Philadelphia Master Gardeners Second Saturday Workshops

Posted by on January 29, 2012

Penn State Extension Philadelphia Master Gardeners

2012 second Saturday Series

The Philadelphia Master Gardeners are members of a “volunteer corps” which supports the programming efforts of Penn State Extension by utilizing research based information to educate the public on best practices in consumer horticulture and environmental stewardship. Master Gardeners are people with a demonstrated interest in community volunteerism and a willingness to educate diverse audiences. They enrich the quality of life of adults and children in our community by teaching, demonstrating and consulting on a wide variety of horticulture and environmental stewardship topics. Please join the Master Gardeners for this exciting, information packed gardening series.

All workshops are located at the Fairmount Park Horticultural Center N. Horticultural and Montgomery Drive, Philadelphia, PA 19131, All workshops begin at 9:30 am. Registration at 9 am unless noted otherwise.
Pre-registration is recommended.

vermicomposting February 11, 2012
Join Master Gardeners Lucille Amadie and Sue Sipos for a fun introduction to in-home worm composting. Save yourself a trip to the compost pile all winter long and turn your kitchen waste into black, high quality, nutrient-rich humus!

lasagna Gardening March 10, 2012
Master Gardeners Cynthia Bailey and Andrea Lewandowski demonstrate a no dig way to create an organic garden. Lasagna gardening not only reduces the need for watering and weeding but is also kind to your back, wallet and will save you time. Come join the recycle movement and learn how to make your own soil, mulch and fertilizer for free.

community garden know how April 14, 2012
Want to Start A Community Garden or get the most from your plot? This workshop will give you tips of the trade. Doris Stahl, a Horticultural Educator with Philadelphia Penn State Extension, will use her 15 years of experience, teaching neighbors how to grow food on vacant lots and teach you how to plan and plant.

Fruiting Trees May 12, 2012
Are you thinking about adding a more long-term element to your garden or edible landscape? Brian Olzak, an Orchard Projects member, will introduce the basics of the cultivation and maintenance of fruiting trees, which will include best practices when it comes to site and cultivar selection, pruning, and training, with consideration given to the space constraints of urban landscapes. Fruits both common and uncommon will be discussed, including apples, pears, figs, and more!

Let’s talk tools June 9, 2012
Gardening can be a lot easier with the right tools and equipment. The tools you choose shape your experience and the quality of your garden. Join Master Gardener Loretta DeMarco as she helps you learn what tools you need, what other tools you may want, and how to choose the best tools for you and your garden.

Selecting Perennials to Suit Your Gardening Goals July 14, 2012
Learn how site conditions and personal tastes relate to choosing perennials. Two experienced gardeners talk about plants they’ve learned to love and those they love to hate. Susan Nowlan, Phila County Master Gardener and Conna Clark have each gardened on one site for over 25 years. Bring your own stories to share in a lively discussion of perennial selection successes and disasters.

Preserving the bounty of the garden August 11, 2012
The bounty a gardener enjoys this time of year is directly related to how hard we work to care for our plants, herbs, trees and berry bushes. Join Jessica S. Herwick, a Philadelphia Master Gardener, to explore the wide variety of ways a gardener can store their summer goodies for winter use. We will review the basics of canning methods for those with beginner and intermediate experience, look at old-fashioned uses for harvested goods compared with modern methods that simplify these crafts, review reliable manuals, recipe & how-to books, and try a few hands-on crafts together. Anyone can preserve. There is a method for every level.

Plants for the shady garden September 8, 2012
Registration 9:30 am. Workshop begins at 10 am.
Do you want plants to flourish in the shady parts of your garden? Would you like to know which plants do well in the shade? Come to an informative session to get details on what works and what doesn’t work in shady conditions. We will get familiar with common shade loving plants along with some unique, colorful ones. You will get concrete tips from Michelle Sokoloff, a Philadelphia Master Gardener, on the essentials of soil preparation, watering and fertilization. We will share the virtues of growing plants from seed and buying young plants as well as how to separate perennials. Each participant at this workshop will go home with free, rare, special seeds.

What is permaculture? October 13, 2012
Registration 9:30 am. Workshop begins at 10 am.
Permaculture is a new name for ecological sustainability by directed human effort. It utilizes a design system that builds, restores and recycles. For example a fruit tree is planted for shade, for fruit, for leaf compost, to prevent soil erosion and provide a habitat for birds. Speaker Howard Bailey will talk about the key concepts of permaculture and how to use them in your environment.

Art in the garden November 10, 2012
Artist and Garden Designer, Mark Smith, will present ways in which to expand thinking about art in a garden setting. Beyond the art that comes to mind in public gardens are many possibilities that can be economical, temporary (or permanent), and personal. From giving new life to forgotten treasures in our closets or re-assembling available natural materials, any non-plant material has the potential to add to the enjoyment of a garden.

For more information, please visit our website: http://www.extension.psu.edu/philadelphia/
programs/master-gardener