Have You Got A Bird Feeder or Bird Bath?

If you are a bird lover and have a feeder or bird bath, it is imperative that you routinely clean the piece with hot, soapy bleach water to control bacteria. Flush with clean water and let dry before reusing.

And despite the pictures, wear dishwashing gloves~

Aren’t Ornamental Onions Beautiful?

Ornamental onion or Allium giganteum are the latest plant gaining popularity in home gardens.

But you need to cut the blooms after they brown out or you will find them scattered throughout your beds.

So my advice~ Enjoy them now but don’t forget to cut the blooms after they fade.

Free Rain barrels and Composters~

Erie County, in partnership with the City of Buffalo, the Town of Wheatfield, and the Western NY Stormwater Coalition, is once again offering rain barrels and compost bins to encourage households to reduce their environmental footprint through water conservation and reducing fertilizer use.

Rain barrels reduce stormwater runoff, water produced in heavy rainfalls that does not soak in to the ground and can transport many pollutants to our local waterways as well as cause soil erosion. By using harvested rainwater for watering lawns, gardens and potted plants, rain barrels conserve water and serve as a watering source in times of drought or watering restrictions. As an added bonus, rain water is highly oxygenated and the natural nutrients in it are far better for plants than tap water, which has added chlorine and fluoride. Rain barrels also help control moisture levels around the foundations of a home by collecting rainwater before it hits ground levels, helping to reduce dampness and mold.

Home composting is a simple way to restore nutrients to soil. The addition of compost enriches soil, stimulates plant growth, and reduces the need for chemical fertilizers. Composting yard trimmings and food scraps has the added benefit of keeping those wastes out of our local landfills.

For details on how to purchase a rain barrel or composting bin visit: www.eriecompostersale.ecwid.com

Quantities are limited. Deadline to order is June 17, 2020.

Use This Rainy Period to Benefit Your Garden~

Instead of fighting it, use the current rainy period to apply granular pre-emergent weed control to your lawn or garden beds.

An organic product I endorse is Espoma’s Corn Gluten, a natural product that controls weeds from germinating from seed. It is available at Russell’s Tree & Shrub Farm, LLC, 9800 Transit Road, E. Amherst.