Forty pound bags of sunflower seeds are a start, but winter birds need shelter and a perch, too. Cooperative Extension's Amy Ivy made her own bird habitat over the years at her farmhouse. It's a question of landscaping. [full story]

Yes, they're indoors, but that doesn't mean houseplants get a pass on harsh winter conditions. They face a set of inhospitable and conflicting circumstances. They're likely perched on a windowsill, where it can be too cold and drafty. And they're probably over some sort of central heat delivery system, so it can be too warm and too dry as well. Days are short and dark.And according to Cooperative Extension's Amy Ivy, it can even be too bright. What to do...? [full story]

The list is familiar: Poinsettias, Christmas cactus, amaryllis, cyclamen.... Each can bring color into your house. Some are best as just seasonal visitors. Others can be long-lived additions to the household. Cooperative Extension's Amy Ivy talks with Martha Foley to sort through which is which, and how to care for them. [full story]

Plastic urns full of potting mix (or perhaps the remains of summer petunias) are the perfect, quick start on arrangements of holiday greens. Cooperative Extension's Amy Ivy pulls out the petunias mixes up and moistens the soil mix that remains, and fills the pot with mixtures of greens. Add some dried milkweed pods, maybe some winter berries, and voila! [full story]

Now is a good time to stock up for winter on squashes and root vegetables. Cooperative Extension horticulturist Amy Ivy has some favorite squashes, including a newer variety.Kabocha squash looks like a slightly gnarlier pumpkin, either green or orange on the outside, with a thick stem. It's orange on the inside, and is sweet and creamy when cooked.She also shares tips on how best to keep squash, root vegetables and apples, including why we keep fruit and vegetables apart. [full story]

Who is ever really done with the garden? It seems like there's always something left to do, whether a basic like planting garlic, or finer details like a last attack on quack grass. Amy Ivy and Martha Foley share their lists. Yes, panting garlic is there, and what Amy calls "sheet composting." That's giving the garden a layer of manure or other un-composted organic material, to compost over the winter. [full story]

Garlic is one of the most rewarding crops a North Country gardener can grow. And now is the time for planting. Like most fall bulbss, garlic is fast, easy to plant, and highly rewarding. Choose your garlic well and follow a few simple steps. Then sit back and wait for spring. [full story]

"You never really finish improving your soil." Amy Ivy says. This is a good time for building soil up in advance of the next gardening season. Testing your soil can help you discover what you might need to improve fertility and balance the soil for what you want to grow.Raised beds can help in that effort by reducing the amount of soil you need to work with. And it can focus your efforts in general. Now that we have finally had a little rain, Amy plans to plant garlic in her newest bed. [full story]

The gardening season is closing down. Cooperative Extension's Amy Ivy sets out priorities for what to clean out and how. Much can be added to the compost bin, but not everything. Watch out for diseased plant tissue especially, and some woody stems that just don't break down well. [full story]

The apple harvest is underway, and it’s been a disappointing year for many apple growers in our region. Drought, hail storms and fire blight are some of the reasons for a difficult season.Cornell Cooperative Extension fruit specialist Anna Wallis is keeping an eye on the harvest in some of the Champlain Valley’s orchards this month. [full story]