Manage Poison Ivy Safely

August 6, 2026

Poison ivy management can be dangerous. Protect your health and the environment by using proper techniques rather than gardening hacks or myths.

Big Trees: Big Deal!

July 23, 2026

The National Champion Tree Program helps to record, protect, and preserve the largest trees in the United States of America.

Pennsylvania Roots of American Plant Knowledge

July 9, 2026

This article outlines the contributions of John Bartram, William Bartram, and Henry Muhlenberg to botanical knowledge during the years leading up to the American Revolution and in the new republic.

Native Herbs: A Benefit to Our Gardens and Our Pollinators

June 18, 2026

Native perennial herbs can bring beauty to our gardens and help to support our native pollinators.

Pollinator-Friendly Mosquito Control

June 4, 2026

Mosquitoes are an annoyance and a public health hazard. It is possible to manage mosquitoes in a pollinator-friendly way that preserves beneficial insects.

Herbs Make Good Plant Partners and Companions

May 21, 2026

Research shows that herbs and vegetable plants are good partners (and good companions), helping reduce pest damage.

Selecting Viburnums for the Home Garden

April 30, 2026

Growing viburnum can present many challenges. After an initial setback, a home gardener takes a closer look at a variety of native species.

Spirea: The Good and the Bad

April 16, 2026

Not all spirea shrubs are the same species. Some species are native, some exotic, and at least one species is invasive. Take care selecting the good, not the bad, for your garden.

Daphnes for Pennsylvania Gardens

April 2, 2026

Daphne is a non-native, attractive, semi-evergreen to evergreen shrub with very showy and fragrant flowers. If placed in the right location, this low-maintenance shrub can provide year-round interest in many Pennsylvania gardens.

Potatoes in the Garden and the Kitchen

March 19, 2026

Growing potatoes can be easy and fun. Harvesting is like a wonderful treasure hunt, but eating this versatile tuber may be the best part of the whole process.

Growin' of the Green

March 5, 2026

From chlorophyll to chartreuse foliage, this article explores how shades, tints, and tones of green shape calming, beautiful landscapes, and offers plant ideas to keep gardens green year-round.

A Native Tree for You to Love: The American Linden

February 19, 2026

Fall in love this Valentine's Day with a new tree, the American linden. Beautiful heart-shaped leaves, fragrant flowers, and the hum of visiting bees make this tree a sweet treat for all the senses.

Annual Plants for a Garden of Love

February 5, 2026

Set the stage for romance in your garden with three annuals whose names evoke the spirit of love.

Best of the Penn State Annuals: Annual Standouts for 2025

January 29, 2026

Explore top-performing annuals from the Penn State Flower Trials to elevate your home garden.

Plan Your Vegetable and Fruit Garden with Preserving in Mind

January 15, 2026

This article discusses reasons to preserve your own fruits and vegetables and how you can incorporate them into your garden.

Happy New Year from the Master Gardener Program!

January 1, 2026

The Penn State Extension Master Gardener (PSEMG) program has so much to celebrate and look forward to in 2026.

Holiday Plants and Pets

December 23, 2025

Can pets and holiday houseplants coexist? Find out which holiday plants to display with caution to keep your pets safe.

Cranberries, A Holiday Tradition

December 11, 2025

Whether you want to grow your own cranberries to use in your holiday celebrations or visit an area where they are growing in the wild, Pennsylvania is a place you can do both.

Preventing Winter Burn on Evergreen Landscape Plants

November 13, 2025

Winter burn can be a serious problem for evergreen plants, leading to browning of the leaves, branch dieback, or even plant death. Learn why this happens and what can be done to prevent this harmful desiccation from ruining the plants in your garden.

Marigolds: From Folklore to the Home Garden

October 30, 2025

With vibrant golden blooms that complement the color of autumn leaves, marigolds are a favorite annual flower. With an almost neon-like color, marigolds help brighten a cloudy fall day.

Liverwort: An Ancient, Primitive, and Persistent Plant

October 16, 2025

Liverworts are fascinating, simple plants that remind us about the diversity of plant forms and their significance to ecosystems.

The Strange Magic of Fasciation

October 2, 2025

Fasciation, an unusual oddity that occasionally appears in garden plants, is a glimpse into the amazing world of plant growth.

Pumpkins and Winter Squash in the Garden and the Kitchen

September 18, 2025

With a bit of care while growing and after harvesting, pumpkins and winter squash can be used in myriad delicious ways in the kitchen for months after the fall harvest.

Don't Ditch Those Dahlias: Easy Tips for Winter Storage

September 4, 2025

Learn how to dig, divide, and store dahlia tubers to keep them healthy through winter. With a little practice, you'll be set for another season of big blooms and garden joy next year.

Intelligent Choices for AI Home Garden Design

August 21, 2025

Home gardeners will find numerous garden design sites that utilize AI. This article provides a brief description of how they work and outlines the associated costs.

What is Causing Those Holes in Your Plants?

August 7, 2025

Holes in plant leaves and a telltale shiny trail on your plants? Entire marigolds skeletonized almost overnight? There is a good chance you have land snails or slugs.

Gardening and Aging

July 24, 2025

As we age, gardening smarter, but not harder, is essential to our health. Maintain your enjoyable portions of gardening, but revise garden areas and methods to keep it simple.

Pollinator Resources for the Home Gardener

June 19, 2025

Many books, field guides, pamphlets, and online resources can provide thorough information about our native pollinators and aid in their identification.

Spotted Lanternfly Nymph Lookalikes

June 5, 2025

Spotted lanternfly nymphs are present throughout the summer months. Learn to distinguish this invasive insect from other lookalike insects.

Achoo! Sniffle, Sniffle! Scratch, Scratch, Scratch!

April 24, 2025

Seasonal allergies affect many gardeners. This article examines the root cause of allergies, some common allergens in Pennsylvania, and commonsense interventions to reduce their impact.