Fringetree, an Enchanting Native Tree for the Home Landscape

April 8, 2022

The spring blooms of the fringetree make it an excellent addition to any home landscape.

Elderberry in the Garden and the Kitchen

March 3, 2022

Elderberry is a resilient, large native shrub for use in the home garden and kitchen.

Finding the Joy of Plants in Winter

December 3, 2021

Winter can be a season of joy, yet for many people it is also a season where the lack of light can cause sadness. Plants can provide spaces to be at ease and at peace.

Plant the Seeds of Gardening with Children's Books

November 17, 2021

Do you have budding gardeners on your gift list? Here is a list of gardening-related books to delight preschoolers and elementary-age children.

Master Gardener Emerita, Elizabeth Pesci, was trained in the First Class of Master Gardeners in Westmoreland County

July 27, 2021

Elizabeth Pesci, of Greensburg, recently received the honorary status of Master Gardener Emerita! This distinctive title acknowledges her many years of service (31) and over 1500 volunteer hours assisting Penn State Extension provide horticultural knowledge and skills to the gardening public.

Book Review: New Naturalism

June 24, 2021

New Naturalism: Designing and Planting a Resilient, Ecologically Vibrant Home Garden by Kelly D. Norris offers a different approach to garden design.

Mr. Yuk Visits 19 Schools in Westmoreland County

June 9, 2021

What’s scary, green and black, round, and often found in dangerous places? Why it’s Mr. Yuk of course. Kids have been introduced to Mr. Yuk for decades, mostly through school programs such as the Poison Prevention Program of Penn State Extension.

Mulch - A Survey of Available Options

April 30, 2021

A gardener has many choices when it comes to mulch. This article covers the pros and cons of various types of organic, non-organic, and living mulches.

Garden Myths

March 21, 2021

Should you mist your houseplants? Is it a good idea to spray dish soap on outdoor pests? Can a copper penny prevent disease in a tomato plant? Find the real answers to common garden misconceptions.

Travel Loving Gardeners Honored as Master Gardener Emeritus

March 11, 2021

Larry and Sonnie Miller of Greensburg are the first husband and wife team to join the ranks of Master Gardener Emeritus with the Penn State Master Garden Program of Westmoreland County. Master Gardener Emeritus are recognized for distinguished service with at least 1500 hours of volunteer hours and 10 or more years of service. During their combined 31 years of service and nearly 4000 volunteer hours, Sonnie and Larry Miller have made impactful contributions to the program.

Dandelion and Common Purslane: Ubiquitous Edible Weeds

February 25, 2021

Gardeners have a love-hate relationship with these two common weeds. Though difficult to remove from the garden, both are very edible if harvested from an area that is not treated with chemicals.

Lifetime Gardener Margaret Milliron of Mount Pleasant Receives “Master Gardener Emerita Award”

February 18, 2021

Penn State Master Gardeners are volunteers who complete an educational and research program to provide care for and education about horticulture for the general public. A master gardener who has been active for at least 10 years and has completed a minimum of 1500 hours of volunteer service to the Master Gardener Program can retire and receive the honorary title of Master Gardener Emerita or Emeritus.

County Volunteer Organizations Help FirstEnergy Meet Goal of Planting 1000 Trees

January 11, 2021

On a late fall morning in the frosty wetlands of the Loyalhanna Watershed in Ligonier, a group of dedicated volunteers met to help FirstEnergy meet its goal of planting 1,000 trees in 2020.