How does your garden grow?
Master Gardeners plant seeds of knowledge for novices and pros alike By Christina Heintzelman
cheintzelman@benchmarkmediallc.com
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pring is in the air, buds are beginning to pop, and crocuses and snowdrops are peeking their tiny heads out of the dark earth eager to pay homage to the returning warmth of the sun. Here in Pennsylvania, gardeners are also beginning to plan their gardens of flowers, herbs, fruits, and vegetables with an eye toward a new year of outdoor gardening activity, which is great for the wallet, health, and happiness. Whether someone is brand new to gardening or has several cultivating years under the belt, Dauphin County Master Gardeners Program can help with gardening plans. This program is part of the Outreach Program of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which funds State Departments of Agriculture throughout the country. The Pennsylvania State Department of Agriculture then funds the Pennsylvania Land Grant University, which is Penn State University. Catherine Scott, Extension Educator/Horticulture Master Gardener Coordinator, is the head of the program for Dauphin County through the Penn State Extension Program. “This is a way for home gardeners to get expert advice,” she said, adding she’s had questions ranging from “why are there weevils in my bathroom?” to “why are my spruce trees dying?” to “why are there no goldfinches in my backyard? I guess you could say we handle everything from bathtubs to birds.” 10 HARRISBURG MAGAZINE MARCH 2021
This crew of experienced master gardeners is equipped to make recommendations for garden design, provide conifer identification to home gardeners, and assist with seasonal garden tips. They also can aid community gardens and other community gardening projects. In addition to their in-person assistance, they offer a garden question hotline, and an email
Office Gardens Photo by Shawna Raymond
