CHAMBERSBURG, Pa. — The Franklin County Master Gardeners have had a great year so far. They hosted their successful plant sale on May 20th, where they welcomed eager first time and seasoned shoppers to peruse beautiful plants. The Franklin County 4H program was also on hand at the plant sale to offer information and activities for children and the Franklin County Beekeepers even brought a small hive and chatted with attendees about the importance of bees. Shoppers had the opportunity to enjoy a talk in the pollinator friendly demonstration garden where they learned about pollinators and how to create an environment that is welcoming for them.
Since the plant sale, the master gardeners have been working hard on preparing and teaching workshops to share a variety of gardening related topics with the public. The Victory Garden workshop series began in May and will continue every third Tuesday of the month until September. In May’s workshop, attendees gained skills to start their garden, how to properly water and mulch plants, and to create a variety of raised and vertical gardens from different items, such as wood, bricks, strawbales, and even tires. In June, the workshop covered how to choose plants, such as herbs, and to control a range of pests. The upcoming July workshop will discuss a selection of topics related to tomatoes, as well as how to cross-pollinate peppers
In addition to learning an assortment of gardening skills at the Victory Garden workshops, attendees also get an opportunity to go on a guided tour of the demonstration gardens. There, they are inspired by beautiful beds with a carefully curated variety of flowers. The Master Gardeners tend to demonstration gardens that are also open to the public every day. The Pollinator Garden showcases plants that attract pollinators such as bees and butterflies, and the Drought Tolerant Garden cultivates plants that have adapted to use less water and require little maintenance. The Sun Perennial Garden features perennial plants that thrive in our climate, while the Herb Garden is arranged by themes to highlight different uses for herbs. In addition to hosting workshops, the above-mentioned Victory Garden also grows produce that is donated to local organizations. In fact, the first donations to SCAAP have already been delivered this summer. Franklin County also offers a Woodland Meadow, which demonstrates native plants that serve as a source of shelter, as well as food for wildlife and is arranged with a beautiful meandering path with a water feature and a variety of trees. The historic Patrick Gass Garden is in front of the Extension Office and combines historical and horticulture education by highlighting flora that Patrick Gass encountered as part of the Lewis and Clark Expedition.
For anyone interested in learning more about the program and the workshops we offer or on becoming a master gardener, contact the Franklin County Coordinator, Annika Dowd, at [email protected] or 717-809-2193. The 2024 class will begin training in October and applications are accepted until the end of July 2023.
–Annika Dowd, Penn State Extension
