http://blogs.mcall.com/master_gardeners/ Postings from Penn State Master Gardeners of Lehigh and Northampton Counties en-US 2010-02-08T13:46:46-05:00 http://blogs.mcall.com/master_gardeners/2010/02/please-put-compost-in-its-place.html It really is a shame to waste good resources, and much of the trimmings and waste that come out of your kitchen, yard and garden represent just that. By composting them, they can be made into a really great soil... <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/V7jGt6wtjEHQzoLJJAIowDzsRuk/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/V7jGt6wtjEHQzoLJJAIowDzsRuk/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/V7jGt6wtjEHQzoLJJAIowDzsRuk/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/V7jGt6wtjEHQzoLJJAIowDzsRuk/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p> KarenMBern 2010-02-08T13:46:46-05:00 http://blogs.mcall.com/master_gardeners/2010/02/whats-to-be-done-with-the-used-dirty-plastic.html Plastics have many uses in agriculture and gardening. In horticultural crops, large amounts of plastic are sometimes used to protect plants from the cold and to create microclimates to make crops grow better. Plastic mulches are used to prevent weeds... <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/ORvhpMm7BynxQJT6tO5YFgbpjDY/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/ORvhpMm7BynxQJT6tO5YFgbpjDY/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/ORvhpMm7BynxQJT6tO5YFgbpjDY/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/ORvhpMm7BynxQJT6tO5YFgbpjDY/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p> Gardening KarenMBern 2010-02-04T15:32:30-05:00 http://blogs.mcall.com/master_gardeners/2010/01/try-heirloom-vegetables-this-season.html My husband and I planted almost all heirloom vegetables in our garden last year with yummy results. An heirloom vegetable is one whose seed has been passed down through generations. They are often quite different from vegetables grown from seeds... <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/PrBOE11LqLUbibXAbZENFzUTq4w/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/PrBOE11LqLUbibXAbZENFzUTq4w/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/PrBOE11LqLUbibXAbZENFzUTq4w/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/PrBOE11LqLUbibXAbZENFzUTq4w/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p> Gardening Kate Brandes 2010-01-26T20:01:21-05:00 http://blogs.mcall.com/master_gardeners/2010/01/winter-gardening-fun-with-kids-.html I’m always looking for things to do with my two young sons while we’re stuck indoors in the winter. Here are some fun garden activities that we will work on in the coming weeks that you may want to try... <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/TKtl1cayuDD9S8eFV6aZRIwyqsk/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/TKtl1cayuDD9S8eFV6aZRIwyqsk/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/TKtl1cayuDD9S8eFV6aZRIwyqsk/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/TKtl1cayuDD9S8eFV6aZRIwyqsk/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p> Home and Garden Kate Brandes 2010-01-18T15:07:08-05:00 http://blogs.mcall.com/master_gardeners/2010/01/yew-people-spice-up-your-shrubbery.html Winter is a good time to consider your shrubs. Perhaps you have a home that is dominated by squared off yews as the primary hedge in your landscaping? Perhaps these yews are old and weary? Perhaps they are lonely for... <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/VAEz65ADXSiORTBVLn74zxnnxp8/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/VAEz65ADXSiORTBVLn74zxnnxp8/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/VAEz65ADXSiORTBVLn74zxnnxp8/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/VAEz65ADXSiORTBVLn74zxnnxp8/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p> Home and Garden Kate Brandes 2010-01-12T15:44:01-05:00 http://blogs.mcall.com/master_gardeners/2010/01/spring-garden-series-victory-in-the-vegetable-garden.html Get fresh air, exercise, and feed your family right by starting a vegetable garden! The Penn State Master Gardeners of Lehigh and Northampton Counties have scheduled a series of classes beginning in late-February and continuing through mid-March. The classes are... <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/ifUMZwRs2tdmowTV2wLSowzKZPI/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/ifUMZwRs2tdmowTV2wLSowzKZPI/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/ifUMZwRs2tdmowTV2wLSowzKZPI/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/ifUMZwRs2tdmowTV2wLSowzKZPI/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p> Gardening Kate Brandes 2010-01-06T15:40:18-05:00 http://blogs.mcall.com/master_gardeners/2010/01/the-wonders-of-a-garden-journal-in-the-new-year.html Every New Year’s Eve my family has a tradition of reading from the journal we keep on our kitchen table. During the year, my husband or I write about a little of everything including what our two little boys are... <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/QxrspE2a6D2jiNHUI3HFc6zkCc0/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/QxrspE2a6D2jiNHUI3HFc6zkCc0/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/QxrspE2a6D2jiNHUI3HFc6zkCc0/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/QxrspE2a6D2jiNHUI3HFc6zkCc0/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p> Kate Brandes 2010-01-02T13:43:46-05:00 http://blogs.mcall.com/master_gardeners/2009/12/all-i-want-for-christmas-is-to-farm.html I think some people are destined to grow things. We can't help it, it is in our genes. I love my job with Penn State Cooperative Extension, but I still feel compelled to grow food for my family. I love... <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/JQ4dS8hy0Jd8L8CyPfoEXETXqac/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/JQ4dS8hy0Jd8L8CyPfoEXETXqac/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/JQ4dS8hy0Jd8L8CyPfoEXETXqac/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/JQ4dS8hy0Jd8L8CyPfoEXETXqac/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p> emelie 2009-12-23T10:23:04-05:00 http://blogs.mcall.com/master_gardeners/2009/12/strange-object-found-on-christmas-tree.html A man called the extension office today to ask about a strange object he found on a branch of his cut Christmas tree. This is the egg case of a praying mantis. The picture shows one attached to a viburnum,... <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/oZ_FUvMR5FJx4fkd56bIJbOZpDw/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/oZ_FUvMR5FJx4fkd56bIJbOZpDw/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/oZ_FUvMR5FJx4fkd56bIJbOZpDw/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/oZ_FUvMR5FJx4fkd56bIJbOZpDw/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p> emelie 2009-12-18T15:48:58-05:00 http://blogs.mcall.com/master_gardeners/2009/12/holiday-cactus-brightens-the-season.html Yesterday, our new Master Gardener Trainee class gave short presentations on a favorite horticultural topic. Sally, one of our new volunteers gave her presentation on holiday cactus. Sally taught us that a holiday cactus can be one of three species... <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/aLPfh56Z1w-EEQeytyg18dHR08w/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/aLPfh56Z1w-EEQeytyg18dHR08w/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/aLPfh56Z1w-EEQeytyg18dHR08w/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/aLPfh56Z1w-EEQeytyg18dHR08w/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p> emelie 2009-12-16T14:07:57-05:00 http://blogs.mcall.com/master_gardeners/2009/12/caring-for-your-christmas-tree-what-the-researchers-say-is-best.html Today's post comes from Master Gardener Sue Drabic. This past weekend's first snow has put me in the mood for setting up the Christmas tree. There's nothing like trombing around on a snowy hillside to find the perfect tree. Unless... <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/Snn8xKp5Ry7Hd-4MpX1YYPVKltQ/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/Snn8xKp5Ry7Hd-4MpX1YYPVKltQ/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/Snn8xKp5Ry7Hd-4MpX1YYPVKltQ/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/Snn8xKp5Ry7Hd-4MpX1YYPVKltQ/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p> emelie 2009-12-10T09:44:50-05:00 http://blogs.mcall.com/master_gardeners/2009/12/what-roots-will-not-interfere-with-driveways.html Collifan asked a good question in response to my post on 12/1 'Roots vs. Driveway.' Most tree species have shallow roots. Check out the fact sheet at this link and look at Figure 2. http://www.forestry.gov.uk/pdf/fcin078.pdf/$file/fcin078.pdf It shows a drawing of... <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/g2INJKqRqhEFT2hHhl8odPfNtEg/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/g2INJKqRqhEFT2hHhl8odPfNtEg/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/g2INJKqRqhEFT2hHhl8odPfNtEg/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/g2INJKqRqhEFT2hHhl8odPfNtEg/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p> emelie 2009-12-07T14:53:26-05:00 http://blogs.mcall.com/master_gardeners/2009/12/transplanting-large-trees-and-shrubs-in-the-landscape.html Are you experiencing one of those “oops!” moments when you realize that a large shrub or tree was planted in the wrong spot in your landscape? The best way to avoid these moments is to plan from the start. Before... <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/lUrdp0ZNa6MSR83b0f713t4C0zY/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/lUrdp0ZNa6MSR83b0f713t4C0zY/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/lUrdp0ZNa6MSR83b0f713t4C0zY/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/lUrdp0ZNa6MSR83b0f713t4C0zY/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p> emelie 2009-12-04T15:21:58-05:00 http://blogs.mcall.com/master_gardeners/2009/12/tree-roots-vs-driveway.html I saw an interesting situation last week. Three honey locust trees are growing in a local suburban landscape, and the owner of the neighboring property is concerned that the tree's roots are starting to lift and crack his asphalt driveway.... <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/Gm-ImEpr47NA0szBydvOBqPF020/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/Gm-ImEpr47NA0szBydvOBqPF020/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/Gm-ImEpr47NA0szBydvOBqPF020/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/Gm-ImEpr47NA0szBydvOBqPF020/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p> emelie 2009-12-01T11:52:56-05:00 http://blogs.mcall.com/master_gardeners/2009/11/thinking-ahead-how-to-identify-trees-by-their-leaves.html The trees have lost their leaves and we're moving into the busy holiday season…so why am I talking about tree identification using leaves? Well, what better way to spend a wintery day (you know they're coming!) than prepping for a... <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/NuD20_2lpoHJ71wBhDieqQQ7Hy4/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/NuD20_2lpoHJ71wBhDieqQQ7Hy4/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/NuD20_2lpoHJ71wBhDieqQQ7Hy4/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/NuD20_2lpoHJ71wBhDieqQQ7Hy4/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p> Wendy Gloffke 2009-11-24T23:17:45-05:00 http://blogs.mcall.com/master_gardeners/2009/11/wildlife-in-your-backyard.html No, this popular seminar isn't about those summer pool parties...it's about habitat, habitat, habitat. Gary San Julian, A Penn State Extension Wildlife Specialist walks you through the process of making your property attractive to wildlife. First, figure out what your... <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/IOnhz8dvDdwW-CNm4jDkyyrciTA/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/IOnhz8dvDdwW-CNm4jDkyyrciTA/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/IOnhz8dvDdwW-CNm4jDkyyrciTA/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/IOnhz8dvDdwW-CNm4jDkyyrciTA/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p> Wendy Gloffke 2009-11-15T22:41:52-05:00 http://blogs.mcall.com/master_gardeners/2009/11/plant-yer-own-patch-an-introduction-to-american-ginseng-forest-farming.html Interested in native plants? Check! Like walking in the woods? Check! Looking for a way to diversify farm income? Check! Interested in plant and forestland conservation? Check! A potentially profitable activity that supports vulnerable plants and forestland? Sign me up!... <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/MnEdRK6CD2OzG3bolb4ISR99xOQ/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/MnEdRK6CD2OzG3bolb4ISR99xOQ/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/MnEdRK6CD2OzG3bolb4ISR99xOQ/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/MnEdRK6CD2OzG3bolb4ISR99xOQ/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p> Wendy Gloffke 2009-11-08T20:51:50-05:00 http://blogs.mcall.com/master_gardeners/2009/11/i-love-penn-state.html I love Penn State! No, not their football team...I love Cooperative Extension and the College of Agriculture. The wealth of resources they make available to the public at no cost is AMAZING! Over the next month I'm going to blog... <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/8Mm4zAXQ6hCTfdIt3ivkoctCIkI/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/8Mm4zAXQ6hCTfdIt3ivkoctCIkI/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/8Mm4zAXQ6hCTfdIt3ivkoctCIkI/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/8Mm4zAXQ6hCTfdIt3ivkoctCIkI/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p> Wendy Gloffke 2009-11-07T09:15:21-05:00 http://blogs.mcall.com/master_gardeners/2009/11/correct-diagnosis-of-plant-problems-continued-.html I entered David Shetlar's opening remarks on this topic on October 16. Here is the rest of the text. It was written for late August in an area that was having a drier year than we were, but the message... <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/YlqOj_Hd9_BEeX02k-JegpuZ8Lg/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/YlqOj_Hd9_BEeX02k-JegpuZ8Lg/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/YlqOj_Hd9_BEeX02k-JegpuZ8Lg/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/YlqOj_Hd9_BEeX02k-JegpuZ8Lg/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p> KarenMBern 2009-11-02T14:51:12-05:00 http://blogs.mcall.com/master_gardeners/2009/10/picking-a-great-jackolantern.html I love DBGB's story of the turnip in the comment section. For everyone out there who will be making jack-o-lanterns on Halloween: Picking a good pumpkin! Choose one with no obvious rotten spots or scrapes. The best Jack-o-lantern stands up... <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/h_e6hF_r1Vb0fmO5sxPmFSXCIrA/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/h_e6hF_r1Vb0fmO5sxPmFSXCIrA/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/h_e6hF_r1Vb0fmO5sxPmFSXCIrA/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/h_e6hF_r1Vb0fmO5sxPmFSXCIrA/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p> emelie 2009-10-30T20:14:03-04:00 http://blogs.mcall.com/master_gardeners/2009/10/jackolanterns-appear-in-the-lehigh-valley.html Did you know, Pennsylvania is in the top five pumpkin producing states in the nation? In the Lehigh Valley, the turning of the seasons encourages many folks to decorate their homes, and no fall decoration would be complete without plump,... <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/yyKmjLeQY0uLn09Dje9xPQJz5p0/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/yyKmjLeQY0uLn09Dje9xPQJz5p0/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/yyKmjLeQY0uLn09Dje9xPQJz5p0/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/yyKmjLeQY0uLn09Dje9xPQJz5p0/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p> emelie 2009-10-26T10:46:33-04:00 http://blogs.mcall.com/master_gardeners/2009/10/do-i-prune-my-flowering-shrubs-now-or-wait-until-spring.html The answer partially depends on what the shrub is. Some shrubs will survive the winter better if they are not pruned until spring. Examples of this include butterfly bush, St. Johnswort and Russian Sage. When these shrubs are pruned back... <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/Wl0EPzBZJYhCyxZcjY0j0HG7wKM/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/Wl0EPzBZJYhCyxZcjY0j0HG7wKM/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/Wl0EPzBZJYhCyxZcjY0j0HG7wKM/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/Wl0EPzBZJYhCyxZcjY0j0HG7wKM/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p> emelie 2009-10-23T16:31:47-04:00 http://blogs.mcall.com/master_gardeners/2009/10/look-out-for-asian-longhorned-beetle.html This might be a good time to take walk around your property and look for signs of really terrible invasive insects. One of these is the Asian Longhorned Beetle. I'm working a temporary job scouting for this creature at the... <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/-oIf0gVfS0DzARCH44qccQemdgs/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/-oIf0gVfS0DzARCH44qccQemdgs/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/-oIf0gVfS0DzARCH44qccQemdgs/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/-oIf0gVfS0DzARCH44qccQemdgs/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p> KarenMBern 2009-10-21T11:35:59-04:00 http://blogs.mcall.com/master_gardeners/2009/10/correct-diagnosis-of-a-plant-problem-has-to-come-first.html Fall and winter are good seasons to bone up on the basics, and that's what I'm going to try to concentrate on for a little while. Dr. David Shetlar from Ohio State very kindly gave me permission to use some... <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/w45uKEt_sOydiaFHKTIi_OhehWw/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/w45uKEt_sOydiaFHKTIi_OhehWw/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/w45uKEt_sOydiaFHKTIi_OhehWw/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/w45uKEt_sOydiaFHKTIi_OhehWw/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p> Gardening KarenMBern 2009-10-16T12:50:44-04:00 http://blogs.mcall.com/master_gardeners/2009/10/storing-roots-from-flowering-plants.html How do I store the roots from plants like caladiums and tuberous begonias during the winter? We spend so much money on tuberous begonias, cannas, dahlias, and the like, that it really does seem a shame just to send them... <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/TNiPBsKm_o4G2d_YHWIiLkMBAfA/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/TNiPBsKm_o4G2d_YHWIiLkMBAfA/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/TNiPBsKm_o4G2d_YHWIiLkMBAfA/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/TNiPBsKm_o4G2d_YHWIiLkMBAfA/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p> emelie 2009-10-14T12:02:13-04:00 http://blogs.mcall.com/master_gardeners/2009/10/can-i-compost-tomato-plants-killed-by-late-blight.html I just got this article from Dr. Beth Guigino, our vegetable pathologist at Penn State. Dr. Meg McGrath, form Cornell University also contributed. I thought it would help a lot of our home gardeners who are cleaning up their beds... <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/IY80ZRz7-2iQZ0-q2wWK8zx-8c0/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/IY80ZRz7-2iQZ0-q2wWK8zx-8c0/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/IY80ZRz7-2iQZ0-q2wWK8zx-8c0/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/IY80ZRz7-2iQZ0-q2wWK8zx-8c0/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p> emelie 2009-10-08T13:53:10-04:00 http://blogs.mcall.com/master_gardeners/2009/09/harvesting-pumpkins-and-other-winter-squash.html Pumpkins and winter squash (Butternut, Acorn, Hubbard, and other types) can tolerate a frost but not a freeze. When pumpkins and other squash have reached full color, cut them off, leaving a little stem. Let pumpkins sit for a week... <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/Bz6NhP-buXsrhdWnzFKv_84Lh3g/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/Bz6NhP-buXsrhdWnzFKv_84Lh3g/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/Bz6NhP-buXsrhdWnzFKv_84Lh3g/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/Bz6NhP-buXsrhdWnzFKv_84Lh3g/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p> Kate Brandes 2009-09-29T10:55:42-04:00 http://blogs.mcall.com/master_gardeners/2009/09/plant-a-cover-crop-for-better-gardening-next-spring.html For most people, the words ‘cover crop’ bring to mind large scale farming. And yet, a cover crop can do a lot for the health of the home garden. In fact cover crops increase organic matter, suppress weeds, produce nitrogen,... <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/Qgb3Ktf0tXNM-MKld9bak7eCuOE/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/Qgb3Ktf0tXNM-MKld9bak7eCuOE/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/Qgb3Ktf0tXNM-MKld9bak7eCuOE/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/Qgb3Ktf0tXNM-MKld9bak7eCuOE/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p> Kate Brandes 2009-09-19T14:09:11-04:00 http://blogs.mcall.com/master_gardeners/2009/09/time-to-start-thinking-about-planting-garlic.html Garlic is a great addition to the garden. Like a lot of things, it’s better when it’s homegrown rather than store bought. You should plant garlic in October and so now is a good time to think about getting some.... <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/CpdkXsDpMovD_y1gFxfB2b9CE6U/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/CpdkXsDpMovD_y1gFxfB2b9CE6U/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/CpdkXsDpMovD_y1gFxfB2b9CE6U/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/CpdkXsDpMovD_y1gFxfB2b9CE6U/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p> Gardening Kate Brandes 2009-09-14T13:23:52-04:00 http://blogs.mcall.com/master_gardeners/2009/09/harvesting-sunflower-seeds.html I think nearly every one of the 20 or so families that are part of my community garden grew sunflowers this year. Most of those were grown for aesthetics or to feed the birds at the end of the season.... <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/D-jqsAwjxpNwTrfHiI3f9n8sOOk/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/D-jqsAwjxpNwTrfHiI3f9n8sOOk/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/D-jqsAwjxpNwTrfHiI3f9n8sOOk/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/D-jqsAwjxpNwTrfHiI3f9n8sOOk/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p> Home and Garden Kate Brandes 2009-09-11T12:14:44-04:00 http://blogs.mcall.com/master_gardeners/2009/09/paving-over-tree-roots-say-goodbye-to-your-tree.html * Here's another great blog from Master Gardener Wendy Gloffke: One of my favorite trees is dying. As part of a driveway construction project several years ago a friend added about 3 feet of soil around the base of the... <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/faPxcbS3E10AEiFCn44gg9qqpzs/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/faPxcbS3E10AEiFCn44gg9qqpzs/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/faPxcbS3E10AEiFCn44gg9qqpzs/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/faPxcbS3E10AEiFCn44gg9qqpzs/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p> Kate Brandes 2009-09-08T10:21:58-04:00 http://blogs.mcall.com/master_gardeners/2009/09/storing-homegrown-potatoes.html My family lives in an urban community and we have a garden at home, but it’s small. This year we became involved with a new community garden and now have a 40X40 plot to grow whatever we want! I grew... <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/2w9A1xVRwAMdcLXTPTtnpQA4WNw/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/2w9A1xVRwAMdcLXTPTtnpQA4WNw/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/2w9A1xVRwAMdcLXTPTtnpQA4WNw/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/2w9A1xVRwAMdcLXTPTtnpQA4WNw/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p> Home and Garden Kate Brandes 2009-09-04T12:47:05-04:00 http://blogs.mcall.com/master_gardeners/2009/09/proactive-fall-weeding-easier-said-than-done.html (Another note from Master Gardener Wendy's Glofkee's Garden: Wendy will be a regular contributor to our blog, so we hope you enjoy following her gardening adventures through the seasons! Thanks Wendy!) Weeding is NOT high on my list of fall... <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/OQQyiiOMEGYEbLim_S16n8teU9o/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/OQQyiiOMEGYEbLim_S16n8teU9o/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/OQQyiiOMEGYEbLim_S16n8teU9o/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/OQQyiiOMEGYEbLim_S16n8teU9o/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p> emelie 2009-09-01T10:23:41-04:00 http://blogs.mcall.com/master_gardeners/2009/08/a-bounty-of-tasteless-fruit.html Master Gardener Wendy Glofkee sent this report from her garden: FINALLY! Today I got to harvest a bounty of fresh produce from my garden: 2 small tomatoes, 5 leaves of New Zealand “spinach” and a tiny pepper. That doesn’t sound... <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/_k5UzXZcpPqowupsw3av7pe1b-k/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/_k5UzXZcpPqowupsw3av7pe1b-k/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/_k5UzXZcpPqowupsw3av7pe1b-k/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/_k5UzXZcpPqowupsw3av7pe1b-k/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p> emelie 2009-08-28T12:07:26-04:00 http://blogs.mcall.com/master_gardeners/2009/08/native-plants-in-the-lehigh-valley.html Many folks are interested in native plants these days. You've probably heard the popular virtues; they are adapted to our climate, they will survive whatever strange weather comes our way because they evolved here, they don't have pest or disease... <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/SX73Ti_1e6FZWFmJxPcPyIP1p3U/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/SX73Ti_1e6FZWFmJxPcPyIP1p3U/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/SX73Ti_1e6FZWFmJxPcPyIP1p3U/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/SX73Ti_1e6FZWFmJxPcPyIP1p3U/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p> emelie 2009-08-25T16:07:12-04:00 http://blogs.mcall.com/master_gardeners/2009/08/looking-for-tomatoes.html A woman called our office this week to find out where she could get large quantities of tomatoes for canning this year. Her tomatoes were killed by late blight. She wanted to can at least 60 quarts of sauce, so... <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/hVOodF9PwfFA6FhP6HPrk5VIc3g/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/hVOodF9PwfFA6FhP6HPrk5VIc3g/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/hVOodF9PwfFA6FhP6HPrk5VIc3g/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/hVOodF9PwfFA6FhP6HPrk5VIc3g/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p> emelie 2009-08-21T16:04:05-04:00 http://blogs.mcall.com/master_gardeners/2009/08/planting-vegetables-in-fall.html Even though the heat makes me want to stay inside, or at least in the shade, I can't control the urge to plant in my garden! After the heat of the day is over, I am out there pulling weeds... <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/XjguVjfs2EWKLjonS0PW3jfvbEk/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/XjguVjfs2EWKLjonS0PW3jfvbEk/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/XjguVjfs2EWKLjonS0PW3jfvbEk/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/XjguVjfs2EWKLjonS0PW3jfvbEk/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p> emelie 2009-08-17T16:25:44-04:00 http://blogs.mcall.com/master_gardeners/2009/08/eating-my-weeds.html * (This item was contributed by another one of our Master Gardener volunteers, Wendy Gloffke. Thanks Wendy!) If only my veggies grew like my weeds! I could easily keep my family in nettles, purslane, and lambs quarters….not to mention dandelions.... <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/9Pb9pphvdYUxgZF-O5WAimtCMDg/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/9Pb9pphvdYUxgZF-O5WAimtCMDg/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/9Pb9pphvdYUxgZF-O5WAimtCMDg/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/9Pb9pphvdYUxgZF-O5WAimtCMDg/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p> KarenMBern 2009-08-11T17:08:40-04:00 http://blogs.mcall.com/master_gardeners/2009/08/should-i-use-a-pesticide-in-my-garden.html Some folks are starting to see challenges in their gardens. Lots of rain has brought on weeds, diseases, and the insects are finding our plants too. But when you go to the garden center there are so many choices of... <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/z_q8iwzfWiItAGzX7c0nQxiA248/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/z_q8iwzfWiItAGzX7c0nQxiA248/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/z_q8iwzfWiItAGzX7c0nQxiA248/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/z_q8iwzfWiItAGzX7c0nQxiA248/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p> emelie 2009-08-07T14:55:21-04:00 http://blogs.mcall.com/master_gardeners/2009/08/when-should-i-harvest.html Most gardens are coming into full production in August. After all that work preparing your soil, planting, weeding, protecting your plants from pests, and watching them grow, the time to reap the rewards is near! But knowing the best time... <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/WV3OeRGyfAybSkx0l3hE3Ap1NRg/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/WV3OeRGyfAybSkx0l3hE3Ap1NRg/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/WV3OeRGyfAybSkx0l3hE3Ap1NRg/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/WV3OeRGyfAybSkx0l3hE3Ap1NRg/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p> emelie 2009-08-04T15:07:31-04:00 http://blogs.mcall.com/master_gardeners/2009/07/tomatoes-infected-with-late-blight-are-they-safe-for-canning.html Luke F. LaBorde, Penn State Department of Food Science Late blight is a common disease in tomatoes caused by the fungus Phytophthora infestans. The disease thrives in cool, moist conditions and can wipe out an entire tomato crop within just... <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/U4UnDT-hMj9q1GXT6Uz-StkXkaA/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/U4UnDT-hMj9q1GXT6Uz-StkXkaA/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/U4UnDT-hMj9q1GXT6Uz-StkXkaA/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/U4UnDT-hMj9q1GXT6Uz-StkXkaA/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p> Gardening KarenMBern 2009-07-31T14:24:20-04:00 http://blogs.mcall.com/master_gardeners/2009/07/using-pesticides-in-home-vegetable-gardens.html * This whole issue with late blight on tomatoes and potatoes has brought up some interesting questions for many folks. The gardener asks him or herself, “It seems I HAVE to use a pesticide of some sort on some of... <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/1WuNlTXQo2qzM6UNALej-3wlrdc/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/1WuNlTXQo2qzM6UNALej-3wlrdc/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/1WuNlTXQo2qzM6UNALej-3wlrdc/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/1WuNlTXQo2qzM6UNALej-3wlrdc/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p> Gardening KarenMBern 2009-07-29T15:51:37-04:00 http://blogs.mcall.com/master_gardeners/2009/07/late-blight-on-home-garden-potatoes.html The underside of this potato leaf shows sporulating late blight lesions. Look in the morning for spores that may be visible as a white fuzzy growth on the edge of the water soaked lesion. Late Blight on Home Garden Potatoes... <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/E3z7Q56THjkqrTPKh7dYMfNwF-M/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/E3z7Q56THjkqrTPKh7dYMfNwF-M/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/E3z7Q56THjkqrTPKh7dYMfNwF-M/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/E3z7Q56THjkqrTPKh7dYMfNwF-M/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p> KarenMBern 2009-07-23T15:50:38-04:00 http://blogs.mcall.com/master_gardeners/2009/07/planting-to-keep-tomatoes-healthy.html There are a lot of diseases and other factors that damage or even kill tomato plants. Here are some tips for keeping your tomatoes as healthy as possible. My source was this fact sheet. Please consult it for more detailed... <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/aWu3sPJANZj829YF0AMp70NWxcc/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/aWu3sPJANZj829YF0AMp70NWxcc/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/aWu3sPJANZj829YF0AMp70NWxcc/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/aWu3sPJANZj829YF0AMp70NWxcc/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p> KarenMBern 2009-07-20T18:04:34-04:00 http://blogs.mcall.com/master_gardeners/2009/07/food-preservation.html (This comes to us from Lois Killcoyne, the Food and Nutrition Educator from Northampton County.) Many people are growing some of their own food and want to preserve some of the harvest to enjoy later in the year. It is... <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/VERjUYqYMQ2s6TJofQj4xcT3j9c/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/VERjUYqYMQ2s6TJofQj4xcT3j9c/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/VERjUYqYMQ2s6TJofQj4xcT3j9c/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/VERjUYqYMQ2s6TJofQj4xcT3j9c/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p> KarenMBern 2009-07-14T16:39:04-04:00 http://blogs.mcall.com/master_gardeners/2009/07/late-blight-organic-alternatives.html We had a question in response to one of our previous posts: "I live in CT and have a huge garden of tomato plants, where can I order some of the organic alternatives to try and prevent blight?" When we're... <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/A-YMcis7aGbTKn1WzVUDmhNnsxg/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/A-YMcis7aGbTKn1WzVUDmhNnsxg/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/A-YMcis7aGbTKn1WzVUDmhNnsxg/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/A-YMcis7aGbTKn1WzVUDmhNnsxg/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p> Gardening KarenMBern 2009-07-10T15:25:02-04:00 http://blogs.mcall.com/master_gardeners/2009/07/late-blight-what-should-the-home-gardener-do-destroying-plants.html From the Fact Sheet, "Tomato Disease Information for Home Gardeners", by A. A MacNab. (See previous posts for information on diagnosis, and on trying to save lightly affected plants). Late blight of tomatoes and potatoes is a serious plant disease.... <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/Cv17lfi0B11_Ok1_NjjzJcDSjHs/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/Cv17lfi0B11_Ok1_NjjzJcDSjHs/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/Cv17lfi0B11_Ok1_NjjzJcDSjHs/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/Cv17lfi0B11_Ok1_NjjzJcDSjHs/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p> Gardening KarenMBern 2009-07-09T16:40:08-04:00 http://blogs.mcall.com/master_gardeners/2009/07/late-blight-what-should-the-home-gardener-do-rescuing-plants.html I was surprised to find suggestions in the A. A. MacNab fact sheet for what to do if tomato or potato plants in your garden are showing early signs of late blight and you choose to work to control the... <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/kV6u5RS94bHMvM7XKtgnoZHj4Ro/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/kV6u5RS94bHMvM7XKtgnoZHj4Ro/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/kV6u5RS94bHMvM7XKtgnoZHj4Ro/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/kV6u5RS94bHMvM7XKtgnoZHj4Ro/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p> Gardening KarenMBern 2009-07-08T14:59:05-04:00 http://blogs.mcall.com/master_gardeners/2009/07/late-blight-what-should-the-home-gardener-do-diagnosis.html We've We've mentioned in recent blogs that late blight, a very serious disease of your tomatoes and potatoes, is hitting really early this year. Many home gardeners may be wondering what they can and should be doing. Here are some... <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/wpzQD_yubdQcn2ENq-bJ6uDVrmo/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/wpzQD_yubdQcn2ENq-bJ6uDVrmo/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/wpzQD_yubdQcn2ENq-bJ6uDVrmo/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/wpzQD_yubdQcn2ENq-bJ6uDVrmo/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p> Gardening KarenMBern 2009-07-07T16:53:22-04:00 http://blogs.mcall.com/master_gardeners/2009/07/shearing-shrubbery-why-and-why-not.html Folks have been bringing in samples from hemlocks that they have been shearing for a long time. Some of these plants are in TERRIBLE shape. Often the hemlocks were planted in rows as a hedge, and the shearing is being... <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/1Thj1ljFTuYPv2hsPYfS9VDt2M8/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/1Thj1ljFTuYPv2hsPYfS9VDt2M8/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/1Thj1ljFTuYPv2hsPYfS9VDt2M8/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/1Thj1ljFTuYPv2hsPYfS9VDt2M8/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p> Gardening KarenMBern 2009-07-02T15:44:31-04:00