Centre County Master Gardeners hosting free programs & events this summer. Here’s a look
Summer’s here, and that means it’s time to get outside and enjoy the beauty of the season! Though it’s easy for gardeners to become bogged down by the many tasks that need to be accomplished, it’s also important to make time for plenty of exploration and enjoyment. Centre County Master Gardeners have a number of fun, informative and free summer programs on tap that will appeal to curious minds of all ages.
The Snetsinger Butterfly Garden (SBG) team will present several events this summer. On Saturday, June 27, drop in at the garden in Tudek Park for Discovery Day. From 10 a.m.-noon, Master Gardeners will be on hand to guide visitors through various activities in the habitat. How do caterpillars avoid predators? What’s a baby bird’s favorite food? Who lives under the leaves? You’ll learn all this and much more.
Headed downtown to the Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts in July? Be sure to catch a performance of “Pollinators! The Musical,” a 30-minute musical puppet show about the unique lifestyles and habits of some of our native pollinators. Created and presented by Master Gardeners, this award-winning show’s toe-tapping tunes and fascinating facts can be enjoyed by audiences of all ages. Performances will be on Wednesday, July 8 (10:30 a.m., 1 p.m.) and Friday, July 10 (10:30 a.m., 2:30 p.m.) at State College Presbyterian Church. Whether you’re 8 or 80, you’ll leave with a song in your heart and a new appreciation for our pollinator partners.
Mark your calendar for Saturday, Aug. 1, when the SBG will hold a Mini Bioblitz. It’s an opportunity to observe and learn about the plant and insect life of the habitat, while making a valuable contribution to citizen science. For more information on any of these offerings, visit snetsingerbutterflygarden.org.
The fun continues the following weekend, when Master Gardeners from the Bellefonte Children’s Garden will be in the Creativity Corner tent at the Bellefonte Arts and Crafts Fair (Aug. 7-8). Children can design their own nature bracelets using seeds, spices and flower petals. They’ll also receive a seed packet to take home, complete with planting instructions. Over 200 children are expected to visit, so be sure to stop by!
Wrapping up the summer, Master Gardeners and Extension experts will be out in force for Ag Progress Days (Aug. 11-13), providing a wide variety of programs for all. Demonstration garden tours and children’s activities will be available every day. Special presentations on Aug. 11 and Aug. 12 will cover such topics as plants for perennial gardens, planting a tea garden, getting started with native and pollinator plants, the care of backyard apples, and vermicomposting. And of course, the “Ask a Master Gardener” table will be staffed each day with volunteers ready to assist with your gardening questions.
So take a break from screens and scrolling this summer, and join us for any (or all) of our events!
In the garden this month
Monitor your vegetable garden’s rainfall; one inch per week is a good rule of thumb. Choose soaker hoses or drip irrigation if supplemental moisture is needed. Deep, weekly watering is better than a light sprinkle every day.
Have a trellising system for climbers such as pole beans and tomatoes in place before they start to sprawl.
Direct-sow warm-season annuals and herbs such as sunflower and basil, and vegetables such as squash and beans.
Weed early and often! Weeds are not just unsightly, but also steal valuable moisture and nutrients from desirable plants, and can harbor pests and disease.
Spend time observing your garden on a regular basis. Not only will you spot potential problems while they’re more easily managed, but you’ll be amazed by the wonders you’ll discover!
Lisa Schneider has been a Master Gardener volunteer since moving to PA in 2017. Have a home gardening question? Email centremg@psu.edu.