Garden Walk Buffalo, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Garden Walk Buffalo is the largest garden tour in North America and is produced by The Gardens Buffalo Niagara. Deadline to register to participate is May 15. Learn more at Gardenwalbuffalo.com.

ITHACA

REGULAR CLUB MEETINGS

Adirondack Chapter, North American Rock Garden Society (ACNARGS) Meetings are open to all. Check the current newsletter on the website for meeting location: acnargs.org or Facebook.com/acnargs.

Auraca Herbarists, an herb study group, usually meets the second Tuesday of the month at noon, Cornell Botanic Gardens, Ithaca. Brown bag lunch at noon followed by the program and herb of the month. Field trips during the growing season. All are welcome. Contact: Pat Curran, pc21@cornell.edu.

Elmira Garden Club meets the first Thursday of the month, April–December, at 6 p.m., 426 Fulton St., Elmira. Annual plant sale, workshops, monthly meetings, local garden tours and community gardening services. Karen Coletta, 607-731-8320, Facebook.

Finger Lakes Native Plant Society meetings are usually on the third Tuesday of the month September to May. This is an organization dedicated to promoting the appreciation of native flora and hold free public field trips, free indoor programs, and provide members a newsletter, seed exchange, native plant sale, and a December celebration of native plants. flnps.org, info@flnps.org.

Windsor NY Garden Group meets the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month at 10 a.m., members’ homes or Windsor Community House, 107 Main St., Windsor. windsorgardengroup.suerambo.com.

ROCHESTER

REGULAR CLUB MEETINGS

7th District Federated Garden Clubs New York State, Inc. meets the first Wednesday of the month. 7thdistrictfgcnys.org.

African Violet and Gesneriad Society of Rochester meets the first Thursday of the month September–November and March–May, 7–9 p.m. at Messiah Lutheran Church, 4301 Mt. Read Blvd., Rochester, NY 14616. December and June meetings are social

events TBD location. Contacts: Douglas Burdick, 585-313-8674, dburdick@msn.com. Barb Festenstein, 585-461-1673, barbfestenstein@aol.com.

Bloomfield Garden Club meets the third Thursday of the month at 11:45 a.m., Veterans Park, 6910 Routes 5 & 20, Bloomfield. Visitors and prospective new members welcome. Marlene Moran, 585-924-8035 Facebook.

Bonsai Society of Upstate New York meets the fourth Tuesday of the month at the Brighton Town Park Lodge, Buckland Park, 1341 Westfall Rd., Rochester. 585-334-2595, Facebook, bonsaisocietyofupstateny. org

Canandaigua Botanical Society meets for in-person botanical events. See website for event schedule. Feb. 8 & 7 p.m.: Canandaigua Botanical Society Presentation to seed their Sesquicentennial year, Wood Library, 134 N. Main St., Canandaigua. 3/12, 7 p.m.: Gardening with Native Plants to Deter Invasive Species with Matt Gallo of Finger Lakes Partnership for Regional Invasive Species Management (FLPRISM) at HWS canandaiguabotanicalsociety. blogspot.com

Color Pittsford Green meets on the third Wednesday of the month, 6:45–7:45 p.m. via Zoom. All are welcome. colorpittsfordgreen.org

Conesus Lake Garden Club meets the third Wednesday of the month (April–December) at 7 p.m., Chip Holt Nature Center, Vitale Park, Lakeville. Welcoming new members. Contact Dottie Connelly, 585-703-1748.

Country Gardeners of Webster This club is for those who like to dig in the dirt, smell the roses, learn about the birds and bees, take a walk in the park, eat, drink, and be merry, or live in Webster. They meet the second Monday of the month. Contact Elaine at 585-350-8270 to try this fun-loving club out.

Creative Gardeners of Penfield meets the second Monday of the month (except July and August) at 9:15 a.m., Penfield United Methodist Church, 1795 Baird Rd., Penfield. Visitors welcome. Contact 585385-2065 or 09green17@gmail.com if interested in attending a meeting.

Fairport Garden Club Meets the third Thursday evening of the month (except January, February, March, and August) in members’ homes or in the Perinton Ambulance building. Educational topics are presented through speakers, workshops, local tours, and community gardening i.e., Planter at Johanna Perrin School. fairportgc@gmail.com, fairportgardenclub.com

Finger Lakes Daylily Society members garden in west-central N, covering an area from Batavia to Syracuse and the Southern Tier. Meetings are held in Rochester or the Canandaigua area. There are generally four regular Saturday meetings held in February, March, May, and September. Visitors and prospective new members are welcome to attend. Contact Deb Lawrence for information: binxers1@ yahoo.com.

Friends of Ellwanger Garden meet all season long on Tuesday mornings. To volunteer at the garden, please contact Cindy Boyer at 585-546-7029 x12 or cboyer@landmarksociety.org.

Garden Club of Brockport meets the second Wednesday of every month at 7 p.m., Jubilee Church, 3565 Lake Rd., Brockport. Visitors can learn gardening tips from knowledgeable speakers, make garden ornaments through hands-on classes, and explore beautiful local gardens. For more info call or email Kathy, 585-431-0509 or katyd5950@gmail.com.

Garden Club of Mendon meets the third Tuesday of the month, 10 a.m.–1 p.m., Mendon Community Center, 167 North Main St., Honeoye Falls. Members work on community gardens and gather new ideas in a casual, social environment. 585-624-8182, joanheaney70@gmail.com.

Calendar

ROCHESTER cont.

Garden Path of Penfield meets the third Wednesday of the month, September–May at 7 p.m., Penfield Community Center, 1985 Baird Rd., Penfield. Members enjoy all aspects of gardening; new members welcome. gardenpathofpenfield@gmail. com.

Gates Garden Club meets the second Thursday of the month (except July and August) at 6:30 p.m., Gates Town Annex, 1605 Buffalo Rd., Rochester. New members and guests welcome. 585-247-1248, scece6@yahoo.com.

Genesee Region Orchid Society (GROS) meets the first Monday following the first Sunday of the month. Meetings in December, January, and February will be virtual. It is likely that meetings from March–May will be in person at the JCC. See website for information: geneseeorchid.org.

Genesee Valley Hosta Society meets the second Thursday of the month, April–October, at Eli Fagan American Legion Post, 260 Middle Rd., Henrietta. 585-889-7678, sebuckner@frontiernet.net, geneseevalleyhosta.com.

Greater Rochester Iris Society (GRIS) an affiliate of the American Iris Society, meets on a Sunday during the months of March, April, September, and October at 2 p.m., St. John’s Episcopal Church Hall, 11 Episcopal Ave., Honeoye Falls. Public welcome. Plant sales, guest speakers or location visits, Volunteer Opportunities. 585-266-0302, thehutchings@mac. com. 3/10, 2 p.m., program to be announced

Greater Rochester Perennial Society (GRPS) meets the first Thursday of each month at 7 p.m., Twelve Corners Presbyterian Church Fellowship Hall, 1200 South Winton Rd., Rochester, except in summer when it tours members’ gardens. Lectures are held virtually, and garden tours are being scheduled. 3/7, Spring Into Action 2.0—Five Steps To Maintenance Free Gardening with K.C. Fahy-Harvick, Gardening Matters. Location TBD. See website or Facebook for updates. cap704@ frontiernet.net, rochesterperennial.com, facebook. com/GreaterRochesterPerennialSociety

Greater Rochester Rose Society meets the first Tuesday of the month at 7 p.m. on Zoom January, February, and March. Email j.chorder@gmail.com for meeting link. Questions: 585-694-8430. Facebook: Greater Rochester Rose Society.

Henrietta Garden Club meets the second Wednesday each month (except May–August and December) at 6:30 p.m. A presenter will speak on gardeningrelated subject at 7p.m. Guests and non-residents are welcome. Handicap accessible. Call 585-7810278. Lower level of the Henrietta Town Hall, 475 Calkins Rd, Henrietta. sites.google.com/site/ henriettagardenclub.

Holley Garden Club meets the second Thursday of the month at 7 p.m., Holley Presbyterian Church. 585638-6973.

Hubbard Springs Garden Club of Chili meets the third Monday of the month at 6:30 p.m. at the Chili Community Center, 3237 Chili Ave., Rochester. dtoogood@rochester.rr.com

Ikebana International Rochester Chapter 53 meets the third Thursday of each month (except December and February) at 10a.m., First Baptist Church, Hubbell Hall, 175 Allens Creek Rd., Rochester. 585301-6727, 585-402-1772, rochesterikebana@gmail. com, ikebanarochester.org.

Kendall Garden Club meets the first Wednesday of the month at 7p.m., Kendall Town Hall. 585-370-8964.

Klemwood Garden Club of Webster meets the second

Monday of the month at 7 p.m. (except January and February) in members’ homes or local libraries. Accepting new members. 585-671-1961

Lakeview Garden Club (Greece) meets the second Wednesday of the month (except January and February) at 7 p.m.; meeting location varies depending on activity. Meetings may include a speaker, project, or visits to local garden-related sites. New members always welcome. Contact Darlene Markham, dmarkham@rochester.rr.com.

Newark Garden Club meets the first Friday of the month at 1 p.m., Park Presbyterian Church, Newark. Guests are welcome.

Pittsford Garden Club meets the third Tuesday of the month at 10:30 a.m. at the Spiegel Center on Lincoln Ave. in the Village of Pittsford. The club usually meets in Room 18, but visitors should confirm at the front desk. Masks are required at all times in the building unless requirements change. New members are always welcomed. There is a May plant sale, look for signs in the village.

Rochester Dahlia Society meets the second Saturday of the month (except August and September) at 12:30 p.m., Trinity Reformed Church, 909 Landing Rd. North, Rochester. Visitors welcome. See website for up-to-date information concerning meetings and shows. Tuber swap for members on April 13. 585865-2291, Facebook, rochesterdahlias.org.

Rochester Herb Society meets the first Tuesday of each month (excluding January, February, and July) at noon, Pittsford Community Center, 35 Lincoln Ave., Pittsford, NY. Summer garden tours and day trips. New members welcome. rocherbsociety.com.

Rochester Permaculture Center meets monthly to discuss topics such as edible landscapes, gardening, farming, renewable energy, green building, rainwater harvesting, composting, local food, forest gardening, herbalism, green living, etc. Meeting location and details: meetup.com/ rochesterpermaculture.

Seabreeze Bloomers Garden Club meets the fourth Wednesday of the month (except January) at 7 p.m., location varies depending on activity. Meetings may include a speaker, project, or visit to local gardenrelated site. Monthly newsletter. New members welcome. Meetings are currently canceled, contact Bonnie Arnold with any questions: 585-230-5356, bonniearnold@frontiernet.net.

Stafford Garden Club meets the third Wednesday of the month (except December and January) at 7 p.m., Stafford Town Hall, 8903 Morganville Rd. (Route 237), Stafford. Plant auction in May. All are welcome. 585-343-4494.

Urban Agriculture Working Group (UAWG) meets via Zoom on the third Thursday of the month at 7 p.m. UAWG is a collection of gardeners, community gardens, and individuals who garden/farm in the city or support such activities. UAWG offers a Spring Conference each year and sponsors the Urban Gardens ROC garden crawl in the fall. In addition, the group advocates for City policies that make urban gardening more accessible for people who want to grow fresh vegetables for themselves or their neighbors. If you are interested in getting on the email list, contact Mallory Hohl, mdh286@ cornell.edu. You do not have to live in the city to participate.

Victor Garden Club meets the second Wednesday of the month (except January and February) at 6 p.m. New members welcome. Meeting and location details: victorgardenclubny2.com, victorgardenclub. org.

Williamson Garden Club. Ongoing community projects and free monthly lectures to educate the community about gardening. Open to all. 315-524-4204, grow14589@gmail.com, growthewilliamsongardenclub.blogspot.com.

FREQUENT HOSTS

BGC: Broccolo Garden Center, 2755 Penfield Road, Fairport 14450. 585-424-4476; broccolotreeandlawn.com.

CCE/GC: Cornell Cooperative Extension, Genesee County, 420 East Main St., Batavia, NY 14020. 585-343-3040, ext. 132; genesee.cce. cornell.edu.

CCE/MON: Cornell Cooperative Extension, Monroe County, 2449 St. Paul Blvd., Rochester, NY 14617. 585-753-2550; monroe.cce.cornell. edu.

CCE/ONT: Cornell Cooperative Extension, Ontario County, 480 North Main St., Canandaigua, NY 14424. 585/394-3977 x427; nea8@cornell.edu; cceontario.org.

FRUIT: Fruition Seeds, 7921 Hickory Bottom Rd., Naples, NY 14512. petra@fruitionseeds.com, fruitionseeds.com.

GCVM: Genesee Country Village & Museum, 1410 Flint Hill Rd., Mumford, NY 14511. 585/5386822; gcv.org.

GLT: Genesee Land Trust, 46 Prince Street, Suite LL005, Rochester, NY 14607. 585-256-2130; info@geneseelandtrust.org; geneseelandtrust. org.

RPM: Rochester Public Market, 280 North Union Street, Rochester, NY. 585-428-6907; cityofrochester.gov/flowercitydays.

CLASSES / EVENTS

F- Indicates activities especially appropriate for children and families.

S- Indicates plant sales/swaps.

T- Indicates garden tours.

O- Online event.

March 7, 14, 21, 28: Fruit and Vegetable Prescription Program, 11 a.m.– 2 p.m. Iluminada Vilca, nutrition educator, instructs an interactive six week zoom nutrition class. Receive $15/class in vouchers to spend at local markets. Classes will be held in person at 800 Carter Street Rochester NY, 14621. To register, call Kelly Steurrys at 585-478-1480. CCE/ONT

F Through March 31, Gnome Roam, free with admission at Cumming Nature Center. Explore a 0.75 mile trail full of gnome sightings. 6472 Gulick Road, Naples.

O March 13: Moths in Your Garden via Zoom, 7:30–8:30 p.m. Master Gardener Susie Nettleton teaches about these fascinating organisms and how to welcome them to your garden. CCE/ONT

March 15–17, 22-24: Maple Sugar Festival, 10 a.m.–3 p.m. GCVM to will teach vistors about the history of maple sugaring, enjoy the maple buffet, visit the sugar house, explore the nature center and shop at the Flint Hill store. Get tickets at gcv.org/event/ maple-sugar-festival. GCVM

March 23-24: 2024 ROC Home and Garden Show 10 a.m.–6 p.m. Enjoy tastings while you browse the show at the Rochester Riverside Convention Center. Tickets will be sold at the Convention Center box office during show hours (children under 12 get in free).

March 27: Toxic Plants via Zoom, 7:30– 8:30 p.m. To register email or call Nancy at nea8@cornell.edu or 585-394-3977 x 427 CCE/ONT

March 30: Pruning Your Fruit Trees Workshop, 10 a.m.–12 p.m. Learn how to best prune your fruit trees at the Thomson Barn Activity Center and Village Orchards. GCVM

S March 30: Rochester Seed Swap, 2–4 p.m. Third annual seed swap at the Edgerton Recreation Center, 41 Backus St. Rochester, NY. FRUIT

April 6: Pressed Flower Class, 10–11:30 a.m. Create an 8” X 10” glass framed piece of art with artsy and fun flowers. Learn how to layer natural dried cuttings to make a beautiful wall hanging. Bring any embellishments like script, verses, or other additions to make it unique and personal. Ages 18 and up. BGC

April 4: Garden Talk: Bluebirds, with Master Gardener Chee L. Learn everything you need to know for blue birding. Visit genesee.cce.cornell.edu/events for more information. CCE/ONT

April 5–8: Solar Spectacle: 10 a.m.–3 p.m. A three-day festival celebrating the total solar eclipse leading up to the Solar Spectacle at Genesee Country Village and Museum, get tickets at gcv.org. GCVM

F April 8: Totality Together, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Spend the day playing solar-themed games, painting, dancing, meditating, and more while you view the solar eclipse. FRUIT

April 13: How, When, and Why of Proper Pruning, 10–11:30 a.m. Students can learn tried and true techniques Laurie Broccolo has perfected for trees, shrubs, and perennials. See what tools are required, what time of year is best, and what to do in tough situations. BGC

S April 13: Opening Day of Sales: Oriental Garden Supply, 448 W Bloomfield Rd., Pittsford, NY 14534, orientalgardensupply.com

April 20–21, 27–28: The Daffodil Project at Mount Hope Cemetery, second annual daffodil celebration at the kettle in Mount Hope Cemetery. For more information, visit daffodilprojectroc.org.

T Apr 21, 28, May 5, 12:  Tours of the Historic Durand Eastman Park Arboretum, 2–4 p.m. The tour routes will traverse moderate hills and wooded trails, so please dress accordingly. There is no charge, but donations to support the Extension’s Master Gardener Program will be accepted. Meet at the kiosk on Zoo Rd. (off Lakeshore) next to the park labor center. For information call or email: 585-2611665 or bob.bea@gmail.com Monroe County Parks in conjunction with CCE/MON

April 25–28: Orchid Show, Genesee Region Orchid Society annual spring show. Visit geneseeorchid.org for more information.

SAVE THE DATE…

May 2: Garden Talk: Hardscape in the Garden, with master gardener Roberta T. CCE/ONT

May 11: Annual Native Plant Sale, Brighton Town Hall, 2300 Elmwood Ave., Rochester, 8 a.m.–noon. GLT

May 10–19: CCE Monroe County Master Gardener

Volunteers Tent Sale at the Highland Park Lilac Festival located in the vicinity of the Lilac Adventure Zone children’s playground, 249 Highland Avenue, Rochester, 10:30 a.m.–7:00 p.m. Featuring a variety of lilacs and specialty item teacups for sale. Plus an opportunity to “Ask a Master Gardener.”

May 11–12, 18–19: Ellwanger Garden at the Lilac Festival, Noon–3 p.m. landmarksociety.org

May 12: Dahlia Sale, 553 Klem Rd., Rochester, NY. rochesterdahlias.org

May 18: Spring Garden Gala, 10 a.m.–1 p.m. This is Genesee County Master Gardeners annual fundraiser. CCE/GC

May 18–19, 25–26, June 1–2: 2024 Tree Peony Festival of Flowers, RSVP required. Linwood Gardens, 1912 York Road, West Linwood, NY 14486. linwoodgardens.org

May 25: Market in the Park, 8 a.m.–1 p.m. Local gardeners can explore vendor tables and meet local societies at 5 Castle Park, Rochester, NY 14612. CCE/ ONT

June 1-2: Ellwanger Garden Peony and Rose Weekend, Noon–3 p.m. landmarksociety.org

June 6: Garden Talk: How to Create a Terrarium, with master gardener Maud C. CCE/ONT

June 8: Master Gardener Expo and Plant Sale, 9 a.m.–3 p.m. The annual plant sale will include organizations/societies, workshops, below market value perennials, vegetables, house plants and more. CCE/ONT

June 23: Winona Woods Neighborhood Garden Tour, noon– 4 p.m. Self-guided, rain or shine. $10/person, children are free. For tickets and more information contact Heide at 585-266-5018 or heidejmurray@ gmail.com.

July 24–28: Genesee Valley Great Outdoors Week GCVM

July 26-28: LotusFest 2024 Bergen Water Gardens 7443 Buffalo Rd., Churchville, NY

SYRACUSE

REGULAR CLUB MEETINGS

African Violet & Gesneriad Society of Syracuse meets the second Thursday of the month, September–December and March–May. Pitcher Hill Community Church, 605 Baily Rd., North Syracuse. 315-492-2562. jimviolets@verizon.net.

Baldwinsville Women’s Garden Club meets the first Thursday of each month except January at St Mark's Lutheran Church in Baldwinsville at 7 p.m. The club plants the village flower barrels, raises money for the village flower hanging baskets, maintains the Pointe Garden, donates Arbor Day trees to schools, and gets involved in village improvement projects. Perennial sale yearly on Memorial Saturday morning in the village. See more information at Facebook, Women’s Garden Club of Baldwinsville.

Bonsai Club of CNY (BCCNY) meets the first Saturday of the month 10 a.m.–12 p.m., Pitcher Hill Community Church, 605 Bailey Rd., North Syracuse. Contact, Dave Taylor, daveturf1@yahoo.com or 315395-3018. cnybonsai.com, Bonsai Club of CNY on Facebook.

Cazenovia Garden Club usually meets the first Tuesday of the month at 10:15 a.m. at the Cazenovia Public Library. With an active membership, their objective is to stimulate interest in horticulture, develop skills in the beautification of community and home, and create awareness of national and local conservation issues. Meetings feature guest speakers and field trips are planned throughout the year. For more information contact cazgardenclub@ gmail.com.

Central New York Orchid Society meets the first Sunday of the month, September–May, St. Augustine’s Church, 7333 O’Brien Rd., Baldwinsville. Dates may vary due to holidays. 315-633-2437, cnyos. org.

Fairmount Garden Club meets the third Thursday of the month (March–November) at 6:30 p.m., Camillus Senior Center, 25 First St., Camillus. Speakers and community projects. All are welcome tooley.susan@yahoo.com.

Federated Garden Clubs NYS–District 6. 315-481-4005, dist6fss@gmail.com.

Gardening Friends Club meets the third Tuesday of the month, March–December, at 6:30 p.m., Wesleyan Church, 4591 US Route 11, Pulaski. 315-2981276, Facebook: Gardening Friends of Pulaski, NY, VicLaDeeDa@frontiernet.net.

Gardeners in Thyme (a women’s herb club) meets the second Thursday of the month at 7 p.m., Beaver Lake Nature Center, Baldwinsville. 315-635-6481, hbaker@twcny.rr.com.

Habitat Gardening in CNY (HGCNY) meets the last Sunday of most months at 2 p.m. Liverpool Public Library, 310 Tulip St., Liverpool. HGCNY is a chapter of Wild Ones: Native Plants, Natural Landscapes; wildones.org. Free and open to the public. hgcny. org and ourhabitatgarden.org. Subscribe to the free e-newsletter by emailing info@hgcny.org.

Home Garden Club of Syracuse usually meets the first Tuesday morning of the month. Members are active in educating the community about gardening, horticulture, and floral design and are involved with several civic projects in the Syracuse area. New members welcome. homegardenclubofsyracuse@ gmail.com, homegardenclubofsyracuse.org.

Koi and Water Garden Society of Central New York usually meets the third Monday of each month at 7 p.m. See website for meeting locations. 315-4583199, cnykoi.com.

The Men and Women’s Garden Club of Syracuse meets on the third Thursday of each month at 7 p.m. in the Reformed Church of Syracuse, 1228 Teall Ave., Syracuse, NY. Meetings feature activities and/ or guest speakers on gardening-related topics. The club also plans tours for its members. Members maintain gardens at Rosamond Gifford Zoo and Ronald McDonald House plus host annual flower shows. Regular club meetings at the church will take place in the months of March, April, May, August, September, and November. More information at facebook.com/MWGardenClubOfSyracuse and mwgardenclubofsyracuse@gmail.com.

Southern Hills Garden Club meets the third Tuesday of each month, February through November. Meetings are held at the LaFayette Firehouse, 2444 US Route 11, LaFayette, NY 13084 and begin at 7 p.m., unless otherwise stated. Occasional off-site meetings typically take place at an earlier time. Guests are welcome and membership is open to anyone interested in gardening. For information, please contact Cathy Nagel 315-677-9342 or CEN42085@ aol.com.

Syracuse Rose Society meets the second Thursday of the month (except December) at 7 p.m., Reformed Church of Syracuse, 1228 Teall Ave., Syracuse. Enter from Melrose Ave. Club members maintain the E. M. Mills Memorial Rose Garden, Thornden Park, Syracuse. Public welcome. syracuserosesociety.org.

CLASSES / EVENTS

April 13: Flowerpot Workshop, 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Learn how to arrange your flowers and enjoy cocktails and small plates. Get tickets at crazydaisiesflowers.com.

April 14: Living Wreath Workshop, 3–5 p.m. Learn how to arrange a unique multi-dimensional “flower arrangement” with cocktails and small plates. Get tickets at crazydaisiesflowers.com.

SAVE THE DATE…

June 14–15: Skaneateles Garden Club Presents Summer’s Splendor Garden Tour

August 21–September 1: New York State Flower Show: “Together We Garden.” Gardeners interested in participating should call 315-430-8846 or 315-7271030 or visit nysfair.ny.gov/competitions/how-toenter.

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Send your submissions to calendar@upstategardenersjournal.com.

Deadline for calendar listings for the next issue (May-June 2024) is April 12, 2024.

Garden Center & Landscape Planting 7421 Old Lower East Hill Rd. Colden, NY 14033 (716) 662 - 7411

bostonhillnursery.com

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Permaculture for every body

Stories and photos by Patty Love

When I started my permaculture business in 2009 and was thinking about what I wanted to call it, I thought of my love of walking barefoot on the Earth (beaches, forests, and my own yard) and envisioned helping folks steward land spaces in ways that invite them and their families to take off their shoes and walk and play outdoors, literally soaking up the physical and mental health benefits of connecting our feet with the soil. As we rewild the land, we begin to repair ecosystems and can heal ourselves in the process.

Permaculture is an interdisciplinary design approach, based in and derived from the observation of indigenous practices of nature stewardship and natural ecological systems of relationships, that strives to repair and create regenerative and reciprocal systems for meeting human needs while also enhancing the quality of life for all beings including plants, insects, nonhuman animals, and fungi. Essentially, the ethics of “Earth Care, People Care, and Resource Share” are held as values while we decide how to steward a land space, even the humble urban yard.

So how do we who are blessed to steward some land as homeowners, renters, homesteaders, or farmers bring these regenerative practices into our lives? One way is as simple as not doing some things—skip the lawn fertilizer, herbicides, and insecticides. Already your lawn will be safer for your bare feet and your pets. Also, less mowing is more nature-friendly. Maybe you’ve heard of “No Mow May” where folks put mowing off long enough that many of the grounddwelling pollinators have time to wake up in spring and leave their winter homes in the soil and in plant debris? Your apples, tomatoes, and even nut trees will produce greater yields with more pollinators in your neighborhood. Over time, you’ll be amazed at the wildflowers that appear. You might even pick a space that you let go wild—a corner or a spot behind the garage—and see what happens over the years. These are really easy steps to take to get started as all you must do is . . . nothing! Plus, you save money and time. You can then use that time and money to go a little further with regenerating your space. Remembering that much of the land in our region is naturally a humid temperate forests ecosystem, we can use the layers of the forest model to add some biodiversity.

Permaculture principles lead us to the idea of “right plant, right place” as we reimagine stewarding our land. Need more shade? Plant some northern hardy pecans (Carya illinoinensis) or American persimmon (Diospyros virginiana). Planting trees under utility lines? Dwarf and semi-dwarf fruit trees won’t grow up into the wires. If you’re looking to install a privacy

TOP: Border fruit trees and pollinator patch

BOTTOM: Fall color from a newly planted aronia

hedge, hazelnuts (Corylus americana) are easy to grow and will form a manageable thicket over time. Running juneberries (Amelanchier stolonifera) will form a shorter living fence. The bonus with all these trees and shrubs is that you’re also creating a food source for you and wildlife. Permaculture folks call that stacking functions, more than one yield from a design element. Shade and privacy screens also become food and wildlife habitats.

didyma), butterfly weed (Asclepias tuberosa), and yarrow (Achillea millefolium). Cardinal flower (Lobelia cardinalis) will thrive in wet spots and, along with bee balm, bring hummingbirds to feed. In addition to long lasting blooms, these beautiful perennials will feed and shelter beneficial insects and are food and medicine for you.

On a budget? Order a tree or shrub bundle from your county’s Soil and Water Conservation District at about two dollars per plant. Cooperative Extensions often host plant sales in May and offer low-priced perennials. (Go early; they sell out fast!) “Buy Nothing” and gardening meetup groups offer freebies.

If you’re already a vegetable gardener, you can invite nature in to boost your efforts by planting a cover crop or covering your garden with cardboard and leaves for a winter rest. A compost bin makes it easy to return the nutrients in your decomposed weeds, end of season trimmings, and kitchen scraps back to your soil. Going no-till means you’ll leave soil structure and beneficial soil organisms in place. These practices will improve soil fertility and organic matter. I once heard a radio DJ incorrectly offer asparagus and rhubarb as THE two perennial veggies. Not so! Perennial sea kale (Crambe maritima) is a sweeter version of kale and broccoli. Good King Henry (Chenopodium bonus-henricus) is a perennial spinach. Egyptian walking onions (Allium cepa proliferum) and nodding wild onions (Allium cernuum) are yummy and, together, keep you in onions all season.

ABOVE: Patty's laundry sink raised bed

If you like the look of what could be called conventional landscaping, think boxwood foundation plantings with impatiens in front, an invasive barberry hedge along the property line, and shrub and flowers along the driveway, you can get a that look with plants that will provide food for you, pollinators, and wildlife. Both blueberries (Vaccinium spp.) and aronia foliage turn brilliant red in fall and produce yummy “superfood” berries. Honeyberry (Lonicera kamtschatica) shrubs thrive even in part-shade, don’t require acidic soils, plus they fruit in MAY! Planting perennial flowers will, in the long run, save you money and planting time plus less soil disturbance means the carbon stays in the soil. Imagine a colorful pollinator strip with flowers of various colors and shapes that bloom from April to October along your driveway. Some of my versatile favorites are bee balm (Monarda

Container gardening in discarded roadside pots or upcycled items is great for folks with mobility challenges, renters, and even folks on high-rise balconies. Imagine leaky boots or outgrown shoes growing violets or oregano or a wicker laundry basket with a missing handle for potatoes and buckwheat as a companion plant. My best score was a 2’ x 4’ shipping container where I grew lettuce, onions, and mountain orach for at least five years before it rotted. You’ll see a cement laundry sink in my front yard filled with cilantro, sage, and sometimes flowers. Containers and raised up beds are also a safer alternative to leaded soils or over leach fields.

Keeping that “People Care” ethic in mind, we can soothe grumpy neighbors who might not like our wild corner by getting a sign from National Wildlife Federation’s Certified Wildlife Habitat Program or simply by planting native flowers where you can both enjoy them. Imagine wandering out barefoot in the morning dew to drink your tea and watch the beneficial insects crawling on those blooms!

Patty Love, founder of barefootpermaculture.com, is a certified permaculture designer and teacher who wanders barefoot in her creekside yard sipping foraged tea, marveling at nature, and cheerfully greeting her neighbors, some of whom have dubbed her place “the nature preserve.”

Fragrant primroses— who knew?

Story and photos by Colleen O’Neill Nice

Every winter I take some time to research unusual primulas for my garden. I find that most are quite hardy, easy to grow, and thrive in my moist and shady beds. I love the taller varieties that attract butterflies with their vibrant shades of orange, yellow, magenta, and pink. Here in Clarence, New York, deer are a constant threat, but, luckily, I have never found any of my primroses munched on or yanked out of the ground.

Over the years I have added to my collection with some lovely species. One of the first varieties I started from seed was Primula japonica, known as the queen of primroses. They are definitely royalty in my garden. These dependable candelabra primroses flourish in

my east-facing beds every spring, in various shades of pink, white, magenta, coral, and even some bi-colors. They grow between one to two feet tall depending on the amount of spring rainfall we receive. The flowers open in whorls at different levels on strong, upright stems. The foliage is a bright green rosette at the base of the plant, which my husband refers to as “cabbage plants.” They are quite prolific at producing seeds, so I delight in collecting them and propagating more plants every year. They will also germinate in situ. Before the seeds ripen, I can easily snip the dead flower stalks off and toss them into my compost heap to prevent reseeding. Better yet, I can harvest the seeds and donate them to the Western New York Seed Library at

OPPOSITE: Primula japonica is a hardy, dependable spring blooming perennial that thrives in my east-facing garden.

ABOVE: The elegant, snow white flowers of P. sieboldii ‘Winter Dreams’ add contrast to the fresh green foliage of spring.

the Audubon Library in Amherst, New York.

ABOVE: I designed my holiday cards with this photo of Primula vulgaris ‘Belarina Lively Lilac’ this year.

OPPOSITE: The foliage is as stunning as the flowers on P. kisoana.

Another one of my coveted primroses is known as the hardy primrose (P. kisoana). I was lucky enough to get a small division from my friend Elissa’s beautiful garden in Blacksburg, Virginia, a few years ago. I need to be honest that I was attracted to its foliage first. Try to envision large velvety green leaves with ruffled margins! I do cherish the vibrant, deep rose blooms as well. It is sited on a moist slope in part sun where it thrives. I think the slope allows for abundant rainfall to flow away from the base of the plant since most primroses prefer good drainage. They will rot if left in standing water. Although I started with a small plant, it doubled in size by the next spring, which encouraged me to divide it. It also reproduces by creeping stoloniferous rhizomes creating patches of appealing foliage.

The Siebold primrose (P. sieboldii) ‘Winter Dreams’ has brought me joy in my spring garden for some time now. I am not sure if I originally purchased a plant or started it from seed. I just know that I needed a spring bloomer for my white garden, which is north-facing and quite moist. This primula is very hardy and is easy to propagate from divisions once it starts spreading. The pure white flowers look like little butterflies floating above its stems. After it blooms, I cut back the dead flowers as well as the foliage, and in a couple weeks new leaves emerge. I use ‘Winter Dreams’ at the front of my garden borders, and the new green growth and uniquely shaped foliage always looks fresh during the summer months. It flowers abundantly, so I love to cut several stems to enjoy in a vase.

A newcomer to my collection is the common

Primrose (P. vulgaris) ‘Belarina Lively Lilac.’ I purchased this unusual plant from an online source. It is only a couple of years old, so I am hoping to divide it this spring. It displays a dazzling, double white blossom with bright raspberry, ruffled edges. The flowers actually look tie-dyed. It is a prolific bloomer with longlasting florets that are surprisingly fragrant.

So what primroses will I be researching and planting in 2024, you ask? Prior to purchasing any seeds, I consider areas in my garden that are moist and shady. I have a slope in the backyard that stays pretty moist, so I am thinking about interspersing orange and yellow primroses between tufts of my lime green Japanese sedge Carex oshimensis ‘Everillo.’ Both the yellow and orange giant cowslip primrose (P. florindae) are fragrant and will fill the air with a heavenly honey scent. This is the largest primula in the genus and is one of the last to bloom. Florets develop in early summer and continue blooming until late summer. They also reseed . . . woohoo! I’m keeping my fingers crossed that my newly purchased seeds germinate!

Continuing my research for fragrant varieties (what gardener can stop at just two seed packets?), I discovered the common cowslip (P. veris) ‘Sunset Shades.’ It is a mid-to-late-spring bloomer with large umbels of nodding, fragrant flowers in shades of coppery red, yellow, and orange. They sound delightful. I can picture them thriving on a slope amongst my ostrich ferns.

I appreciate white flowers throughout my garden, so I will be experimenting with moonlight primrose, P. alpicola var. ‘Alba’. Rosettes of long, shiny leaves support statuesque stems of very fragrant, pure white

flowers. The catalog description states that the flowers are “slightly powdered.” I am not quite sure what that means, but will find out when they bloom. I am planning to add these to my white garden. Hopefully, they will play nice with my ‘Winter Dreams’ primroses.

Lastly, I selected the candelabra primrose P. bulleyana, a very long-lived primrose that produces orange-red buds that open to golden-yellow whorls of blooms. It is a late spring, early summer bloomer and received the Award of Garden Merit from the prestigious [British] Royal Horticultural Society. I must admit that I do not have a place in mind to plant these beauties, but I will surely find the perfect spot by the time they are large enough to plant out.

So, give primrose seeds a try and dom't be afraid to experiment. Our Western New York winters are perfect for propagating these cool germinators. In February, I usually sow the seeds in six-inch pots or six-packs, placing each container in a sealed plastic bag. This helps to keep the soil moist. Since the seeds need light to germinate, I keep the pots in trays on my back porch. I check them weekly to be sure I see moisture on the bags. I do not let them dry out. By springtime, I have dozens of babies to pot up. Depending on how fast they grow, I can plant the primroses in my garden in the fall or wait until the following spring.

Patience is the key when parenting primroses. First, consider where to plant these long-lived beauties in your garden. Keep in mind that any moist, shady beds, absent of standing water, will do. Then do some research. Find the varieties and colors that appeal to you. Follow the propagation instructions supplied by the seed purveyor or your favorite online source. Then plant your own collection of primroses and experience joy for years to come.

Colleen O’Neill Nice is a horticulturalist who is passionate about plant propagation and enjoys nurturing her garden in Clarence, New York.

GARDEN READS:

Primrose by Elizabeth Lawson (Reaktion Books 2019)

Numerous adventures with primroses over the years, though one was more of a misadventure, inspired me to query Reaktion Books, a London-based publisher, about adding a book on primroses to its Botanical Series. This series features beautifully produced and illustrated books about important garden plants—for example, Rose, Lily, Geranium, Sunflower, Pine, Sunflower, and Weeds. Authors are encouraged to portray the biological and horticultural background as well as the social and cultural history of their subjects, an approach that appeals to me. Torn between English literature and botany in college, I pursued postgraduate work in botany (MA, UT-Austin; PhD, Cornell University), horticulture (Kew Gardens, Brooklyn Botanic Garden), and wordsmithing (MFA in nonfiction from Southern New Hampshire University). Although primroses are sometimes thought of as English flowers, pioneering flower breeder Florence Bellis “Americanized” the primrose beginning in 1936 in Gresham, Oregon. She bred the now world-famous Barnhaven primroses and in 1941 established the American Primrose Society, for which I have served as vice president and president. When Bellis retired, her seed stock was moved to England and then France (barnhaven.com). There are more than 400 species of Primula in the family Primulaceae, many of which lend themselves readily to the garden. Those mentioned by Shakespeare— the common primrose, the cowslip, and the oxlip—are among my favorites. Others, like the Japanese primrose (P. japonica), a candelabra type with whorls of blooms, create tapestries in many shades of pink, red, salmon, and white, easily naturalizing in damp settings. Siebold’s primrose (P. sieboldii), also from Asia, has lacily indented flowers that from a distance look like clouds of butterflies. Some say the doubles are the most beautiful. They are readily available in garden centers in the Belarina strain (‘Nectarine’, Pink Ice’, ‘Spring Sun’, ‘Valentine’, etc.). And then one must have in one’s garden the bewitching gold- and silver-laced hybrids first developed in the seventeenth century and the anomalous forms (hose-in-hose, etc.) treasured by the Elizabethans. Primroses make ideal garden plants: they don’t take over, they are easy to divide, and as harbingers of spring they inspire us to open the garden shed as the snow melts.

HELP! I have lesser celandine Do we love it or do we hate it?

By Carol Ann Harlos

ABOVE: Ficaria verna (lesser celandine); photo courtesy Wikimedia Commons by Michal Osmenda, Brussels, Belgium, CC BY-SA 2.

f one has the privilege of visiting the well-worn grave of the English Romantic poet William Wordsworth at St. Oswald’s Church in Great Britain, one will see ,carved on his tombstone, lesser celandine. He even wrote three poems commemorating this plant. That’s because he was British, and it behaves better over there! Here is an excerpt:

There is a flower, the Lesser Celandine, That shrinks like many more from cold and rain: And, the first moment that the sun may shine, Bright as the sun Himself, ‘tis out again!

Wordsworth was not the only person who loved this plant. Herbalists also praised its properties. It was said to be good for hemorrhoids, thus the name “pilewort.” “Wort,” by the way, means “plant.”

Lesser celandine was introduced to North America as an ornamental because it has very beautiful, lovely shiny yellow flowers in spring. Lesser celandine is in the buttercup family. The leaves are heart shaped. It is a perennial plant and a spring ephemeral, which means that it disappears completely after about six weeks. Don’t be fooled by this. If it shows up for the first time in your early spring garden, you may even hope to welcome its return the following spring. So, what’s the problem? One plant will become twenty or more! It will jump from your flowerbeds to your lawn to your neighbor’s yard. This is because lesser celandine slumbers beneath the soil as little tubers. It also propagates by seed.

I do not know how I got an infestation of this weed, but I believe it was carried by wind or birds. I write that statement because in some places there were clusters of young plants all crowded together and struggling for light. I read somewhere that one plant can produce about seventy seeds. I have been digging out the plants, but I know deep inside that there still will be some plants next year. If you get this plant, please do not pull it out, because every little piece of tuber that remains will grow into a new plant. It’s like chopping up a starfish . . . each piece grows into a new starfish, or, in this case, a new lesser celandine.

Lesser celandine’s Latin name is Ficaria verna, and it is a buttercup relative “borne in the spring.” It is in the Ranunculaceae family and it often grows in temporarily wet areas, which are good for frogs. (The Latin name for frogs is Ranunculus.)

By the way, I did find a use for this plant. The flowers and leaves make beautiful pressed plants, useful for card making.

I am sure you are thinking, “Is there a greater celandine?” The answer is yes, but it isn’t related to the lesser celandine . . . it is in the poppy family and behaves itself.

You may also be thinking “Now, Carol Ann, don’t overreact. The lesser celandine plants are pretty, after all. So, what is the problem?”

The tubers send up leaves and flowers in late winter and spring. When the wind or birds carry the plant to areas of the forest the carpet formed by lesser celandine blocks out the light needed by our native spring plants.

What about marsh marigold, a relative of lesser celandine, and sometimes confused with it? Marsh marigold, Caltha palustris, is a native species that grows in wetlands. The flower stalks are about six to eight inches, unlike those of the very short lesser celandine. It doesn’t compete with other species, doesn’t form a mat, and has no tubers.

What to do? Dig them up. Oh sure . . . I have learned from some research that in cases where there are simply too many lesser celandine plants to dig up that certain herbicides will work. However, they must be applied before the plants bloom. Solarization works as well, but the convenience of spreading a plastic tarp over an extended area and knowing every plant under the tarp will be killed may be problematic. Good luck, my fellow gardeners!

ABOVE: Ficaria verna Huds., syn. Ranunculus ficaria, painted by Jacob Sturm; from Deutschlands Flora in Abbildungen by Johann Georg Sturm; image courtesy Wikimedia Commons.

noreen riordan

isa certified arborist ny-1164 a nysdec certified nursery and landscape professional

birdsonglandscapedesign.com (585) 402-4061

birdsonglandscapedesign@gmail.com

Caladiums

Cana Lillies Elephant Ears

For Sale - Wholesale - Retail

Greenhouse Grown in WNY

Find us at the Rochester Public Market!

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447 Clinton Street, Cowlesville, NY 14037

Come visit us at COTTAGE GARDENS

and see all the color and forms of our daylilies—more than 4100 cultivars

4540 East Shelby Road

Medina, New York 14103

RETAIL & AHS DISPLAY GARDEN

Open the month of July closed on Mondays and the 4th of July 10am–5pm or by appointment

email: cglilies@rochester.rr.com

Phone 585-798-5441

Web: http://www.daylily.net/gardens/cottagegardens

We welcome garden tours

• Gift Certificates available

From the garden

Radishes two ways

By Cbristine Green

Radish tea sandwiches

INGREDIENTS

Radishes, sliced very thin

Sprouts or microgreens

Sandwich bread

Salted butter

DIRECTIONS

Butter two slices of bread and add the sliced radishes, slightly overlapping. Add a small bit of the sprouts or greens and top with the other slice of bread. Trim crusts if desired. Serve and enjoy!

Maple roasted radishes and peas

INGREDIENTS

10 to 12 radishes cut in half or quartered if very large

1 cup fresh green peas (frozen and defrosted peas also work)

2 tablespoons olive oil

2 tablespoons maple syrup (or honey)

Salt and pepper

DIRECTIONS

Preheat the oven to 450 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Toss the radishes with olive oil, maple syrup, and salt and pepper to taste. Spread them evenly on the baking sheet. Bake for 10 minutes then remove from the oven. Sprinkle the peas among the radish pieces and return to the oven for 10 more minutes or until radishes are fork-tender.

QB

Daylily Gardens

AHS DAYLILY DISPLAY GARDEN

Open for regular hours

July 3 through August 4

Wednesday thru Sunday, 10am to 5pm or any other time by appointment

Closed Monday & Tuesday

Group tours are welcome

Gift certificates available for purchase on site, mail, or thru website 557 Sand Hill Rd Caledonia • 860.378.4742

QBDAYLILYGARDENS.COM

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PAPERBARK MAPLE. World’s most beautiful Maple. 4 feet to 6 feet. Specimens to 9 feet. Fifteen varieties deer-proof ferns. Hardy Mimosa, Dawn Redwood, Paulonia trees. European Ginger, Hostas, Mexican Sunflower. Call Howard Ecker 585671-2397 for appointment. Grower for 68 years in Webster.

DAYLILIES. Daylilies are outstanding, carefree perennials. We grow and sell over 225 top-rated award-winning varieties in many colors and sizes in our Rochester garden. We are also an official national daylily society display garden. We welcome visitors to see the flowers in bloom from June to September. Call 585/461-3317.

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The crafty gardener

Jellyfish wind chime

By Chrisine Green

The sun is shining, and the garden beckons. As you plan and prep for the spring and summer, consider adding a little handmade decor to your yard. This fun wind chime craft is an easy, inexpensive way to add some sparkling charm to your space.

SUPPLIES

From the thrift store

Stainless steel flatware

DIRECTIONS

A metal colander or other piece of metal dishware that has holes around the rim

From the craft and hardware store: 28-gauge galvanized steel wire—this is “hanging” wire that is easy to bend and is very strong. We do not recommend thinner craft wire as it may not be strong enough.

Steel reinforced epoxy putty, or hot glue

Fishing line—opt for fishing line rather than nylon cord for crafts.

Disposable gloves

A variety of colored glass or plastic beads

Chain or twine

TOOLS Pliers with wire cutters

Scissors

1. The length and number of the “chimes” will depend on the size of your colander and your personal preference. Once you’ve decided how many utensils you’d like to use, cut (or bend and break) several lengths of wire to your desired length. Keep in mind you will also be adding a fishing line to hang it from the colander. Make sure to account for the few inches that you will wrap around the utensil.

2. Carefully wrap the end of the utensil with the wire, leaving about two inches for hanging, and secure it with a dab of the epoxy or hot glue. Make sure to wear gloves during this step. Bend a small loop at the end.

3. Attach a length of fishing line to the loop with a tight knot. String several beads on the fishing line. Attach the other end of the line to your colander. Once the cutlery is tied to the colander, use a chain or twine to hang your finished wind chime outside.

Christine Green is the managing editor of Upstate Gardeners' Journal.

Utensil handle wrapped with wire

Plantasia seminar schedule 2024

March 14–March 17, the Fairgrounds Event Center in Hamburg

THURSDAY MARCH 14, 2024

11 am: Color My World Floral Designs—Dorothy Julius, Along Gardens Path

Noon: Designing Your City Garden—Brad White, Urban Roots

1 pm: It’s Spring! What to Do in Your Yard & Garden: The Basics—Sally Cunningham, CNLP, AAA/ Great Garden Travel, Author

2 pm: Disappearing Perennials . . . What Happened?—Carol Ann Harlos, Master Gardener

3 pm: Unique Cold Hardy Plants for WNY—Clark Janson, CNLP, The Barefooted Gardener

4 pm: Pruning in the Garden—Steve Sypniewski, Lifetime CNLP, Buffalo State College

FRIDAY, MARCH 15, 2024

11 am: Electrification of Horticulture Tools— Sharon Bachman, Erie County Cooperative Extension

2 pm: Flowering Trees at Draves Arboretum That Should Be in Your Yard—Tom Draves, Draves Arboretum

3 pm: Attracting Pollinators to Your Garden—Erin Holko, Masterson’s Garden Center

4 pm: How to Grow Cannabis: Culture and the Law—Melisa Moore, Niagara County Community College

5 pm: Reduce Your Lawn and Help Nature—Lyn Chimera, Lessons in Nature

SUNDAY, MARCH 17, 2024

10:30 am: Winter Seed Sowing Demonstration— Michael Klepp, Nature Teacher (Small seminar room)

11 am: New Plants for 2024—Tim Zimmerman, CNLP, Robert Baker Company

Noon: Soil Science for the Home Gardener—David Clark, CNLP, Horticulture Instructor

The letters CNLP after a speaker’s name indicate that he or she is a Certified Nursery & Landscape Professional

Noon: Cut This, Not That, Lessons in Pruning—Lyn Chimera, Lessons in Nature

1 pm: Power of Worms in the Soil Web—Myles Stubblefield, Worm Works

2 pm: Native Shade Plants for WNY—Ken Parker, CNLP, The English Gardener

3 pm: Box Tree Moth—Jacob Leeser and Sharon Bachman, Cooperative Extension

4 pm: Monarch Butterfly & Pollinator Conservation—David O’Donnell, Eastern Monarch Butterfly Farm

SATURDAY, MARCH 16, 2024

11 am: It’s Spring! What to Do in Your Garden: The Basics—Sally Cunningham, CNLP, AAA/Great Travel, Author

Noon: The Benefits of Composting—Alistair Holden, NOCO Forestry Division

1 pm: Successful Vegetable Gardening—Tom Mitchell, Niagara County Community College

1 pm: Weeds Identification and Control—Tom Mitchell, Niagara County Community College

2 pm: It’s the Berries—Vicki Jancef, Niagara County Community College

3 pm: Flowering Trees for Western New York— William Synder, Registered Consulting Arborist

3 pm: Selection and Care of Roses—Steve Styn, Consulting Rosarian (Small seminar room)

All seminars to take place in the large seminar room unless otherwise noted.

Large seminar room is located to the left of the concession stand.

Small seminar room is located to the right of the concession stand