Master Gardeners of Venango County

Once Jan. 1 rolls around, you’re probably ready dispose of your Christmas tree. If you purchased a real tree, there are plenty of eco-friendly options…

If you have a lack of outdoor space, you want edible greens even in the winter months, or you just love to surround yourself with…

Are you getting tired of the dreary, long, cold, snowy winter? Then it’s time to break out the seed and plant catalogs and start planning…

Pollinators need our help! Populations of all our pollinators are declining, including native bees, domestic bees, flies, beetles, and butterflies. They are affected by habitat…

In the lull after the holidays, stop and take a few minutes to assess the successes, challenges, and disappointments of the past growing season. Evaluating…

When frost threatens, it’s time to move many of your outside plants indoors. Many tender bulbs, annuals, herbs, and tropical plants will only survive the…

Football season and school have started. Gardeners are harvesting their vegetables and planting their second round of cool-weather crops. These harbingers of fall are subtle…

Before you wrap up the gardening season and head indoors to take a well-deserved rest, make sure that all of your gardening tools are properly…

Follow these three simple steps for learning how to save your own seeds. 1. Know what to grow Start With Open-Pollinated Seeds Open pollinated varieties,…

You can extend the vegetable gardening season with low tunnels, cold frames, hot beds, and cloches. Learn how to use these tools and about types…

More than 14 million households in the United States grow herbs—in vegetable and perennial gardens, in containers, or on windowsills. And with good reason! In…

Before learning about the history of herbs and spices, it is necessary to define these terms. Herbs are the fresh and dried leaves generally of…

Many species of ticks occur in Pennsylvania. The most common are blacklegged (deer) ticks, American dog ticks, lone star ticks, and groundhog ticks. Ticks can…

Not everyone is comfortable using synthetic chemicals and pesticides to ward off bugs. Many people are turning to natural, environmentally friendly remedies for repelling insects,…

Beneficial insects are those that consume or parasitize insect pests. They include wasps, flies, beetles, true bugs, thrips (who knew!), spiders and mites. The good…

Compost is a term for organic matter that has decomposed into a form that plants can use. Compost can be used in potting mixes or…

A gardener has many choices when it comes to mulch. This article covers the pros and cons of various types of organic, non-organic, and living…

Companion planting began as a simple way for Ancient civilizations to improve their crop harvests by planting two or more different plants next to or…

June is the gateway to Summer. With the solstice on June 20, we enter the most active and productive season of the year. That holds…

Have you resolved to start eating better? Growing your own food can be one of the best ways to achieve that goal. Your backyard can…

By ELIZABETH WADDINGTON Most of us now understand that our way of life on this planet has to change if humanity is going to survive…

Efficient water use is especially important during the hot summer months when as much as 50 percent of home water use is for watering lawns…

Rain barrels are the final piece of the puzzle in dealing with stormwater on your property—they capture the rain and store it for later use…

Landscaping for wildlife can restore critically needed habitat and beautify your yard at the same time. Many excellent native trees, shrubs, and vines offer four…

A certain amount of time and energy is required to create and maintain a visually appealing perennial garden. Results obtained from dividing perennials are well…

Landscaping for wildlife can restore critically needed habitat and beautify your yard at the same time. Many excellent native trees, shrubs, and vines offer four…

Herbaceous (non-woody) perennial plants add year-round interest to any landscape and are a popular choice of plants among gardeners. Though thousands of perennials are available,…

By MIKAYLA BORCHERT – Family Handyman editor Gardening is a forgiving hobby. If you forget to water once, plants will usually bounce back after their…

Venango County Master Gardener volunteers are available to answer gardening-related questions through the Venango County Master Gardeners’ Facebook page, by emailing venangomg@psu.edu, or by calling…

Here is a list of the major vegetables and the “best” time to plant: Cabbage Indoor growing time prior to transplanting: 5 to 6 weeks…

By Doug Tallamy Across the nation, homeowners, landscape designers, and land managers are recognizing the critical role our managed landscapes now play in sustaining the…

With the advent of uniform narrow canopy training systems, the “artistry” of pruning can be phased out in favor of pruning to a few scientifically…

You can support butterflies, moths, bees, and other desirable insects by delaying your garden cleanup until spring. Learn simple ways to encourage overwintering insects and…

When seedlings grow their first pair of identifiable true leaves, they are ready for transplanting. At this time, you can transplant plants either into small…

Most vegetable crops start their life as seeds. Seeds of some crops, such as tomatoes, peppers, and broccoli, are usually planted into greenhouse trays to…

Penn State Extension Master Gardeners in Venango County are available to answer questions on trees and shrubs,  annuals and perennials, fruits and vegetables, soils and…

The need to bring nature indoors in winter is universal. As far back as archeological records go, there is evidence of man decorating his domicile…

By REBECCA JOY STANBOROUGH, MFA – Medically reviewed by DEBORAH WEATHERSPOON, Ph.D., R.N., CRNA Indoor gardening is still enjoying a surge in popularity, fed by Instagram’s…

A blooming amaryllis can add sparkle to holiday decorations and cheer during the short days and long nights of winter. The amaryllis, in the genus…

“Winter sown seedlings grow into healthy,sturdy plants. Plants will be ready to thrive in the garden when spring arrives.” – Trudy Davidoff, Creator of the…

Now is the time to plan and prepare for a bit of spring sunshine on dreary winter days. The term forcing refers to inducing a…