The 100-year-old maple that once stood in my front yard had to be removed recently. It just hurts my heart to think about it, but it was diseased and ready to topple. For years I worked on a lovely little shade garden near that tree, but now I must rethink everything. On top of that, my neighbors just put in a new fence, moving it slightly farther from our property line and leaving me with several more inches in my planting bed I need to figure out how to utilize. And I have decided to hardscape an area near my black walnut to create a simple patio for a bird fountain, feeder, and little bench. Did I mention I have a rather large patch of ivy to remove, too? Basically, I have a lot of work to do this season!
Right now, it all seems impossible (and expensive), but once the sun is shining a bit more consistently and the ground warms up, I am sure I’ll find the time and my energy will surge. Until that time comes sometime in mid-May, I’ll makes sketches and cruise the aisles at all my local garden centers. What are your big plans for your summer garden? Hopefully Upstate Gardeners’ Journal is one of your go-to resources for all things gardening. Let me know all about your spring and summer garden plans. Feel free to email me any time at cgreen@585mag.com.
LEFT: Christine Green.
Photo by Kelly Myers
Be-eating the bushes
Native shrubs for your garden
IABOVE: Surprise
think native bushes (aka shrubs) are the most underrated of landscaping possibilities. Because of their size, they are relatively easy to handle for planting and pruning and t into many di erent spaces such as under trees, under the utility lines, as a living hedge, lining a walkway, and even tucked into a shady corner. Many shrubs are incredibly beautiful several weeks or months of the year. Adding bushes/ shrubs to our yards (even in pots if you’re a renter) is an opportunity to increase biodiversity, add pollinator and wildlife food and habitat, and even grow foods yummy to humans. Shrubs serve as nest sites, cover, and pollen, nectar, and food for birds, insects, caterpillars, and mammals. If you don’t want to share with wildlife, you can net the shrubs.
A shrub is a multi-stemmed woody perennial plant generally smaller than trees and ranging from 1.5 to 26 feet tall. Given that native shrubs feed native critters, how do we choose from the dozens of native options? One approach is to pick a spot that’s available and observe the conditions there—sun or shade, wet or dry, near salted pavement, walnuts overhead. Alternatively, choose a shrub that appeals to you; look up its growing conditions and see if you have a space where it will thrive. Many shrubs will grow outside of their preferred conditions but may struggle, producing fewer flowers and fruit. Think “right plant, right place” while remembering that even good sources provide conflicting information because shrubs are quite versatile. As I write this, I am enjoying the subtle beauty of my
Story and photos by Patty Love
black elder in bloom
witchhazel (Hamamelis virginiana) planted near the creek where the soil is seasonably wet. Conversely, a cluster thrives high on a hill in Highland Park in Rochester. A host plant for sixty-nine different butterflies and moths (including the Spring Azure Butterfly), part of its delight is the mystery of just exactly when it will flower. Sometimes it’s November. This year, the sweet fragranced, wispy, rust color blossoms appeared in March. As I prune to keep it shrubby-sized, I peel the bark from the clippings to save for medicine. (Only use medicinal plants under proper guidance.)
American hazelnuts or filberts (Corylus americana) make an amazing privacy edge during the part of the year when they are leafed out, which coincides with weather warm enough to enjoy hanging out in our yards. If privacy is your main consideration, plant a double staggered row to enjoy the natural thicket that forms over time and can be managed with pruning. Hazelnuts are a larval host plant for the spectacular Luna moth and others of its stunning Saturniidae relatives. Hazelnuts prefer full or part-sun and moist or dry soils. The fruit (nuts) are unusual and beautiful as is the foliage and spring catkins. Pay close attention to harvest time, as your resident birds, deer, and other mammals might beat you to it.
American red (Sambucus racemosa) and black (S.
canadensis) elderberry may be some of the most versatile native shrubs in terms of growing conditions. They grow in wet soil, are drought tolerant, and prefer full sun while tolerating significant shade. Whenever I give a tour of my food forest garden, I share being humbled by nature and the elderberry shrubs, telling how I carefully selected some named varieties (which, for anyone keeping score, are not native cultivars) fourteen years ago and planted them where the books said would be their perfect home. About five years ago, a new elderberry unexpectedly appeared on the opposite corner of my garden where soils are drier, and shade is abundant. That lone bush is easily twice the size of the others and produces four times the flowers and fruit! After the pollinators and I enjoy the lacy beauty of the creamy white umbrella-like flowers, myriad critters and I revel in the bountiful berries.
I remember seeing a video of a person harvesting forty quarts of berries from one bush—the prolific black chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa). When I read that the black chokeberries have more antioxidants than the aforementioned elderberry and host more than 100 insect species, I knew I needed at least one. They require little care—just a little pruning every year—and are happy to grow in lots of conditions including full or part-sun and dry to moist or even boggy soils. In
TOP: Blueberry‘s brilliant fall color
Garden design
Foodscaping
Designing a garden you can eat
By Jessica DeMasio; photos provided by author
The task of creating a dedicated vegetable garden can feel overwhelming—carving out a large chunk of your yard to create the perfect growing space isn’t a reality for everyone. We’ve all seen the DIY clips of those beautiful wooden raised beds with lasagna layering techniques and beautiful trellises. at’s a lot of work!
For those of us who don’t have the Martha Stewart kind of time or resources, why not dress up your existing landscape beds with plants you can eat? Foodscaping improves your soil, supports pollinators, boosts your ecosystem—and puts food on your table. Let your yard be both a food source and a beautiful sanctuary.
Here are some ideas to consider when incorporating edible plants into your gardens:
SHADE TREES
There are many varieties of fruiting trees to consider: apple, cherry, plum, peach—the list goes on. Not only will you be rewarded with tasty treats, but many fruit trees also have spectacular spring blooms and provide much-needed shade for your patio or garden. If space is tight, consider a pruning technique called espalier, where a fruit tree is trained to grow flat along a wall or as a living fence. Just make sure to check if your tree is self-pollinating or if it needs a lover nearby.
PRIVACY WITH PURPOSE
Grapevines and climbing vegetables like cucumbers can quickly cover a trellis or chain-link fence. A grouping
TOP RIGHT: Eggplants are perfect for an Italian-themed garden bed.
BOTTOM LEFT: An artichoke flower adds garden interest.
BOTTOM RIGHT: Chives in bloom are pre y and edible.
TOP LEFT: Eggplant blossom
Spring spinach and strawberry salad
By Cbristine Green
This fresh salad is the perfect light lunch on a nice spring day. Pair it with grilled chicken or shrimp and a loaf of crusty bread to make a complete meal. This pretty dish is also fun to bring to a potluck; wait to dress it until just before serving.
SALAD INGREDIENTS
10–12 oz. fresh baby spinach, washed
1 pint fresh strawberries, sliced
Blue cheese or Gorgonzola crumbles
Sliced or silvered almonds for garnish
MAPLE VINAIGRETTE
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
2 tablespoons maple syrup
1/2 cup extra virgin cup olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste
INSTRUCTIONS
Toss salad ingredients in a large serving bowl then sprinkle with almonds. In a bowl or mason jar mix dressing ingredients and shake or mix well. When emulsified, drizzle over the salad and enjoy!
Substitutions: Feel free to substitute pecans or walnuts for the almonds. Don't like blue cheese> Feta also goes well with this salad.
Saturday & Sunday, June 28 & 29, 10am
Buffalo Botanical Gardens 2655 South Park Ave, Buffalo
There is something for every garden and gardener: art fro your garden, live music, food trucks, and a basket raffle make shopping fun! View the vendor list at GardenArtSale.com
Exploring Buffalo Niagara’s gardens has become the great getaway for lovely summer days. The gardens are beautiful, there are no crowds, and the gardeners are friendly and happy to answer questions. Get an Open Gardens Guide online or at select garden centers, find out more at OpenGardensWNY.com
The
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Dandelions… More than weeds
By Carol Ann Harlos
The First Dandelion
by Walt Whitman
Simple and fresh and fair from winter’s close emerging,
As if no artifice of fashion, business, politics, had ever been, Forth from its sunny nook of shelter’d grassinnocent, golden, calm as the dawn, The spring’s first dandelion shows its trustful face.
No one has ever chosen the dandelion as “Perennial of the Year” or “Herb of the Year.” I doubt they ever will! But dandelions are highly adaptive and diverse plants. They can colonize widely differing habitats, from a fertilized dense lawn to bare soil between plants in a tilled field. Most people consider them to be weeds, and this member of the Asteraceae family is actually an aggressive, invasive, non-native species.
Distinct dandelion biotypes (somewhat di erent genetically) have been identi ed, and to some degree these biotypes specialize in their choice of habitats. A dandelion in an environment that compliments its biotype produces more seed heads than it would in a less complimentary environment. is is due to di erences in the root hairs, which absorb water and soil nutrients. Not native to North America, dandelions, Taraxacum o cinale, were brought to the west by Europeans who
used them as potherbs. Dandelion use has a rich history. Dandelions were among the original bitter herbs of the Passover. e Israelites were commanded to eat the Paschal lamb “with unleavened bread and with bitter herbs” (Exodus 12:8). Bitter herbs consisted of chicory, bitter cresses, dandelions, hawk weed, sow thistles, and wild lettuce. Today these plants still grow on the peninsula of Sinai in Palestine and in Egypt.
Presently, Vineland, New Jersey is the “Dandelion Capital of the World.” Well-tended dandelions are sent from here to markets in Baltimore, New York City, and Philadelphia. At the yearly dandelion festival attendees can sample a variety of dandelion dishes.
e genus name Taraxacumi may come from the Greek word “tatassein,” meaning “to disturb,” or as a Latinization of the Persian word “tarashqun,” meaning “bitter potherb.” e species name o cinale refers to the dandelion’s root use in medicine.
e leaves of dandelion are pinnately lobed and deeply serrated, forming the “lion’s tooth” in outline, this is supposedly the origin of the “dent-de-lion.”
Carolus Linnaeus, the father of the binomial system of nomenclature, gave the dandelion the name Leontodon taraxacum. Dandelion’s scienti c name has changed several times. It has been called Taraxacum leontodon, T. taraxacum, and t. vulgare, the last name because it is “common.”
Dandelions have been used through history to treat disorders of the kidney and stomach. ey are believed to be a bladder and kidney stimulant, lending the name “pissenlit” by the French and “pissabed” by the English. ey are also believed to stimulate the liver and to
increase blood circulation.
Dandelions can be eaten by livestock and don’t seem to a ect the quality of forage.
you may see dandelion rosettes! In areas where soil is compacted, dandelion roots do some good as they “dig” into the soil, aerating it. If they are dug out, other plant species have an easier time getting established. e ower buds of dandelions grow from the top of the root. ere are no stems. So, if you cut o the top, the plant will simply regenerate from the root. ( is explains why simply cutting the lawn does not rid you of dandelions.) Pulling or chopping is of little help, as pieces of the taproot grow into new plants. e roots are edible, though, and can be boiled, fried, or dried. Dried and roasted roots can be used as a co ee substitute similar to chicory, a close relative. Be careful when purchasing dandelion seeds to grow in your garden for the leaves. “Italian dandelion” seeds, for example, are actually chicory. Pay attention to the genus and species name. ose leaves simply don’t taste the same as true dandelions.
Dandelion ower stalks are hollow pseudo (false) stems ranging from about six inches to two feet. e ower heads are compound in orescences about one to two inches in diameter. Each ower head is not a single ower with many petals but one hundred to three hundred identical ray owers! (Take a ower apart and count them! “He loves me. He loves me not.”) Each ray ower has a yellow petal with ve notches at the top. Look with a magnifying glass to see this. Flowering peaks in early summer but can recur in September and October.
ABOVE: Plate 1: Dandelion from A Curious Herbal by Elizabeth Blackwell. Courtesy biodiversitylibrary.org
e juice of dandelions is a milky latex. is shows up in dandelion’s nearest relatives as well . . . lettuce, chicory, hawks beard, and hawks weed. e leaves are delicious when young and are high in vitamins A and C as well as the minerals iron, copper, and phosphorus. Leaves are good in a salad, steamed, in a stir fry, or as an addition to soup.
You may have noticed dandelions in full sun, but they can grow in shade. ey don’t seem to mind drought, probably due to their highly developed tap root. Stored food helps them survive. e roots usually grow from about six to eighteen inches deep but can grow to ten feet, giving dandelions the name “earth nail” by the Chinese. (Imagine digging that one out!) e roots are contractile, so the growing point of the dandelion plant is kept near the surface of the soil, the roots contracting while the rosette of leaves grows. e rosette of green leaves forms a circle, making it di cult for the seeds of other plants to compete. Look under the snow and
Please take the time to observe the behavior of dandelion owerheads. You will see that the heads open up through much of the day in the early spring but close up sometimes quite tightly by the middle of the day from about June through August. e owerheads also remain closed on overcast days. Do you remember picking bouquets of dandelions as a child (or perhaps later)? e ower heads closed shortly after the owerhead was picked. I remember thinking that my bouquets needed water so I put them in a glass of water. Nothing changed! e owerheads also close when the seeds are maturing. en they reopen for their release. Voila!
I keep honeybees. All pollinators are welcome, including native mason bees, native digger bees, and so forth. I love watching bees, some y species, and occasional wasps probing dandelion ower heads. We have been taught that insects are attracted to plants by nectar and that in the process of gathering nectar the insects pollinate the owers, a good exchange. BUT dandelions don’t need insects to pollinate them, as the fruit (the holders of the seeds) will develop asexually (parthenogenesis). Each individual ower produces seed whether or not an insect visits. is is called “apomixis.”It occurs in hundreds of plant species. Examples of apomixis include citrus plants, wild beets, strawberries, and some forage grasses. e seeds that are produced in these instances are all identical.
e seed heads of dandelions have interesting names:
“blowball,” which is obvious, and “monkshead,” which is what the owerhead looks like after the seeds blow o (a tonsure). e fruits of dandelions are actually achenes— simple, dry fruits with one seed inside each fruit about an eighth of an inch long. I looked at them under a microscope and the seeds looked ribbed. e achenes don’t split open; they oat away in the parachute structure. ey germinate on top or near the top of the soil. ey don’t need a resting stage, so they germinate soon after landing.
You can dig dandelions in the wild, cut fresh leaves, or even cut the owers for making wine. If you’re making dandelion wine you’ll need a lot, and I can tell you from experience that picking one gallon of dandelion owerheads is quite an undertaking! Wash the owerheads then remove the many thousands of individual owers. Before harvesting the owerheads please take care to ensure that they haven’t been sprayed with pesticides or by a passing creature. Or just let the owers be . . . for insects and for children to enjoy.
If you wish to grow your own dandelions specially for greens, you can collect wild dandelion seeds. You can also purchase dandelion seeds from Johnny’s Selected Seeds. Most people who intentionally grow dandelions do so for the leaves. For good tasting dandelion leaves cast the seeds in rich well-draining slightly alkaline soil. Plants need to be spaced about nine inches apart. Cut the leaves when young to reduce the possibility of a bitter taste.
If you aren’t interested in the owers cut them o so the plant’s energy goes back into leaf production. Fresh leaves can be harvested all season long. e rst time you use dandelions, do so cautiously. Some people react to the milky sap. e greens may disagree with your digestive system.
We have all held a dandelion ower head lled with seeds and blown those seeds away. What remains are said to be the number of remaining years of your life, predict whether or not you will meet someone to love, or tell whether or not you get into trouble with your mother. I did not know the lore of dandelions as a child. I blew the dandelion parachutes away because it was simply fun.
Fresh dandelion greens are delicious! Again, they can be steamed, stir fried, and added to soups, eggs dishes, and fritters. If you think spinach, think dandelion greens. eir uses are unlimited!
Carol Ann Harlos is a Master Gardener with Cornell Cooperative Extension, Erie County.
CalendarCalendar
ROCHESTER cont.
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. 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 announces its campaign for new members. Meetings are held March through December at the Watershed Education Center, Vitale Park, Livonia at 7:00 p.m. The primary missions of the club are civic beautification and scholarships for Camp Stella Maris and Livonia Central School. Inquiries can be made to Eleanor Dober, President at: emd_sjd@yahoo.com.
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 NY, 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 please email gardenclubofbrockport24@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.
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. gatesgardenclub@ gmail.com
Genesee Region Orchid Society (GROS) meets the first Monday following the first Sunday of the month. Meetings are held at 6 p.m. at the JCC on Edgewood Dr. in Brighton. Please see the website for information, geneseeorchid.org.
Genesee Valley Hosta Society meets the second Thursday of the month, April–October, at Look Up Park, 3850 East Henrietta Rd, Henrietta. Contact 585-889-7678 or sebuckner@frontiernet.net, or visit geneseevalleyhosta.com for more information.
Greater Rochester Iris Society (GRIS) is 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. Honeoye Falls. 585-2660302, thehutchings@mac.com.
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. 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 of the month, except May-August and December. at 6:30 pm at The Henrietta Town Hall, Lower level, 475 Calkins Rd. Henrietta. Handicap accessible. Guests and nonresidents are welcome. Call 585-442-8634or 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 on zoom February to April at 10 a.m. the third Thursday of each month. Beginning in April, meetings are in-person. There are no meetings in December and January. Attendees will participate in an ikebana workshop, enjoy fellowship with your own brown-bag lunch, and have a short culture program following lunch. Ikebana International is a non-profit cultural organization whose objective is to stimulate and perpetuate the study of ikebana (the Japanese art of flower arranging) and related arts throughout the world. In-person meetings are at First Baptist Church, Hubbell Hall, 175 Allens Creek Rd., Rochester. rochesterikebana@gmail.com, ikebanarochester.org.
Kendall Garden Club meets the first Wednesday of the month at 7 p.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 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. New members are always welcomed. Annual plant sale on the third Saturday in May, parking lot behind the library. pittsfordgardenclub@gmail.com
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. 585-865-2291, 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. 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. Bonnie Arnold, 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. 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.
The Webster Arboretum. 1700 Schlegel Road, Webster. thewebsterarboretum.org
Williamson Garden Club. On-going community projects and free monthly lectures to educate the community about gardening. Open to all. 315-524-4204, grow14589@gmail.com, growthewilliamsongardenclub.blogspot.com.
Calendar
ROCHESTER cont.
F July 19: The Frog Lady: Margot Fass MD “Honoring Life—One Frog at a Time,” 10 a.m. This presentation will take place outdoors (rain or shine) on the far side of the pond and is catered to children 6–9 years old. Check out her whimsical illustrated children’s book, Froggy Family’s First Frolic and discover the life of the frog. This presentation will take place outside rain or shine. 1700 Schlegel Rd, Webster.
T July 26: Kiwanis Club Annual Garden Tour, showcasing six stunning gardens, along with an exclusive tour of the oldest historic home in Pittsford, dating back to 1793. bushnellsbasinpittsfordkiwanis.org/garden-tour
August 1: Hydrangeas Walk and Talk with George Riehle, 7 p.m. Hydrangea, commonly named the hortensia, is a genus of more than seventy species of flowering plants native to Asia and the Americas. Attendees will learn all about the various species and how to care for this much-loved plant. This presentation will take place outside rain or shine. 1700 Schlegel Rd, Webster.
September 9: Dahlias with Patty Pirz, 7 p.m. Discover the culture, type, variety and care of the beloved Dahlia. Learn how to grow and nurture these plants to their best advantage. The presentation will take place in the Curry Building. 1700 Schlegel Rd, Webster.
October 7: Bonsai presentation with Mark Arpag, Mark Arpag is an award-winning International Bonsai Artist living in Rochester, New York. He is a long-time active member & current president of the Bonsai Society of Upstate New York. Arpag will bring examples of bonsai for viewing. The presentation will take place in the Curry Building. 1700 Schlegel Rd., Webster.
F November 8: Bird Seed Ornaments, 9:30 a.m. Families can visit the Aaboretum to learn how to make ‘bird cookies.” This event will take place at the Webster Parks and Recreation Center, 1350 Chiyoda Dr. in Room 210.
SYRACUSE
REGULAR CLUB MEETINGS
African Violet and Gesneriad Society of Syracuse. The chapter meets at 7:00 p.m., on the second Thursday of the month, September to December and March to May, there are no meetings in January or February due to weather conditions. The meeting place is Pitcher Hill Community Church, 605 Bailey Road, North Syracuse. More information is available on the chapter website (avsofsyracuse.wixsite.com/avgss) or via email penny.moore.bs@gmail.com
Baldwinsville Women’s Garden Club meets the first Thursday of each month except January at St Marks’ 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.
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. 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 once a month on the third Tuesday of every month, unless otherwise stated. The club typically meets at 7 p.m. at the Lafayette fire house. Dues are nominal. Anyone with an interest in gardening is welcome to join. We usually have a guest speaker at our regular meetings. Participants are asked to take turns hosting the food for each event. Some events include tours of different gardens, some are crafting or potting events. In January of each year we have
our holiday luncheon at a local restaurant, play games, and exchange white elephant gifts for those that are interested. Come on out and give us a try! For any questions, please contact Susan Manson at animallover82003@gmail.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.
Seneca County Community Garden Club members meet on the first Wednesday of each month at the Seneca Falls Recreation Center, 35 Water St., Seneca Falls, NY $20 individual/ family plots available. New members always welcome, and you don’t have to be a Seneca Falls resident to join.
CLASSES / EVENTS
S May 17: Master Garden Plant Sale, 9 a.m.–Noon, Locally-grown perennials, herbs, ferns, and native plants, and more will be available for purchase starting at $3. Immanuel United Methodist Church, 303 Kasson Rd., Camillus.
Deadline for calendar listings for the next issue (July-August 2025) is June 11, 2025. Please send your submissions to calendar@upstategardenersjournal.com.
SATURDAY•MAY17•9am - 2pm Lessons from Nature & Amanda’s Garden present:
Annual Native Plant and Perennial sale
noreen riordan
Come shop thelargest selectionofnative perennials inthe state
Check out our websites: • lessonsfromnature.biz 170 Pine St., E. Aurora, NY 14052
Eagle Bay Gardens Eagle Bay Gardens
See: 8 acres of gardens Over 2000 hosta varieties Rare trees & shrubs • Unusual perennials
Restroom &picnic tables
*Hundreds of hosta and other plants for sale
Rt. 20, Sheridan, NY
Open most days 11AM–6 PM Sundays 2 PM–6 PM 716 792-7581 or 969-1688
We welcome garden tours • Gift Certificates available
Pour-paint a pot
Dress up a plain flower pot with an easy pour-paint method. The most timeconsuming part is waiting for the paint to dry. This is a kid-friendly craft and can be done outside now that the sun is out and the days are warmer.
SUPPLIES/TOOLS
4-Inch pre-painted or pre-sealed flower pot
Painter‘s tape
3 Small disposable cups; either paper or plastic
3 Popsicle sticks
3 Different colors of acrylic paint
Small bowl of water
Teaspoon measuring spoon
Disposable plate or pie tin
Large can of spray paint (or other similar object like a hairspray can)
Plastic bag large enough to cover can of spray paint
DIRECTIONS
1. Place paper plate or pie tin on level surface.
2. Place can of spray paint in plastic bag, then set in center of plate.
3. Use a small piece of painter's tape to cover hole on bottom of pot.
4. Place pot upside down on the can of spray paint.
5. Pour a good amount of paint in a cup. Paint should be the consistency of pancake batter. If the paint is too thick, add a teaspoon of water and stir well with a popsicle stick. Add more water as needed until paint is pourable.
6. Repeat with last two colors of paint.
7. Choose one color and pour along the bottom edge of pot. You can pour all the way around, or in random places.
8. Repeat until with remaining colors until you are happy with the look.
9. Dispose of paint cups and popsicle sticks.
10. Let the pot dry for at least 24 hours before removing pot from top of spray paint can.
11. Remove piece of painter's tape from pot.
Cathy Monrad is the graphic designer for Upstate Gardeners' Journal.
