Great “Gourds” Almighty! Did you ever wonder how the custom of carving scary faces into hollowed-out pumpkins or “Jack O’ Lanterns” at Halloween came about? The term Jack O’ Lantern came from the 17th century British Isles. “Jack” was the common name … [Read more...]
Interesting and Useful Websites
Recently, I’ve run across several websites that have interesting, credible and useful information that I want to share. If you find yourself with nothing to do for a while, it’s easy to get lost in this stuff. And I’m certain there are … [Read more...]
Spotted Lanternfly
Learn about the Spotted Lanternfly (SLF), and what action you can take to stop the spread of this invasive insect that is threatening the northeastern United States, especially southeastern Pennsylvania. Call our hotline at 1-888-422-3359 with … [Read more...]
Mowing To Recycle Grass Clippings: Let the Clips Fall Where They May!
Lawn turfgrasses provide many benefits to our immediate environment. Soil erosion control, improved protection of groundwater, improvement of the quality of life through noise and dust abatement, improvements of air quality, and aesthetic and … [Read more...]
GROWING DAFFODILS
How to plant, grow, and care for daffodils... The bright yellow blooms of daffodils are a wonderful sign of spring—but do you know how and when to plant them properly? Here are tips on planting daffodil bulbs, caring … [Read more...]
DRYING FLOWERS
Even with the increased popularity of plastic and fiber flowers (silk for example), many people still prefer “the real thing” preserved in a lifelike manner. Flower preservation has become a popular hobby. Flowers such as marigolds, zinnias, … [Read more...]
Tried and True Native Plant Selections for the Mid-Atlantic
Our Master Gardeners have put their heads together to identify and describe a broad variety of native plants that thrive in our local conditions and benefit our local wildlife. We’ve created more than 100 fact sheets to highlight the beauty, ease of … [Read more...]
GARDENING FOR SCENTS!
Create Your Own Potpourri and Bath Salts Workshop. Potpourri and bathing salts have been around for centuries. In 17th century France, potpourri or “rotten pot” was created by gathering fragrant flowers and herbs, letting them dry, and then … [Read more...]
Ripening Of Grapes: When To Harvest Grapes
For the home gardener, growing grapevines may create a lovely shaded oasis or arbor, or an ornamental detail with the added bonus of edibility. But how do you know when to harvest grapes at the peak of their sweetness and optimum flavor? Read More: … [Read more...]
Fall Pruning for Peonies
A client asked about the best time to prune peonies, as the foliage was dying back this time of year. It is important to wait until after 1 or 2 frosts to be sure the plant is dormant before pruning it back. Doing so earlier is likely to … [Read more...]