Holiday Cacti

November 20, 2024

Is it a Christmas cactus or an Easter cactus? Oh, wait! Could it be a Thanksgiving cactus? This article helps identify the different types of holiday cacti.

Support the Seed to Supper Program Now for Giving Tuesday!

November 18, 2024

Giving Tuesday, December 3, 2024, is a global movement of generosity that encourages all of us to give back. You can support the Penn State Master Gardener Seed to Supper program now through the Giving Tuesday link!

Invasive Autumn and Russian Olives

September 5, 2024

Ornamental olive trees, once frequently sought-after landscape plants, are now on Pennsylvania's invasive plant list.

Tweaking Your Garden Calendar for Pollinators and Beneficial Insects

June 24, 2024

Create a healthy garden teaming with pollinators and other beneficial insects by adding, changing, or removing a few tasks in the gardening process through the seasons.

2023 Penn State Extension Master Gardener Annual Report

May 6, 2024

View the full report of Penn State Extension Master Gardener county, state, and even national accomplishments!

To Buy or Not to Buy - The Gear Your Houseplants Really Need

January 16, 2024

What should the gardener make of houseplant products that abound, especially on websites and in catalogs? This article recommends which accessories are necessary for indoor plant care and which are not.

Love Chocolate? Thank a Fly!

June 15, 2023

Read about the relationship of flies to chocolate and other benefits of these pesky pollinators.

Wasps - Beneficial and Pollinators

June 15, 2023

Most people think of wasps as a painful pest, but in reality the majority of wasps don't sting. Read about how wasps are essential pollinators and how they are important for the environment.

Beetles! Beetles! Beetles!

June 15, 2023

Often when we think of beetles, the first thing that comes to mind is pests – cucumber beetles eating our cucumbers, asparagus beetles eating our asparagus, and Japanese beetles eating everything else! But many beetles play a crucial, beneficial, and often thankless role in the ecosystem. Read more to learn about beetles ecological contribution to the environment.

Native Bees

June 14, 2023

Did you know that native bees pollinate 80% of flowering plants around the world? Read more to learn about different native bees and why they are essential for the environment.

Soft Landings-Crucial Habitat for Pollinators

June 13, 2023

Soft landings are native plants under native trees that provide critical shelter and habitat for beneficial insects. As gardeners, we often focus on providing the right food for pollinators and neglect to consider the microhabitat needed to complete their entire life cycle a space to pupate and grow.

Moths-The Forgotten Pollinators

May 15, 2023

The best-known pollinators are bees and butterflies, but there are other pollinators that don't get enough credit for their assistance with pollination. Moths, in particular, are not only forgotten pollinators, but they are also a critical part of the food web. Unfortunately, moth species are in serious decline due to habitat loss and pesticide use. Learn how we can all help support this beneficial insect with our gardens and landscapes.

Goldenrod or Ragweed

November 3, 2022

Achoo! Who is to blame? Goldenrod or ragweed?

Project NatureScape - What's Growing in the Garden? Clethra!

June 24, 2022

Find out what is growing in the Penn State Extension Master Gardener Project NatureScape demonstration garden located at the Western Pocono Community Library in Brodheadsville, PA.

High Winds! Billowing Cardboard! Change of Plans!

March 31, 2022

The Master Gardener Demonstration Garden at the Community Center in Middle Smithfield Township experienced a change in plans. Passersby may have noticed the garden covered in cardboard one day and then uncovered the next. Read about what happened, what was the purpose of the cardboard, and what is the next step.

Winter Thoughts: Seed Saving

January 10, 2022

Have you thought about saving seeds from your garden?

Project NatureScape Continues

October 19, 2021

The Penn State Extension Master Gardeners of Monroe County continue Project NatureScape which purpose is to provide education to the community about the ecological importance of wildlife habitat. The garden, via self-guided tours, virtual educational postings and videos teaches visitors how and why home gardeners, through their landscape design choices and maintenance practices are able to significantly contribute to healthy ecosystems by protecting biodiversity, water and air quality.

Project NatureScape Continued

August 9, 2021

Project NatureScape Continued...

Project NatureScape Update - August 2021

August 3, 2021

The Penn State Extension Master Gardeners of Monroe County are happy to share the progress of Project NatureScape located at the PSE Demonstration Garden located at the Western Pocono Community Library in Brodheadsville, PA. Project NatureScape is a ongoing reformation project to create an all inclusive habitat for plants, insects and small animals that a homeowner can duplicate in their own landscapes.

Walk-ins Welcome for Garden Hotline!

July 15, 2021

The Penn State Extension office in Stroudsburg is now open to the public. The Master Gardener Garden Hotline volunteers will be available on Mondays from 10 am to noon to help with plant identification, interpret soil sample results, or to help diagnose plant diseases.

Project NatureScape Update- July 10, 2021

July 15, 2021

This is the third in the series on the progress of Project NatureScape. The Penn State Extension Master Gardeners are busy installing native meadow plants for the restoration of the demonstration garden.

Project NatureScape Update - Demonstration Garden Restoration

July 13, 2021

The restoration project of the Master Gardener Demonstration Garden located at the Western Pocono Community Library in Brodheadsville, PA is now called Project NatureScape. Read about the progress of the transformation of the demonstration garden into a habitat for birds, insects and pollinators.

Monroe County Master Gardener Demonstration Garden Will Get a New Look!

May 11, 2021

The Penn State Extension Master Gardeners of Monroe County are planning a restoration project for the demonstration garden located at the Western Pocono Community Library in Brodheadsville. Read about the history and the future for the demonstration garden.

Are Locusts and Cicadas the Same Insect?

March 15, 2021

In Monroe County this is the year of the emergence of the 17- year periodical cicada. Learn more about this periodical cicada and how it was misnamed the 17-year locust.