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Invasive Plants and Pests Tour for Woodland Owners

May 22, 2012

On Saturday, June 9, 2012, from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., the Cumberland Woodland Owners’ Association is sponsoring an “Invasive Plants and Pests Tour” at Pine Grove Furnace State Park.

Herbaceous Ornamental of the Month: Jack Frost Brunnera (brunnera macrophaylla)

May 15, 2012

What perennial grows well in shade, offers beautiful variegated foliage, and is deer resistant? It is the 2012 Perennial Plant of the Year, ‘Jack Frost’ Brunnera. Grown primarily for its exquisite silver and green variegated foliage, Brunnera macrophylla ‘Jack Frost’ enjoys moist, but well-drained soil that is rich in organic matter.

Falcon Banding

May 10, 2012

Wednesday, May 9th was a big day for two little peregrine falcons. At the Rachel Carson State Office Building, on a 15th floor ledge, there has been a nest of falcons for thirteen years.

Tree of the Month: 'Winter King' Hawthorn (Crataegus viridis)

May 10, 2012

Everyone loves flowers, but most trees only bloom for a few weeks out of the year. Those that have attractive summer foliage, fall color and interesting bark offer more than one season of beauty and really earn their keep in the garden.

Youth Summer Garden Camp

May 8, 2012

Penn State Master Gardeners are offering a Summer Garden Camp for youth ages 8 to 11 or in grades 3 to 5 at the Penn State Extension office on Allen Road in Carlisle. There will be five sessions of growing, learning, hands-on fun on Tuesday mornings from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon on the following dates: June 12, June 26, July 10, July 24, and August 7, 2012.

Planting Is Underway

May 8, 2012

Several of you may have already noticed some farming equipment on the roads in the last month or so. If you did happen to see farm equipment traveling the roads, you were most likely seeing manure spreaders, agricultural sprayers, tractors with tillage equipment, and planters. Due to the mild winter weather, some farmers were working the ground in February, making field applications of fertilizer or manure, and planting field corn and alfalfa in late March.

A True Blue Flower

May 3, 2012

I went for a walk last Sunday, enjoying bright sunshine and blue skies, and encountered a delightful but little known native wildflower, blue-eyed grass, blooming along the way. It’s not really a grass, being a member of the Iris family, but it really does have a true blue flower. For me, that’s reason enough to recommend it for the garden, although some garden writers dismiss it as too inconsequential for inclusion in the garden. Often, the beauty of a plant is in the details.

Restoration of the American Chestnut

May 3, 2012

On Thursday, May 10th at the Cumberland Woodland Owners’ Association meeting, Dave Armstrong with PA Chapter of the American Chestnut Foundation (PA-TACF) will give a presentation on the restoration of the American chestnut. Mr. Armstrong will speak about the reintroduction of the American chestnut that should be disease resistant. He will talk about the different stages of reintroduction and the success of each stage. The mission of the PA-TACF is to restore the American chestnut to the forests and woodlands of Pennsylvania and the Mid-Atlantic states. The meeting will be held at 7:00 P.M. at the Adams County Extension Office which is located at 670 Old Harrisburg Road, Suite 204, Gettysburg PA 17325-3404. You do not have to be a member and there is no cost to attend.

Growing Potatoes in the Garden

May 2, 2012

Potatoes are a very easy vegetable to grow. They are categorized as early season, mid-season, and late season, ready for harvest in 60, 80, and 90 days respectively.

Tree Planting Tips

April 20, 2012

Let’s say you want to plant a tree this spring. Perhaps the beauty of spring-flowering trees has inspired you, or perhaps you need to replace a tree damaged by the Halloween snow last fall. But do you know the right way to plant a tree? You may be surprised to find that it’s not what you may have been taught.

Mulching Tip - Keep the Weeds & Seeds in the Dark!

April 12, 2012

Dauphin County Annual 4-H Benefit Auction

April 11, 2012

Dauphin County 4-H will be having their Annual 4-H Benefit Auction on Saturday April 21, 2012, starting at 9:00 a.m., at the Halifax Fire Department, 22 South River Road, Halifax, PA.

Looking for New Master Gardeners

April 11, 2012

Penn State Extension - Dauphin County is now accepting applications from Dauphin County Gardeners for the next Master Gardener Training Program. An information session to acquaint applicants to the Volunteer Master Gardener Program will be held on Wednesday, June 20, 2012, from 7:00 – 8:00 p.m., at the Dauphin County Agriculture and Natural Resources Center, 1451 Peters Mountain Road, Dauphin, PA 17018.

During National Nutrition Month, Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Offers Practical Ways to Enjoy Food While Eating Less

March 12, 2012

Food is meant to be enjoyed, but eating less is the key to weight management and disease prevention, according to the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. During National Nutrition Month®, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (formerly the American Dietetic Association) encourages everyone to "Get Your Plate in Shape."

Soil Testing FAQs

March 8, 2012

Now that spring is in the air, many people have been stopping in to the Extension office to purchase a soil test kit. Here are answers to some frequently-asked questions about soil testing.

Get Your Plate in Shape This National Nutrition Month

March 7, 2012

During National Nutrition Month® and beyond, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (formerly the American Dietetic Association) encourages everyone to include healthy foods from all food groups through this year's theme: "Get Your Plate in Shape."

Spring Coming Early to Pennsylvania’s Woods?

March 2, 2012

Across much of Pennsylvania, it has been a different winter. It has been a winter of little snow and scarce cold weather. Some will recall it as a great winter; others might wonder what it means, especially to our woodlands.

VERNAL PONDS

February 22, 2012

Vernal ponds are a significant component of Pennsylvania's natural heritage and provide critical habitat for a unique set of species adapted to seasonal wet and dry periods such as salamanders, frogs, and fairy shrimp.

2012 Dauphin County 4-H Summer Camps

February 16, 2012

Experience 4-H for the summer, Dauphin County 4-H will be offering several day camps for students ages 6 - 12. Come and join us for this summer camp program and learn skills that will last a lifetime.

4-H Stream Teams Make an Impact

February 3, 2012

In 2010, youth in Pennsylvania’s Dauphin, Lebanon, and Lancaster Counties were invited to be part of a unique opportunity: a chance to learn, hands-on, about the water in their own community and how their daily lives impact that water. This is the mission of the 4-H Stream Teams Program, currently beginning its third year within the Conewago Creek Watershed and surrounding communities.

A New Year’s Resolution Worth Keeping

January 3, 2012

Holiday activities are over and the last present has been unwrapped and our attention is now turned to New Year’s resolutions. Millions of Americans make resolutions each year.