Ottawa, ON, Mar 08, 2013 — 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

Mar 04, 2013 — Many gardeners enjoy sharing perennials during the growing season. Horticulturist Amy Ivy brings that idea indoors with tips for propagating houseplants from stem cuttings this season. Amy told Todd Moe that this month is a great time to prune and shape-up houseplants.  Go to full article

Plattsburgh, NY, Feb 25, 2013 — Pruning apple trees can bring trepidation to gardeners, but pruning improves the tree's vigor and fruit production. If you have an apple tree in your backyard, now is the time to start thinking about pulling out the pruners. Todd Moe talks with horticulturist Amy Ivy, who says now is a great time to start planning for pruning in March and April. She has some tips for best way to prune apple trees - and why you should take the time to prune.  Go to full article

Plattsburgh, NY, Feb 18, 2013 — Winter wind takes a toll on a household. It fills a driveway up with blowing snow. The windy side of a house can be colder on the inside, as well as the outside.

Wind makes life hard for shrubs and trees, too, even some native species that are truly winter hardy when they're planted in a protected location. But as Cooperative extension's horticulturist Amy Ivy tells Martha Foley, wind-tolerant plantings can help block and redirect the worst of the wind. In their weekly conversation, she's got suggestions for what to plant and where, for short term and long term windbreaks.  Go to full article

Plattsburgh, NY, Feb 11, 2013 — A big snowfall makes the basic shapes of the garden stand out in relief against the white background. Amy Ivy and Martha Foley talk about choosing and shaping shrubs and the basic architecture of the garden, taking advantage of this opportunity when just the bones are showing.

And on a cautionary note, it's good to mark yard and garden features that will be buried, particulary if they are near to where the snowplow might go. Also be careful about placing more delicate plantings where snow will shoveled or plowed into deep heavy piles.  Go to full article

Plattsburgh, NY, Feb 04, 2013 — Starting seeds indoors is a mid-winter routine that gives gardeners a nice taste of the coming season: potting mix on the fingers, the fragrance of moist soil. Mostly, the trays and boxes of little seedlings are destined for the vegetable garden.

Cooperative Extension horticulturist Amy Ivy has suggestions this week for starting flowers, perennial, that is, from seed as well.

She tells Martha Foley that starting perennials from seed is generally a more forgiving project than getting vegetable seedlings ready to go. Timing for the getting young flowers ready for transplanting isn't so crucial. One caveat: the timeline to maturity is longer.  Go to full article

Plattsburgh, NY, Jan 28, 2013 — Most gardeners probably started out growing onions from sets, which are small, immature onion bulbs. They're easy to grow that way. But horticulturist Amy Ivy says growing from seed lets gardeners pick varieties to suit their own needs or whims. Todd Moe spoke with Amy for some tips about growing onions from seeds, sets and seedlings.  Go to full article

Plattsburgh, NY, Jan 21, 2013 — Watering houseplants the right way can be a life-or-death proposition, for the plant.

Cooperative Extension horticulturist Amy Ivy tells Martha Foley poor watering practice is the number one killer of houseplants. Her advice: pay close attention, and remember every plant is different.  Go to full article

Plattsburgh, NY, Jan 14, 2013 — Seed catalogs have started to arrive, with plenty of ideas and new products for the coming growing season. High tunnels, low tunnels, irrigation systems...it all can be a bit daunting.

Cornell Cooperative Extension horticulturist Amy Ivy helps sort through the offerings.  Go to full article

Plattsburgh, NY, Jan 07, 2013 — The stark contrasts of a snowy landscape bring out hidden beauty in the garden and the yard. Plant stems and flower heads give depth and detail, and fences and other structures can anchor the view. Cooperative Extension horticulturist Amy Ivy sorts through her favorites with Martha Foley.  Go to full article