The online magazine for gardeners in Buffalo and Western New York  

I saw some amazingly beautiful compost a couple weeks ago in an Earth Day demonstration at Buffalo ReUse. The compost was dark brown and crumbly and pure, with almost no soil mixed in.

The secret to this compost is red wriggler worms. They eat garbage and turn it into compost.

"They eat their weight in garbage every day," explained Kevin Hayes, executive director at Buffalo ReUse. "They're voracious."

The earth worms that you find in your garden don't work the same way.

"Earth worms live in the soil," Hayes said. On the other hand, red wrigglers "are garbage worms. They're 'designed' to live in garbage."

Find out how easy it is to compost with worms! 

I was going to plant Queen Anne's lace in my garden.  I used to love picking these pretty wildflowers in the fields when I was growing up in Cheektowaga.  And hey, planting native species is good for the environment, right?

One problem: Queen Anne's lace grows wild, but it's not a native species.

"We're at the point where the most common stuff is non-native," said Paul Fuhrmann of Ecology & Environment and the New York State Partnership for Regional Invasive Species Management.  

That's the problem in a nutshell: These non-native species choke out the native plants.

Fuhrmann will give a talk on Monday, May 2 on how invasive species have affected native birds, wildflowers, and wild life in Western New York. He will also address how we can protect and preserve our native habitats.

Get details. 

 
Now through May 1

Spring Flower Show

Thousands and thousands of spring flowers will fill the Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens and events for children are scheduled.

Wednesday, April 27

Amherst Garden Club meeting and hands-on workshop

The Amherst Garden Club will present a hands-on workshop by club members: table designs by Eleanor Wolford and flowers by Sylvia Fredricks. The horticulture presentation of the day will be on wildflowers. Guests and newcomers are welcome.

Wednesday, April 27

Make It, Take It workshop at Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens 

Plant herbs in a strawberry jar at the Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens.

Thursday, April 28

Community Discussion:The Future of Our Landscapes 

In celebration of Arbor Day, the Burchfield Penney Art Center and the Western New York Land Conservancy invite you to attend a community discussion on the Future of Our Landscapes. Participants include Tullis Johnson of the Burchfield Penney Art Center; Darren Kempner with Erie County Environment & Planning; Loren Smith of the Buffalo Audubon Society;  Joseph Territo, Olmsted Parks Conservancy arborist; Sharon Webber, board president of Grassroots Gardens, and Margaret Wooster, author and habitat planner for Buffalo Niagara Riverkeeper. 

Saturday, April 30

Make and take workshop at Lockwood's Greenhouses 

Make a Mother's Day basket or spring planter in this workshop with designer Mary Gurtler at Lockwood's Greenhouses, 4484 Clark St., Hamburg. Guests will also be treated to coffee and handmade pastries by food stylist Mary Trifunovic. The cost is $35. For reservations, call 649-4684 or visit the shop.

Saturday, April 30

Birding hike at Nature View Park 

Join Bill Broderick, an avid and experienced birder, who will share his international birding expertise in identifying the wide range of bird species native to this 1,254-acre natural park. Mr. Broderick is a long-time member of the Western New York Land Conservancy, which is sponsoring the hike.  

Saturday, April 30

Class on native plants

Learn what plants take less work and resources since they have spent centuries adapting to our Western New York climate in this talk at the Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens. The presenter is  Lyn Chimera, master gardener.  

Saturday, April 30, May 21 & 28

Kids' watercolor classes

Kids' artistic abilities will blossom under the tutelage of Joan Saba, teacher and artist, at the Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens.

Saturday and Sunday, April 30 and May 1

Spring Open House at Zittel's Country Market

A chicken barbecue, classes, specials, kids' stuff, flowers, garden art and more will be part of the spring open house at Zittel's Country Market. Look for the red barn on Route 20 between South Park Avenue (Route 62) and McKinley Parkway in Hamburg.    

Saturday and Sunday, April 30 and May 1

African Violet & Gesneriad Society show and sale

The African Violet & Gesneriad Society of WNY will hold its judged show and sale on the second floor of the the Galleria Mall, Cheektowaga. Plants and leaves will be sold and you can see a full display of all the judged plants. Educational literature will be available and members will discuss  growing and care.

Sunday, May 1

Zehr's on the Lake opens for the season

Zehr's on the Lake Farm Market & Nursery, 5353 West Lake Road (Rt. 18), Burt, NY, opens for the season. Hours are 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday. See their website for specials and a coupon for $5 off any plant purchase of $30 or more. In the meantime, you can shop online at Zehr's website.

Mondays, May 2, 9, 16 & 23

Monday morning watercolor classes

Taught by Joan Saba, professional artist, these classes are styled to meet the needs of novices and the experienced painter. They are held at the Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens.

Monday, May 2

Western New York Land Conservancy Speakers Series

Paul Fuhrmann of  Ecology & Environment and the New York State Partnership for Regional Invasive Species Management will discuss how our region has been impacted by invasive species of plants. This is the final talk in the series.

Wednesday, May 4

2010 Annual Dinner of the Buffalo Audubon Society

Lee Harper of Riveredge Associates in Massena  will speak on "Restoring Common Terns to New York's Great Lakes and Rivers."

Thursday, May 5

Class on cooking with herbs at Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens

Spice up your cuisine with some tips and recipes from Carol Ann Harlos, master gardener, at the Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens.

Friday, May 6

Black Friday – Spent Spring Bulb Sale at Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens

The staff is pulling thousands of bulbs and they all must go! They provide a bag and you fill it with many different varieties. The cost is $7 per bag.

Saturday, May 7

Kids' workshop at Zittel's Country Market

Want to make something special for mom of grandma for Mothers Day?  We'll help you put together a special flowery gift that they'll just love!  You choose the container and plants from our preselected assortment, and we'll guide you in the assembly process!  No charge for soil, drainage material, topdressings and help; just for the container and plants.  If it's a surprise, mom can browse in the market while our experienced staff assists with the planting process. Look for the red barn on Route 20 between South Park Avenue (Route 62) and McKinley Parkway in Hamburg. For reservations, call (716) 649-3010 or go to the Zittel's website.

Saturday, May 7

Buffalo Indie Market at The Gardens

Admission is free to the market and to the Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens.  Discover handmade items from local artists and designers.

Saturday, May 7 to Sunday, May 29

Coleus Show at Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens

Once you see these multi-colored jewels, you will have to have them as part of your seasonal planting.

Saturday, May 7

Class for kids: Teacup flower arrangement

Delight Mom on her day with a lively fresh floral arrangement you make in a pretty teacup with saucer at the Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens.

Saturday, May 7

The Basics of Birding with the Buffalo Audubon Society

Brett Ewald will lead a class on the basics of birding sponsored by the Buffalo Audubon Society.

Get details on our Upcoming Events Page