2013 Summer Garden Experience

Saturday, July 27, 2013 9:00 a.m.- 2:00 p.m.

What is the Summer Garden Experience?

The summer Garden Experience is the one day every year that Landisville throws open its doors to the general public. While we always have a featured speaker and many concurrent educational sessions, the farm with its numerous research trials and the Penn State Flower Trials are the real stars of this event. Come for a fun day full of information you can use in your own garden!

What is the Penn State Southeast Ag Research and Extension Center?

The Landisville Farm, or SEAREC, part of Penn State University’s College of Agricultural Sciences, is located in the heart of Lancaster County. Penn State researchers, Extension educators, and the USDA conduct cultivar testing of grain crops, forages, annual and perennial flowers, flowering crabapples, strawberries, tomatoes, pumpkins, and other horticultural crops. They also study disease, insect, and weed pest control, cover crops, inoculants, fertility, and other crop issues.

Schedule of Events

Featured Speaker Jack Hubley 10:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m.

A lifelong resident of Lancaster County and a multimedia advocate for the natural world, Jack Hubley will inform and delight audiences with his presentations on the wildlife in your backyard, featuring live creatures up close and personal.

Farm Wagon Tours 10:00 a.m., 11:30 a.m., and 1:00 p.m.
Take a tractor-pulled wagon tour of the research farm and demonstration plots with Center Director Alyssa Collins or Extension Educator Tim Elkner.

Variety Trials Tours 9:00 a.m., 10:30 a.m., and 12:00 p.m.

Join the Trial Director on a walking tour of the colorful display of 1300 of the newest varieties of annual flowers for bedding and containers.

See how alternatives to standard impatiens perform.

Pollinator Trials—9:00 a.m. Which plants are best for attracting and sustaining pollinators in your garden?

Extension Educator Connie Schmotzer shares information on the ongoing Pollinator Monitoring Program.

Pruning Trees—11:00 a.m.

Is your pruning know-how a bit shaky? Extension Urban Forester Julianne Scheiffer covers basic pruning and best management practices for healthy trees in the landscape.

 

Garden Photography

—1:00 p.m.

Master Gardener Laurie Collins shares tips and techniques for getting the best photos from your camera and your garden.

Build Your Own Bluebird Box—1:00 p.m. Make and take a bluebird box. Materials fee charged; register and pay at Info Booth. Class size is limited.

Throughout the Day…

Short Seminars

Check the information booth for times and locations.

• Gardening for Wildlife
• Winemaking
• Understanding Heirlooms
• Season Extenders
• Idea Garden
• Veggies
• Herbs
• Invasive Plant Control
• Turf Topics
• Container Vegetables
• Beekeeping Basics
• Garlic, Shallots and Leeks
• Pollinator Trials

Native Plants for Sale

Purchase great native plants direct from local growers. Also available, some of the outstanding pollinator plants from Penn State Pollinator Trials.

Master Gardener “Ask the Expert” Bring your garden questions and samples for diagnosis, identification, and recommendations.

Master Gardener Idea Gardens

Lancaster County Master Gardeners will be on hand to show you their native plant, rain, and pollinator gardens, decorative vegetable and herb garden, and raised beds filled with vegetables, perennials, and annuals.

Information Booth

Get a map, schedule, times and locations for all activities How to get there….

Directions

Southeast Ag Research and Extension Center 1446 Auction Road Manheim, PA 17545-9140 717-653-4728

FROM HARRISBURG: Take PA 283 east toward Lancaster. Exit at Esbenshade Road (just past Mt. Joy exit). Turn left at top of exit ramp. Immediately after crossing over 283, turn right on Auction Road. Follow Auction Road to “T” at Erisman Road. Turn right and follow Erisman Road around the curve. Then turn left, back onto Auction Road (just before the covered bridge). The PSU driveway is on the left as you go around the curve.

FROM LANCASTER: Take PA 283 west toward Harrisburg. Exit at Salunga exit (after the Landisville exit). Turn right at top of ramp, onto Spooky Nook Road. Turn left on Shenck Road (at the old Armstrong warehouse). Turn left across the covered bridge, then turn right on Auction Road. The PSU driveway is on the left as you go around the curve.

FROM YORK: Take US 30 east toward Lancaster. After crossing the Susquehanna River, take second exit (Prospect Road). Turn left on Prospect Road and follow for several miles. About ½ mile after crossing over PA 283 (4-lane highway), turn left on Shenck Road (at old Armstrong warehouse). Turn left across the covered bridge, then turn right on Auction Road. The PSU driveway is on the left as you go around the curve.

Shade Gardening Workshop Report

A Shade Lady

On July 6 it was hot by 9 a.m. so a woodland stroll through two cool, summer refuges was the perfect activity for the Master Gardeners of Penn State Extension, Franklin County Shade Gardening Workshop.


Master Gardeners Denise Lucas and Nancy Miller - the Shade (not shady!) Ladies - welcomed sixteen visitors to their gardens.

With a "challenging shade area under some locust trees,"  Becky Schubert, Greencastle, said she came to get some ideas.

The group gathers on Nancy's lawn

Denise and Nancy talk shade

They started out defining the characteristics of the different "shades of shade" - light, medium (part sun), and full. And be aware that shade changes as the sun moves across the sky.





Connie Strunk, Chambersburg, was "impressed with her [Nancy Miller's] shade data collection" of where and when the sun fell in her yard. She is planning to do this in her yard.



Textures are a basic shade element

Shade gardening is an opportunity to explore and play with different shades of green (and don't forget the occasional pop of color), texture and plant forms. At the right, a clematis vine with a pop of purple, slender bulb leaves and a lacy Japanese maple in the background play against the stones and ceramic fountain.





Coming up with a plan was on Laura Wentling's mind as she toured the gardens. As Nancy Miller's daughter she was noting specific plants she liked. "Once I come up with a plan," Wentling said, "she [Nancy] will come over. I will probably get some free plants, too."



A small "house" is a focal point in Nancy's plan

One interesting idea was to treat your outdoor space as you do your house - create small rooms or themed areas around the yard. Create a "door" with an attractive entrance that leads into the garden. An arbor or wooden bridge is a ready-made basic entry.


Side entry to Nancy's back garden area

The "floors" of your garden can be mulch, pine needles, grass, stones, or tiles while the "walls" could be fences, hedges, tall borders or shrubs. Decorate the walls with items that please you- chimes or hanging baskets of plants in the lower limbs of trees, sculptures, unusual planters and whimsical items such as a toad house or ceramic animal.

Tucked among the coneflowers

Overhead vines, arbors or pruned and shaped trees can provide "ceilings" but a peek of the sky as the sun moves is also interesting. Seating can be as formal as a table and chairs, a bench or even a tree stump.


Nancy created a great spot to sit and visit




A bench provides a place to sit and enjoy nature

Other ideas are to create areas such as a Japanese theme or a patriotic garden with red, white and blue. Garden areas that attract wildlife might include bird feeders and houses, water features and plants to lure butterflies and bees.

The wide variety of shapes and colors of hostas was a highlight in both gardens with both Nancy and Denise challenged to remember names such as Hanky-Panky, Guacamole, Patriot and Mouse Ears.


Many different varieties of hostas

The many varieties and colors of hydrangeas were also favorites

Master Gardener Barbara Petrucci liked the containers mixed in with the plants. "I think I want to get some containers and try that in my garden," she said.

A container adds a pop of color in a medium shade area

Around 11:30, after the garden tours, light refreshments were offered  in the shade and everyone marveled at Nancy and Denise's beautiful gardens. Master Gardener Billy Morningstar said what was on many of our minds.

 

"I'm glad my shade area is small. I'm not as ambitious as these ladies."

 

More information about shade gardens and plants

 

Penn State: The Hosta Garden

Plow & Hearth: Ideas for Creating Garden Rooms

Alloway Creek Gardens: Creating a Sanctuary Garden Room

Weeds, Part 3 Mile-a-Minute Vine

Mile-a-Minute Vine Smothering a Blackberry Stand in Eckhart Landscape

Persicaria perfoliata (formerly known as Polygonum perfoliatum) is on Pennsylvania's noxious weed list.  Pennsylvania's Department of Conservation and Natural Resources classifies it as an invasive species, which is defined as "...those species that are not native to the state, grow aggressively, and spread and displace native vegetation.  Invasive plants are generally undesirable because they are difficult and costly to control and can dominate whole habitats, making them environmentally destructive in certain situations."

If you've ever encountered it, then you'll understand where it gets other common names like Devil's Tail and Tear-thumb.

Mile-a-Minute Vine Smothering a Blackberry Stand in
 Eckhart Landscape

It was probably introduced from imported nursery stock from its native habitat in East Asia, and first noticed in York County, Pennsylvania in the 1940's.

It is an annual that is self pollinating, producing a small, blue berry that birds eat, spreading the seeds which can remain viable for years.

Small infestations can be managed by pulling (wear gloves) or mowing, if it's growing in places without other desirable plants.

Mile-a-Minute Vine Smothering a Blackberry Stand
 in Eckhart Landscape

A pre-emergent herbicide, like products containing the active ingredient Trifluralin (Preen is one example) can be effective in managing its spread.

A small weevil Rhinoncomimus latipes from China has been approved by the USDA for release as a biological control agent.

As always when using pesticides, be sure to read the label and follow the directions.

Millipede - the Bug of the Week

The repeated question during the first week in July had to do with millipedes. Callers to the Helpline reported that millipedes seem to be showing up all over the place outdoors and wanted to know what to do.

What is a millipede?
A millipede is a segmented, wormlike insect found throughout Pennsylvania. It lives under leaves, rocks, boards and other cool, moist places. It is sometimes called a wire worm because of its wire-like shape but it isn't THE wire worm.


Millipedes like cool, damp areas with lots of organic matter
Photo courtesy of Chris Goforth

Millipedes are brown or black and each body segment has two pairs of short legs. They are usually ¼ to 1 inch long. Considered beneficial insects, they feed on damp and decaying vegetable matter, basically recycling organic matter.

Millipedes are 1/4 to 1" long-Photo courtesy of Gerald Darrow

Why are we seeing so many now?
A Penn State Entomological  Report notes that millipedes will migrate from their normal living spots especially following heavy rains and may show up in window wells, basements or other cool damp places. Millipedes usually stay outdoors where the organic material can be found. Occasionally they show up in large numbers but they don’t do damage.


Lots of millipedes - Photo courtesy of Aviad Tsherniak (Flickr)

What can you do?
Millipedes that come inside are there because their GPS is on the fritz. They only live a few days indoors and don’t bite or sting. They are only icky and/or a nuisance indoors and don’t do damage.

If they do come into an indoor area, escort them outside – i.e. vacuum (dump the bag outside immediately after) or sweep them into a dust pan to remove.

They coil up when disturbed or dead- Photo Joseph O'Brien, USDA Forest Service

Prevention
You can discourage millipedes by eliminating damp hiding places near your house. Remove decaying material, rotting wood, grass and leaves near your foundation.


For more information check these sites

Penn State Entomological Report: Millipedes
Iowa State University: Millipedes
University of California IPM Online: Millipedes and Centipedes

Nature Photography Workshop

Lotus flower by Laurie Collins

The Saturday Nature Photography Workshop was led by a very enthusiastic MG Laurie Collins who, without a doubt, enjoys poking her camera lens at critters and plants.

Laurie Collins - Bee on Cosmos

Starting out with perhaps the most important tip for beginner backyard shutter-bugs, Laurie said "Have fun. Don't stress." And don't seek that perfect shot. 

Lunch stop

Being in the right place at the right time is important but you have to have your camera with you, along with a well-charged battery and plenty of room on your memory card.

Making a getaway

Lighting can enhance your shots - think about backlighting. Try taking pictures of the same subject several different times of the day.


Snapping photos is not just for summer - go out year round. Right after a storm is interesting as is early morning dewdrops. A tip I learned was to carry a small mister when I knew I was going out to take photo shots.


Harry Lauder Walking Stick - Diane Fusting iPhone

Take lots of pictures. With digital you're not paying for the printing of every shot taken; and don't look at them while you're out there. As Laurie said, "There's plenty of time for that back at the computer."  She noted that the LED image on the camera can't compare to what you will see on the computer screen.

Think about your background

Just shoot! Don't forget to look down, too. Some shots are at your feet.


Bee on dandelion - true sign of spring- by Laurie Collins

Try different angles - side shots, down into the center of a flower - think outside the box.

Side shot

Bee on coneflower center

Diane Fusting discovered at the workshop that iPhones don't compensate very well for lots of sunshine as most of her photos were washed out with too much white. Photos taken in the shade or on overcast days (see below) turn out better.

Top down shot - Diane Fusting iPhone

Other important tips focused on taking care of your photo shots. Download your photos often and look at them on the computer screen. Laurie said, "Get rid of the crappy shots right off the bat." Edit out (yes, delete) photos that are not wanted and name the photos or at least organize them in named folders.


BACK UP YOUR FILES
(You know why.)

See more of Carol Kagan's photos on FLICKR
See more of Laurie Collins' photos on FaceBook albums

Demonstration Herb Garden - June 2013

Craft Bed June 2013

The  Herb Garden is designed to be decorative and to demonstrate a variety of horticultural practices. It presents a mix of herbs for different uses in addition to those used in different cultures and historic eras.

What is an herb?
Plants used to flavor or season food are usually the first to come to mind. However, the  Herb Society of America defines an herb as a plant that is valued for flavor, fragrance, medicinal/health qualities, pesticide properties, coloring uses or commercial/industrial uses. Think about dried wreaths, potpourri, sachets, insect repellents, dyeing cloth, or herbs with antiseptic properties added to products such as mouthwash or toothpaste.


Layout for Herb Garden - Fall 2012

In mid-2012 Master Gardeners began to refurbish the existing herb garden and prepared a plan centered on raised beds with a variety of themes. The herb plants in the garden were removed, many of them saved and held over for use in the new garden. Raised beds were built, stained and installed. Manure and top soil was added in Fall 2012 and allowed to over winter.

Six themes were identified for various beds, each of which has been adopted by a current Master Gardener to design, choose and install plants. Additionally we wanted to highlight some interesting horticulture practices. As planting proceeded we identified four horticultural practices we wanted to highlight and would be easy for others to adopt – raised bed gardening, layering for propagation, container gardening for tender perennials and using oyster shells for mulching lavender.


Signs highlighting different horticultural practices

Barbara Petrucci has installed a beautiful climbing rose that will wind up a black wrought-iron obelisk (not yet installed) as well as a variety of lavenders – Hidcote, Munstead, Grosso, and fragrant thymes such as lavender, lemon and coconut. She has mulched the lavender with oyster shells (purchased as chicken feed/grit), a practice suggested by Evelyn Schoch and supported by Washington State Extension Service research.

Zephirine Drouhin Climbing Rose

Mints have a dedicated bed as a way to contain their spread and Jean Schlect has planted a wide variety to include: Kentucky Colonel mint, mountain mint, pennyroyal, bee balm, applemint, ginger mint and peppermint and more.

Bee Balm and Peppermint

The historical bed has been designed by Jerry Lewis to include three different eras – a Medieval/Monastery group, a Roman style group and a biblical themed group. Monastery herbs include angelica, fennel, oregano, violets, tansy and more.


Monastery Bed: Oregano & Violets

The biblical group has rosemary, horseradish, mustard, Lady’s bedstraw, passionflower and more. The passionflower is planted to climb up a large wooden obelisk. The Roman style group has dill, basil, costmary, winter savory and more.

(L) Roman Style bed- (R) Biblical bed: horseradish and lady's bedstraw

Carol Kagan has installed a variety of plants in the craft garden which includes herbs used for dried crafts and wreaths, potpourri scents/fixatives and sachets, insect repellents and flower arrangements. These include globe amaranth, celosia, artemisia, violets, scented geraniums, yarrow, scented thymes and more.


Celosia in Craft Bed

Both culinary and household plants are included in Sue McMorris’s beds. She has planted familiar herbs such as basil, thyme, sage, rosemary, parsley, chives and oregano but has also included many less familiar but interesting ones such as stevia – the sweet herb that is the basis of a line of new sugar-free sweetners, and lemon verbena, both tender perennials that need to be sheltered for the winter. She has also included pineapple sage, a daylily, salad burnet, hops that will climb a companion wooden obelisk.

Rosemary and Sweet Basil

The dye bed, designed and planted by Carol Kagan, has plants used in dyeing materials. Many of these are unusual such as woad, broom, dyer’s chamomile, false indigo and black irises while others are familiar but may not be known primarily for their dye qualities – yarrow, zinnia, marigolds and goldenrod.

Yarrow & woad plants are in the dye garden

The other beds have been filled with plants pulled from the holding area and extras from this year’s greenhouse seedlings. Look for nasturtiums, trailing and upright germander, thyme and caraway.

Other design features are wood-slat benches (rescued from the barn and redone), a bluebird house and a small nightlight.

For more information check these links

Links
Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education: Application of Oyster Shell Mulch
Biblical Herbs Blog