Perth, ON, Sep 27, 2011 — Ted Maczka is known in gardening circles as the "Fish Lake Garlic Man".

Maczka was born in Poland in 1928. He survived World War II and a crippling injury in a slave labor camp before coming to Canada to work as a tool and die machinist in the 1950's. In the 1970's Maczka bought land in Ontario's Prince Edward County where he worked to develop better varieties of garlic for the region. He's been sharing garlic advice ever since.

Maczka was a featured speaker at the Perth Garlic Festival this past August. Lucy Martin caught up with him there.  Go to full article

Perth, ON, Aug 17, 2011 — Garlic is one of many crops that grow well in northern New York and much of Ontario. It's gaining in popularity thanks to various garlic festivals and a long-established reputation as a flavor enhancer with medicinal qualities.

Alan Cowan's family farm produces garlic, shallots and pumpkins in Ontario's Bruce County, near Lake Huron. For the last dozen years, he's been a vendor at the Perth Garlic Festival. That's a 7-hour-plus drive. But Cowan says it's worthwhile. He estimates 80 percent of his success depends on added-value marketing, which includes reaching customers who appreciate his product.

Cowan spoke with Lucy Martin this past weekend.  Go to full article

Plattsburgh, NY, Jun 14, 2010 — A new threat to the onion family: leek moth. The moths are familiar to gardeners across the border in Ontario and Quebec, but were only reported in this country last summer, in Plattsburgh. In their weekly conversation, Cooperative Extension horticulturist Amy Ivy tells Martha Foley what home gardeners should look for. Plus a reminder to dig up and safely dispose of "volunteer" potatoes...growing from the remnants of last year late blight-infected crop.  Go to full article

Plattsburgh, NY, Oct 05, 2009 — Martha Foley and horticulturist Amy Ivy talk about some late season garden topics -- planting garlic bulbs for next summer, and composting those autumn leaves.  Go to full article

Plattsburgh, NY, Jul 20, 2009 — Martha Foley and horticulturist Amy Ivy talk about Late Blight, a disease that hits tomatoes and potatoes, harvesting garlic and lilies.  Go to full article

Oct 13, 2008 — Martha Foley and horticulturist Amy Ivy talk about savoring some of the cool weather veggies in the garden.  Go to full article

Oct 06, 2008 — Martha Foley and horticulturist Amy Ivy talk about cleaning out the vegetable garden, planting garlic bulbs and putting the perennials to bed for the winter.  Go to full article

Oct 21, 2002 — The first hard freeze of the season was last week, and now there's snow in the forecast. What's going on? Martha Foley talks with horticulturist Amy Ivy about preparing the garden and lawn for winter.  Go to full article

Jul 15, 2002 — With recent heat and rain, things are happening fast and furiously in the garden. The lettuce and beets seem crowded even after they?ve been thinned and picked, broccoli is on the verge of over-ready, and herbs are crazy. Martha Foley talks with horticulturist Amy Ivy about the need for some serious intervention.  Go to full article