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 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 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

Apr 08, 2013 — 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

Apr 01, 2013 — 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

Plattsburgh, NY, Mar 18, 2013 — Tiny seedlings can fall prey to a number of soil-borne diseases that can linger in a gardener's trays and pots from one year to the next.

Cooperative Extension's Amy Ivy spent some time this past weekend sanitizing in advance of starting seeds inside. She tells Martha Foley why, and how.  Go to full article

Canton, NY, Mar 11, 2013 — 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

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

Potsdam, NY, Jun 22, 2012 — What did you want to be when you grew up? Imagine sitting down with your four-year-old self today and telling him or her about your future. Would that child be surprised? Excited? Disappointed?

Last week the pre-kindergarten class at Lawrence Avenue Elementary School in Potsdam graduated. For the graduation ceremony, their teacher Jen Herrick had them record what they wanted to be when they grow up. These recordings played as each child walked across the stage to receive his or her diploma. Tasha Haverty turned some of them into today's Heard Up North.  Go to full article