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News stories tagged with "gardening"

Eager gardeners sorting through the possibilities. Photo: Lucy Martin
Eager gardeners sorting through the possibilities. Photo: Lucy Martin

Lots about seeds

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
Lilies divided to make a fence border at the back of a perennial bed. Photo: <a heref="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kidmissile/4429824109/">kidmissile</a>, Creative Commons, some rights reserved
Lilies divided to make a fence border at the back of a perennial bed. Photo: kidmissile, Creative Commons, some rights reserved

Shaping up perennials in the spring garden

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
Early asparagus is the thickest. Stop picking if it's thinner than a pencil. Archive Photo of the Day: Steve and Vici Diehl, Antwerp NY.
Early asparagus is the thickest. Stop picking if it's thinner than a pencil. Archive Photo of the Day: Steve and Vici Diehl, Antwerp NY.

Keeping up with asparagus

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
Gardening for the planet. Photo: <a href"http://www.flickr.com/photos/southernpixel/3480710493/">Alby Headrick</a>, CC some rights reserved
Gardening for the planet. Photo: Alby Headrick, CC some rights reserved

Bringing Earth Day back home

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
Snowy daffodils. Photo: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/stephencannon/2367604466/">Stephen Cannon</a> CC <a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.0/deed.en">some rights reserved</a>
Snowy daffodils. Photo: Stephen Cannon CC some rights reserved

Chill winds, be gone! It's time for a little gardening

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
Manure pile. Photo: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/87255087@N00/3572826346/">Knitting Iris</a>, CC some rights reserved
Manure pile. Photo: Knitting Iris, CC some rights reserved

Manure in the garden

Best practices in gardening can change over the years. Martha Foley and cooperative extension horticulturist Amy Ivy talk about new wisdom on the best ways to use manure in the early spring garden.  Go to full article
It's garden prep season.  Photo:  Todd Moe
It's garden prep season. Photo: Todd Moe

How to help your garden feed itself

Did you poke around your garden this weekend? As the snow melts, it's time to start thinking about spring cleaning in the lawn and garden. Horticulturist Amy Ivy says much of what you rake up could become beneficial mulch.  Go to full article
Pruning a blueberry bush. Image: University of Missouri Extension
Pruning a blueberry bush. Image: University of Missouri Extension

Another antidote for cabin fever?

The not-quite-warm-enough weather in late March and early April can be a challenge for the staunchest fans of North Country living. It's cabin fever time. Cornell Cooperative Extension's Amy Ivy offers an answer that doesn't require a ticket to Myrtle Beach or Miami. She tells Martha Foley it's just perfect weather to get blueberry and raspberry bushes ready for the summer season.  Go to full article
Early sign of spring: Pussy Willows from Upper and Lower Lakes. Archive Photo of the Day: John Danis, Rensselaer Falls NY.
Early sign of spring: Pussy Willows from Upper and Lower Lakes. Archive Photo of the Day: John Danis, Rensselaer Falls NY.

An early glimpse of spring

With temperatures expected to reach the mid-50's, or higher, this afternoon, you're excused if you feel a touch of "spring fever" today. Todd Moe talks with horticulturist Amy Ivy about some of the early signs of spring around the region -- from pussy willows and red-stemmed dogwood to red winged blackbirds.  Go to full article
Edward and Linda MacDonald ran the popular seed-swap table at Ottawa's 20th "Seedy Saturday." Photo: Lucy Martin
Edward and Linda MacDonald ran the popular seed-swap table at Ottawa's 20th "Seedy Saturday." Photo: Lucy Martin

"Seed swaps" let gardeners share and explore

As gardeners look ahead to spring, some take advantage of what's called a "seed swap". It's a good way to recycle unwanted seeds, share a surplus, or take a chance on a few new varieties.

Ottawa's 20th "Seedy Saturday" took place March 2 in a community hall at Britannia Beach. The busy event featured educational booths and a number of regular seed vendors, plus workshops on saving seeds, permaculture and worm composting.  Go to full article

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