January 2018

Dear Gardening Friends, As I write these tips it’s an amazingly sunny 50 degree spring day (Friday 26 th). Just got back from a walk and it felt like spring. However, that is most probably not going to happen. This is nature’s teaser. There are some things you can do now to help your garden get through the rest of the winter: - If you haven’t put down any winter mulch on tender, newly planted or shallow-rooted perennials, now that most of the snow cover is gone, it’s a good time. - This year I got a GREAT idea for winter mulch. Instead of driving around the neighborhood cutting of the large lower limbs of discarded Christmas trees, I drove to the dump (where the village takes all the trees) and cut enough for the whole yard in about 20 minutes. It’s a wonderful way to get some quick and easy mulch. - If you don’t have access to discarded trees you can get straw from garden supply stores. - The importance of mulch is to help keep the soil from freezing and thawing which can damage the roots and cause heaving. The last few weeks have been a perfect example of this. - The top inch of the soil is already soft so stick to walking on paths or walkways as much as you can. - This is a good time to prune away any branches that have been damaged. - Picking up downed branches is always good but be mindful of not walking on the softened ground.  Reaching with a rake for branches you can’t reach from a walkway is helpful. Houseplants: - Some houseplants are probably needing a little attention. - Trim off yellowing leaves or branches. - 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 on line (at a .edu site) for what to do. - By mid-February you can start repotting and taking cuttings. - 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 repottted. Use a good lightweight potting mix. Misc.: - This is a good time to look through catalogs and plan for the upcoming season. - Don’t just look at the pretty flowers in catalogs, be sure to match any plants you plan to use to the growing conditions you have. Educational Opportunities: There are two excellent garden events coming up this winter: Cornell Cooperative Extension of Erie County Master Gardener Program Presents 2018 Buffalo in Bloom Spring Gardening Classes Saturday, February 17at the Unitarian Universalist Church on Delaware Ave. and February 24 the Cornell Cooperative Extension, 21 S. Grove St., E. Aurora. Offerings both days are the SAME and run from 9 – 2:30. There will be three Sessions: - What’s Eating My Plants; learn to identify insect damage and what to do about it - Let’s Get Growing; seed starting - Ensuring Success; Choosing the right plants for your garden Participants bring a bag lunch. Advanced registration for the program is required. The cost for this full day event is $25 for the general public and $20 for Master Gardeners. The day begins with registration from 8:30 – 9:00 a.m., 2 morning presentations, lunch break, and afternoon presentation. The day ends at 2;30 p.m. To register contact Cornell Cooperative Extension 652- 5400, ext 177 or on line at: [email protected]. Master Gardener Education Day Saturday, March 17, 9:00 – 3:00, at Classics V Banquet Center We are so excited to be able to bring Doug Tallamy, author of Bringing Nature Home and The Living Landscape. The first time I heard him I traveled all the way to Virginia and it was well worth it. I have  heard him speak a number of times since and he is wonderful and not to be missed. Sally Cunningham will also be presenting. Ticket sales have been brisk and we are expecting a sell out so register soon. Doug’s presentations will be: Bringing Nature Home The importance of the plant choices we make and how they affect the overall health of the ecosystem. Learn about the native plants that will not only add beauty to your gardens but provide food and shelter for birds and beneficial insects. What we include in our gardens can make a difference. Creating Living Landscapes Once you have learned about “Bringing Nature Home”, how do you go about doing that? Can we bring life into urban areas? How can we get more plants into your landscape without it looking wild and messy? Will living landscapes be more prone to insect damage and vermin? Are they higher maintenance? Tallamy will answer these questions and more to help you make your yard a fascinating and beautiful part of nature. Our own Sally Cunningham author of Great Garden Companions, CNLP and TV personality will present on: What Would Doug Do (in your yard)? After being inspired and convinced by Dr. Doug Tallamy what’s next? Wherever you're starting from, what can you do in your own WNY yard? Which projects and changes come first? What plants should you remove and add-- and where can you get them? Sally Cunningham will address the practical concerns and Buffalo area realities of our ecologically meaningful goals. Tickets are on sale now until sold out. The cost for the general public is $55. The registration fee includes a hot buffet lunch, beverages, and snacks. The day will begin with registration from 8:30 – 9:00 a.m., a morning presentation, coffee break, second presentation, full hot buffet lunch and an afternoon presentation. The day will end at 3:00 p.m. There is also a basket raffle with lots of garden related items as well as gift certificates from local restaurants and merchants. To register contact Cornell Cooperative Extension 652-5400, ext 177 or on line at: [email protected]. This is a day you won’t want to miss and will get you in the mood for the spring season. Winter consultations: Yes I do consultations in the winter! If you would like to get a head start on planning for spring, questions on pruning or houseplant problems give me a call. Happy Gardening! Lyn Chimera Lessons from Nature 170 Pine St. E. Aurora, NY 14052 [email protected] 652-2432   Copyright © 2014 Lessons From Nature, All rights reserved. You're receiving this message because you requested to receive Lessons from Nature newsletters. Our mailing address is: Lessons from Nature 37 N Union Rd Williamsville, NY 14221 Add us to your address book unsubscribe from this list    update subscription preferences