Cornell Cooperative Extension of Westchester County

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Cornell Cooperative Extension of Westchester County

CCE Westchester is a land-grant nonprofit agency conducting research-based programing.

06/22/2026

We're so excited for it to finally be summer! Hoping everyone had a great father's day weekend and enjoyed all the sun on the longest day of the year!

06/18/2026

In observation of federal holiday Juneteenth, our office will be closed on Friday, June 19th. We will reopen Monday, June 22nd at 9am.

06/17/2026

Thank you Jessica Schuler, Director of Lasdon Public Gardens & Veterans Memorial for guiding us through the amazing Westchester County Parks property this morning! It was a great way to end our Home Garden Lecture Series for 2026!

06/15/2026

Looking to use your in-season zucchini? Try this colorful and delicious chicken veggie kebab recipe from Eat Move Save at Illinois Extension! Plus save this recipe for a tasty addition to your father’s day cookout next week!

Ingredients:
2 tablespoon vegetable oil
2 tablespoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon minced garlic (or 1/2 tsp garlic powder)
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into 1-inch cubes
1 large fresh red onion, cut into 1-inch pieces
2 medium bell pepper (any color), cut into 1-inch pieces
2 medium fresh zucchini, cut into 1-inch slices
2 medium fresh yellow summer squash, cut into 1-inch slices
1 , 8-oz package fresh whole mushrooms, cut in half or keep whole

Preparation:
Wash hands with soap and water. In a medium container with a lid, combine vegetable oil, lemon juice, garlic, and black pepper. Add chicken pieces and toss to coat. Cover container with lid, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
Wash hands with soap and water. Gently rub vegetables (red onion through mushrooms) under cold running water and cut into sizes indicated. Pre-heat grill to medium heat. Prepare six wood or metal kebab skewers according to directions on package. Thread alternating pieces of chicken with vegetables, in any combination desired. Add assembled kebabs to grill. Cook on one side for 5-10 minutes. Turn and cook for another 5 minutes. Chicken is cooked and safe to eat when it reaches 165 degrees F with a meat thermometer.

Note: Use one plate for the raw, uncooked kabobs. Once kebabs are cooked, use a new, clean plate to transport them to the kitchen. Recipe makes 6 kebabs.

06/12/2026

At the end of New York Invasive Species Awareness Week, we're talking about the largest bird in New York, the mute swan (Cygnus olor). These birds were originally brought over from Europe for their aesthetic value, they consume around 4-8 pounds of food per day and can uproot plants to get the amount they need. Along with their massive appetite, they're also aggressive and territorial!
Photo: Jim Occi, BugPics, Bugwood.org

06/09/2026

This week is New York Invasive Species Awareness Week! Invasive species are any species that are not native to our area, and often cause harm to the environment or to us! These photos show some common insects and plants in our area that are invasive species. During NY Invasive Species Awareness Week, try reporting invasives that you find on the NYS iMapInvasives app which is a collaboration between many different organizations including Cornell IPM! Be aware for all the ways that you might interact with invasive species, including moving firewood, using camping gear in multiple outdoor locations, cars and tires that might carry hitchhikers during road trips, or boats that pick up unsightly guests that travel from body of water to body of water. Following state regulation, carefully cleaning outdoor materials, and reporting invasives are all great ways to be a climate hero! Learn more about NY Invasive Species Awareness Week, including awesome events being held, at nyis.info/nyisaw

Photos: Lawrence Barringer, Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, Bugwood.org. Scott Bauer, USDA Agricultural Research Service, Bugwood.org. Nancy Gregory, University of Delaware, Bugwood.org. Leah Bauer, USDA Forest Service Northern Research Station, Bugwood.org. MassAudobon.org. Chris Evans, University of Illinois, Bugwood.org.

06/06/2026

Scarlet bee balm (Monardra didyma) is a brightly colored native perennial that knows how to bring in a crowd. The bright blooms are known for bring in all kinds of pollinators, butterflies, hummingbirds, and of course bees!
Photo: John Ruter, University of Georgia, Bugwood.org

06/04/2026

Try this delicious berry smoothie, perfect for cooling down in the warming summery weather! Recipe from Food Hero, Oregon State University Extension.

Ingredients
1 cup pineapple juice
1 cup low-fat plain or vanilla yogurt (see Notes)
1½ cup fresh or frozen berries (any type; see Notes)
½ cup beets (cooked from fresh or canned and drained)
1 small frozen banana (optional)

Directions
Wash hands with soap and water.
Rinse or scrub fresh fruits and vegetables under running water before preparing.
Combine all ingredients in a blender.
Blend until smooth and serve right away.
Refrigerate or freeze leftovers within 2 hours.

Notes:
Try adding ½ teaspoon vanilla if you use plain yogurt.
Try using 1 cup strawberries and ½ cup blueberries.
Freeze cooked beets in recipe-sized portions for a quick fix. Frozen beets from the store should be cooked first according to package directions.

05/29/2026

Although similar looking to the emerald ash borer, the six-spotted tiger beetle (Cicindela sexguttata) is a native species of beetle known for its bright green coloration and, of course, its 6 spots. These garden bugs are active hunters consuming all manners of arthropods. Keep an eye out for them as they're very active at this time of year!

Photo: David Cappaert, Bugwood.org

05/26/2026

Similar to raspberries, wineberry (Rubus phoenicolasius) are brightly colored berries that ripen throughout the summer. The bright colors make them appeal to birds and animals alike, making this invasive species continuously spread. Beware of this prickly invader!

Photo: Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut, Bugwood.org

Address

3 West Main Street
Elmsford, NY
10523

Telephone

+19142854620

Website

https://linktr.ee/ccewc3wmain

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