Let’s get
something growing.
Browse our written guides below, or ask the garden assistant for help with your own plants, plans, and local connections.
Ask the garden assistantWhat’s on your garden wish list?
Explore practical answers and local connections.
Search our written guides and directory
Good places to begin
6 guidesA beautiful garden. A little less work.
A garden you enjoy starts with an honest plan for the space, time, and energy you have. Start small, choose deliberately, and let the garden grow with you.
Get the full answer Plant choicesA shady garden with deer? Start here.
Shade does not have to mean a bare corner. The useful starting point is the kind of shade and soil you have, followed by realistic expectations about deer.
Get the full answer Native plantsMake a little room for pollinators.
A pollinator project can begin with one carefully planned bed. Use local plant information to create a planting that fits your site and your purpose.
Get the full answer Soil & growingBetter gardening begins below the surface.
Before buying amendments, find out what question you need a soil test to answer. Soil pH, nutrient levels, and possible contaminants call for different testing.
Get the full answer Outdoor livingYour next favorite room might be outside.
Plan a patio around the way you want to spend time outdoors. A useful project brief helps a contractor respond to your actual needs.
Get the full answer Plant choicesMake your next nursery visit count.
A few photos and measurements can turn an overwhelming shopping trip into a much better conversation about your garden.
Get the full answerNeed help with a specific plant problem?
Cornell Cooperative Extension can help you find appropriate horticultural support. Take clear photos and notes about the growing conditions.
Find local gardening support