Tomatoes got a cool, slow start this year, but with sunshine and warmer temperatures now, they're catching up. Of course, there are some key problems to keep an eye out for. Cooperative Extension's Amy Ivy reminds us about septoria and early blight, and the much more threatening late blight.And there's a caterpillar to look for: the tomato hornworm. It's wonderfully (or tragically) well camouflaged. You might just see the damage it's done first. [full story]

Midway through the summer season, there may be some space opening up in the vegetable garden. Maybe there's a row or two where the peas once were, or a patch left empty when the garlic was pulled. Or maybe a a spot just reclaimed from some gone-too-far weeds.Cooperative Extension's Amy Ivy says this is good space and this is the right time to plant something for fall; leafy greens would be a good choice. Think lettuce, kale, arugula, maybe even spinach. [full story]

It hardly seems like we've had enough "summer" for this, but it's mid-July, and time to harvest garlic. In fact, according to Cooperative Extension's Amy Ivy, other areas in the state have their garlic out of the ground already.This week, she's got tips on how to tell when it's really ready, how to get the bulbs out of the ground, and what do do to insure both good-keeping heads for winter use and a good crop for next year. [full story]

It's transition time in the garden, time to clean up the early bloomers. Cooperative Extension's Amy Ivy has tips on tidying up peonies, iris, daffodils and other spent blooms. And she has a tip on her favorite flower for this point in the succession - cat mints: Six Hills Giant and Walker's Low. [full story]

Cages, stakes, fertilizer and judicious pruning all help fast-growing tomatoes produce. Cooperative Extension horticulturist Amy Ivy says moisture and extra lush growth can make tomato vines vulnerable to disease. She offers tips about managing the consequences of an extra-wet spring, and has an update on the possibility of blight this summer. [full story]

Martha Foley took horticulturist Amy Ivy's advice from last week and gave her pale struggling tomatoes a little nitrogen. Now that they've perked up and greened up, what's next?Amy says it's time to train and support them to produce a good healthy yield. [full story]

It's hard to make a broad generalization about how much water is right for your particular garden. The type of soil matters, the maturity of the plants and whether you're getting localized downpours or slow steady rains.Cooperative Extension's Amy Ivy says paying close attention to the moisture in your soil is step one. The way to figure that out? Dig a hole and see for yourself. [full story]

The cool, rainy spring has left a lot of new transplants behind schedule, and perennials that are tender and leggy. They'll welcome the sun and heat, but the resulting sudden growth spurt can be a challenge. Cooperative Extension's Amy Ivy offers some tips for extra care and feeding! [full story]

A rainy Memorial Day isn't perfect for picnics and parades. And it might be frustrating for a gardener itching to make progress with the vegetables or flowers. But it is just right for tender transplants.That and more about the TLC young plants need, from cooperative Extension's Amy Ivy [full story]

The end of the school year is just around the corner, but students at North Country School and Camp Treetops are busy outdoors at the start of the gardening season. Most of the students and faculty took a break from books and blackboards last week and helped plant hundreds of pounds of potatoes. [full story]