Drifts of fallen leaves, plus the last round of lawn clippings, plus the remains of the frosted vegetable garden, plus a few shots of good soil  -  it all adds up to a great opportunity for compost.Whether you're a veteran with a chance to start a new bin, or a beginner wondering about the basics, Cooperative Extension's Amy Ivy has the how-tos and whys of successful compost. One basic rule: no animal protein and nothing oily. [full story]

It's prime time to compost

Latest North Country Public Radio regional news by topic. Topic=gardening.

News & Politics

Volunteers with Common Ground Gardens, a community garden with locations around Saranac Lake, are hoping to reopen the Old Lake Colby garden site next weekend. The revamped site, with new fencing and garden plots, will be the sole site for garden plots this season. [full story]

A new start for Saranac Lake's community garden

Chuck and Kris Minster moved from the Finger Lakes to Peru in Clinton County in
October of 2019, to be closer to their daughter, Rebecca 'Becky' Shuman. Their houses are just a few miles apart. But Beckyâs husband works in a hospital, so the family is socially distancing from each other - no more family dinners or movie nights. 

What they do still have is what Becky and her dad Chuck are calling their âvictory gardenâ - a 30 by 18-foot garden in Beckyâs front yard that theyâre working on together, from a distance. [full story]

Joyful Noise: father and daughter planting a "victory garden" in Peru

For more than 20 years, horticulturist Amy Ivy has shared her expertise and love of gardening in conversation with Martha Foley each Monday morning on The Eight O'Clock Hour. Amy is retiring from her job with Cornell Cooperative Extension this week and from her volunteer job as NCPR's longtime gardening maven.

What does she plan to do with her time now? Tend (and expand) her garden.

In this last episode, she talks with Martha about what to do with the Christmas tree after the holidays are over. [full story]

A final gardening conversation with horticulturist Amy Ivy

Arrangements and centerpieces and cut flowers may be a better gift for the non-gardener; live plants can bring a burden of guilt. but they can make a nice gift for the green thumbs in your life. Amy Ivy recommends cyclamens, which are hardy and long blooming, and have colorful leaves when not in bloom.

Garden gear may by pricey, or duplicate what someone already has, but a garden center gift certificate is a practical alternative and sure to be put to good use.

Horticulturist Amy Ivy trades tips and advice with Todd Moe. [full story]

Gifts for the "green thumb" in your life

The Winter Solstice is three weeks away. The sun is low in the sky; days are short and getting shorter. Cold drizzle and slush aren't helping. 

Houseplants can be an antidote, even for those of us without much, or any, of a green thumb.

Cooperative Extension's horticulturist lists a few favorite and trouble-free options for indoor greenery.  Tops on her list: pothos, AKA Devil's Ivy. Also: chinese evergreen (Google it), jade tree, and peace lily. [full story]

It's prime time to compost

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