Articles & Tips

Home for a Gnome

4/29/2021

By: Lyn Chimera
Lessons from Nature

Would you like to have a healthier lawn and help the environment at the same time? The Safe Home for The Gnomes project is for you.

The Erie County Environmental Management Council (EMC) is an advisory board to the Erie County Department of Environment & Planning. Council members advise county government on local environmental concerns; and provide a liaison between the community and county government.

Reducing the overuse and misuse of chemicals in Erie County is a priority concern for the EMC. Launched in 2017, Safe Home for The Gnomes is a campaign to reduce the use of lawn chemicals. Homeowners pledge to maintain a pesticide-free lawn that is safe for children, pets and pollinators and receive a free lawn sign to let their neighbors know that their lawn is healthy and safe.

Garden chemicals when overused or misused can be harmful to humans, pets, wildlife and waterbodies. Collectively, residents control about 900,000 acres of lawn in New York alone - 75% of the managed turf in the state. The good news is there are many ways to care for your lawn that avoid putting family and neighbors at risk.

Ten EMC tips for a healthy pesticide free lawn:

Say no to pesticides – Make sure the products you choose are pesticide free - read the label - if the product says it’s a hazard to humans or the environment, it’s best to avoid it.
Check your soil - Get a soil pH test. Kits can be found at garden centers or you can contact the Cornell Cooperative Extension Master Gardeners for info on how to get a test (652-5400, ext. 137).
Know what feeds your weeds – Different weeds prefer different soil conditions. Use your soil test to make conditions favorable to lawn and unfavorable to weeds.
Feed your lawn only lightly – Use slow-release fertilizers like compost or organic fertilizers. Fall, not spring, is the best time to feed.
Plant a variety of grasses – Mixtures grow better in different sun, shade and traffic conditions. Fall is the best time to overseed bear patches.
6. Don’t cut grass too short, mow high – 3 inches or higher will help the grass outcompete weeds and better withstand drought and is more resistant to pests and disease. Also leave clippings on the lawn, it’s natures fertilizer.
Water less often but deeply – You may not need to water at all. Grass naturally goes dormant with drought and greens up when the rain returns. If you do water, water deeply (down to the roots) about 1 inch/week.
Aerate to open the soil surface – Over time the soil under grass can become compacted and may become crowded with a layer of thatch. Thatch looks like a thick layer of brown roots above the soil level. In lawns with a thatch layer of more than 1/2-inch core aeration in late summer is recommended.
Eliminate grubs with nematodes – Lawn grubs are rare in a healthy lawn but if you have more than 10/square foot you can treat with beneficial nematodes. These are naturally occurring microscopic worms that are not harmful to humans or pets but eat grubs. They are available at garden centers in a powder form which is mixed with water.
If you use a lawn service make sure their treatments are pesticide free – More lawn and landscape companies are offering natural, chemical free treatments. Ask the company t to explain their methods and check references.

Having a pesticide free lawn will save you time AND money as well as eliminate harmful effects on the environment. For more information about Safe Home for the Gnome and managing a pesticide free landscape please visit the Healthy Lawns page at: ERIE.GOV/HEALTHYLAWNS.

NOTE: Our Native Plant and Perennial Sale will be Saturday, May 22, 9-2. Between Amanda’s Garden and Lessons from Nature we will have the largest selection of native plants in WNY along with a good selection of perennials for sun to shade. A GREAT place to get healthy plants at a reasonable price.

Annual native and perennial plant sale
Saturday, May 22, 9-2
170 Pine Street, E Aurora

0 Comments

Back to Blog

May 2021 Gardening Tips

4/29/2021

Dear Gardening Friends,

We’ve had a year’s worth of weather during April. We had winter, then spring then summer and back to winter again. As I write this it’s a lovely, sunny fall temperature day. Hopefully spring is here for good now.

If nothing else April has taught us how resilient nature is. Most plants will be just fine. This type of weather is also a good reason to grow native plants. They are used to this changeable weather and will survive. You may notice frost damage on the tips of some plants, trees & shrubs. The leaves or tips of leaves turn black and crunchy. They can be pruned out or just left to drop off if it’s just a leaf or two. It looks like the only plant I have that was severely damaged was a rare hydrangea from Japan. Am hoping the roots will be fine and send up new shoots. Don’t give up on a frost damaged plant. Cut back the damage and hope for the best.

The following are a few tips.

-       Patience is still the best approach. The soil is quite cold and it’s way too soon to even think about planting annuals. Many greenhouses have perennials and annuals out for sale. If you by an annual keep it in a sheltered place until it’s time to plant.

-       If you leave a footprint on the soil that’s a sign the soil is too wet to work in. It’s easy to compact the soil with every footfall so stay off until things dry out.

-       It’s helpful to have paths or steppingstones in gardens so you can navigate without harming the soil. If a path isn’t appropriate a few rocks or steppingstones placed appropriately are practical and attractive.

-     If you left the leaves down in the fall lightly rake them away from the crowns of plants so the plants don’t get smothered. The leaves can be left on the ground and will make an excellent mulch as well as weed suppressant and habitat for beneficials.

-     Weeding should be a priority. Perennial weeds are up now and will be much easier to remove when small. If removed now you also prevent the weed from developing seeds and spreading even more.

-     The soil is still much too cold to plant greenhouse grown perennials, annuals and vegetables. Wait until the soil is above 50 degrees. As an example, tomatoes planted too soon don’t do as well as those planted at the end of May. Remember Patience! The final average frost isn’t until late May so don’t get fooled by a few warm days.

-     Perennials currently coming up in your garden that need to be moved or divided can be moved since they are used to the current soil temperature. However, don’t move them until the soil is “workable” which means the soil will break apart easily after you make a ball of it in your hand. Clumpy soil won’t settle around the roots well and cause air pockets which can dry out the roots.

-     If you have problems with deer, rabbits and other critters start your spraying, fencing, caging or whatever you do. I’ve already had damage and quickly put up some caging. Will spray on a non-rainy day. Since the plants are growing fast now I spray susceptible plants every week until they reach full size then cut back to every 3-4 weeks.

RECYCLE pots, treys & blinds here. I can use pots 4 inches and up and flat carrying treys. No 6 packs. Also, if you are discarding any Venetian blinds or see some in the garbage, please save them for me. I use the blinds for price tags for the plant sale and won’t have many left after this year. Just drop them off in front of the garage. The address is below.
      NOTE: For those of you in Amherst who are used to dropping things off at 37 N. Union, The property has been sold so please don’t drop pots off there. THANKS!!!!

Now is the time to make changes and improvements in your garden. I can help improve your garden and gardening practices and guarante to save you time and money. Also check out my website for past Garden Tips and articles: lessonsfromnature.biz.

Upcoming Plant Sales & Events: Put them on your calendar now!

            Lessons from Nature and Amanda’s Garden Native and Perennial Plant Sale.
            Saturday, May 22th, 9:00 – 2:00. 170 Pine St., E Aurora, corner of Pine & Lawrence.
Clients and those of you who get my tips can come at 8:00 and beat the rush. We will have a larger variety of native plants on that one day than anywhere in WNY. All my plants are dug fresh from my garden and those from Amanda’s Garden are started from seed by Ellen. Fultz, the owner. I will also have a selection of hypertufa containers, draped concrete planters and birdbaths. A partial list of what plants is at the end of these tips. Since it’s been so cold and rainy, I’ve only started potting up and some plants haven’t even come up yet. So, in addition to the list there will be more surprises.

            Note: all my plants will be potted in soilless potting mix due to the threat of the Asian jumping worm. If you’re not aware of this threat you can get information at: http://ulster.cce.cornell.edu/environment/invasive-pests/jumping-worm

Master Gardener Plant Sale, Friday May 228, 8:30 – 3:00, Saturday May 29, 8:30 – 2:00, First Presbyterian Church, 1 Symphony Circle, across from Kleinman’s. Perennials for sun and shade, natives, annuals, succulents, hypertufa and draped concrete pots, vegetable starts, herbs, shrubs and garden art. Plants are from MG gardens and donated by local nurseries.

East Aurora Garden Club Perennial Sale, Saturday, May 29th 8:30 – till sold out.
In the Village plaza on Grey Street where Tops is. The sale is located under the roof overhang between TJ Max and Pet Smart. Plants from Garden Club member’s gardens, great selection.


Happy Gardening!
Lyn Chimera
Lessons from Nature
170 Pine St.
E. Aurora, NY 14052
lyn@lessonsfromnature.biz
652-2432

Partial Plant List for Perennial Sale 2021

Some varieties there are only 1 or 2 of, others quite a few. A few items aren’t even up yet so additional plants will be added during the weeks to come. First come first served.

Shrubs:


Purple leaf sandcherry                                     Potentilla, Gold Drop
Lynwood Gold Forsythia                                 Hydrangea – Anabelle
Viburnum alnifolium


Sun:

Monkshood                                                     Siberian iris (white & blue)
Perennial geranium                                          Shasta daisy                                         Sundrops                                                         Zig-zag goldenrod
Variety of asters                                              Tansy
            Phlox                                                               Obedient plant
Black-Eyed-Susan                                           Coreopsis
Filipendula                                                      Graceful sedge

Part Sun:

Forget-Me-Not                                                Anemone – white, pink, & ruffled
Dwarf Solomon’s seal variegated                   Candelabra primrose
Ladies Mantle                                                  Kirengeshoma
Astilbe (dwarf)                                                Corydalis –Yellow & white
Astilbe – Ostrich                                             Blue lobelia
Astilbe – variety of colors                                Sundrops
Golden ragwort                                               Bouncing Bet
Bachelor buttons

Shade:

Dwarf Comfrey                                               Hosta – a few varieties, minis
Persicaria                                                         Primrose
Toad Lily – 2 varieties                                     Pulmonaria – a few varieties
European Ginger                                             Lenten Rose, white, pink & deep purple
Curley Ginger                                                  Native ginger
Epimedium – pink & yellow                           Primula kisoana – rare variety
Twinleaf                                                          Ajuga
Corydalis                                                         Astilboides tabularis
Candelabra primrose                                       Soloman’s Seal - 3 varieties


            Natives:

Evening Primrose                                            Tall Meadow Rue
Solomon’s Seal                                               Twinleaf
Ginger                                                             Golden Ragwort
Gold Star                                                         Amsonia
Viola - purple                                                  Big leaf aster
Wood anemone                                               Early Meadow Rue
Jack-in-the-pulpit                                            Ostrich fern
White Wood Aster                                           Wood Poppy
Snakeroot                                                        Creeping phlox
Tickseed                                                          Bloodroot
Filapendula                                                      White violet
Flowering raspberry                                        Lobelia – blue
Northern Sea Oats                                           White wood anemone
Waterleaf                                                         Zig-zag goldenrod
Carolina Phlox                                                 Field goldenrod
            Asters – many varieties                                   Monkshood
Waterleaf                                                         Graceful sedge
Broad-leaf sedge
Shrub – viburnum alnifolium

0 Comments

Back to Blog

March Gardening Tips

3/13/2021

Dear Gardening Friends,

The few sunny days with mild temperatures we’ve had lately are signs spring is in the air. It is March, however, so we have to be realistic. March can be wintery OR spring like. The following are some ideas of what you can do now to prepare for the gardening season.

Now is the perfect time to prune non spring flowering shrubs. Spring flowering shrubs should be pruned after they bloom.
When pruning be sure not to leave stubs. Make cuts just over the place where a bud is coming out or if it’s a branch make the cut just outside the branch collar. (a rough section of bark where one branch joins the trunk)
Dead branches can be removed anytime along with branches that are in the way.
Before starting any pruning projects clean and sharpen your tools. It makes a huge difference. If the plant has had a disease, disinfect your pruner/lopper before moving to another plant or branch if just one branch is affected.
I have noticed a lot of black knot fungus on flowering cherry and plum trees. It can affect ornamental and fruit bearing trees. The affected sections look like swollen black knots on the branches and should be pruned out 8 inches away from the “knot”. This is a highly contagious fungal disease so don’t ignore it. For information go to:

http://plantclinic.cornell.edu/factsheets/blackknot.pdf

Once the soil dries out a little you can rake or sweep up the road grit from driveway and road edges. If you do it when the soil is very wet the grass will be damaged. The same goes for raking leaves blown onto the lawn. Patience is the basic recommendation. We’re all anxious to get going but doing things under the wrong conditions can cause damage.
Gently rake up mulch/leaves that may be over areas where bulbs and early perennials like daylilies are poking through. I always leave some leaves as protection for late season snow & frost. We are bound to have some of both before consistently warmer weather arrives.
Grasses should be cut back before the new growth starts so now is a good time. Wear long sleeves as they have “razor” edges which is why deer don’t eat them.
This is a perfect time for “wishful thinking”. What changes do you want to make, plants to add, move, divide, or remove? First consider the site, light, type of soil etc. THEN research plants suited to that site.
The soil should be above 50 degrees and form a loose clump in your hand before you start any moving or dividing. Again, patience pays off in the end. It’s doubtful we will be able to do anything other than clean up by the end of the month.
If you’ve left plants up from last fall don’t be in a hurry to cut them back. Many beneficial insects overwinter or lay their eggs in the stems and litter around the crown. The same goes for leaf litter in the garden. There are a lot of insects and larva living in the ground litter. Just let it be.
If you need advice on how to transplant, divide, prune, what to plant etc. contact me for a consultation. If, like me, you still have lots of areas of snow cover in your yard, wait until it’s gone to arrange a consultation.

Upcoming Plant Sales: Put them on your calendar now!

Lessons from Nature and Amanda’s Garden Native and Perennial Plant Sale.
Saturday, May 22nd, 9:00 – 2:00. 170 Pine St., E Aurora,
corner of Pine & Lawrence.

Clients and those of you who get my tips can come at 8:00 and beat the rush. We will have a larger variety of native plants on that one day than anywhere in WNY. All my plants are dug fresh from my garden and those from Amanda’s Garden are started from seed by Ellen. Fultz, the owner. A listing of what plants will be available will be in the May Garden Tips and on my web site – lessonsfromnature.biz

Master Gardener Plant Sale, Friday May 21, 8:30 – 3:00, Saturday May 22, 8:30 – 2:00, First Presbyterian Church, 1 Symphony Circle, across from Kleinhans. Perennials and annuals for sun and shade, natives, succulents, hypertufa and draped concrete pots, vegetable starts, herbs, shrubs and garden art.

Educational Opportunity:

Master Gardener Education Day, Saturday, March 13 from 9:00am – 12:45pm.
You won’t want to miss this great opportunity to hear 2 outstanding speakers from the comfort of your own home. This past week I had the opportunity to have a “test run” with both presenters and am really excited about their presentations.

This year’s Education Day will be a shot in the arm for the winter blahs as well as being very entertaining and educational. There will be 2 presentations:

Rick Darke - Co-author with Doug Tallamy of The Living Landscape will present Dynamic Design and Stewardship of Living Landscapes.

Paul Zammit, professor at Niagara College in Ontario, past Director of Horticulture at the Toronto Botanical Gardens and international speaker will present: Planning and Planting for All Seasons.

If you haven’t registered yet you need to do so by this Wed..
Fees: Erie County Master Gardener - $25; Other Master Gardener &CNLP - $30; Public - $35
Registration is required! Register at erie.cce.cornell.edu/events.

Don’t forget to contact me for a garden consult. I can help improve your garden and gardening practices.

Happy Gardening!
Lyn Chimera
Lessons from Nature
170 Pine St.
E. Aurora, NY 14052
lyn@lessonsfromnature.biz
652-2432

0 Comments

Back to Blog

February Garden Tips

2/1/2021

Dear Gardening Friends,
Our weather has been anything but consistent. We have snow cover here in the south towns while the north towns have very little. For those of you longing for spring there are some great gardening events coming up. Details are at the end of this newsletter.

Garden Chores:
- Due to the lack of consistent snow cover, it is important to protect your tender and newly planted perennials. If you didn’t gather pine boughs after Christmas, you can use leaves or get some straw.
- With all the temperature fluctuations this winter there is bound to be some heaving of plants. Do not just step on the root base to reposition them. If the soil is not frozen carefully dig the uprooted plant back into the soil and cover with mulch for added protection. If the soil is too frozen to replant use a thick covering of mulch (leaves work well) to protect the roots until replanting is possible.
- If you are having ice build-up in driveways and sidewalks be cautious of what you use to melt the ice. Salt can be very damaging to the soil and plants.
- It would be wise to shovel the black nasty salt laden “gunk” in the driveway somewhere other than garden beds. My back garden abuts the driveway so this is always an issue for me. I used to wonder why the plants along the drive never did well! It’s a little more effort, but worth it.
- It’s a good time to pick up sticks and debris.
- If you didn’t clean and sharpen your tools last fall now is a perfect time. They will be ready to go when you need them in the spring.

Pruning:
- Usually this would be a good time to prune but with the probability of more freezing weather I would suggest waiting till the temperatures moderate a little, especially for shrubs. If you prune now and we get a bout of freezing temps it may cause some die back on the newly pruned stems which you would need to be pruned back come spring.
- The exception to this is any tree or shrub that has been damaged or broken. Those branches should be removed.
- The ideal time to prune non spring blooming trees & shrubs is while they are still dormant and their buds have not begun opening.
- For details on pruning specific plants check online or contact me for a pruning consultation.

Houseplants:
- Now is a good time to spend some time with your houseplants. A mid- winter “shower” in the sink or bathtub would wash off the accumulated dust and make for a healthier plant.
- Now that the days are getting longer you can resume a light plant food application. If you use fertilizer look for a natural rather than chemical formula. Just read the ingredients.
- You can also start spring repotting houseplants that have become pot bound. If the water drains right through when you water it or if the roots are pushing the plant out of the pot, those are good signs that the plant is pot bound.
- Another sign to indicate repotting is crusty salt build up on the top of the soil. This residue may be on the outside of terra cotta pots as well. The pots can be scrubbed off before repotting.
- Also check for aphids, mealybugs and other houseplant pests. A good soapy water bath is a solution to many problems.

Educational Opportunities: There are lots of events coming up that will
help you learn and get into the mood for spring.

MG Education Day:
Cornell Cooperative Extension of Erie County Master Gardener Program Presents Virtual 2021 Education Day Saturday, March 13 from 9:00am – 12:45pm. This year’s Education Day will be a shot in the arm for the winter blahs as well as being very entertaining and educational. There will be 2 presentations:

Rick Darke - Co-author with Doug Tallamy of The Living Landscape will present Dynamic Design and Stewardship of Living Landscapes.

This richly illustrated talk will present ideas for plant selection, design and care of home landscapes that are beautiful and joyfully livable. Our garden is our home habitat. For most of us, it is the landscape we spend the most time in. When designed to support a great variety of life, it will be full of surprise, and add intrigue, beauty, and interest to every day. The presentation will feature Rick's own high-resolution photos of gardens and designs that have proven to be practical, durable, conserving, and affordable.

Paul Zammit, professor at Niagara College in Ontario, past Director of Horticulture at the Toronto Botanical Gardens and international speaker will present: Planning and Planting for All Seasons.

Who puts a garden to bed, and why would you? For Paul, gardens do not have a yearly start or end date. He believes that they transition from one season of display to the next, including winter. Each season has its shining stars and Paul will highlight some of his favorites during his lively and energetic presentation. Join Paul, as he shares his passion for plants and other possible garden additions while taking us on a journey through the seasons where he will remind us how we can all plan and plant a garden with year-round appeal.

The schedule for the day will be:
9:00 – 9:15: Welcome and introductions
9:15 – 10:30: Paul Zammit presentation
10:30 – 11:00: Q&A for Paul Zammit
11:00 – 12:15: Rick Darke presentation
12:00 – 12:45: Q&A for Rick Darke, Closing comments

Fees: Erie County Master Gardener - $25; Other Master Gardener &CNLP - $30; Public - $35
Registration is required! Register at  erie.cce.cornell.edu/events .

Communities in Bloom Spring Garden Classes
These classes will also be held virtually via ZOOM. There are 3 sessions, you can attend one or all three.

Dates:
Tuesday, February 9, 6:30 – 8:00 pm - What Gardeners Need to Know About Insects and Diseases – Covers the most common insect and disease problems and what to do about them.
Thursday, February 18, 6:30 – 8:00 pm  - Growing Fruits and Vegetables. Whether you are a beginner or well experienced vegetable gardener this program is for you.
Saturday, February 27,   10:00 – 11:30 am - Meatballs, Volcanoes and Other Garden Malpractices – How to avoid the most common and damaging gardening practices.

Fees are: $15 for an individual class and $40 for all three. Registration is required. Check the website to register: http://erie.cce.cornell.edu/events

Since both programs will be virtual, we are not bound by space limitations. Please share this information on Facebook or other social media. The more the merrier!!

If you want to learn how to prune or get a jump on planning for this season’s garden, contact me for a garden consult. We would meet outside and wearing masks. I can help improve your garden and gardening practices.

Happy Gardening!
Lyn Chimera
Lessons from Nature
170 Pine St.
E. Aurora, NY 14052
lyn@lessonsfromnature.biz
652-2432

0 Comments

Back to Blog

Fungus Gnats

12/17/2020

By: Lyn Chimera

Not sure about you, but about a month or so after I bring my plants in for the winter there are tiny pesky flies flying about. They often go right in front of my face which is annoying because they are impossible to catch between your hands.

These tiny flies may well be fungus gnats (Bradysia spp.). They are small dark flies about 1/8” long, blackish grey with long dangling legs. Their antennae have many segments and are longer than their heads. These gnats and have a single pair of greyish transparent wings with a Y-shaped vein near each wing tip. You definitely need a hand lens or microscopes to see these details.

Fungus gnats thrive on plenty of moisture and decaying plant matter. The adults can be a nuisance, but it’s the larvae that are the damaging stage of this insect. Larvae are usually concentrated in the top 1-2 inches of the so. The 1/4 inch larvae are translucent, legless, with a black head. Larvae prefer to feed on fungi rather than healthy plant tissue, as they need fungi for optimal survival. Larvae feeding below the soil surface on root hairs, small feeder roots and fungus can cause stunted growth, off-color leaves or even leaf drop.

To control the gnats, avoid overwatering and water from the bottom if possible. Fungus gnats breed in the moist top 2 inches of the soil so keeping that dry will interrupt that process. Using a sterile potting mix and removing plant debris from the soil surface is helpful. For monitoring adults, yellow sticky traps are effective.

An interesting fact is a female’s offspring will either be all male or all female. Female fungus gnats lay about 200 eggs which hatch in 3-6 days. The four larval instars then feed for about 2 weeks and usually pupate near the soil surface within a thread chamber. After 3-7 days in the pupal stage, adults emerge and live for up to 8 days. They can develop from egg to adult in 3-4 weeks. A generation of fungus gnats (from female to female) can be produced in about 17 days depending upon temperature. The warmer it is, the faster they will develop and the more generations will be produced in a year.

I battle these pests every year and have had success just keeping the plants on the dry side for the first month or so after they are brought in.

0 Comments

Back to Blog

December Gardening Tips

12/1/2020

Dear Gardening Friends,

I hope all of you have a HAPPY and SAFE and HEALTY Holiday season. This is a very different year for all of us and we can only hope with the new year will come happier times.

Luckily, we have our gardens to distract us and the following are some things you can do now.

With the lack of consistent snow cover, it’s important to protect your plants from temperature fluctuations. An easy way to do this is to lightly cover plants that were new this year or have shallow roots. A few options are:

- Pine boughs – they make an easy and excellent winter mulch. As soon as people discard their Christmas trees I go around and clip the larger branches from the bottom then place them over plants that needed protection. You can also check out your local the dump (where the village/town takes all the trees) and cut enough for the whole yard in a short time. It’s a wonderful way to get some quick and easy mulch. So, take advantage of this free resource. (Just don’t collect from my neighborhood!)
-- Straw – can be used in the same way and purchased at a garden or farm supply store. The important thing is not to use hay which would drop seeds and turn your garden into a hayfield. Trust me, I speak from experience!
-- This is a good time to prune away any branches that have been or might be damaged from winter wind. Make sure to trim back to a branch join and not leave stubs.
-- Picking up downed branches and debris is always a good winter job. Just be mindful of walking on soft garden or turf.

Houseplants: This is the time of year when some houseplants are probably needing a little attention.

-- Trim off yellowing/ browning leaves or branches.
-- Give your plants a shower to wash off the dust. Either in the sink or tub. The aves of larger plants can be wiped down with a natural sponge or soft cloth.
-- Check for insects. If there is sticky residue on leaves or areas under a plant that is a sign of scale, aphid or white fly. Check online at a”.edu” site for what to do.
-- If your plant has a white crusty residue on the soil or water runs righty through the pot when you water, the plant should be repotted. Use a good lightweight potting mix.
-- By mid-February you can start repotting and taking cuttings of overwintering annuals or houseplants.

Misc.:
- This is a good time to look through catalogues and plan for the upcoming season.
- Don’t just look at the pretty flowers in catalogues, be sure to match any plants you plan to use to the growing conditions you have and consider adding a few natives.

Educational Opportunities: What better way to spend a winter’s day than attending a gardening class. It will help you improve your gardening and get you in the mood for spring. There are 2 excellent Master Gardener events coming up via Zoom.

Annual Spring Bloom Classes:
Dates: Tuesday, February 9, 6:30 – 8:00 pm, Thursday, February 18, 6:30 – 8:00 pm and
Saturday, February 27, 10:00 – 11:30 am

Topics:
- What Gardeners Need to Know About Insects and Diseases
- Meatballs, Volcanoes and Other Garden Malpractices
- Growing Fruits and Vegetables.
Fee: $15/class, $45 for all three

Check the website for which date each topic will be presented. When I’m writing this tips,
matching dates with topics has not been determined based on presenter availability.
http://erie.cce.cornell.edu/events

MG Education Day:
Master Gardener Education Day, March 13, 2021
Those of you who have attended MGED in the past know what a worthwhile event it is. Each speaker will present one session.
Rick Darke - Co-author with Doug Tallamy of The Living Landscape will present:

Dynamic Design and Stewardship of Living Landscapes.
This richly illustrated talk will present ideas for plant selection, design and care of home landscapes that are beautiful and joyfully livable. Our garden is our home habitat. For most of us, it is the landscape we spend the most time in. When designed to support a great variety of life, it will be full of surprises and add intrigue, beauty, and interest every day. The presentation will feature Rick's own high-resolution photos of gardens and designs that have proven to be practical, durable, conserving, and affordable.

Paul Zammit, professor at Niagara College in Ontario and past Director of Horticulture at the Toronto Botanical Gardens and international speaker will present:

Planning and Planting for All Seasons.
Who puts a garden to bed, and why would you? For Paul, gardens do not have a yearly start or end date. He believes that they transition from one season of display to the next, including winter. Each season has its shining stars and Paul will highlight some of his favorites during his lively and energetic presentation. Join Paul, as he shares his passion for plants and other possible garden additions while taking us on a journey through the seasons where he
will remind us how we can all plan and plant a garden with year-round appeal.

MGED will begin at 9:00 AM and run until 12:45 PM via Zoom. The cost will be $35 for the public and $30 for out of county Master Gardeners and CNLP’s. Registration will begin on January 1 st . To register go to http://erie.cce.cornell.edu/events

Trust me, you won’t want to miss this amazing and fun day.

Garden Presentations:

There is a full listing of the presentations I offer on garden related topics on my website: lessonsfromnature.biz, or let me know and I will send you the listing.

Winter Garden Consultations: Yes, I do winter consultations. If you’re planning changes in your landscape this coming season getting an early start planning now will be helpful. Having a Garden Consultation in the winter is a good way to start. Just call me for an appointment. Appointments can be done virtually during the current restrictions.

Happy Gardening!
Lyn Chimera
Lessons from Nature
170 Pine St.
E. Aurora, NY 14052
lyn@lessonsfromnature.biz
652-2432

0 Comments

Back to Blog

The Stately Hemlock

11/24/2020

By Lyn Chimera
Our native eastern hemlock (Tsuga canadensis) is my favorite native conifer. We are lucky to have some mature and younger ones on our property. Its graceful beauty, adaptability, and tenacity at being able to hold itself onto ravine walls is a source of wonder. In my mind there is nothing more picturesque in the winter than hemlock with snow on its branches. A true photo op. The fact that the needles stay dark green all year adds to their beauty. Dr. Donald Leopold, author of Native Plants of the Northeast says,” There is no more graceful looking tree at any age in Eastern North America.”

Hemlocks have a wide growing light range tolerating from sun to shade. They prefer acid soil that is slightly moist. In nature they often grow along woodland streams or in large stands of moist woods. On a hot summer day, it is noticeably cooler when you enter a hemlock wood. We are lucky to live where there are many such places. The Adirondacks is noted for its hemlock forests.

This is not a small tree. It can attain a height of 60-80 feet sometimes reaching 100 feet high. Their width is 25 to 40 feet. Hemlock needles are quite small, 1⁄4 to 1⁄2 inch. They are deep green on top and underneath are lighter green with 2 parallel silver/white bands. For such a huge conifer their cones are very small, 3⁄4 of an inch long, and egg shaped. The cones look like small ornaments dangling down from the branches.

They make a great addition to a winter door swag. They are slow growing but long lived, reaching maturity in 250 – 300 years! One of the adaptable qualities of the hemlock is they can be a free-standing specimen tree or planted in a
group for a green wall effect. They even take to pruning well and develop into beautiful hedges. This, however, requires continual maintenance but is well worth it.

The common name "hemlock" was reportedly given because the crushed foliage smells a little like that of
the poisonous herb hemlock, which is native to Europe. The root system of this species is shallow, making the tree vulnerable to ground fires, drought, and wind.

As with many trees, the bark of Eastern Hemlocks changes as the tree matures. When the tree is young, the bark is gray-brown and relatively smooth. As the tree ages, the bark becomes cinnamon brown, with thick, ridges forming flat plates, very easily identified.

The bark of Eastern Hemlock was once a commercial source of tannin, used in the production of leather. At present, the Eastern Hemlock has more limited commercial uses than some other conifers in the region. The characteristics of hemlock wood limit its use to relatively low-grade products, such as structural lumber, pulpwood, and pallets. The bark is currently in demand today, but for landscaping mulch. The Eastern Hemlock makes a poor Christmas tree since its needles fall upon drying and the
branches are soft and pliable. Its value as firewood is limited by the fact that the wood throws sparks.

However, the eastern hemlock has a huge role in supporting the ecosystem. Its branches offer shelter and
nesting sites for many bird species. The seeds from its cones provide food for birds and small mammals.

Unfortunately, there is an invasive pest, the hemlock wooly adelgid (HWA), related to aphids, that is decimating native hemlocks throughout the eastern US. It doesn’t survive in winter temperatures below 0 degrees, so our cold weather has helped prevent it from being widespread here. However, now that we are experiencing warmer winters, we are seeing the adelgid in WNY and the Adirondacks. This could be an environmental disaster. Oddly, the HWA is most visible in winter when the HWA covers itself with a waxy white coating that is easily visible on the underside of the branches where the needles contact the branches. If you have hemlocks be sure to keep an eye out for these bugs during the winter.

For more
information go to:
http://ulster.cce.cornell.edu/environment/invasive-pests/hemlock-woolly-adelgid

A gift certificate for plants or a Garden Consult makes a GREAT holiday gift. Just contact us.

0 Comments

Back to Blog

November Gardening Tips

11/1/2020

Dear Gardening Friends,

If it makes you feel any better, I am a long way from having fall garden chores done. Mother Nature just isn’t cooperating. It’s been either too cold or too wet to get much done and I’m not a particularly wimpy gardener. It seemed like when there was a nice day, I was busy with something else. Oh well, whatever doesn’t get done can wait till spring.

There are many perennials that are still looking good and even a few annuals. Even so, there are a few things that should be done before winter.

If you have problems with deer, rabbits or other critters now is the time to put up defenses.

- The trunks of young trees can be wrapped with trunk wraps to protect them from the nibbling of mice and rabbits and rubbing of deer. You can also use chicken wire cages or hardware wire. Be sure the protection goes high enough so critters don't sit on top of the snow to browse and spread chicken wire over the ground about a foot around the plant so they can’t dig under it.

- If deer are an issue, heavy duty deer mesh works well. For shrubs like taxis and arbs you can just wrap the shrub in the netting or burlap. For other shrubs use stakes to attach the mesh and form a protective circle around the shrub. Remember to make the barrier high enough. Deer can stand on their hind legs to eat.

- Shrub coats and burlap tents are good for protecting from wind damage as well as deer. Basically, you are fortifying your yard for the winter!

If you have any products in an unheated garage like deer spray, Neem oil, liquid fertilizer or anything that would be exposed to freezing temps move them to the basement or other location where they will not freeze. Freezing ruins the effectiveness of some products.

Hoses should be emptied and brought into the garage or basement. Leaving them outside to freeze can cause sections to burst and leak. A handy way to store them is to coil the hose up and tie with twine in 2 places. That prevents the hose from getting all tangled and you can stack or hang them easily. This is easier to do on a warmer day as the hose won’t be as stiff to coil. If it is sunny lay the hose in the sun for a while and it will be more pliable.

Tools should also not be left outside. Clean off tools before you store them as any dirt left on over the winter will cause them to rust or corrode. You can sharpen them now or in the winter when you’re dreaming of spring.

Check stored firewood for insect infestations. Remember not to use or move firewood out of your area to help prevent the spread of invasive insects like the Emerald Ash Borer. It’s illegal to move firewood more than 50 miles in NYS.

If you have a rain barrel, drain it before freezing sets in. A good idea to use the water that’s left is to syphon the water out and use it to water house plants during the winter. I attach a hose to the faucet on the rain barrel and run it from the rain barrel into 2 large, covered garbage totes in the basement. Gravity does the work for you and your houseplants will thank you.

Gifts for gardeners:
Lessons from Nature offers gift certificates for Garden Consults or perennials. They are the perfect gift for any gardener. Just contact me for details. I can send the gift certificates to you via email or directly to the person you’re giving it to.

Have a safe and HEALTHY winter!!
Lyn Chimera
Lessons from Nature
170 Pine St.
E. Aurora, NY 14052
lyn@lessonsfromnature.biz
652-2432

0 Comments

Back to Blog

October Gardening Tips

10/1/2020

Dear Gardening Friends,

Here we go with October. The time is going by so fast I feel like I’m living in a time warp. October is a wonderful month for gardening. It’s cooler and hopefully we’ll have more regular rain. The following are some tips for this time of year.

-If you haven’t planted spring bulbs yet it would be advisable to do it soon so the blubs can establish some roots. Technically you can plant any time before the soil freezes, but you’ll have a better chance for a good bloom if you don’t wait that long.

- If you have any plants left outside that you plan to bring in for the winter stop reading these tips and do it now. Seriously, the nights have been cold, and some areas have had frost so there is no time to waste. Be sure to rinse them off well and check for critters before bringing in.

-With the dry weather we’ve had during September the leaves of many plants, especially spring bloomers, have already started dying back. I usually don’t cut many plants back in the fall. The crowns help protect the roots over the winter and provide good habitat for beneficial insects. The exception to this is any plants that have disease. Those should be cut down and removed. Do not compost diseased material. Hosta are another exception. Their leaves turn mushy and get funky, so I cut those back. Hosta come up late in the spring. If you leave some of the bloom stems up, they will overwinter and signal where the plants are in the spring.

-If you had problems with 4-lined plant bug (evidenced by small round brown spots on the leaves) cut those stems back to the crown as the insect lays its eggs in the plant stems.

-Moving perennials now is still possible but not ideal toward the end of the month. Just like the bulbs, perennials need time to develop roots. Anything moved this fall needs to be kept well watered until the ground freezes.

-There is still time to plant trees and shrubs. They are going into dormancy so should do well if kept well watered.

-Weeding is a priority. There are some weeds in my garden that are taller than the perennials! Truth be told I’ve not done much in the garden in the last month and it shows. It’s important to remove the weeds. If they are perennial weeds, they will be much easier to remove than next spring when they will be bigger and nastier. Seed heads from annual weeds removed before they drop seeds prevents a ton of weeding next year.

-As your annuals fade, pull them out roots and all. It’s easier to remove them before the frost
makes them mushy.

-Although fall isn’t the best time to prune many trees and shrubs, any dead or damaged branches should be trimmed. This will eliminate the possibility of them breaking during a winter storm, and damaging home, garage, etc. Any branches that have grown large enough to be in the way or in danger of poking someone in the eye should also be removed.

-If you have little flying fungus gnats in the house all of a sudden, they likely came in in the soil of some plants you brought in to overwinter. Keep the soil on the dry side and that will solve the problem. The larva of the gnats live in the top 2 inches of moist soil. If the soil is dry, that will break the cycle. You can also spray with Neem Oil.

Educational Opportunities:

One of the good things resulting from the pandemic is there are a wealth of educational programs available online. Check Botanical Garden sites, Universities like Cornell and Pen state and some of your favorite authors. I’d suggest staying away from sites selling you products. If you have any questions, I’m just a click away.

Happy Gardening!
Lyn Chimera
Lessons from Nature
170 Pine St.
E. Aurora, NY 14052
lyn@lessonsfromnature.biz
652-2432

0 Comments

Back to Blog

September Gardening Tips

9/1/2020

Dear Gardening Friends,

Here we are in the beginning of September. What a summer this has been! The temperatures are cooling down and we are getting more regular rain. If this weather pattern keeps up it will be time for fall gardening chores. The following are some things you can do:

The first step is to assess what you think needs to be done. I like walking around the
garden with a notebook and writing down ideas of what should be divided, moved, or
eliminated as well as what you’d like to add or change for next year.

Second, I prioritize chores into things to be accomplished this fall and those that can wait
until spring.

Moving and dividing: Due to the wet spring many perennials are extra large, crowding each other, and will need some attention The basic strategy is if it blooms in the spring divide it in the fall and if it blooms in the fall divide it in the spring. This, however, is a generalization that has lots of exceptions. My priorities are to take care of the spring blooming perennials first then see how much time and energy I have left. Signs that a perennial needs to be divided are: overcrowding, reduced blooms, not doing well in that location &/or a “doughnut hole” in the center of the plant which is an indication it needs to be divided. When moving any plant try and get as many of the roots as possible and dig the planting hole no deeper than the root mass but twice as wide. It’s also good to add 1/3 compost to the planting hole to give the soil a nutritional boost. Extra plants can be shared or potted up for use next season.

To winter over potted perennials, you can sink them in the ground and cover them with leaves or put them together in a sheltered area like next to the garage or house and cover with leaves. I have had good luck sinking them in my compost pile. - Other fall chores: It’s a good time to plant trees and shrubs. Check local nurseries for sales. Perennials will be on sale as well. Check sale plants, trees and shrubs carefully for signs of insects and disease. An unhealthy or infested plant is no bargain.

Trees and shrubs, as well as perennials should be planted when they will have at least 4 weeks for their roots to settle in and should be well watered until the soil freezes. This is a good time to cut back stems on plants that are past their prime. If it looks more brown than green you can cut it back. Any diseased plants should be cut back and the cuttings discarded, not put in the compost. It’s not necessary to cut back all the perennials.

Leaving plants with seed heads intact is good food for winter birds. The crowns and leaves of the plants also serve as a protective cover for the plants against temperature changes during the winter. I tend to leave most plants intact for the winter and leave fallen leaves in the garden beds. It’s good for protecting the roots from temperature fluctuations as well as providing necessary winter habitat for many beneficial insects and their larva.

Early September is a good time to bring in annuals for the winter or take cuttings. This should be done BEFORE the nights get cooler and your furnace goes on. It’s also best to take cuttings or bring plants in when they are in their prime. They will not do well after they start diminishing.

Bulbs can be planted now for best results as they will have time to set some roots before winter. That being said, you can technically plant them up until the ground freezes. If you have problems with critters digging up your bulbs, put a square of small gauge chicken wire over the planting hole (under the top surface of soil so it isn’t visible) or you can use pea gravel. The bulbs will grow right through the chicken wire/gravel. Don’t add bone meal to the bulb planting hole as it actually draws critters. If you use any fertilizer mix it into the soil so it doesn’t burn the bulbs.

Lawn care: Fall is a good time to reseed or over-seed your lawn. It’s also a good time to apply fertilizer if your lawn needs it. Applying fertilizer when the lawn is brown and dormant is not advised. Natural fertilizers are much better than chemical fertilizers. However, if you mow high, leave the grass clippings on the lawn and lightly spread some compost over the grass. That’s all you need to do.

Educational Opportunity:

Master Gardener Fall Classes:
The classes will be presented via Zoom and the cost will be $15.00/ class or $40 for all three
classes. Mark your calendar and plan to attend any or all of the following: Tuesday, September 15, 6:30 - 8:00 pm Carol Ann Harlos will present Bulbs and Tubers and Corms, Oh, My! Learn what’s new just in time to plant for a spring show. Wednesday, September 23, 6:30 - 8:00 pm Peggy Koppmann will present Fall Propagation. Autumn is a great time for home gardeners to propagate plants. Learn how to take cuttings of
shrubs and overwinter them. Phyllis Lobbins will discuss the popular Winter Sowing technique
for starting perennials. Gather your milk jugs now.

Saturday, September 26, 6:30 8:00 pm Linda Mayer will present Happy Healthy Houseplants.
Houseplants are the fastest growing area of gardening with new and unusual varieties appearing in nursery centers everywhere. Learn how to keep them happy and healthy.

Register at:
https://reg.cce.cornell.edu/2020_FallGardeningClass_214

Garden Consult:

Late summer is when you can assess your successes and failures and make improvements for next year. What to keep, what to get rid of or what to move. A Garden Consultation can help you decide what worked, what didn’t, why these issues occurred, and what you can do about them. Call or e-mail to set up an appointment.

Happy Gardening!
Lyn Chimera
Lessons from Nature
170 Pine St.
E. Aurora, NY 14052
lyn@lessonsfromnature.biz
652-2432

0 Comments

<<Previous

Author

Archives

Categories

Home for a Gnome

May 2021 Gardening Tips

March Gardening Tips

Dear Gardening Friends,

Upcoming Plant Sales: Put them on your calendar now!

Lessons from Nature and Amanda’s Garden Native and Perennial Plant Sale.
Saturday, May 22nd, 9:00 – 2:00. 170 Pine St., E Aurora,
corner of Pine & Lawrence.

February Garden Tips

Fungus Gnats

December Gardening Tips

The Stately Hemlock

November Gardening Tips

October Gardening Tips

September Gardening Tips

Author

Archives

Categories

Dear Gardening Friends,

Upcoming Plant Sales: Put them on your calendar now!

Lessons from Nature and Amanda’s Garden Native and Perennial Plant Sale. Saturday, May 22nd, 9:00 – 2:00. 170 Pine St., E Aurora, corner of Pine & Lawrence.

Lessons from Nature and Amanda’s Garden Native and Perennial Plant Sale.
Saturday, May 22nd, 9:00 – 2:00. 170 Pine St., E Aurora,
corner of Pine & Lawrence.