BUFFALO 

REGULAR CLUB MEETINGS

African Violet & Gesneriad Society of WNY meets the third Tuesday of the month, September–August, at 7 p.m., Greenfield Health & Rehab Facility, 5949 Broadway, Lancaster. [email protected].

Alden Garden Club meets the second Wednesday of the month (except July and August) at 7 p.m., Alden Community Center, West Main St., Alden. New members and guests welcome. Plant sale each May. 716-937-7924.

Amana Garden Club meets the second Wednesday of the month (except January) at Ebenezer United Church of Christ, 630 Main St., West Seneca. Visitors welcome. 716-844-8543, [email protected].

Amherst Garden Club meets the fourth Wednesday of the month (except December, March, July, and August) at 10 a.m., St. John’s Lutheran Church, Main St., Williamsville. New members and guests welcome. 716-836-5397.

Bowmansville Garden Club meets the first Monday of the month (except June, July, August, and December) at 7 p.m., Bowmansville Fire Hall, 36 Main St., Bowmansville. New members and guests welcome. For more information, 716-361-8325.

Buffalo Area Daylily Society. East Aurora Senior Center, 101 King St., East Aurora. The society is a friendly group who get together to enjoy daylilies. Plant Sales in August. Open gardens, June–August. Facebook. 

Buffalo Bonsai Society meets every second Saturday at 1 p.m. at ECC North Campus, STEM Bldg., 6205 Main St., Williamsville, NY 14221. Picnic/Auction; 9/14, (Rochester, NY) Penjing Bonsai; 10/12, Mark Arpag; 11/9, Suiseki with Sean Smith. buffalobonsaisociety.com.

East Aurora Garden Club meets at noon on the second Monday of each month, except January. The clubs meets at Nativity Lutheran Church, 970 E. Main St., East Aurora, NY (just west of the 400 Expressway exit). The club’s objective is to stimulate, create interest, and promote education on horticulture, the art of gardening, flower arranging, and environmental conservation; and to promote the beautification of surrounding areas. For more information about the club or membership call 716- 912-1589.

Federated Garden Clubs NYS–District 8. Nancy Kalieta is the director; [email protected]. gardenclubsofwny.com.

Forest Stream Garden Club meets the third Thursday of the month (September–May) at 7 p.m., Presbyterian Village, 214 Village Park Dr., Williamsville and other locations. Summer garden teas and tours available. Ongoing projects include beautification of the Williamsville Meeting House, garden therapy at a local nursing home, youth gardening, and Victorian Christmas decorating. [email protected].

Friends of Kenan Herb Club meets the third Monday of the month at 2 p.m. at the Taylor Theater. New members are always welcome. kenancenter.org/herb-club.

Garden Club of the Tonawanda meets the third Thursday of the month at 6:30 p.m., Tonawanda City Hall, Community Room. Facebook.

Garden Friends of Clarence meets the second Wednesday of the month at 7 p.m., September– June, Town Park Clubhouse, 10405 Main St., Clarence. [email protected].

Gardens Buffalo Niagara open gardens on Thursdays and Fridays in July starts Thursday, July 11. Explore the beauty of gardens spread out in Erie and Niagara counties. Visit gardensbuffaloniagara.com/ open-gardens-buffalo for more details and location information.

Hamburg Garden Club meets the second Wednesday of each month (except July and August) at 10 a.m. at the VFW Post 1419, 2985 Lakeview Rd, Hamburg, NY. Events include a June plant sale and July and August field trips. New members and guests are welcome. Contact [email protected].

Kenmore Garden Club meets the second Tuesday of the month (except July, August, and December) at 10 a.m., Kenmore United Methodist Church, 32 Landers Rd., Kenmore. Activities include guest speakers, floral designs, and community service. New members and guests are welcome. [email protected].

Ken-Sheriton Garden Club meets the second Tuesday of the month (except January) at 7 p.m., St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, 576 Delaware Rd. Kenmore. Monthly programs, artistic design, and horticulture displays. New members and guests welcome. 716- 833-8799, [email protected].

Lancaster Garden Club meets the second Wednesday of the month (except January, July, and August) at 7 p.m., St. John Lutheran Church, 55 Pleasant Ave., Lancaster. All are welcome. Facebook.

Lewiston Garden Club meets the fourth Monday of the month. See website for meeting information, lewistongardenfest.com/garden-club.html or contact at PO Box 32, Lewiston, NY 14092.

Niagara Frontier Botanical Society meets the second Tuesday of the month September through May at 7:30 p.m. (except April) at the Harlem Rd. Community Center, 4255 Harlem Rd., Amherst. Entrance is on the north side of the building. Meetings are open to the public.

Niagara Frontier Orchid Society (NFOS) meets the first Tuesday following the first Sunday (dates sometimes vary due to holidays, etc.), September– June, Botanical Gardens, 2655 South Park Ave., Buffalo. niagarafrontierorchids.org.

Orchard Park Garden Club meets the first Thursday of the month (except July and December) at 11:30 a.m. at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 4536 South Buffalo St., Orchard Park. Contact Diana Szczepanski at 716- 674-8970 for membership information. Guests are always welcome.

Ransomville Garden Club meets the third Wednesday or Saturday of the month at 5:45 p.m., Ransomville Community Library, 3733 Ransomville Rd., Ransomville. Meetings are open to all. Activities include community gardening projects, educational presentations, and June plant sale. bbonnie2313@ gmail.com.

Silver Creek-Hanover Garden Club meets the second Saturday of the month at 11 a.m., Silver Creek Senior Center, 1823 Lake Rd. (Rte. 5), Silver Creek. [email protected]

South Towns Gardeners meets the second Friday of the month (except January) at 9:30 a.m., West Seneca Senior Center. New members welcome.

Springville Concord Garden Club meets the second Monday of the month at 1:30 p.m. at the Concord Senior Center, 40 Commerce Dr., Springville, NY 14141. Meetings feature guest speakers on a variety of gardening and related topics. Annual July Garden Walk. Guests are welcome.

Town and Country Garden Club of LeRoy meets the second Wednesday of the month (except February) at 6:30 p.m., First Presbyterian Church, 7 Clay St., LeRoy 14482. Prospective members and guests are welcome. Contact: [email protected]. Facebook: facebook.com/GardenClubLeRoyNY.

Town and Country Garden Club of Williamsville generally meets the second Thursday of the month from 2–4 p.m. at the Ransom Oaks Community Club House, 101 Ransom Oaks Dr., East Amherst. Some meetings are held off site for garden tours and special events. The club maintains a garden at the Clearfield Library, 770 Hopkins Rd. Membership brochures with program information are available in the library. For information, contact [email protected].

Tropical Fish Society of Erie County meets the third Tuesday of the month at 7:30 p.m., Lake Erie Italian Club, 3200 South Park Ave., Lackawanna, NY 14218. tropical-fish-club-of-erie-county.com

Western New York Herb Study Group meets the second Wednesday of the month at 7 p.m., Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens, 2655 South Park Ave., Buffalo. Facebook.

Western New York Honey Producers, Inc. Cornell Cooperative Extension of Erie County, 21 South Grove St., East Aurora. wnyhpa.org.

Western New York Hosta Society. The WNYHS was formed to encourage members to appreciate hostas and to provide them with access to quality new varieties. The group meets three times a year at the East Aurora Senior Center, 101 King St., East Aurora NY 14052. wnyhosta.com.

Western New York Hosta Society Breakfast Meetings are friendly get-togethers the first Saturday (winter months only) at 10 a.m., Forestview Restaurant, Depew, wnyhosta.com.

Western New York Iris Society meets at the Julia B Reinstein Library, 1030 Losson Rd., Cheektowaga, NY at 1:30 p.m. on the first Sunday of each month.

Western New York Rose Society meets the third Wednesday of each month at 7 p.m. St. Stephens-Bethlehem United Church of Christ, 750 Wehrle Dr., Williamsville. Check the Facebook page or website for meeting content, wnyrosesociety.net.

Youngstown Garden Club meets the second Wednesday of every month at 7 p.m., First Presbyterian Church, 100 Church St., Youngstown. Facebook.

CLASSES / EVENTS

FREQUENT HOSTS

BECBG: Buffalo & Erie County Botanical Gardens, 2655 South Park Ave., Buffalo, NY 14218. 716/827-1584; buffalogardens.com.

REIN: Reinstein Woods Nature Preserve, 93 Honorine Drive, Depew, NY 14043. 716-683- 5959; reinsteinwoods.org.

F- Indicates activities especially appropriate for children and families.

Ongoing: First Wednesday of the month for 2024: Free Community Nights, 5–8 p.m. Visitors can enjoy free admission the first Wednesday evening of the month. Sponsored by Assemblyman Pat Burke. BECBG

F Ongoing through Dec 2024: Feed the Fish. Regular admission for the day is included after the event. All tickets must be purchased ahead of time online. Check website for all dates and times. BECBG

F November 2: Changing Seasons Walk, 10 a.m. As daylight savings comes to an end, take a guided walk through the woods while discussing how animals and plants adjust to the changing weather. Registration required. REIN

November 2: Fire cider/syrup making, 12–2 p.m. Grassroots Gardens and Massachusetts Avenue Project (MAP), 387 Massachusetts Ave., Buffalo.

F November 2: Woods Walk: Your Favorite Things, 1p.m. Share what you like best about the Reinstein woods as you take a walk on the trails. No registration required. REIN 

November 9: Fabulous Fungi, 11 a.m. A mushroom enthusiast will lead this beginner-friendly walk and attempt to identify as many mushrooms as possible. Registration required. REIN

November 9–10: Orchid Show, 10:00 a.m.–4 p.m. View a showcase of award-winning orchids from across the region and have the opportunity to meet with expert orchidists to learn about the process of growing these flowers. Cost is included with admission. BECBG

F November 13 and December 11: Storytime in the Botanical Gardens, 10:30–11:30 a.m. Enjoy seasonal nature-themed stories followed by a small craft in Wegmans Family Garden. Cost is included with admission. BECBG

November 13: Senior Stroll, 10 a.m. Experience nature at your own pace and enjoy a leisurely hour-long guided walk through the woods. For adults only. Registration required. REIN

November 15: Full Moon Walk, 6:30 p.m. Enjoy a guided walk through the woods at night and learn about beavers during their busiest season. Registration required. REIN

F November 16: Owls of Reinstein Woods, 7 p.m. Learn about owls during a nighttime adventure in search of these nocturnal birds. Registration required. REIN

November 21: Photography Night, 4–7 p.m. The gardens offer many locations for personal photos such as family photos, engagement shoots, senior portraits, or any special occasion. Special reduced rate. Reservation is required. Various dates available on website. BECBG

F November 22 through January 6: Poinsettia Exhibit, 10:00 a.m.–4p.m. Step into the tropical conservatory and enjoy the vibrant warm hues of poinsettias in all shapes and sizes. Cost is included with admission. BECBG

November 23: Project Feeder Watch, 10 a.m. Learn how to identify winter feeders birds, what to feed them, and how to count them for Project FeederWatch, a community science project across North America. For adults and children ages 10 and older. Registration required. REIN

F November 29 and 30: Santa at the Botanical Gardens, times vary each day. Meet the one and only Santa Claus and complete a festival scavenger hunt as you explore the Poinsettia Exhibit. Visits with Santa are included with admission. BECBG

F November 29–December 30: Poinsettias after Dark, 5-9 p.m. Experience the annual Poinsettia Exhibit after dark, as thousands of twinkling lights guide you through illuminated greenhouses. Visit the website to register and view a full list of dates. BECBG

F November 30: Family Wellness Walk, 10 a.m. This will be a relaxing walk in the woods. Registration required. REIN

December 7: Note-Worthy Concertante, 1 p.m. Flutists perform a Holiday concert in Mischler's Greenhouse. Enjoy refreshments and enter to win “The Mischler’s Poinsettia.” Mischler's Florist, 118 So. Forest Rd. Williamsville, NY 14221. 716-632-1290; mischlersflorist.com 

December 7: Conifer Wreath Workshop, 9–11 a.m. Create a fresh, fragrant conifer wreath to add some festive greenery to your home. Wire wreath form, paddle wire, and fresh materials are provided. Registration required. BECBG

December 19: Winter Floral Arrangement, 6–7 p.m. Discover how to prep fresh materials, basic design elements, as well as how to keep your arrangement looking fresh at this floral design workshop. All floral materials and supplies will be provided. Registration required. BECBG

ITHACA 

REGULAR CLUB MEETINGS

Adirondack Chapter, North American Rock Garden Society (ACNARGS) Meetings are open to all. Check the current newsletter on the website for meeting location: acnargs.org or Facebook.com/acnargs.

Auraca Herbarists, an herb study group, usually meets the second Tuesday of the month at noon, Cornell Botanic Gardens, Ithaca. Brown bag lunch at noon followed by the program. and herb of the month. Field trips during the growing season. All are welcome. Contact: Pat Curran, [email protected].

Elmira Garden Club meets the first Thursday of the month, April–December, at 6 p.m., 426 Fulton St., Elmira. Annual plant sale, workshops, monthly meetings, local garden tours and community gardening services. Karen Coletta, 607-731-8320, Facebook.

Finger Lakes Native Plant Society meetings are usually on the third Tuesday of the month September to May. They are an organization dedicated to promoting the appreciation of native flora and hold free public field trips, free indoor programs, and provide members a newsletter, seed exchange, native plant sale, and a December celebration of native plants. flnps.org, [email protected].

Windsor NY Garden Group meets the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month at 10 a.m., members’ homes or Windsor Community House, 107 Main St., Windsor. windsorgardengroup.suerambo.com.

CLASSES / EVENTS 

November 9: Mosses and Lichens, 1 p.m. Join Elizabeth Lawson as she speaks on mosses and lichens, the unsung heroes of the natural world. Optional bring your own lunch starting at noon. Drinks provided. Cornell Co-operative Extension, 615 Willow Avenue, Ithaca. Optional bring-your-own lunch starting at Noon. Drinks provided. Goodies always welcome for sharing.

ROCHESTER 

REGULAR CLUB MEETINGS 

7th District Federated Garden Clubs New York State, Inc. meets the first Wednesday of the month. 7thdistrictfgcnys.org.

African Violet and Gesneriad Society of Rochester meets the first Thursday of the month September– November and March–May, 7–9 p.m. at Messiah Lutheran Church, 4301 Mt. Read Blvd., Rochester, NY 14616. December and June meetings are social events TBD location. Contacts: Douglas Burdick, 585-313-8674, [email protected]. Barb Festenstein, 585-461-1673, [email protected].

Bloomfield Garden Club meets the third Thursday of the month at 11:45 a.m., Veterans Park, 6910 Routes 5 & 20, Bloomfield. Visitors and prospective new members welcome. Marlene Moran, 585-924-8035, Facebook.

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 meets the third Wednesday of the month (April–December) at 7 p.m., Chip Holt Nature Center, Vitale Park, Lakeville. Welcoming new members. Contact Dottie Connelly, 585-703-1748.

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 585- 385-2065 or [email protected] 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. [email protected], 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, [email protected].

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 [email protected].

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 [email protected].

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, [email protected].

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. [email protected].

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. 585-247-1248, [email protected].

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 Eli Fagan American Legion Post, 260 Middle Rd., Henrietta. 585-889-7678, [email protected], geneseevalleyhosta.com.

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, NY. Public welcome. Plant Sales, guest speakers or location visits, Volunteer Opportunities. Honeoye Falls, NY. 585-266-0302, [email protected].

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 [email protected] for meeting link. Questions: 585-694-8430. Facebook: Greater Rochester Rose Society.

Henrietta Garden Club meets the second Wednesday each month (except May-August and December) at 6:30 p.m. A presenter will speak on a gardening related subject at 7:15 p.m. Guests and nonresidents are welcome. Handicap accessible. Call 585-442-8634. Lower level of the Henrietta Town Hall, 475 Calkins Rd., Henrietta. sites.google.com/site/henriettagardenclub. Facebook page. [email protected].

Holley Garden Club meets the second Thursday of the month at 7 p.m., Holley Presbyterian Church. 585- 638-6973.

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. [email protected]

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. 585-301-6727, 585-402-1772, [email protected], 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, [email protected].

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. [email protected] 

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, NY. 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, [email protected].

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, [email protected]. 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.

Williamson Garden Club. On-going community projects and free monthly lectures to educate the community about gardening. Open to all. 315-524-4204, [email protected], growthewilliamsongardenclub.blogspot.com.

The Warsaw Garden Club Please call Elfreda Stangland at 716-290-2247 or 585-345-1640 for more information.

CLASSES / EVENTS

S- Indicates plant sales/swaps. 

T- Indicates garden tours. 

O- Online event.

T November 2: The Finger Lakes Herbarium tour, 10 a.m. Join the Canandaigua Botanical Society as they tour the Finger Lakes Herbarium at FLCC with curator, Dr. Bruce Gilman. 3325 Marvin Sands Dr, Canandaigua.

T, O November 7: Garden Talk “Buffalo Garden Walk Travelogue,” 12 p.m. Take an armchair tour of the colorful gardens spotted on the annual Buffalo Garden Walk, guided by Master Gardner Brenda. This is a hybrid event—online or in person at the Genesee CCE Office. Register to attend in-person at 585-343-3040 x101 or register for a Zoom link at genesee.cce.cornell.edu/events. Cornell Cooperative Extension, Genesee County, 420 East Main St., Batavia, NY 14020. 585-343-3040, ext. 132; genesee.cce.cornell.edu.

S, F Ongoing every Sunday from December 1 to 15: Holidays at the Market, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Explore dozens of holiday-focused vendors selling fresh cut trees and wreaths, decorations, seasonal treats and more. Enjoy a special evening December 19, 6-9 p.m. with entertainment, Santa, and carriage rides, to add to the shopping experience. Rochester Public Market, 280 North Union Street, Rochester, NY. 585-428-6907; cityofrochester.gov/flowercitydays.

S December 7: Annual Holiday Sale, 9 a.m.-12 p.m. Learn all about the Webster Arboretum while shopping for holiday plants and partaking in a holiday raffle. Hosted by the Country Gardeners of Webster. Webster Parks and Recreation, 1350 Chiyoda Drive, Webster.

T December 7: Celebrating Cider, Song & Tree Sharing, 12-4 p.m. Celebrate the thriving community Orchard with singing, as you take a tour of the farm and sip on sweet cider. Enjoy a free nursery apple tree as a gift. Fruition Seeds, 7921 Hickory Bottom Rd., Naples, NY 14512. [email protected], fruitionseeds.com.

SYRACUSE 

REGULAR CLUB MEETINGS

African Violet and Gesneriad Society of Syracuse meets at 7:00 pm, 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, NY 13212. More information is available on the chapter website (avsofsyracuse.wixsite.com/avgss) or via email [email protected] or call 315-633-2437 

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, [email protected] or 315- 395-3018. 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 [email protected].

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. [email protected].

Federated Garden Clubs NYS–District 6. 315-481- 4005, [email protected].

Gardening Friends Club meets the third Tuesday of the month, March–December, at 6:30 p.m., Wesleyan Church, 4591 US Route 11, Pulaski. 315-298- 1276, Facebook: Gardening Friends of Pulaski, NY, [email protected].

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, [email protected]. 

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 [email protected].

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. [email protected], 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. 315-458- 3199, 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, NY. 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 [email protected].

Southern Hills Garden Club meets the third Tuesday of each month, February through November, at the LaFayette Firehouse, 2444 US Route 11, LaFayette NY 13084. Meetings begin at 7:00 pm. Offsite meetings typically have an earlier start time. Guests are welcome and membership is open to anyone interested in gardening. For information regarding meetings or membership, please contact Cathy Nagel, 315-677-9342 or Email [email protected]

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.

FREQUENT HOST 

HGCNY: Habitat Gardening in Central New York, hgcny.org, [email protected], 315-487-5742.

CLASSES / EVENTS

November 16: A Water-shaped Landscape, 10 a.m. Through a guided hike, explore the clues to how the land was formed, how it will continue to change, and why it matters to generations of people. Registration required. Baltimore Woods, 4007 Bishop Hill Road, Marcellus, HGCNY

December 20: Winter Solstice Hike, 7 p.m. Enjoy a tranquil lantern-lit walk to discover and celebrate the longer days ahead. Registration required. Baltimore Woods, 4007 Bishop Hill Road, Marcellus, HGCNY

Get your club or event listed here for free! Send your submissions to [email protected]. Deadline for calendar listings for the next issue (January–February 2025) is Dec 12, 2024.

As the leaves start to fall and the wind grows stronger, the urge to curl up inside with a warm soup and good book also grows stronger. This savory soup has all the coziness you crave with in-season autumn vegetables that are within reach, so it’s perfect for a rainy night in.

TIME 

1 hour

INGREDIENTS 

1 medium butternut squash 

1 small yellow onion (or half of a large onion) 

1 carrot 

Garlic (we recommend 2–3 cloves, but whatever you like) 

2 cups of chicken or vegetable stock per person 

3–4 tablespoons salted butter 

1 cup of heavy cream per person (optional) 

1 sprig of thyme 

2–3 sage leaves 

Paprika, salt, and pepper (to taste)

INSTRUCTIONS 

1. Prep all your veggies by dicing them while the butter melts in a large stock pot. Once diced, add those that need to be cooked down the most first—onions, carrots, and garlic. 

2. Cook until fragrant, then add the thyme and sage leaves. If using fresh herbs, use whole leaves/sprigs and bundle them with baker’s twine. 

3. After letting simmer for five minutes, remove herbs and add the butternut squash and stock of choice. Let this come to a boil while stirring frequently before lowering it to a simmer. Add paprika, salt, and pepper to your liking, then let sit on low heat like this for thirty minutes. 

4. Once the veggies are tender and the kitchen smells strongly of autumn, you can add your heavy cream and use an immersion blender in the mixture until smooth. If you don’t have an immersion blender, don’t fret. You can also carefully transfer the mixture to a heat safe blender and add your optional heavy cream before blending until smooth. 

5. Add the mixture back into the pot to simmer and warm throughout, and then it’s ready to serve. You can garnish with the same herbs used before or pair with a warm and melty grilled cheese. Enjoy.

Would you like to visit a new garden every Friday, rain or shine, snow or sleet? Jay Jinge Hu makes it possible on his YouTube channel “Whispers in the Garden” where he posts videos of his visits to private gardens in Western New York (WNY). Jay graciously asks, “Can I see your garden?” Then, off you go with the head gardener (a.k.a. the homeowner) and Jay, who expertly films the garden as he chats it up with the gardener(s). Not only can you learn from the homeowners’ experiences, but you can pick up general gardening advice as well as cultivation tips. The videos record stunning plant combinations with flowering in real time. These combinations are easy to replicate in your own garden since many of the plants thrive in WNY.

Jay confesses, “I gain valuable knowledge and inspiration when visiting other people’s gardens. Conversations with fellow gardeners have been an invaluable source of information for me.” Jay also broadens his horticultural proficiency by reading books and getting information on-line including through Facebook groups, YouTube videos and blogs. 

“It was a unique garden shed photo on Facebook,” Jay recalls, “that led me to discover the garden of Jim Charlier. When I expressed my interest in the Open Gardens program, it was Jim who encouraged me to apply. He jotted down the contact information in his famous shed! Shortly after that, I met Mike Shadrack, the Open Gardens chairman, who warmly welcomed me into the program.”

At the time of his garden debut for the 2022 Open Gardens program, Jay joined the volunteers of the Open Gardens committee as well as its parent nonprofit organization Gardens Buffalo Niagara (GBN). GBN produces garden events including Garden Walk Buffalo, Open Gardens, the Garden Art Sale, the East Side Garden Walk and Urban Farm Day. Before starting his YouTube channel as a personal project, Jay has regularly shared photos and stories of the various gardens that he has visited. His goal has been to promote these wonderful events and attract more visitors.

In 2023, Jay was encouraged by Laurie Ousley, president of Gardens Buffalo Niagara, to livestream the Butterfly Release Ceremony on GBN’s Conservation Day. According to Jay, “This event led me to research videography equipment. Shortly after that, I was visiting a garden in Snyder which was listed in the Open Gardens program. As I talked with the hosting gardeners, I learned that they wished they could share their garden at its peak with family and friends in other states.”

On a whim, Jay decided to use his iPhone to create a video to capture the garden at its best. The homeowners could then share the video with anyone, near or far. Although Jay ran into a snag when trying to transfer the large file, he persisted, ultimately uploading the video to YouTube. It then became accessible to anyone who can view it at anytime.

“Astonishingly, my first garden video captured with my iPhone, received over 30,000 views,” according to Jay. He estimates that “a dozen views were from the homeowners family, a few hundred from Western New Yorkers, with the majority of views from people who knew nothing about the Open Gardens program and most likely, have never even visited WNY.”

Since July 2023, Jay has dedicated a considerable portion of his time exploring and filming gardens in and around the Queen City. “In my eyes,” remarks Jay, “the videos preserve the garden for the gardeners. As an added bonus, YouTube gives the world a chance to see all the beauty created by hardworking, imaginative individuals. It is a form of appreciation, from one gardener to another.” Jay videotapes, edits and shares numerous garden videos on his YouTube channel “Whispers in the Garden.” His audience keeps growing with recent videos receiving 10,000 or 20,000 views. As more and more gardeners discover the captivating gardens in WNY, some videos have exceeded 100,000 views.

After visiting so many beautiful gardens, Jay graciously shared a few memorable experiences. “Barb and Dave Whittemore of Whit’s End Gardens in Hamburg, New York, have created a shady retreat devoid of lawn that features over 700 hosta, a waterfall, and three operating trains,” explains Jay. “The entire family comes together to help and welcome visitors. Whit’s End is a popular destination during Open Gardens because the entire garden is accessible with ramps ensuring that all visitors can enjoy the garden.”

According to Jay, “The Gargoyle Gardens in Pembroke, New York, expanded the boundaries of my imagination! It is whimsical, unrestrained and bursting with color.” Owners Brenda Fox and Adam Cunningham grow extensive varieties of hosta, lilies, and unusual perennials. Brenda confesses, “I have the plant collector’s disease.” 

“Ellen Goldstein and Mitch Flynn’s hidden garden in the city of Buffalo features stunning lilies and sunflowers grown by Ellen,” according to Jay, “while Mitch creates unique, handmade garden art. A bowling ball totem and garden art pieces created from bicycle parts add interest to the garden.” Mitch’s passion for bicycles led him to found the Ride for Roswell, a fundraiser that attracted 6,875 riders in 2023 and raised $3,359,402.62. Ellen and Mitch host guests for Garden Walk Buffalo and Open Gardens.

With verdure being the main focus of gardening, Jay loves to talk plants. He planted a few Ginkgo biloba in his garden which is a native tree of China where Jay was born. It is a symbol of his heritage and a connection to its ancient roots. According to Jay, “The Ginkgo is one of the most ancient living majestic trees. Its origins date back to the Permian period, around 270 million years ago. It is long lasting and majestic, thriving in various hostile growing conditions.”

Jay grew fond of zinnias through his volunteer work at the public gardens in Williamsville. “It was a tradition to plant zinnias every year since they can withstand deer and rabbit browsing,” says Jay. “Their colorful blooms attract pollinators and hummingbirds. Flowering is continuous until the first frost when the birds can feast on the seeds. Zinnias contribute to our ecosystem while providing ornamental value to the gardens.”

Fragrance is a top priority in Jay’s garden. He grows Magnolia virginiana (Sweetbay magnolia) which is native to the coastal areas of the southeastern United States and north along the Atlantic coast to New York. Jay reminisces, “The exceptional fragrant white flowers that bloom in summer evoke memories of my childhood. My grandparents grew a similar variety in southeastern China where the climate resembles that of Atlanta. They used to pin the flowers on their clothing as natural perfume.”

Western New York has been home to Jay and his wife, Nan for over fifteen years. They put down roots in Williamsville, New York in 2014, where the Hu garden has participated in Garden Walk Williamsville and Open Gardens. Jay’s utopia—Le Petit Matin (which means early morning) is described in the Open Gardens catalog as “a semi-formal garden that pays homage to nature’s transitions and transformations. Nestled near Amherst State Park, mixed borders flow around a rustic-style home. Casual seating and conversation spots create vignettes that invite one to pause and embrace solitude or the company of friends.” Nan finds weeding cathartic and is aptly designated as the weeding specialist while daughter Olivia is deservingly titled the Undergardener who pitches in during spring and fall cleanups.

So the next time you are digging in your garden and someone comes along and asks “May I see your garden?” Will you choose to share it with the world? 

Colleen O’Neill Nice is a horticulturist who is passionate about plant propagation and enjoys nurturing her garden in Clarence, New York.

If you’ve been looking for small ways to decorate your home for fall and show off your creativity, we have the perfect craft for you. These small ornaments can make charming gifts as well as centerpiece garnishes— the possibilities are endless. Plus, you’ll be getting rid of some of those pesky acorns from all over your lawn.

WHAT YOU NEED 

Hot glue 

Cork 

Acorn 

Jump ring and string (optional) 

INSTRUCTIONS 

1. Take an acorn and carefully detach the cupule, or the top “cap” of the acorn. These can be delicate pieces, so patience is key. 

2. Once detached, take the acorn cap and add a small dab of hot glue on the inside to attach it to an old wine cork. The result is a lovely little mushroom, which you can paint to match any color scheme or leave as is. 

3. If you want to make it into an ornament, you can glue a small jump ring from any jewelry kit to the top of the acorn cap and thread some string through it and tie it in a loop. You can also simply glue some string or thin wire to the top. Alternately, you can add a small wire to the base and use it to decorate a plant.

As we get into the cooler months there are many birds that have flown south for the winter. Woodpeckers, however, are one group of birds we have locally whose residence does not change much throughout the year. Regionally, we have seven woodpecker species, six of which you can easily find all year long. These woodpeckers are diverse in their characteristics and can be quite easy to attract to your yard.

Downy Woodpeckers are one of the most common woodpeckers we have. They are also the smallest, about the size of a suet cake. Downy Woodpeckers are small, black and white, and have a short bill relative to other woodpeckers. Downy woodpeckers, like most local species, are sexually dimorphic, meaning you can tell the difference between the male and female. Female Downy Woodpeckers are completely black and white, while males will have a red patch on the back of their heads. They are often heard in backyards and in woods giving their call, which is most often described as a “descending whinny.” 

Similar to the Downy Woodpecker is the Hairy Woodpecker. Hairy Woodpeckers look like a larger version of the Downy Woodpecker. Hairy Woodpeckers are black and white in color like the Downy and males and females also have the same color differences as the Downy Woodpecker. The females are just black and white while the males have a red patch on the back of their heads. Hairy Woodpeckers have a larger body than the Downy, and they also have a much larger bill. They are known for their straight, upright posture which is easily seen when they are climbing tree trunks. 

Red-bellied Woodpecker is another common species we have in the area. Despite their name, they have a light-colored, tan breast and a black-and-white striped back. The males have a red patch that stretches from their bill to the back of their head and the females have just a small red patch on the back of their head. Red-bellied Woodpeckers are also quite vocal! They have a very distinctive call that you can hear year-round while walking through the woods and in your yard which is often described as a shrill, rolling “kwirr.” The Red-bellied Woodpecker are also slowly expanding their range and are now found in places they historically weren’t fifty to sixty years ago.

Northern Flickers are similar in size to Red-bellied woodpeckers, but they are light brown in color and have a polka dotted breast. They are often seen on the ground “flicking” away debris to find their preferred food of ants and beetles. While in flight, flickers have a very characteristic white rump patch, and a yellow wash on the underside of their flight feathers which is very visible while in flight. The Eastern population of Flickers are called “Yellow-shafted Flickers” due to this wash underneath their feathers. On the west coast, Flickers have a red wash on the underside of their feathers and are called “Red-shafted Flickers.” 

Red-headed Woodpeckers are quite striking, but also now quite rare. They’ve been in a severe decline, most likely due to habitat loss and changes in food availability. That being said, they can still be found locally in certain areas. Red-headed Woodpeckers have a bright red head, white body, and black wings. They don’t have the traditional patterning most of our local woodpeckers exhibit.

Pileated Woodpeckers are the largest woodpecker that can be found in the United States. This striking bird has a bright red crest and was the inspiration to the “Woody Woodpecker” character. The Pileated Woodpecker can reach sixteen inches in length, and they have a call that resonates easily through the woods. They make rectangular holes in trees while foraging and excavating nesting sites. These holes will often get reused by other cavity nesting birds and mammals.

We have one species of migratory woodpecker, called the Yellow-bellied Sapsucker that is found locally. Size-wise, they are in between the Downy and Hairy Woodpeckers. They can be identified by their red foreheads and will usually have a yellowish wash on their belly. They leave their characteristic mark on trees—straight lines of small round holes. These holes will leak sap and attract insects, both of which are food items for this woodpecker.

Woodpeckers can be quite easy to attract to your backyard. They are cavity nesters, meaning they will nest in hollow trees and bird houses. They forage on trees looking for insects quite readily and will also come to bird feeders quite often. The one type of food woodpeckers prefer is suet. Suet most often comes in small squares that can easily fit into a small, caged suet feeder. To attract the most woodpecker diversity, a suet feeder with a “paddletail” feature is always best. Paddletail suet feeders provide a projection under the feeder the woodpeckers can use to prop their tail feathers on. They will use their tail feathers to stabilize themselves when feeding so this feature is especially useful to large woodpeckers. Woodpeckers will also readily eat peanuts and sunflower seeds, so you may already have them coming to your existing bird feeders. No matter what food you decide to use, there is a nice diversity of woodpeckers that you can attract all year long.

Liz Magnanti is co-owner of the Bird House in Brighton.

Frass: noun. The excrement of insect larvae.

Insects are excreting all the time, but it usually doesn’t negatively impact our human lives. When we started to see little caterpillars (aka larvae) on our porch in late April, we took a magnifying glass to one. It was gray and bristly, with five pairs of blue dots and six pairs of red. Uh-oh. 

We flashed back to a hike years ago when we heard the distinct sound of spongy moth (formerly known as gypsy moth) caterpillars chewing coming from all the oak trees in the nature preserve. The mass munching was eerie and alien. We were trying not to step on all those hairy caterpillars. The oak tree leaves skeletonized in real time, only their veins remaining, sadly twisting in the breeze. Stinky brown frass was all over the place. Super gross. But also fascinating; I like insects. Entomology was one of my favorite courses in college— and one with the most long-term relevance in my life.

When spongy moth (Lymantria dispar) larvae started descending from trees on silken threads around our place—a process called ballooning, whereby the wind distributes the young caterpillars beyond their point of hatching from eggs—we were in denial. “Maybe it’s just a few, it’ll be no big deal.” American Robins, Common Grackles, and Gray Catbirds collected little caterpillars to feed their young; the birds will take care of it! 

Alas, no. Once the munching began, frass rained upon us for weeks, finding its way into every crevice imaginable. Hikes along the rail trail became precarious as the spongy moth frass mixed with rain to create a slick surface. More than once I pulled a small caterpillar from my cleavage. Ewww. My husband and I usually enjoy “driveway birding” in the spring. Not this year.

According to ecologist Clive Jones in “What You Need to Know about Spongy Moths: A Q&A” on caryinstitute.org, this was a peak outbreak year for our region (the Hudson Valley). Jones says, “Spongy moth caterpillars have been recorded to eat the leaves of more than 300 species of woody plants. But they have preferences. If oaks are unavailable, then they will eat leaves of trees that are lower on their preference list.”

In our yard and neighborhood, the red oaks (Quercus rubra) and pin oaks (Q. palustris) were hit hardest, including the mature pin oak right over our little house’s main entrance. The trees that were unaffected included sugar maple (Acer saccarhum), slippery elm (Ulmus rubra), tupelo (Nyssa sylvatica), and conifers. (Here, I am imagining Steve Harvey on “Family Feud” asking “What is the best solution to any ecological problem?” and someone hitting the buzzer: “Species diversity!” and DING, that is number 1—and the families lose their minds.)

“If your trees are moderately to fully defoliated, they will very likely re-flush new leaves by the end of July. If there is a summer drought, make sure those trees have adequate water. Add mulch if needed to help retain soil moisture. Most healthy trees will survive two, sometimes three, years of defoliation but additional stress—drought, other pests, diseases— increases the risk of mortality.” 

—Clive Jones, ecologist, from “What You Need to Know about Spongy Moths: A Q&A” on caryinstitute.org

Though pitiful-looking, the oaks around us valiantly regrew a sparse canopy. We could see the traffic much more clearly over the ridge than we do in typical canopy years. The frass, pupal cases, and caterpillar parts remained a big part of life for a while longer, a reminder of the chaos. The barnyard-like smell persisted. Divots in driveways seem to be permanently sealed with concretized spongy moth caterpillar frass.

When this all started, we of course looked online to See What We Could Do. My favorite resource on this was the Mass Audubon (massaudubon.org) page about spongy moths. It outlines why hand-picking the caterpillars, applying chemicals, or rigging traps are not the solution. What does work: making sure you have species diversity in your yard, favoring the species that the spongy moths don’t. Biological controls like a gorgeous beetle, Calosoma sycophanta, have also been helpful.

The other thing that helps is to scout for spongy moth eggs masses in fall and winter. Once you start looking, you will be amazed at how many of these buff-colored masses are around. You scrape them off and boil them or put them in soapy water. Of course, those little caterpillars will still blow in from other places, courtesy of the ballooning described above. 

But for me, in the midst of fretting about the oaks, about the mess, Mass Audubon put the spongy moth situation in perspective beautifully: 

While a disheartening sight, the long-term effect of the phenomenon is not as disastrous as some commonly assume and may in some ways be beneficial. Thinning of forests by spongy moths may produce a healthier, more diverse, and perhaps a more spongy moth–resistant stand of trees. 

Moderate defoliation benefits forest wildlife by stimulating understory growth of shrubs and berry-producing thickets. The larval frass (droppings) fertilize the soil, the larvae provide food for birds and mammals, and the skeletal remains of trees that succumb provide habitat for wildlife, thus promoting diversity in the forest ecosystem. 

Well, then. 

Accepting that the spongy moths have some long-term benefit to the overall ecology—that was the best treatment. Now back to scrubbing the bottoms of my shoes. 

From gutters to the crevices of our cars, the spongy moth mess is ongoing. Why do I find it so unsettling? I’ve farmed, made compost daily for whole summers, harvested armfuls of kelp from lakes to put in said compost, brushed many a species of insect off my skin and clothes. When I was a professional gardener, all sorts of things fell out of my clothes at the end of the day. So why did I feel unhinged in the midst of the spongy mothnado? 

It’s the concentration of the thing. The sheer number of caterpillars and their frass, and the smell of the latter as it accumulates, is just a drag. It interferes with our enjoyment of nearby nature, our favorite pastime.

But also. The pandemic has had lasting effects on me. After all that hypervigilance about germs, I have a hard time relaxing amidst messes of all kinds. I imagine many of you can relate. More thorough handwashing is a productive outcome from that time, but other behaviors and reactions are not so proving so adaptive. My quiet freakouts are compounded by dust allergies that went bonkers after a bad respiratory infection that I’m still getting a handle on with medication and shots. Somewhere along the way, messes and sickness have become linked in my subconscious. 

Outbreaks are localized and go in cycles lasting an average of two years before the spongy moth populations collapse due to two naturally occurring diseases that build up and take out the caterpillars. If we’re lucky, we’re spared an outbreak of the 2024 intensity for at least another ten years. But even if they come back in such full force in 2025, it will be unpleasant, but at least I’ll know what to expect. And maybe that will be my impetus to get back into therapy. 

Michelle Sutton is a horticulturist, writer, and editor.

WINTERIZING YOUR GARDEN

As the cold inevitably creeps in, the chill in the wind serves as a reminder to get your garden ready for the winter. Here are a few tips to get you set on the right path for success and healthy growth when the final frost thaws in the spring. 

There’s still time before the ground freezes to plant any leftover bulbs or shrubs before they enter their dormant period for the winter. Check with your local nurseries for late autumn plantings.

As for your current plants, some routine maintenance is key to making sure your garden comes out of the cold season as strong as possible. If there has been a dry spell, water thoroughly before winter dormancy in order to protect leaves and stems from drying out in the cold winter air, then cover the bottom three to five inches of shrubs and stems with mulch or insulate the roots. If you have any compost to add into the mix, the nutrients from the compost will help boost regrowth and bloom after the last frost thaws. Straw or pine needles around the base of your plants will also provide that root insulation and naturally add to the soil organic matter.

While you’re insulating your garden, take the opportunity to prune any dead or diseased foliage to promote newer and healthier growth in the spring. Covering more sensitive plants with burlap or tarps also prevents winter desiccation damage, and keeping up on snow removal throughout the winter whenever the snowfall is heavy will help curb the chances of breakage. 

If you’re not ready to give up your vegetable garden and are prepared to brave the chilly fall air, plan on adding winter-hardy vegetables that can withstand and thrive in the early frost. Some popular options include brussels sprouts, cauliflower, broccoli, onions, or leafy greens. Specific care will vary based on the vegetable in question, but it’ll be worth the research to have an early to midwinter harvest. 

HOUSEPLANTS: INDOOR GARDENING TIPS

If you’d like to keep your green thumb hard at work but dislike to the outdoor winter temperatures, houseplants are a great way to keep your passion alive while the cold persists outside your windows.

Even though the houseplants won’t be outside and exposed to the winter elements, there are some that are better suited for chilly indoor winter conditions than others. Pothos plants are durable and have no problem being placed next to icy windowsills or in lower light. Just be careful watering these beauties, as the leaves will start to yellow if they are over or underwatered. Other easy-to-care-for houseplants include spinderwort (Tradescantia spp.), the Chinese evergreen plant (Aglaonema spp.), cyclamen, some orchids, and, as the name implies, cast iron plants (Aspidistra spp.).  

General advice for houseplant care during the winter involves keeping the soil draining well and on the drier side to make sure your plants aren’t holding onto unnecessary and harmful moisture. Also, just like with your outdoor plants, you’ll want to monitor for pest problems such as mites or scale. Bringing plants to the sink or shower to thoroughly wash their foliage can go a long way in keeping these problems in check.

COMMUNITY GARDENS FOR ACCESSIBLE AND BEGINNER GARDENING

Community gardens have been on the rise in cities and small towns across the upstate region. Community gardens help build neighborhood ties and are beneficial to the environment. Transforming extra spaces into flourishing gardens not only enhances the town’s aesthetics but also fosters a sense of community and shared stewardship. This is the perfect time to research gardens near you and plan for the 2025 planting season. Cornell University has a map of all the community gardens across New York. With the extra time during the winter season, you can start "planting the seeds" of ideas for your spring gardening plans. 

Growing your own vegetables in a community garden is also a good way to avoid pesticides that may be found in store-bought produce. If you want to cultivate more organic eating habits, this is one way to ensure you are eating clean, local, and in-season nutrients

Aside from the benefits for the community at large, these public-use gardens can be helpful for people that want to get into gardening and practice their skills but lack a space of their own. Having these spaces for open gardening helps people get outside for fresh air and enrichment through their hobby and passion for growing their own food. This is especially true for those living in apartment buildings.

Even if you don’t plan on growing fruit and veggies, visiting or helping in community gardens is still a good way to observe what your local soil will support in terms of flowers or herbs. However, many community gardens utilize raised beds to avoid possible contaminants in the soil, so be sure to look at whatever guidelines exist in your local community garden before getting started.

Find a community garden near you: compost.css.cornell.edu/communitygardenmap.html.

For tips on starting your own community garden, visit: health.ny.gov/environmental/outdoors/garden/urban.htm. 

Paige Kingsley is a journalism student at SUNY Brockport.

Hello, gardening friends! 

As I picked the very last of the rhubarb and the autumn raspberries, I became a little sad like I always do at this time of year. All the summer fun of gardening and being outside is coming to an end soon, and the snow will come hard and fast. Of course, some people love a winter garden and being out in the snow. Me? Not so much. 

After I bring in all the garden décor and clean up my tools and put away the lawnmower, I’ll switch my focus to my many indoor plants. I will set up grow lights and arrange my house and office, so it somewhat resembles a greenhouse. Paige Kingsley wrote our “Around the garden” column for this issue, and she gives us some great ways to transition from outdoor gardening to indoor. She also created the adorable little mushroom craft. If you make some acorn cap mushrooms please send me photos at [email protected]. 

Have a wonderful fall and holiday season and thank you, as always, for reading—