Use by June 24, 2008
Contact: Anne Lenox Barlow, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Clinton County, 518-561-7450

Jpg available from karalynn@gisco.net or 315-465-7578: Anne Lenox Barlow picks strawberries as son Henry looks on. Anne, the new Cornell Cooperative Extension of Clinton County Horticulture Educator, will be offering a strawberry how-to workshop on June 25th.

June 25th Strawberry Workshop Offered by New Horticulture Educator

Plattsburgh, NY -- �It�s like tasting the sunshine� - that is how new Cornell Cooperative Extension of Clinton County Horticulture Educator Anne Lenox Barlow describes the taste of fresh locally grown strawberries. On Wednesday, June 25th at the Extension office at 6064 Route 22 in Plattsburgh, Barlow will teach the basics of the sweet red berries in a strawberry how-to workshop starting at 7 pm.

�We will talk about when to wash and how to make freezer jam that preserves the strawberries� flavor,� Barlow says.

Barlow says interest in a diverse range of horticultural pursuits is growing locally.

�Since I started with Cornell Cooperative Extension of Clinton County in March of this year, I have worked with local people interested in growing vegetables � from seniors looking to start container gardens to first-time backyard gardeners and several people interested in market gardens to harvest for sale at farmstands and farmers markets,� Barlow says.

The recent rush of humid weather has brought Barlow calls about fungal diseases and insects appearing on plants. How to deal with grubs is frequently among the inquiries for lawn care and landscaping tips.

Barlow is also eager to work with area residents interested in matching flowers and vegetables to their particular geographical location.

�By matching plants to the site, you create easy care gardens that reduce the need and cost of watering and weeding,� Barlow says.

Barlow points out that while she can help homeowners start a small backyard berry patch, commercial fruit growers can call on Kevin Iungerman, the Extension Associate with the Cornell Northeastern NY Commercial Fruit Program serving the Champlain region.

Barlow, who grew up in Sayre, Pennsylvania, just south of the New York State line between Binghamton and Elmira, earned her undergraduate degree in forest science at Penn State University and her master�s degree in natural resources management at the State University of New York College of Environmental Science & Forestry in Syracuse.

She and her husband Matthew, a middle school music teacher in Beekmantown, moved to Clinton County five years ago. They have two children �Henry, 2, and Elsa, 6 months. Among the plants the Barlows recently planted in their backyard garden are hot peppers, celeriac, sunflowers and moonflowers.

Anne Lenox Barlow can be reached at Cornell Cooperative Extension of Clinton County at 518-561-7450. The cost of the June 25 workshop is $15. Call 518-561-7450 to register. # # #