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Penn State Master Gardeners Offer Spring Gardening Series

by Penn State Master Gardeners

Mar 12, 2019
Master Gardeners

Penn State Extension Master Gardeners are offering a Spring Gardening Series of how-to topics for area gardeners on three consecutive Monday evenings in March and April at the Berks County Agricultural Center in Bern Township.  All classes will be held in the Berks County Ag Center Auditorium from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.

The Spring Gardening Series is meant to inspire and inform area gardeners in three diverse workshops.  On March 18, Master Gardener Tina Ehrig will take participants on a PowerPoint tour of our region’s finest horticultural spots in Garden Destinations in Berks and Beyond.  The travelogue will include arboreta, display gardens, historic gardens, nature preserves, and more. This classroom tour will inspire visits to well-known horticultural treasures, but also to hidden gems that don’t make the usual garden tours.

On March 25, Master Gardeners Pat Magala and Vicki Olshefsky will offer Success with Container Plantings and Succulents, demonstrating the novel uses of vegetables, herbs, and even perennials to create unusual outdoor container arrangements.  Participants will learn tips and care techniques to achieve multi-season interest.  The class will also explore succulents, a varied and versatile group of plants that are sure to find a niche in nearly any garden project.

On April 1, Master Gardeners Steve Reinbrecht, Jim Smoker and JoAnn DeCesar will instruct on the proper care of woody ornamental plants.  This category of plants is perhaps the most perplexing of any for home gardeners, who struggle with plant selection, care, pruning, diseases and insect problems.  Common specimens like lilac, azalea, hydrangea and forsythia will be highlighted, along with lesser known trees and shrubs.

Included in every class will be the latest updates on Spotted Lanternfly, the invasive insect pest that affected thousands of Berks County properties, farms, businesses, and vineyards last year.  A new hatch is expected in April.  Citizens should be familiar with the insect and should be aware that there are many management tools available to them, including non-chemical ones.

Participants may choose individual classes or may register for the whole series. Class sizes are limited to permit hands-on learning and time for discussion.

Registration is required, with a class fee of $10 per person per class.  Register online:  https://extension.psu.edu/shopby/workshops (scroll down to find individual workshops) or by phone 1-877-345-0691.

The Pennsylvania State University encourages qualified persons with disabilities to participate in its programs and activities. If you anticipate needing any type of accommodation or have questions about the physical access provided, please contact us at 610-378-1327 in advance of your participation or visit.

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