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. av*****@***il.com.  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.…
3.09.2026
When I was asked to create a recipe for this issue, focaccia felt like a natural choice. Over the past year, working in the Wegmans pizza department has given me a much bigger appreciation for dough. It’s not just something one makes; it is a foundation for everything you put on top of it. Making this recipe for Upstate Gardeners’…
3.09.2026
During my Pinterest surfing adventures, I stumbled across a new-to-me technique called anthotype, defined by alternativephotography.com as “…a photographic process using plant-based emulsions and sunlight.” This unique art form is created by placing objects on paper coated with an emulsion made from a plant-based pigment mixed with alcohol. The paper is then placed in full sun until the emulsion not…
2.09.2026
Common Raven; Photo courtesy Wikicommons CCSA 3.0: Accipiter (R. Altenkamp, Berlin) There is a new trend in the bird feeding world, and it is one that I am excited to write about—attracting Crows to the backyard! Crows can be found in a large range of habitats, are intelligent and curious, and are even known to leave small objects for humans…
2.09.2026
Do not prune off the triangular seed heads of P. obovata when they are done blooming. In the fall, the pods open up to display a colorful sight. The open seed pods of P. obovata reveal stunning vibrant seeds in the fall. During mid spring through early summer, five distinct groups of peonies are the stars of my garden. They…
2.09.2026
Cosmos flowers will bloom until first frost; it is best to gather seeds before hard frosts to avoid seed damage. Ah, the -ber months are here! While I am looking forward to a weeding respite and enjoying cozy indoor time of the colder months, there are a few autumn traditions I like to do before tucking the garden beds in…
2.09.2026
 Anemone blanda; Photo by Marco Photo by Marco Schmidt CC by SA 3.0, Schmidt CC by SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons.  GARDEN COACHES AND CONSULTANTS—SHOULD YOU HIRE ONE? If you are planning a garden from scratch, or you have an existing garden but you need hands-on help and advice, a coach could be just what you’re looking for. Unlike a landscaper…
2.09.2026
Lavender I like to think of this year’s gardening season as the season of lavender. I have never had so many lavender flowers, and I’ve made sure to dry as much as possible. I’ll use them as little tussie-mussie gifts, decor, tea, cooking, and aromatherapy. I think lots of people have used or at least smelled lavender essential oil, but…
1.09.2026
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March/April, 2020 – Upstate Gardeners’ Journal

Spring migrants

by Liz Magnanti Male indigo bunting. Photo courtesy Flickr: Kelly Colgan Azar Mornings are starting to fill with the sounds of spring, and birds are beginning to be our alarm clocks as we progress into longer and warmer days. Over the next month or two, upstate New York will become a hotbed of migrating birds. …

Garden games

by Cathy Monrad Who doesn’t love lady bugs? Or bumblebees? Or a good game of Tic Tac Toe? This cute project from Alecia at chickenscratchny.com mashes up the three for a bit of garden fun for all ages. MATERIALSWood slice; 1-inch thick and 9–12 inches diameter10 smooth black river rocks; 5 round and 5 oblongAcrylic …

The beer garden

by John Boccacino Barone Gardens Having grown up on a family farm situated on South Bay Road in Cicero, John Barone admits that farming was probably “in his blood” from an early age. Producing mostly onions, Barone embraced his family’s ties to farming and started a retail farm market in 1987 that quickly morphed into …

Mr. Tilly’s garden: Laying down tracks

story and photos by Christine Froehlich Learning is designed to be fun here—the only hard part is deciding what you want to see first When Paul Tilly was a kid, he longed for a train set. “I grew up on a busy farm and there just wasn’t time for playing with trains,” he said. Besides …

Almanac: What to do in the garden in March & April

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