Garden in the Parks Field Day Attracts Record Crowds

The annual beds were in pristine condition and more than 600 county residents came out to tour the beds and vote for their favorite annual. If 2011 was the Year of the Zinnia then 2012 will undoubtedly be known as the Year of the Rudbeckia. Don’t call her a “Black Eyed Susan” anymore, this popular bloomer comes in wonderful shades and managed to capture a majority of votes in both demonstration gardens. North Park visitors favored the Cherry Brandy Rudbeckia while in South Park the Cappuccino Rudbeckia was the #1 annual. Look for them in many home gardens next year!

Competition was heated at the tomato, garlic and basil tasting tables at both sites! Master Gardeners shared their homegrown tomatoes while the basil and garlic were harvested from the demonstration gardens. Numerous varieties of all three garden goodies were voted on and the results are in:

Information tables on Food Preserving, Pollinators, Garden Tools, Beekeeping and Composting, as well as those staffed by local non-profits, were kept busy answering questions and distributing literature

Activities for the little ones included a Scavenger Hunt, a “Dig for Your Potatoes” Bed and a variety of crafts designed to interest them in the world of plants and pollinators. The small red antennae, worn home by many of the children, will be a fun reminder of a great day in the gardens.

Finally, no summer day is complete without a delicious, cold, cup or cone of ice cream. The Master Gardeners came through with two favorites, Peachy Paterno and Death by Chocolate, both direct from the Penn State Creamery.

To all who stopped by on August 20^th, thank you and save this date, Saturday - August 18, 2012 for the next Garden in the Parks Field Day. Remember, the Penn State Master Gardeners are answering garden questions, once a week, during the winter months at (412) 473-2600 or alleghenymg@psu.edu .