Bill’s Ace Hardware
921 Drinker Turnpike
Covington TWP, PA 18444
(Every Saturday in August, 11 a.m.—2 p.m.)
And
The Scranton Cooperative Farmers Market
900 Barring Ave
(off Providence Rd. and Albright Ave.)
Scranton, PA 18508
The Penn State Master Gardeners in Lackawanna County will be available to answer your gardening questions and give you the latest research-based information on home horticultural topics. We have plenty of free publications and can help you with such topics as insect identification, disease management, composting, organic gardening, and more! Stop by and see us! For more information please call (570) 963-6842.
Steve Ward
Master Gardener Coordinator
Showing posts with label daleville. Show all posts
Showing posts with label daleville. Show all posts
Friday, August 5, 2011
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Tomatoes, 2010
In just a few weeks it will be time to plant tomatoes. When you buy transplants, choose plants that have a nice green color on the lower leaves. Choose plants with a thick stem. Avoid plants that have blossoms or small fruit unless they were grown in a 6” pot or larger. If you have not added calcium lime for a few years, apply it when you till your soil. Lime will help prevent the tomato fruit from getting blossom end rot. When you transplant tomatoes into the garden, plant them deep. Tomatoes will develop roots from the parts of the stem that are underground. Apply fertilizer soon after planting.
We are concerned about late blight being a problem in tomatoes again this summer. The summer weather will determine if late blight will be a problem in 2010 or not. It has been a problem for growers in Florida again this winter. If we have a cool wet summer, expect late blight to be active. Late blight does not do well when the weather is hot and dry. Fungicides containing chlorothalonil are effective at protecting tomatoes. If you use a fungicide, it will have to be on the foliage before the blight attacks and thorough leaf coverage is critical.
Also, every Saturday, through May 22nd, we are offering a Spring into Gardening Workshop at Bill’s Ace Hardware, Route 435 Daleville, PA. The Master Gardeners will answer your gardening questions from 11 am – 2 pm. Plus, at noon we will have demonstrations on various seasonal topics. This program is free and open to the public. Here are the upcoming topics:
We are concerned about late blight being a problem in tomatoes again this summer. The summer weather will determine if late blight will be a problem in 2010 or not. It has been a problem for growers in Florida again this winter. If we have a cool wet summer, expect late blight to be active. Late blight does not do well when the weather is hot and dry. Fungicides containing chlorothalonil are effective at protecting tomatoes. If you use a fungicide, it will have to be on the foliage before the blight attacks and thorough leaf coverage is critical.
Also, every Saturday, through May 22nd, we are offering a Spring into Gardening Workshop at Bill’s Ace Hardware, Route 435 Daleville, PA. The Master Gardeners will answer your gardening questions from 11 am – 2 pm. Plus, at noon we will have demonstrations on various seasonal topics. This program is free and open to the public. Here are the upcoming topics:
- May 1st - lawn care basics
- May 8th - landscaping for the birds
- May 15th - composting
- May 22nd - home food preservation basics
For more information contact your local cooperative extension office. In Lackawanna County call 963-6842 and ask for the Garden Helpline or email LackawannaMG@psu.edu
John Esslinger, Extension Educator
Penn State Cooperative Extension
Penn State is committed to affirmative action, equal opportunity, and the diversity of its workforce.
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Moss
All that grows green isn’t always something homeowners want in their lawn. Dandelions, white clover, ground ivy, perennial weeds, and all sorts of annual grasses are plants needing turf management. One of the first weeds to green-up in the spring is moss.
Many different species of moss can grow and persist in home lawns. Unlike seed-bearing plants, mosses produce spores that can be wind-blown from one area to another. Moss is an opportunistic plant that will develop and grow in bare soil areas or where lawns are weak and thin. Moss does not “crowd out” grass, but once it is established, grass plants will not spread into those areas.
Moss is very persistent and difficult to remove from a lawn unless an effort is made to promote a healthy, dense, actively-growing turf to take its place. Moss in lawns is usually the result of conditions that are not conducive to good growth of turf. It is most commonly associated with shallow, rocky soils; poor soil fertility; low soil pH (acid soils); heavy shade; and excessive moisture. If any of these factors are limiting turf growth, moss can invade the lawn and establish a permanent residence.
The first step in a moss control program is to test the soil for nutrient content and pH. Soil test kits are available from the Penn State Cooperative Extension office for a nominal fee. If the soil is deficient in nutrients or in need of liming, the soil test report will indicate how much fertilizer and lime to apply and when to apply them.
If shade and/or moisture are the limiting factors for good turf growth, steps should be taken to correct the situation or plant grasses that are adapted to shaded or moist areas. The fine fescues are the best-adapted turfgrasses to shaded, well-drained soils, whereas, rough bluegrass is better adapted to shaded, moist soils.
Unfortunately, there are very few products that can be used to control moss. Products containing fertilizer and iron sulfate are sold at retail garden centers and can turn moss black and sometimes reduce encroachment Be sure to follow label directions so that these products are used safely and correctly. We have a free publication “Moss in the Lawn”. For a copy, please contact the Penn State Master Gardeners in Lackawanna County at (570) 963-6842 or email: LackawannaMG@psu.edu.
Also, on every Saturday now through May 22nd, we are having a Spring into Gardening Workshop at Bill’s Ace Hardware, Route 435 Daleville, PA. The Master Gardeners will be there from 11 am – 2 pm to answer your gardening questions. Plus at noon we will have demonstrations on various seasonal topics. This is free and open to the public.
Steve Ward
Master Gardener Coordinator
Lackawanna County
Penn State is committed to affirmative action, equal opportunity, and the diversity of its workforce
Many different species of moss can grow and persist in home lawns. Unlike seed-bearing plants, mosses produce spores that can be wind-blown from one area to another. Moss is an opportunistic plant that will develop and grow in bare soil areas or where lawns are weak and thin. Moss does not “crowd out” grass, but once it is established, grass plants will not spread into those areas.
Moss is very persistent and difficult to remove from a lawn unless an effort is made to promote a healthy, dense, actively-growing turf to take its place. Moss in lawns is usually the result of conditions that are not conducive to good growth of turf. It is most commonly associated with shallow, rocky soils; poor soil fertility; low soil pH (acid soils); heavy shade; and excessive moisture. If any of these factors are limiting turf growth, moss can invade the lawn and establish a permanent residence.
The first step in a moss control program is to test the soil for nutrient content and pH. Soil test kits are available from the Penn State Cooperative Extension office for a nominal fee. If the soil is deficient in nutrients or in need of liming, the soil test report will indicate how much fertilizer and lime to apply and when to apply them.
If shade and/or moisture are the limiting factors for good turf growth, steps should be taken to correct the situation or plant grasses that are adapted to shaded or moist areas. The fine fescues are the best-adapted turfgrasses to shaded, well-drained soils, whereas, rough bluegrass is better adapted to shaded, moist soils.
Unfortunately, there are very few products that can be used to control moss. Products containing fertilizer and iron sulfate are sold at retail garden centers and can turn moss black and sometimes reduce encroachment Be sure to follow label directions so that these products are used safely and correctly. We have a free publication “Moss in the Lawn”. For a copy, please contact the Penn State Master Gardeners in Lackawanna County at (570) 963-6842 or email: LackawannaMG@psu.edu.
Also, on every Saturday now through May 22nd, we are having a Spring into Gardening Workshop at Bill’s Ace Hardware, Route 435 Daleville, PA. The Master Gardeners will be there from 11 am – 2 pm to answer your gardening questions. Plus at noon we will have demonstrations on various seasonal topics. This is free and open to the public.
Steve Ward
Master Gardener Coordinator
Lackawanna County
Penn State is committed to affirmative action, equal opportunity, and the diversity of its workforce
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Trees!
Shade on a hot summer day, solace found resting underneath a favorite spot, strength and stature added to our landscape, or the refuge they provide, are all tangible benefits of trees. We often become attached or even rooted to a tree because they are symbols and memorials as they slowly live their long lives next to ours
Trees also represent a substantial investment in the home landscape. Proper inspection, mulching, and providing fertilization of essential elements will pay dividends in the years to come. Conversely, a poorly kept tree becomes a liability, harboring diseases, stability issues, and a haven for insects.
The Penn State Master Gardeners can assist you maintaining your trees. We have several publications you may find helpful. ”Preserving Trees” and “A Guide for Selecting Trees” will help you choose the right ones for you. “Pruning Landscape Trees” and “Think Before You Top” will guide you as you trim. “Common Diseases” gives tips on preventing as well as managing affected trees.
We also have publications and fact sheets on the varied insects that feed on trees. For more information on these topics, come join us at our upcoming question and answer time to held Saturday August 15th from noon to three pm at Bill’s Hardware Store, Route 435 Daleville, PA. This is free and open to the public.
For more information on this or other home horticulture issues, please call the Penn State Master Gardener helpline at 570-963-8642.
Steve Ward
Master Gardener Coordinator
Penn State Cooperative Extension in Lackawanna County
Trees also represent a substantial investment in the home landscape. Proper inspection, mulching, and providing fertilization of essential elements will pay dividends in the years to come. Conversely, a poorly kept tree becomes a liability, harboring diseases, stability issues, and a haven for insects.
The Penn State Master Gardeners can assist you maintaining your trees. We have several publications you may find helpful. ”Preserving Trees” and “A Guide for Selecting Trees” will help you choose the right ones for you. “Pruning Landscape Trees” and “Think Before You Top” will guide you as you trim. “Common Diseases” gives tips on preventing as well as managing affected trees.
We also have publications and fact sheets on the varied insects that feed on trees. For more information on these topics, come join us at our upcoming question and answer time to held Saturday August 15th from noon to three pm at Bill’s Hardware Store, Route 435 Daleville, PA. This is free and open to the public.
For more information on this or other home horticulture issues, please call the Penn State Master Gardener helpline at 570-963-8642.
Steve Ward
Master Gardener Coordinator
Penn State Cooperative Extension in Lackawanna County
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