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Workshops to focus on understanding and managing soil compaction

UNIVERSITY PARK — Penn State Extension will offer practical, science-based strategies to prevent and address soil compaction during the “Understanding and Managing Soil Compaction” workshop, which will occur in four locations in March. Aimed at field and forage crop producers, crop consultants and custom operators, the workshops are scheduled for 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the following dates: — March 19, Pasto Agricultural Museum, 2710 W. Pine Grove Road, Gate K, Pennsylvania Furnace. — March 21, Harrison Valley Community Center, 205 E. Main St., Harrison Valley. — ...

Rain gardens: Beautiful and functional

This column often focuses on gardening practices that are good for our environment and the creatures that inhabit it. One such practice is the creation of rain gardens, which until recently were not widely used in residential landscapes. They have the potential to help mitigate stormwater ...

Master Gardeners to host Home Gardening School on March 22

UNIVERSITY PARK — Penn State Extension Centre County Master Gardeners present “World Wonders to Backyard Bliss: Planting Garden Inspiration” on March 22 from 8:15 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. at Penn State’s Forest Resources Building, Park Avenue and Bigler Road, State College. Amateur and experienced plant lovers can rub elbows, swap stories and learn from Central PA gardeners at this year’s Home Gardening School. Keynote speaker Heather Andrews, two-time award winner of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society’s Garden of Distinction, will kick off the day with a presentation on her ...

Winter sowing in upcycled containers creates stronger seedlings in spring

It’s either time — or nearly time — to start seeds indoors for the upcoming growing season, depending on where you live. But what about starting them outdoors, despite the frozen ground, whipping winds and, perhaps, snow cover? I’m gearing up to sow tomatoes, beets, herbs and ...

PSU Extension holds produce grower workshops

STATE COLLEGE — In early 2025, Penn State Extension will offer a series of in-person and virtual events to update produce growers on what happened across the state during the most recent growing season, share university research and provide opportunities for pesticide applicators to earn Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture pesticide applicator recertification credits. The “Produce Grower Update” workshop will occur in February and March in various locations. This in-person workshop covers research updates for vegetable and small fruit production, industry trends and pesticide ...