Amherst NY Garden Club

06/05/2026

June 6th is fast approaching!
June 6th from 10-1 is the Village of Williamsville Earth Day//Arbor Day celebration at Island Park behind Town Hall! See poster below for details!

At the event, this committee, The ToA Recycling& Waste Advisory Committee will be collecting expanded polystyrene products (sometimes called "styrofoam" which is actually a brand named of a DuPont product) for REPURPOSING locally.

* Please have it bagged and CLEAN (no dirt please),
* IT MUST BE FREE of other materials like tape, plastic (no handles if it's a cooler), staples & labels.
* It must be WHITE, no colors will be accepted.
* If you only have one or 2 very large pieces, don't worry about bagging it.
We are looking for shape molded foam from electronics, protective packaging like flat sheets of foam from shipping furniture, or food & drink cooler SHIPPING containers (NO PLATES, CUPS, MEAT TRAYS, ETC).

Did you know that local company Thermal Foams, Inc. takes this material and produces many products out of it? Take a minute to visit their website. You will be amazed. Anyone can drop these materials of to them any week-day.

06/04/2026

by Annette Pinder Across Western New York, a quiet transformation is taking place in gardens, parks, and backyards. Increasingly, homeowners are replacing traditional landscaping with native plants—species that evolved in our …

06/04/2026

Do not delay and enter your Amherst garden today! Deadline June 21.

06/04/2026

https://bnhv.org/bnhv-events/pollinatorconference

05/18/2026

Water propagation is one of the easiest ways to make more plants 🌿 A few tips I’d use:
💧 Change the water every week
🫙 Use a clear jar so you can watch the roots
🌱 Keep leaves out of the water so they don’t rot
☀️ Place cuttings in bright, indirect light
✂️ Trim off any mushy roots or yellow leaves
Pothos, philodendron, mint, and coleus are usually the easiest starters. I like doing this with extra cuttings instead of tossing them.

05/18/2026

One healthy geranium in a hanging basket can provide enough cuttings to fill every pot on your porch within a month. And geraniums are not the only option. The same simple method works for many common garden flowers. Just one stem, one glass of water, and a little patience.

1️⃣ How to Root Flower Cuttings in Water

The process is simple:

• Take a cutting just below a leaf node
• Remove the lower leaves so none sit in the water
• Place the stem in a clean glass or jar
• Keep it in bright, indirect light
• Change the water every 2–3 days to help prevent rot

Roots form at the nodes, though timing varies depending on temperature, light, and plant type.

2️⃣ Flowers That Commonly Root Well in Water

• Geranium: Use a 4-inch stem. Let the cut end dry for several hours before placing it in water to reduce the chance of rot. Roots usually appear in 2–4 weeks.
• Fuchsia: Take a 4-inch soft-tip cutting in late spring. One of the quickest plants to root, often within 2–3 weeks.
• Impatiens: A 3-inch stem can develop roots in less than two weeks. One of the easiest flowering plants to propagate.
• Chrysanthemum: Use a 4-inch cutting from soft green growth rather than woody stems. Early summer cuttings root best, usually within 2–3 weeks.
• Hydrangea: Take a 5-inch cutting from fresh green growth and remove the bottom sets of leaves. Water propagation can work, though rooting in potting mix is often more reliable. Roots typically form in 3–4 weeks.
• Salvia: A 4-inch tip cutting usually roots in 2–3 weeks. Works well with many annual and perennial varieties.
• Verbena: Take a 4-inch cutting just below a node. Roots generally appear within 2–3 weeks.
• Dahlia: Use a 4-inch cutting from fresh basal growth early in the season. Rooting may take 3–4 weeks.
• Petunia: A 4-inch cutting from a healthy trailing stem often roots within 2–3 weeks.
• Lantana: A 4-inch cutting roots readily in 2–3 weeks. In Florida, coastal Texas, and Hawaii, avoid planting lantana directly in the ground because it can become invasive. Containers are the safer option.

3️⃣ When to Move Cuttings Into Soil

Once the roots reach about 1–2 inches long, transfer the cuttings into a light potting mix. Keep them in a shaded, protected spot for a few days before gradually moving them into stronger sunlight.

One important note: while water propagation is easy and satisfying, some plants eventually establish more strongly when rooted directly in soil. If a cutting struggles after transplanting, try starting future cuttings in potting mix instead.

05/18/2026

05/18/2026

Between now and July, you'll probably find a baby animal somewhere on your property. On the lawn, in the garage, under a bush. It will look helpless. It will look abandoned.

Most of the time, it isn't. Here's what to do for each one 🌿

🐦 Baby bird — feathered, hopping, alert:

- That's a fledgling. It left the nest on purpose. The parents are nearby, feeding it on the ground. Leave it where it is. If a cat or dog is nearby, move it to the nearest shrub — that's all it needs

🐦 Baby bird — naked, eyes closed:

- That's a nestling. It fell too early. If you can find the nest, put it back. The parents won't reject it — most birds have a poor sense of smell. Human scent on a baby bird is not a problem

🐇 Baby rabbit — fur-lined nest in the lawn:

- The mother visits only at dawn and dusk to avoid drawing predators. Her absence is the protection, not a sign of abandonment. Re-cover the nest gently and mow around it. The kits leave on their own within a few weeks

🐿️ Baby squirrel — on the ground:

- Place it near the base of the nearest tree. The mother usually retrieves it within a few hours. If it's cold, keep it warm in a soft cloth near the tree. If she hasn't come back by evening, contact a wildlife rehabilitator

🦌 Fawn — lying alone in grass:

- The mother left it there deliberately. Fawns are nearly scentless and lie motionless — that's their defense. She returns to nurse a few times a day. Don't touch it, don't move it. If it's still there after 24 hours with no sign of the mother, then call a rehabilitator

🐢 Baby turtle — crossing a road:

- Carry it to the side it was heading toward. Don't relocate it to a "better" spot — she knows where she's going. Never carry a turtle by the tail

For anything else — injured, visibly sick, or a species you can't identify — contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator through your state wildlife agency.

The most helpful thing you can do for most baby animals this season is leave them where they are 🌿

05/18/2026

With Mischler's Florist and Greenhouses – I just got recognized as one of their top fans! 🎉

01/15/2026