The change of seasons has gotten less and less orderly over the past few gardening years. Instead of watching for frost, most gardeners in the region are still worrying about drought. Where there was water for the garden, tomatoes are still ripening, annual flowers still blooming. Where there wasn't enough water, perennials are stressed and sad, lawns are brown instead of lush with fall growth.Horticulturist Amy Ivy says a gardeners has to have a more varied set of "tools" to make the most of up-and-down, lengthening growing seasons. [full story]

The combination of warm days and cool nights is perfect weather for the apple crop, but the dry season means that gardeners should still be watering, even though the growing season is winding down.Cornell Co-operative Extension horticulturist Amy Ivy and Martha Foley parse the weather report for what gardeners needs to know as summer closes out. [full story]

Gardens in the Canton area this season were "peopled" with the help of a group of youngsters. As part of a series of summer activities at Taylor Park, teens and pre-teens took part in a scarecrow workshop with the finished straw folk given to local farmers and gardeners.Co-sponsored by the village recreation department, LittleGrasse Foodworks and TAUNY, the Creating Scarecrows workshop was run by high school students as a way to give them an opportunity to experience a leadership role and a way for the younger students to contribute to the community in a positive way. [full story]

One characteristic of a sustainable garden is that it produces at least some of its own seed. There are flowers, herbs and vegetables that self-seed. Some produce seeds so readily that as long as you give them time to flower and mature, and set seed, you'll always have free plants growing in your garden.Amy Ivy, horticulturist with Cornell Cooperative Extension in Clinton and Essex counties, says self-sowers may be annuals, biennials, or perennials. With a bit of light management, each generation can be coaxed into providing seeds for many seasons. And gardeners can collect and save seeds until the following year. [full story]

Weeds pose a special threat this time of year. They are going to seed. Imagine, some can drop hundreds of thousands of seeds, right in your garden. According to Cooperative Extension's Amy Ivy, it's smart and efficient to just cut down the annuals, like pig weed, now. That will stop them from seeding the garden, and won't disturb the soil as pulling them up would. Do pull the grasses; their roots are a problem. But as with other pests, the first step is to identify the problem accurately. [full story]

Sweetcorn can be an easy, interesting and delicious crop for a home gardener. It likes heat and humidity, so Adirondack conditions aren't ideal. And there's one thing you really need to know: plant at least four six-foot rows. Horticulturist Amy Ivy explains why, and shares other fun things about sweetcorn — like, what the silk is for.On the other hand, really good sweetcorn is widely available at farm stands and farmers' markets across the region. Stock and freeze some for winter! [full story]

Horticulturist Amy Ivy says if you’re pulling cucumbers and beans out of your garden - keep at it! Amy says picking cukes, snipping basil leaves and cutting zinnias actually promotes a bigger harvest. [full story]

According to the US Drought Monitor, almost 90 percent of New York State is abnormally dry. That includes most of the North Country counties. And three quarters of the state is in a moderate or severe drought. So, yes, it's very, very dry. If there's any silver lining, says Cooperative Extension's Amy Ivy, it's that dry conditions put diseases like late blight at bay. On the other hand, some insect pests are having a very good year. Leaf hoppers and cucumber beetles are among them. Amy has advice on when and how to spray. Especially with organic means, it's important to catch insects early. [full story]

Garden chores getting the better of your summer? Maybe it's time to "right-size." As Cooperative Extension's Amy Ivy says, gardening can be such a joy, it's just not right to let it be a burden, a giver of guilt. She and Martha Foley are down-sizing this year. Amy explains how to take a pause in the garden without giving up entirely. And she explains how to make soil even better for when you're ready to pick up again. [full story]

It's hard to be prescriptive when it comes to all the creatures that threaten flowers, vegetables, shrubs, and trees at various times of the season. But Amy Ivy, horticulturist with Cooperative Extension, has some sound advice for dealing with pests: keep close track of the garden plants so you notice problems early; figure out what the problem is (what bug is it, anyway?); and, do no harm. [full story]