2004 Narrative Reports Based on Plan of Work Objectives

There were 293 new Master Gardeners trained in 23 counties this year. All county training included the eight topics designated as core topics including soils and fertilizers, entomology, plant pathology, botany, plant propagation, communications skills, introduction to Cooperative Extension and the Master Gardener Program, and integrated pest management and pesticide safety. Examples of volunteer training impact are as follows:

• Lackawanna County Extension Educators recruited and trained the county’s first class of 11 Master Gardeners. Post test scores averaged 22% higher than the test scores achieved before training. 6 of the 11 Master Gardeners completed 50 hours or more of volunteer service.

• In Armstrong County, 10 new Master Gardeners completed training and are pursuing their 50 hours of volunteer service. Post test scores were 28.3% higher than pretest scores.

• Luzerne County had 10 new volunteers this year. Average increase from pretest to post test scores was 15.2%. 3 out of the 10 volunteers have already completed their requirement of 50 hours of service.

Bucks County Master Gardeners assisted with developing and implementing two advanced training seminars for Master Gardeners in the Southeast Region this year. The wonderful Wicked World of Weeds was held on June 17 with 30 volunteers in attendance; participants reported an 81% increase in knowledge of weed biology and an 80% increase in awareness of available resources on weeds. The Woody Plant Identification and Use tour was held on July 24; the class was restricted to 24 volunteers. The attendees reported between 36 and 44% increases in their ability to identify evergreen and deciduous trees and shrubs.

York County Master Gardeners worked with the York County Probation Youth Department to maintain one of the Gardens at Rudy Park. The volunteers served as mentors to an average of 22 youth and 10 adults who are fulfilling their community service obligation through gardening. The project is funded by the Probation Department and local businesses. The participants learned to plan, prepare, plant, maintain, and harvest fruit and vegetables. Over 260 pounds of produce was donated to the York County Food Bank. One youth expressed an interest in an agricultural career and another asked to continue at the garden after his probation is served. Master Gardeners have gained confidence working as a team of volunteers and with the youth. Working with more experienced Master Gardeners, newer volunteers learn by doing. To quote a volunteer, “The more we learn, the more we are able to teach”.

Master Gardeners in Washington County can be counted on for the most original ideas in educational programming. This year, the volunteers planted six demonstration gardens at the Washington County fairgrounds. They labeled the plants and added signs with gardening facts. A “Gardening Facts Treasure Hunt” flyer was distributed. The flyer had seven questions that could be answered by visiting the trial gardens. Returned flyers were placed in a drawing for donated prizes. 295 flyers were distributed and 74 completed flyers were returned.

Armstrong County Master Gardeners held a plant sale in order to raise funds, distribute a wide variety of plant material, and provide information in the use and care of the plants. 285 people attended the plant sale. The event increased awareness of the Master Gardener program and activities in Armstrong County.

Northumberland County Master Gardeners participated in the Riverfest in Sunbury, PA. They created several container theme gardens to show the variety that could be achieved and the fun gardeners could have with containers. The container themes included a pizza container (basil, oregano, parsley and tomatoes), a barnyard garden (lambs ear, butterfly bush, and spider plant), a jungle garden (kangaroo paw, coleus, and ferns), and a spa garden (lavender, lemon balm, and chamomile). Visitors to the booth were given an information leaflet on the basics of container gardening. Over 105 youth participated in a planting exercise at the educational booth. The exercise taught the proper techniques of planting a plant in a container by allowing each child to plant a container with hens and chicks to then take home. The Master Gardeners also provided organization and support for the festival’s tour of twelve area gardens that were on display for festival participants to tour. Master Gardeners served as garden docents who were on hand to answer questions on design, plants, and other gardening topics.

Over the past year, the Montour County Master Gardeners developed a partnership with a local garden center. The garden center hosted a one-day garden festival where Master Gardeners presented workshops on different gardening topics. Over 50 participants attended and learned how to grow and cook with herbs, how to select plants for a shade garden, how to compost, and to select plants for attracting butterflies. As part of the herb workshop, participants were able to sample dishes prepared with herbs and see examples of herb planters. Example of shade plants and plants for attracting butterflies were also shown to the participants. The relationship with the garden center continues to be a wonderful avenue for providing local gardeners with information on new gardening techniques and information on plant selection.

Wyoming County Master Gardeners used the Penn State IPM Program’s Bugmobile to inform the public about integrated pest management during the Kiwanis Wyoming County Fair. They also featured a garden display with plants that attract beneficial insects and other exhibits depicting correct pesticide usage. The display attracted over 12,000 adults and children.
The Morning Call newspaper compiled a spring and fall supplement that consisted of articles written by Lehigh and Northampton County Master Gardeners. Readership is estimated at over 300,000 residents. The spring issue focused on saving money in the garden; a mail-in survey was included in the supplement. 30 surveys were returned. Regarding the subject of saving money in the garden, 93% said they had gained new knowledge. Two of the new gardening practices that readers intended to adopt were composting and perennial propagation.

Penn State Master Gardeners in Westmoreland County operate a ‘helpline’ three mornings per week at the Cooperative Extension Office. Volunteers research questions and answers and relate information from Penn State and other landgrant universities to those calling with a concern. Master Gardeners answered 568 helpline calls and assisted many others to identify problems on samples brought into the Extension office. As a result, clients had their problems correctly identified and received accurate advice on control procedures.

Lehigh and Northampton County Master Gardeners offered several garden topics at their annual “Workshops for the Gardener” at the Wildlands Conservancy in Emmaus. 77 people attended sessions on native plants, landscaping the front yard, perennial garden design, pruning, and other topics. 100% of those surveyed indicated that they would implement some new gardening practices as a result of attending the workshops. Some of the practices that they would implement include using native plants, using proper pruning techniques, improving garden soil, and decreasing water usage in the garden.

Montgomery County Master Gardeners taught a four-session course in home gardening at the Souderton Area School District Adult Continuing Education Program. Topics covered included how plants grow, soils, vegetable gardening, herbs, flower gardening, native plants, lawn care, and IPM. 85% of the participants rated the course as “good” or “excellent”.

Master Gardeners in Cumberland County held plant clinics at three local libraries and two farmers markets. The volunteers answered questions, diagnosed problems, identified weeds and plants, and offered IPM solutions for clients’ garden problems. A total of 380 contacts were made at the plant clinics. These homeowners learned IPM techniques to deal with home garden insect and disease problems and to create healthy landscapes.

Master Gardeners in Schuylkill County employ a Hort Line and Speakers’ Bureau to provide clientele with accurate information on IPM practices. Fifteen volunteers manned the Hort Line two days a week and assisted 253 gardeners via phone calls, e-mail, and office visits. 101 Penn State fact sheets were distributed. Twelve volunteers formed the Speakers’ Bureau and presented horticulture programs to community organizations.

Lackawanna County Master Gardeners took turns staffing the Home Gardener Helpline at the county Extension office. 480 calls were received. Callers received information on insects, disease, wildlife pests, lawn care and proper plant selection. IPM practices were encouraged.

Luzerne Master Gardeners held a three hour workshop on Integrated Pest Management and Gardener Selects Plants. 24 people attended. Selecting the right plant to match the site conditions was a major component of the IPM portion of the workshop. Participants observed more than 40 insect and disease specimens. Out of the 19 returned evaluations, all reported that they would attempt to identify a pest before treating.

• 73% would likely match plants with site conditions
• 74% greatly increased tolerance for insects in their garden
• 50% would scout for insects daily; 50% would scout at least weekly.
• 50% would try one of the Gardener Selects plants in their home garden.

Westsylvania adventures runs an annual program at the Quemahoning Lake, in Somerset County, called the best two weeks at the Que. Somerset County Master Gardeners presented a display about good bugs, bad bugs, a beehive, worm composting, and a mantis prayer egg ready to hatch. They had herbs that attract good bugs and herbs that attract bad bugs. In the two days exhibit, 2000 people between kids and their parents, learned about this wonders of the garden.

Master Gardeners in Wayne county hosted a Penn State Gardener Selects Trial Garden for the first time in 2004. The garden was open to the public throughout the season. It is estimated that over 300 local gardeners visited the site to evaluate the garden.

Union County Master Gardeners held six educational workshops to attract visitors to their Gardener Selects Trial Garden which is located adjacent to the Public Library. Topics included canning, edible landscapes, weeds, raising children in the garden, controlling mosquitoes, and companion planting. Over 30 people attended the workshops.

Columbia County Master Gardeners planted their Trial Garden at the Penn State Extension Office which is in the same facility as the county’s agricultural and human services agencies. The location increased the number of visitors to the site. An open house was held and participants learned about weed biology and identification, regional gardening similarities and differences, how to create living wreaths, and the essentials of beekeeping.

In September, the Schuylkill County Master Gardeners hosted an Evening in the Garden at their Trial and Display garden. 86% of those in attendance found the information helpful and intend to use it to plan and care for their home gardens. A brochure was revised and placed in the garden; nearly 200 copies were picked up by visitors to the trial garden.

Westmoreland County Master Gardeners held a demonstration garden Open House in July. The volunteers answered questions and explained garden maintenance practices to the 50 attendees. The visitors learned about newer varieties of annuals that perform well in SW Pennsylvania and they took home information on interesting perennial and woody plants. Many people indicated that they say new plants in the garden that they’d like to grow at home next season.

Pike County Master Gardeners maintained a Trial Garden with the help of members from the Milford Garden Club. The impact of this trial site has been tremendous since it is located at Remembrance Place within the Milford Boro, attracting walkers, drivers-by, lunch visitors, and garden enthusiasts.

The Master Gardeners in Luzerne County held 2 workshops in their Gardener Selects Trial Garden. 39 people attended and observed which plants performed best and were less bothered by insects, disease, and deer. 50% of the participants stated that they will likely use a Gardener Selects plant in their home garden.

The Juniata Valley Master Gardeners held an Open House at their demonstration garden. There were 220 people in attendance. Master Gardeners conducted workshops on butterfly gardening, recycling with home gardening, and vegetable gardening. The event encouraged 9 people to register for the spring Master Gardener training session.

Wyoming County Master Gardeners held their annual “Spring Into Gardening” symposium and had 115 participants. The six major topics that were presented included creative landscape solutions for the small home site, growing good thing to eat, outstanding varieties and the Gardener Selects program, selecting trees that will survive in your landscape, and creative uses of plant material. 100% of the attendees indicated that they gained new ideas and techniques in various aspects of horticulture.

Master Gardeners in Lehigh/Northampton Counties taught four public gardening workshops as part of their Spring Garden Series. Topics were water gardening, good bugs and bad bugs, and landscape design. A local wildlife pest control agent taught a class on critter control. 120 people attended the four workshops. Half of the participants completed evaluations of the classes taught by Master Gardeners. Over 95% of the participants in the Water Gardening class said that they learned about controlling pond algae, keeping fish healthy, and good plants for the water garden. 93% said that they were somewhat or very confident that they could site their own water garden properly, and 87% felt confident that they could select the right plants for their location.

Berks County Master Gardeners trained community volunteers to serve as Arboretum Assistants to aid in the restoration of the Reading Public Museum Arboretum. The arboretum had once been a foal point of life in Berks County, but it had declined until 2003. The arboretum committee asked Master Gardeners to instruct and supervise community volunteers to work on the museum grounds. Initially twelve Master Gardeners trained 35 Arboretum Assistants and over 1700 hours were contributed on the grounds translating to $29,000 in labor. This spring, another 55 volunteers were trained. The results were astonishing and have resulted in renewed interest in the museum property.

Luzerne County Master Gardeners created a Backyard Conservation display at the Luzerne County Fair. The display featured native plants for the landscape, birdbaths and a water garden, bat and bird houses, feeders, berry and nut plants, and composting. 297 home gardeners received answers to their questions.

Luzerne County Master Gardeners held two spring workshops. 91 people attended. Post program evaluations indicated:
• 92% (84) understood the importance of soil testing to a great extent
• 77% (70) greatly increased their pruning skills
• 85% (77) greatly increased their knowledge of branch collars
• 85% (77) greatly increased their knowledge of a trees response to heading cuts
• 73% (66) improved their knowledge of composting a great extent

Schuylkill County Master Gardeners participated in the Penn State/DEP compost bin project for the 4th year. 5 compost clinics were conducted and 101 county residents attended with 89 households receiving compost bins. As a result of the clinics, the percentage of participants actively composting kitchen and yard waster went from 50% to 96%.

Armstrong County Master Gardeners hosted compost workshops for county residents to encourage and promote the effective use of composting. 94 residents received training and compost bins (funded by DEP). 95% of survey respondents said that they planned to use the bins. Evaluation showed that participants gained an understanding of the rationale and process of composting and a marked increase in ability to produce satisfactory compost.

The Master Gardeners in Wayne County secured a $2000 grant from DEP to renovate a local community garden so that it can be used as a composting demonstration area. The half-acre site features 18 different types of compost bins. It will be used to host educational workshops on composting and gardening.

Master Gardeners from Lehigh and Northampton counties offered a gardening experience to inner city children from Allentown. 18 children were driven by van to a vegetable garden in Whitehall, PA on a weekly basis from April to August 2004. The children did all the planting and harvesting, along with weeding, watering, and composting, at each visit. Lesson topics included: Seeds, Good and Bad Bugs, Worm Composting, Poisonous plants, Tomatoes, Garden Jeopardy, Lady Beetles (with release of 1500 beetles into the garden), vegetable tasting and a nature walk. The children developed a greater awareness of their environment and an interest for their own gardening, as well as helping their families with harvested produce. Most of the children plan to continue with the project in 2005, and plans to expand the garden with their suggestions are already underway.

Lycoming County Master Gardeners reached inner city youth at The Center in Williamsburg which provides after school and summer programs. This past year, the group had several hands-on programs where the children learned about soil structure, soil conditioning, and soil testing while preparing an area to be transformed into a vegetable and flower garden. Other lessons included the basics of seed germination and general botany while the youth planted the garden as well as lessons in garden maintenance of the group’s vegetable and flower gardens at The Center. The program has created so much excitement among the youth that the youth are getting their parents involved with the project and gardening at home. There has been a growing sense of pride in creating and keeping the garden. The group reaches an estimated 15 minority youth participants during each visit which totaled 150 contacts during the past summer school program.

Orchard Apartments is a subsidized housing community of diverse residents, including African-American, Hispanic, and eastern European (Ukrainian, non-English-speaking) individuals. The Master Gardeners in Cumberland County did hands-on gardening activities and projects with residents, both adult and youth, throughout the year. These activities included leaf-printing; houseplants; pansies in containers; pizza gardens; summer annuals; harvesting and using herbs; and a pizza party using their homegrown produce. 36 adults and 74 youth participated in one or more of these activities. As a result, several residents requested and were allotted space on site – previously the location of overgrown hedges – for 7 community garden plots on which they could grow vegetables and flowers of their choice this season, in addition to the pizza garden plots they had by their doors. The resident youths also participated with a 4-H Club and Master Gardeners in a service project to plant perennials and annuals in common areas. The Master Gardeners taught residents new to gardening how to plant and grow herbs, vegetables, and flowers. They taught those residents more familiar with gardening (the Ukrainian families) about growing plants successfully in our Pennsylvania climate. Residents learned the importance of gardening basics – soil, air, water, sunlight, fertilizer – in growing plants either in the ground or in containers.

Montgomery County Master Gardeners served as teachers and advisors to the Gwynedd Square Elementary School Garden Club. The club had members from 4th, 5th, and 6th grades who met during recess. Students studied a wide array of topics from houseplants to the environment. The gardens that were established were used as an outdoor classroom for the entire school including a class of autistic children. A five acre natural habitat is also on the school grounds and was incorporated into the Master Gardeners’ educational efforts. The students learned how to raise vegetable crops, to identify purple loosestrife and to understand the problems caused by invasive plants, to appreciate native plants, and much, much more. The school teachers reported that the gardens were used to teach math lessons, organizational and writing skills, and science.

Master Gardeners in Luzerne County presented a program titled “Pest or Guest” in two local elementary schools. 362 children plus teachers viewed live insect specimens and learned of the insects’ roles in the environment. Imported and exotic species were discussed. A beneficial insect garden was planted at one of the schools, Chester Street Elementary, and students learned proper planting techniques and soil life was observed.

Wyoming County Master Gardeners taught basic gardening skills to 15 physically and mentally challenged students at the Tunkhannock Middle School. The students learned how to plant seeds, identify plant pests and diseases, to transplant seedlings, and to take care of plants in the greenhouse.

Master Gardeners in Bucks County presented “Kids Catch The Gardening Bug” as at the Tyler Craft Show. First, the volunteers taught 10 adults how to carry out specific gardening activities with children and explained what the children will learn. Then, 75 children made two gardening crafts while learning about seed starting, annuals versus perennials, and transplanting seedlings.

Bucks County Master Gardeners assisted the Bucks County Soil Conservation with choosing the location, designing, and building a children’s teaching garden at the Venice Ashby community center in Bristol, PA. BCSC had received a $20,000 grant for the project. Master Gardeners assist with some of the programming at the garden. Between 10 and 40 children were involved in each activity at the garden. The children have learned to plant, care for, and harvest vegetables.

Chester County Master Gardeners assisted with the annual 4-H Community Flower Show. The purpose of the show is to introduce children to horticulture, to express their creativity, and to build self-confidence. 264 children exhibited at least one item at the show. Horticulture exhibits consisted of various classes of plant material including annual seedlings, dish gardens, terrariums, and more. Children learned how to care for and exhibit plants.

Pike County Master Gardeners assist with a butterfly garden at the Pocono Environmental Education Center. The garden teaches visitors about local butterflies, plants that attract butterflies, plants that support larval and adult stages of butterflies, and sound gardening practices. The garden is used as an outdoor classroom for summer day campers ages 3 to 14 years. It is also visited by adults enrolled in botany and birding workshops and by families visiting the recreational facility.

Lebanon County Master Gardeners reached 1,366 children through ten very effective gardening programs held during the year. Topics included growing plants from seed, butterfly gardening, beneficial insects, urban gardening, plant propagation, and vegetable gardening. One specific program was an Earthday wetland planting with 260 kids in attendance. The participants planted trees, perennials, and a butterfly garden. They learned how to plant trees properly, that wetland habitats are important because they clean our environment and help prevent flooding, why plants can grow indifferent environments, and that trees provide food for birds and take pollution of the water.

Master Gardeners in Lawrence County took part in the New Castle School District Ag Encounter. They taught 400 4th grade students how vegetables and soybeans are grown, harvested, and processed. They also showed the kids some live bees and taught the students how honey was produced and extracted.

Chester County Master Gardeners taught a series of six horticulture lessons to 20 Mexican children living at the Buena Vista apartmentst in Kennett Square. Each once a week session started with a story relating to the day’s topic, followed by the lesson, and then a hands on project. The children learned parts of plants, composting, soil, worms, and taking care of the environment.

Lancaster Master Gardeners helped two college students from Franklin and Marshall College to plant a garden and to teach grade school children. The college students obtained a grant to fund tools and a shed. An outdoor classroom consisted of picnic tables and benches under a tent. During the school year, grade school children worked in the garden; during the summer, 12 children of migrant workers visited the garden as part of their summer school classes. Master Gardeners taught the children about nutrition and vegetable gardening. The youth learned to identify plants and insects and to build raised beds. They learned about composting, worms, and beneficial insects; they also learned to feat vegetables that they had never eaten before.

Dauphin County Master Gardeners collaborated with the Camp Curtain YMCA to carry out an educational gardening program. Youth learned how to propagate plants from seeds and cuttings, to identify plants used for food or aesthetics, and to complete exercises in the 4-H Meet the Plants book. The children took several field trips to surrounding gardens such as Hershey Gardens and the Five Senses Garden located on the Greenbelt. Their new found knowledge will allow the participants to be part of the planning, preparation, and planting of future gardens at the YMCA.

Adams County Master Gardeners collaborated with the Adams County Correctional Facility and the South Central Community Action Program to prepare work-release inmates to work in the horticultural industry. The Master Gardeners taught a series of classes to inmates enrolled in the Certificate of Merit Horticultural Program. 9 applicants were accepted into the program. 5 out of the 9 completed the course with final grades exceeding 85 percent. One of the 5 graduates has applied for a business license and will be working as a landscape contractor.

Butler County Master Gardeners held three seminars during their Spring Garden Market Day. The topics were shade gardening, organic gardening, and gardening for the fun of it. 40 people attended each seminar and 70% of those said that they learned something new that they would try in their own garden or landscape.

Master Gardeners in Wayne County hosted 8 gardening workshops for the community. A total of 212 people attended. Topics included starting seeds at home, the basics of cold frames, preserving your harvest, and others. Several workshops were highlighted by local TV and newspapers.

Butler County Master Gardeners manned a display at the Butler Farm Show. The display identified perennial plants and illustrated how to grow and propagate them. An estimated 200 people stopped at the display and volunteers either answered their questions or referred them to the Master Gardener phone line at the Extension Office.

Mercer County Master Gardeners increased the plant science knowledge of area residents through a wide range of programs. Their Master Gardener Workshop Day provided a variety of topics throughout a July Saturday. Participants learned how to make hypertufa planters, stepping stones and tire planters through demonstrations provided by the Master Gardeners. Educational tours of the ornamental grass, herb, and perennial gardens as well as the trial gardens provided further information to the participants.

Master Gardeners in Indiana County demonstrated how to design, mix, and cast hypertufa containers. Eleven participants constructed over two dozen hypertufa containers during the course of three workshops.

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