Jun 17, 2013 — Tomatoes love sun and warm temperatures. Both have been in very short supply this growing season, and there are more cool days and nights in this week's forecast. In their weekly conversation, Cooperative Extension horticulturist Amy Ivy tells Martha Foley the dreary-looking young tomato plants WILL flourish, once the weather changes, but it's important to do what you can to make sure they have some care and feeding in the meantime.  Go to full article

Jun 10, 2013 — As the growing season kicks into gear, flowers and vegetables are in a race against weeds. And the weeds will win, unless the playing field is knocked askew by some timely intervention from the gardener. Cornell Cooperative Extension horticulturist Amy Ivy shares some tips.  Go to full article

Jun 03, 2013 — Warm, moist weather over the last few days brought on a rush of transplanting, staking and mulching in many North Country gardens. It's been an up-and-down spring, with recurring cold weather (and more to come tonight and tomorrow night!) that threatened warmth-loving pants like tomatoes and peppers.

But in the rush, don't forget that little stash of seeds bought with the hope of having time along the way to try something new, or fill out the flower garden. Cooperative Extension horticulturist Amy Ivy tells Martha Foley there's still time to grow from seed. In fact, it's an ideal time for some popular flowers: sunflowers, maybe. Or a late planting of cosmos. More on what to plant, and how, in their weekly conversation.  Go to full article

May 27, 2013 — Over the weekend, folks were shoveling snow in the northern Adirondacks, and by Thursday it'll likely be shorts and sandals weather. What's a gardener to do when it's too wet, or cool, to start planting? Cornell Cooperative Horticulturist Amy Ivy says there's always weeding. She spoke with Todd Moe about assessing the garden during what is traditionally the start of serious gardening.  Go to full article

May 20, 2013 — It's been hot, or cold, and mostly dry and windy for most of this spring. None of those conditions is ideal for transplanting vegetables or flowers. But this week's weather looks more hospitable for tender transplants. In their weekly conversation, Martha Foley and Cornell Cooperative Extension horticulturist Amy Ivy review what to look for when you shop for transplants, and what to do when planting.  Go to full article

May 13, 2013 — Corn, cucumbers, parsley and parsnips...it all starts with seeds. But not all seeds are easy to nurse through the germination stage. In their weekly gardening conversation, Cornell Cooperative Extension horticulturist Amy Ivy talks with Martha Foley about some of the challenges that stall or prevent germination, and ways to give seeds the conditions they need to sprout.  Go to full article

May 06, 2013 — Perennial beds need some attention in the spring. Dividing tubers can give them a renewed lease on life. And with a dry spring, a little irrigation might be in order. Martha Foley talks with Cooperative Extension horticulturist Amy Ivy.  Go to full article

Apr 29, 2013 — It won't be long before the lucky people with an asparagus patch will be eating one of the first edibles offered by the new season.

Whether you're trying to keep an old patch productive, or have established your own asparagus bed, Cooperative Extension horticulturist Amy Ivy has good advice.

Planting a new bed has traditionally required digging a big trench, but Amy has good news there: eight inches is plenty deep, and now's the time.  Go to full article

Apr 22, 2013 — It's the 43rd Earth Day. The idea of a day to stop and think about and celebrate the Earth came from U.S. Sen. Gaylord Nelson of Wisconsin after he toured the devastation of a massive oil spill off California.

Earth Day 1970 achieved broad political support: Republicans and Democrats, rich and poor, urban and rural, business and labor leaders. The first Earth Day led to the creation of the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the passage of the Clean Air, Clean Water, and Endangered Species Acts.

Earth Day is BIG. But awareness of the individual's role in environmental health has evolved in those 43 years, too. Cooperative Extension horticulturist Amy Ivy shares a list of five action points for home gardeners.  Go to full article

Apr 15, 2013 — Spring has been a little frosty this year, so far, anyway. Cold wind and rain, even snow, along with frosty mornings might conspire to keep less-hardy gardeners (like Martha Foley) indoors.

But outside, green shoots are coming up. Cooperative Extension horticulturist Amy Ivy, tells Martha it's past time to uncover the garlic and the daffodils. And it's OK to try a few early rows of onions and spinach.  Go to full article