Master Gardeners of Venango County

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…

The COVID-19 pandemic is forcing many to stay home and avoid social activities. Besides the fear of infection, psychologists are observing a negative impact on…

By Susan Martin – Piedmont Master Gardeners At this time of year, starting an indoor herb garden is an inspiring idea. Add a handful of…

By BETHANY HAYES Waiting for spring to arrive feels like torture for those of us who can’t garden year-round. In my opinion, the next best…

Have you ever kept a Garden Journal? A garden journal can be whatever you want it to be. It’s a notebook or binder where you…

The green buds that emerge with the first warm days of April cannot help but inspire winter-weary gardeners, so it’s no wonder that spring is…

In climates with four distinct seasons, common sense would suggest that most planting should be done in spring, at the beginning of the warm season….

You can grow figs in Pennsylvania if you take steps to protect them from the harshest winter temperatures. There’s nothing like a fresh fig! Despite…

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…

For longtime gardeners, saving seeds from their plants may be a family tradition. For new gardeners, it may only be a matter of time until…

As the beautiful Pennsylvania landscape takes on its legendary colors and the unwelcome first frost arrives, home gardeners often have questions about fall tasks. Here…

For a beautiful spring display, you should plan to plant bulbs in the fall. Find out how to select, plant, and care for bulbs in…

This article explains what native plants are, their benefits, and where to acquire them. It also includes tips on how to use native plants in…

Saving seeds at the end of the gardening season is economical and can ensure access to your favorite plant varieties. Here are steps to help…

This article discusses the beneficial pollinators that overwinter in the garden and best practices for providing habitat for them. As the days get shorter and…

Basic steps you can take to make your garden a safe haven for beneficial wildlife. When I planned my flower and vegetable gardens, I envisioned…

With recent efforts to combat invasive plants in woodlands, Penn State Extension has released new resources to help with identification and control. A total of…

Developing a landscape plan can seem like a daunting task. So many things to think about. Whether it is new construction or renovating an existing…

Do you have an interest in gardening, a willingness to learn more about horticulture, and a strong desire to educate the community? The Penn State…

Water-efficient gardening includes seven basic principles that are easy to employ while they increase the value of your home, plus save you time, water and…

Birds can be found everywhere – parks, lakes, forests, cities, even your own backyard; however, birds are finding our homes less and less appealing. The…

The dog days of summer can be tough on your vegetables. Even heat-loving plants like tomatoes and peppers might need a little extra care during…

One of the most important ways you can help pollinators is by provisioning your yard with plants that provide pollen and nectar. To attract butterflies,…

Here are some helpful hints on ways to make your garden a pet safe and beautiful space. After 22 years in the military, it is…

This plant list provides a good starting point to help you become familiar with some native plants that are good for rain gardens. Most of…

Rain gardens are a simple and resourceful way to use the stormwater from your gutters productively as a garden. In its most simple design, a…

The deer population in Pennsylvania is on the rise. And as land development increases, deer are frequently found in areas densely populated by humans. Deer…

Venango County Master Gardener Volunteers are available to answer gardening-related questions through this Blog site , Facebook at “Venango County Master Gardeners,” email at venangomg@psu.edu,…

Imagine sharing your yard with thousands of teenaged periodical cicadas! These fascinating insects have been harmlessly feeding on tree roots for the past seventeen years….