Imagine if all the back and front yards — and even patio container plants — across the country were seen as one magnificent patchwork quilt, a ``Homegrown National Park.” Home gardeners would join forces to bring back a variety of native plants to protect and nurture struggling birds, ...
LOCK HAVEN — The Penn State Master Gardeners of Clinton County recently added five apprentice Master Gardeners to their ranks. Apprentices are those who have completed the six-month Master Gardener basic training course and passed the exam. Anne Gibson of Lock Haven, Kimberlee Carey, Marty ...
When we think of spring flowers, it’s often daffodils, tulips and hyacinths that come to mind. They are planted extensively in Central Pennsylvania and create a very attractive show at this time of year, but they’re not the only choices available to local gardeners. There are many less ...
I’m going to begin my column this month with the topic that is on everyone’s minds, COVID-19, commonly called the coronavirus. I certainly hope that everyone is practicing being safe. We have all heard or read the guideline, so I’m not going to go there. But here is something for you ...
Sweet potatoes are working their way into our meals more and more. Is it because Americans are becoming adventurous with their taste buds? Or are we becoming more aware of health benefits of a diet heavy in vegetables? Whatever the case, sweet potato consumption is on the rise. According to ...
By QUENTIN STOCUM Okay girls, and maybe you guys, at some time in your early youth took a flower, usually a daisy, and did the he (she) loves me, he (she) loves me not by plucking off one by one, a flower petal. Flowers have been associated with romance from the start of time. Well, guess ...
By MOLLY SPRAYREGEN Associated Press CHICAGO — I have spent my first full week of isolation carefully observing one of my houseplants. Dylan, as my fiancee and I so fondly call her, has been growing new leaves at an uncharacteristically rapid rate. It might be the longer hours of ...
By Stephanie Panny Wilkes-Barre Citizens’ Voice via AP PLAINS TWP. — A couple years ago, Larry O’Malia’s Farm & Greenhouse experimented with an honor system for selling sweet corn. On Sundays, while the O’Malia family was spending time together, customers were grabbing ears ...
By TOM BUTZLER We have been here before with invasive insects running amuck in the Commonwealth. Back in 2007, the emerald ash borer (EAB) was identified in western Pennsylvania (started in the Midwest). It would feed on the trees and tunnel into the vascular (plumbing) system, resulting in ...
In Clinton County, it’s not unusual to see bird feeders in local yards and gardens. Feeding birds is a popular activity in the United States and it’s estimated that more than 50 million households participate. These backyard birdfeeders usually offer seeds, and occasionally suet, which ...
Thankfully, the daylight hours are getting longer, which means those days of being cooped up in the house will soon end. Increased daylight hours are an indication that the earth’s rotation is slowing allowing warmer weather to become the norm. Spring is just around the corner and outside ...
I made my yearly trek down to the Mid-Atlantic Fruit and Vegetable Conference held in Hershey a few weeks back. Penn State Extension educators fill many roles (moderators, speaker procurement, presenters, etc.) to make the show a success, in conjunction with the Pennsylvania Vegetable Growers ...
By DEB LIGUORI For The Express The Clinton County Herb Guild is busy preparing for the New Year and wants to open up membership. The first program, March 9, will be on Aloe Vera and it’s many uses as well as how to grow and take care of this plant. We will also be treated to a ...
By KATHRYN DORMAN For The Express Hello, Express readers! You may remember my iris articles from last spring. The subject for today is trailing pine and other club mosses. I would tell you where to find them in Clinton County’s woods, but, alas! After much searching, all I can tell you ...
By TOM BUTZLER (Editor’s Note: This article is the eleventh in a series exploring professional opportunities for Penn State Extension agricultural educators during the 2019 summer.) According to the USDA’s Economic Research Service, the nursery and greenhouse industry comprises the ...
By TOM BUTZLER (Editor’s Note: This article is the tenth in a series exploring professional opportunities for Penn State Extension agricultural educators during the 2019 summer.) Our touring for Day 3 in Oregon’s Willamette Valley appeared to have been created by looking at the ...
By QUENTIN STOCUM Today is Jan. 17, 2020 around 9 in the morning and as I look out the window the sky is blue with a hint of clouds. The temperature is hovering around 21 degrees. But as I scroll through my Facebook page, I see cancellations being posted for events that are scheduled for ...
By TOM BUTZLER (Editors Note: This article is the ninth in a series exploring professional opportunities for Penn State Extension agricultural educators during the 2019 summer.) I enjoy being around plants. And luckily, my job allows a lot of interaction with them, particularly vegetables ...
By TOM BUTZLER (Editor’s Note: This article is the eighth in a series exploring professional opportunities for Penn State Extension agricultural educators during the 2019 summer.) A few years ago, several Penn State extension educators and specialists received a grant for a one-acre hop ...
(Editor’s Note: This article is the seventh in a series exploring professional opportunities for Penn State Extension agricultural educators during the 2019 summer.) By TOM BUTZLER Day 2 in our horticulture tours of Oregon’s Willamette Valley started off at Oregon State University’s ...