Trained Master Gardener speakers are available for groups of all sizes, interests, and ages. Penn State Extension Master Gardeners of Crawford County are available to present a variety of horticultural topics at clubs, libraries, and other civic organizations for a nominal fee.
Need A Speaker? We can help!
Our passion is gardening and our mission is education! We would be happy to share our horticulture knowledge with homeowners in our county and surrounding areas. Following is a list of presentations we have available. Other topics can be developed given enough preparation time.
- Bring your Garden to Life: Butterflies, Pollinators, and Larvae Host Plants. Caterpillars, cocoons, butterflies, Oh My! This session will discuss lifecycles and show several caterpillars, butterflies, their host plants, and how to care for those plants through the seasons. What are the critical plants the pollinators need for survival?
- Understanding Native and Invasive Plants. Native plants offer unique benefits to the ecosystem. Invasive plants can be highly destructive, disrupting that ecosystem by outcompeting native species. What is a cultivar? During this session, we will offer examples of each and offer practical methods for spreading the native and controlling the spread of the invasive.
- Rooted in Success: Starting Seeds Indoors. This session will emphasize the right soil, light, and heat requirements to successfully start seeds indoors, when to repot, and how to harden off the seedlings. We will also talk about how to deal with common issues.
- Rooted in Success: A Guide to Vegetable Gardening through the Seasons. This session is designed to help you achieve success in vegetable gardening. Some of the topics include healthy soil for healthier plants and choosing the right location. We will see some common pests and diseases typical to vegetables and discuss how to manage and prevent them.
- Plant Diseases, Pests, and SOLUTIONS! It was a great idea to grow your own vegetables, but what is that yellow leaf, that bug? Should I spray? We will discuss some common diseases, pests, and solutions.
- Certification Guidelines to Obtain a Pollinator Garden Certification. Pollinators need our help. This session will detail the guidelines and resources necessary to obtain a pollinator garden certification. Emphasis will be put on the importance of selecting truly native plants and how to identify them.
- Tick-Resistant Gardening. More than a nuisance, these arachnids can make you really sick. In this session, you will learn the lifecycle of the tick, common ticks in our area, and the diseases they may bring. Make your yard safer by cleaning it up and planting deer-resistant plants so ticks are less likely to be close to your house.
- Ready, Set, SPRING! Spring has finally arrived; how can you get ready for a successful gardening year? Going through a garden center ad and seeing all the beautiful plants, you can get ahead of yourself. What information is important on a seed packet? Heirloom, organic, hybrid – understand the difference. In this presentation, you will make your own seed tape, providing a hands-on experience to start your garden.
- Ready, Set, SUMMER! The maintenance period is full on in your vegetable garden. Regular tasks such as watering, weeding, and watching out for the pests, or are they the good guys? This session will cover the different soil types, various weeds, and common reasons why your plants may be doing poorly. You will also explore what you can plant now for a productive autumn harvest.
- Ready, Set, AUTUMN! This session will address how the seasonal shift from hot summer to cool autumn affects your plants and vegetables. Is this the best time to transplant and divide? We will discuss harvesting, composting, and wrapping up the gardening season to prepare for the next.
- Ready, Set, WINTER! This session is dedicated to the care and maintenance of houseplants during the winter months. Discover which plants need direct light and which prefer indirect light. Guidance on caring for several popular houseplants will be provided, including what to do with that poinsettia! We’ll identify and discuss pests that may affect indoor plants, and you will learn propagation techniques to help expand your collection.
- Container and Raised Bed Gardening. Location plays a critical role in gardening choices. Sometimes the only available option is to use containers due to limited space. Raised beds offer a different choice. Learn how to manage each, finding the best soil, seed, and fertilizer for your vegetables.
- Lasagna Gardening. Get the recipe for garden lasagna. As you put your vegetable garden to bed in the fall, you can prepare for success next spring without digging. Carefully arranging layers of organic matter, you can set the stage for productive, low-maintenance beds by spring. You can even do this in the spring. You will be shown how to layer the garden area…just like a lasagna.
- Rooted in Success: Planting New Trees. This presentation will focus on proper techniques for planting both bare-rooted and potted trees to encourage healthy development and long-term success. How long does it take for a young sapling to become established? Practical advice and insights will be given to support your tree planting endeavors and get your investment off to a good start.
- Weeds: Persistent Garden Invaders. Weeds are persistent garden intruders that can do more than detract from appearance. We will identify 18 common local weeds, explain what they may reveal about your soil, and discuss when a weed is simply an unwanted plant. You’ll also learn practical ways to control or eliminate them when possible.
- Additional topics include:
- Building Healthy Soil
- Composting
- Sexual Propagation with Seeds
- Planting a Garden
- Caring for a Vegetable Garden
- Spotted Lanternfly
- Hydrangeas
- Rhododendrons and Azaleas
- Indoor Plants for Your Pets
- Multi-flora Roses
- Gardening with Moss
- Seed to Supper
- Planning a Vegetable Garden
- Ticks and Vector-Borne Diseases
- Pests and Mitigation
- Dahlias
- Rainwater Mitigation
- Vermicomposting
We request a $50 donation, which goes towards developing our program.
Information presented by Penn State Master Gardeners is consistent with Penn State recommendations and research-based information on best practices in consumer horticulture and environmental stewardship.
Interested? Please contact Kinorea Tigri at kkt5317@psu.edu or 814-350-7748 to learn more.
