The recent cold snap – with widespread frost and even a freeze in some spots – likely marked the end of the season for pumpkins and winter squash. Unless your area escaped the frost or you covered these crops, their tender foliage succumbed to the autumn temperatures. In general, the timing of pumpk...

Hiking, hunting, harvesting? Going for a walk in the woods? Riding your horse? Mowing your lawn? Picking apples? Beware of yellowjackets. “Historically, they always come out this time of year to feast on aster and goldenrod,” said Mary Wigmore, owner of Ashfield, MA-based Wigmore Forest Resource Man...

Oak trees are some of the most beautiful and beneficial trees you can have in the landscape. When given enough space to grow, these trees can become massive specimens that provide many functions. Oaks provide food and shelter for hundreds of caterpillar species. Supported by the oak tree, these cate...

It won’t be long before gardening season draws to a close, but if you’re thinking about expanding your garden next year, autumn is a great time to do the prep work. Select the location now, while trees are still fully leafed out so you can more accurately judge how much sun the area receives. Be sur...

September is both National Chicken Month and National Food Safety Education Month. As part of National Chicken Month, the National Chicken Council (NCC) invites you to keep watch for in-store promotions and online contests, recipes, fun facts and more. The average American will consume about 83 lbs....

Once the grass gets its final cut and the leaves are handled, it’s time to swap out the mower, blower and trimmer for the snow thrower, generator and chainsaw. The Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI) says a little prep now means less stress – and fewer repair bills – later. “Your end-of-season ...

Do you have a passion for gardening and a desire to give back to your community? Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) Herkimer is pleased to announce that applications are now open for the 2025 Master Gardener Volunteer Program. This comprehensive training and volunteer program equips local residents...

American Dairy Association North East is celebrating a decade-long partnership with Noblehurst Farms of Pavillion, NY, to recycle the butter sculpture from the Great New York State Fair. Along with Cornell Cooperative Extension Master Gardeners, ADA North East dismantled the sculpture that was creat...

Summer is a season for relaxation. When it comes to food, nothing quite exudes the spirit of summer like a good dessert. A freshly cooked pie on the windowsill can waft through the house and into the yard, enticing family members and passersby alike. Kicking up your heels and enjoying a piece of pie...

Rabbits are adorable creatures – until they devour your newly planted perennials. Many gardeners find themselves quite frustrated by the damage that rabbits can cause to their beloved plants. Understanding what you can do to discourage them from dining in your garden can help gardeners and rabbits c...

It’s beginning to feel like the peak of our summer season has arrived in the Finger Lakes. The signs for me are when I finally seemed to have a grasp on my pollen allergy and can breathe again, those fields of wheat have turned a golden color and are now being harvested and the farmers market is a b...

If you don’t already grow purple coneflowers in your garden, you’ve most likely seen this purplish-pink, daisy-like flower adding a pop of color in someone else’s yard. They’re a great choice if you’re looking for an easy-to-grow, native perennial. Coneflowers are hardy in USDA Hardiness Zones 4 – 9...

What makes good soil and what does “good” mean? Most of us would likely answer that good soil is full of readily available nutrients for our vegetables and flowers to uptake and robustly grow. There is, of course, more to good soil than nutrients. Otherwise, why would we bother to grow plants in soi...

Everyone knows that horses don’t thrive on their own – they flourish because of a devoted network of people who give them expert care, steady support and daily attention. Behind every polished performance, healthy stride or peaceful trail ride is a team of caretakers, including fellow equestrians, w...

It’s the height of summer, and the weather is hot, hot, hot! That doesn’t mean work in the garden is done, though. Instead, venture outdoors in the early morning or late in the afternoon. Avoid working in the sun during the hottest part of the day. If you’ve been putting off addressing a shady chall...