The next meeting for the Penn State Extension Master Gardeners will be at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 13, at the Youngsville Extension Office.
Spotlight at the farmers market on Sept. 1 was "Tomato Tasting." There were six heirloom varieties of tomatoes to sample. Penn State Extension Master Gardener Freda Pyles presented the program with the help of Celia Knapp, Judy Kepple and Denise Grant. There will be two more spotlights by Penn State Extension Master Gardeners at the Farmers Market this month. Sept 13 will be "The Garden comes full Circle" by Sally Asbury and "The Versatility of Herbs" by Wanda Buerkle.
The demonstration garden tours at Betts Park will continue Sept. 8 and 22 at 10 a.m. There are many additions to the garden this year. Plants that are being tested, vegetables and a unique blend of annual flowers add new flair to the garden. The tours are open to the public and everyone is encouraged to come and ask questions about the garden or plants.
September gardening tips:
Add a new look to your yard or porch with an autumn planter. Pansies, asters, mums, heather, grasses and groundcovers will create an interesting texture and color palate. If you were to include some small evergreens plants with berries you would add winter interest to this container. Also, if you layer a few spring blooming bulbs under your plants you could create a three season container garden.
Spring bulbs can be purchased now for best selection and prices. Once you've made your bulb purchases you will want to wait until early October to plant them when its cooler.
It is also a great time to plant perennials, shrubs, trees, hedging and fruit trees. There is less heat in the fall so the stress level on newly planted plants is lower and watering is easier. Plants are often on sale at this time of year so you will be able to get plants you may not otherwise be able to budget into your landscaping needs.
Fall is a great time to think about fall foliage. Aronia, Burning bush, Virginia creeper, Robinia and Japanese maples are just a few plants that will add color to your yard. The added benefit of these plants is that they will supply food to any remaining birds and other small animals.
Prepare an area now for your sweet peas for next year. Dig a ditch and fill it with leafy matter from disease free foliage from trees, your veggie garden or annual bed. Cover with soil and when you go to plant your sweet peas you will have the perfect mixture of partially composed leaves and soil in which to plant. Sweet peas love this! Poppies will also benefit from preparing a bed in this fashion in the fall.
By Denise Grant, Penn State Extension Master Gardener