Penn State Extension Master Gardeners are offering a series of how-to topics for area gardeners on three consecutive Wednesday evenings in September from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Berks County Agricultural Center, 1238 County Welfare Road, Leesport, PA 19533. The Fall Gardening Series will focus on preparing your garden for the winter months, preserving and using herbs, and increasing your plant inventory.
On Wednesday September 11, the first session of the series “Winter is Coming: End-of-Season Garden Preparation,” will concentrate on preparing your landscape and vegetable gardens for the winter. Master Gardeners Dee Dee Kerscher and Tina Ehrig will show participants the ways the Master Gardener Demonstration Gardens are readied for the winter months with a tour of the gardens. After the tours, Master Gardeners Doug Reigle and Dennis Stufflet will lead a discussion on the usage and difference between mulch and compost.
The second class on September 18, “Something for Nothing: Plant Propagation,” will deal with ways of creating more plants. Attendees will learn the what, when and how of plant propagation from Dr. David Sanford, Associate Professor of Horticulture at Penn State Berks Campus. He’ll show the proper techniques of layering, taking cuttings, simple division, and lifting and separating bulbs.
On the September 25th final session, join Master Gardener Pat Magala to learn how to harvest and preserve your herbs for the winter in a program titled “Herbs for All Reasons.” She’ll also touch on keeping herbs alive indoors over the winter months.
Included in every class will be the latest updates on the spotted lanternfly, the invasive insect that affected thousands of Berks County properties, farms, businesses and vineyards last year. Citizens should be familiar with the insect and should be aware that there are many management tools available to them, including non-chemical ones.
Registration is required, with a class fee of $10 per person per class. Participants may choose individual classes or may register for the whole series. Register on line at https://extension.psu.edu/shopby/workshops (scroll down to find individual workshops). To register and pay by phone, please call 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 Dee Dee Kerscher at 610-378-1327 in advance of your participation or visit.
