Southtowns Gardener

Humming Birds

2008-07-25T10:09:00.002-04:00

Well After a period of no post. I'm back ! Happy Summer to all. While sitting out on the deck, I have noticed an increse of Humming Birds. Large, small and a possible family. Does anyone know what they like the best to eat(drink) and when do they start to head South?

Is it Spring yet?

2008-03-12T17:52:00.002-04:00

I'm getting tired of this white stuff, how about you? What signs of Spring have you seen so far? Fill us all in, if it's birds, flowers...what ever.....

Say it's not SNOW

2007-11-06T07:47:00.000-05:00

Well, I knew the weather couldn't hold out. It's snowing here this morning with a temp of 35 deg. My problem is that ALL my trees in the yard still have green leaves and the weight of the snow is starting to make them hang low. I would love to hear where you all live and what it's like there. Please join in and let us all know about the weather where you live. Have a great day!

A safety reminder

2007-11-02T08:42:00.000-04:00

Many fire departments encourage people to change the batteries in their smoke detectors when they change their clocks because Daylight Saving Time provides a convenient reminder. "A working smoke detector more than doubles a person's chances of surviving a home fire. More than 90 percent of homes in the United States have smoke detectors, but one-third are estimated to have dead or missing batteries.

Garden Tip

2007-11-01T20:31:00.000-04:00

Just because summer is over, please don't forget to continue watering trees, shrubs,vines and all new plantings until the rain comes. Remember to water plants in often forgotten sheltered areas. Plants do better in surviving winter if they've built up a water reserve in the fall.

Western New York Home & Garden Show

2007-10-30T09:23:00.000-04:00

This week, Friday, February 15 (2008) 8:00p
at International Agri-Center/Hamburg Fairgrounds, Buffalo, NY

More info to come...

Daffodils in the Northeast

2007-10-30T06:33:00.000-04:00

Daffodils from almost every division grow here(depending on your USDA zone). About the only ones that don't do well here are the less-hardy Tazettas and Bulbocodiums. If your autumn is dry, which has been the case in Western New York, water the bulbs after planting to get the roots growing. For extra protection, put down a layer of chopped leaves or evergreen boughs once the soil freezes. Then pull the mulch away from the plants in early spring.

Know Your Soil

2007-10-28T12:36:00.000-04:00

The key to having a great looking garden is by knowing what type of soil you have. Now some of us are more versed than others, but here are some ways of telling what you have and different ingredients to help those soils out.

Grab a handful of wet soil and knead it into a tight ball. Rubbing your thumb against your index finger, pinch the soil to form it into a ribbon. If you can make a ribbon, but it's less than 1 to 2 in. long, you have loam soil.

SAND: When you try to form very sandy soil into a ball, it just won't hold together, even when it's wet. So there's no chance it'll form a ribbon. That's sandy soil. If your soil forms a ribbon less than an inch long, you'll want to treat it like sand and add amendments.

CLAY: If your soil forms a ribbon 2 in. long or longer, you have clay. Unless you have plants that like clay, they won't be healthy.

Amending the top 6 in. of your soil, will help you grow great plants. But to get even deeper root growth, remove the amended layer and spread more ingerdiants in the treanch. Till them in and then replace the first layer.

Organic Ingredients: Some examples are Bark chips, Compost, and Peat moss.

Inorganic Ingredients: Some examples of these are Sand, Perlite and Vermiculite.

FINGER LAKES FOLIAGE EXPECTED AT PEAK OR NEAR PEAK FOR WEEKEND

2007-10-28T12:01:00.000-04:00

Foliage in the Greater Niagara region will range from near peak to past peak this weekend. Expect peak colors this weekend in Niagara County, where leaf peepers are projecting 90 percent color change and a predominance of yellow/gold leaves highlighted by orange and red. The best viewing should be in the Niagara Rivera area from Niagara Falls downriver through the communities of Lewiston and Youngstown. Much of Orleans County should be near peak, with about 75 percent color change and yellow, red and orange leaves predominating. Erie County will be just past peak by the weekend, as will Wyoming County, which experience rapid leaf change over the past week.

Chautauqua-Allegheny
Most areas of the region are now past peak, although some good colors remain in Cattaraugus County, including areas of Allegany State Park, where you’ll spot red, gold, yellow and bronze leaves of average brilliance. The hardwoods are 90 percent changed, giving additional color to the hillsides. Foliage spotters in Belmont in Allegany County project near peak to peak foliage, with bright red, yellow and orange leaves.

Lions and Tigers and MOLES - Oh my !

2007-10-27T19:48:00.000-04:00

The moles where quiet for awhile but now have resurfaced once again. I have heard everything from using chewing gum to caster oil. Has anyone else tried anything different that works for them and might be worth trying?

Deer are having a feast

2007-10-27T18:47:00.000-04:00

I was recently at my parents house and saw the damage caused by deer in their gardens. What works the best for keeping them out? How long will it last? They need help before everything is gone.

Fall and Winter garden preparations

2007-10-27T17:34:00.000-04:00

Calling all you green thumber's!

As I sit and look out over the Boston Hills, South of Buffalo, NY. I can see by the color in the trees that winter is fast approaching. I'm wondering if I have prepped my flower beds the correct way for the winter months that are ahead. I am hoping to hear from all levels of gardeners to help each other out. You can ask questions, post ideas and even show photo's of your love for gardening. The winter is long and boring. So sit back, grab a cup of your favorite beverage and lets have fun.

Q. Should I rake out the leaves from my garden bed? or leave them sit over the winter.