Raising some of your own food is a great idea but don't invest more in
tools than the food is worth. Learn how to invest as little as possible
to do gardening.
Most tools properly cared for don't wear out. Instead of buying rakes,
hoes, spades, and trowels look around at how you may find used items.
Do you know any relatives that have stopped gardening? Perhaps you
could buy their tools. Then there are yard sales. They often will have
used tools for sale that are very inexpensive. You may not find all
your tools in one stop but take your time and don't use a lot of gas
going to yard sales far from home.
When you are shopping your yard sales don't be afraid to buy a tool that
is rusty. Most garden tools will get rust on them. Use the rust as a
bargaining point and offer less because it is rusty. Rust can be clear
off easily with sand paper or steel wool. Use some light oil like WD-40
to protect the clean metal.
Another place to look for tools is Craigslist. Chambersburg is often in
the Cumberland valley section and search under farm and garden. There
is also a site called Freecycle which has a Chambersburg section.
Freecycle is for people who are giving something away for free. You
might find tools there is you check option.
If it needs a big tool like a rototiller you can rent them locally or
maybe there is a neighbor you can ask to till your garden if you help
them with their garden.
tools than the food is worth. Learn how to invest as little as possible
to do gardening.
Most tools properly cared for don't wear out. Instead of buying rakes,
hoes, spades, and trowels look around at how you may find used items.
Do you know any relatives that have stopped gardening? Perhaps you
could buy their tools. Then there are yard sales. They often will have
used tools for sale that are very inexpensive. You may not find all
your tools in one stop but take your time and don't use a lot of gas
going to yard sales far from home.
When you are shopping your yard sales don't be afraid to buy a tool that
is rusty. Most garden tools will get rust on them. Use the rust as a
bargaining point and offer less because it is rusty. Rust can be clear
off easily with sand paper or steel wool. Use some light oil like WD-40
to protect the clean metal.
Another place to look for tools is Craigslist. Chambersburg is often in
the Cumberland valley section and search under farm and garden. There
is also a site called Freecycle which has a Chambersburg section.
Freecycle is for people who are giving something away for free. You
might find tools there is you check option.
If it needs a big tool like a rototiller you can rent them locally or
maybe there is a neighbor you can ask to till your garden if you help
them with their garden.
This may seem like a strange title but it is important to you if you
plant Cole crops in your garden. These are cabbage, broccoli, and
cauliflower. If these plants are not kept growing properly due to lack
of light, moisture or fertility they will do what is called bolt, which
means they will go to seed. They can also button, which is to produce a
small head.
If your growing your own Cole crops it is important to use lights set
close to the top of the plants and to keep them well watered and supply
starter solution to help them grow vegetables. Fertilize every two -
three weeks.
If you haven't started your Cole crops yet that is fine. We usually
figure six - seven weeks before you transplant is the time to start
seed. Start your seeds this week and you will have transplants by mid
April.
If you don't grow your own plants you also need to be aware of bolting
and buttoning in these vegetables. You never want to buy a plant that
has a small head and think it will grow ok. It will not yet you will
see plants like this for sale. Avoid them and buy a short stocky
vigorously growing transplant.
plant Cole crops in your garden. These are cabbage, broccoli, and
cauliflower. If these plants are not kept growing properly due to lack
of light, moisture or fertility they will do what is called bolt, which
means they will go to seed. They can also button, which is to produce a
small head.
If your growing your own Cole crops it is important to use lights set
close to the top of the plants and to keep them well watered and supply
starter solution to help them grow vegetables. Fertilize every two -
three weeks.
If you haven't started your Cole crops yet that is fine. We usually
figure six - seven weeks before you transplant is the time to start
seed. Start your seeds this week and you will have transplants by mid
April.
If you don't grow your own plants you also need to be aware of bolting
and buttoning in these vegetables. You never want to buy a plant that
has a small head and think it will grow ok. It will not yet you will
see plants like this for sale. Avoid them and buy a short stocky
vigorously growing transplant.
06/03: PLANT STRAWBERRIES
Strawberries are one of the easiest fruit to grow in your yard or
garden. These are a wide range of varieties to choose from. They will
grow well in our soils.
These are three types of strawberries you will see in catalogs. The
most commonly planted is the June bearing which produce one crop per
year. The second type is the everbearing which will produce a spring
crop and a fall crop. The third type is the day neutral type. They are
the newest type will fruit from June to September. Since the June
bearing is the most common we will discuss planting them.
Strawberries can be planted in early spring when the ground can be
prepared. If you order plants from a catalog they will mail them to you
at the proper time for planting. If you're not able to plant right away
you can keep them in the refrigerator for a few days. Never let the
roots dry out. Select a site with plenty of sun and well drained soil.
You can plant them in rows in your prepared bed. Avoid areas that have
perennial weeds as they will be very hard to control in strawberries.
When you're ready to plant you want to plant your strawberries at least
18-24 inches apart. It is important to remember that the plant you set
in the garden is the mother plant. This plant will send out runners
which will cover the bare area. The runners produce new plants which
will give you fruit next year. Be sure to give them plenty of space to
grow.
Once your plants are in the ground you need to water the plants and then
give them a starter fertilizer solution you make by using two - three
table spoons of a water soluble fertilizer in a gallon of water. Use
one - two cups of the solution per plant.
One important point to remember is these plants must have all blossoms
removed as you see them. If you don't, the plant will use its energy to
produce fruit and not runners for next year's crop. Failure to remove
the blossoms will reduce your next year's crops significantly.
Strawberries like plenty of moisture so if you don't have rain each week
then you should ad about an inch of water over the area.
garden. These are a wide range of varieties to choose from. They will
grow well in our soils.
These are three types of strawberries you will see in catalogs. The
most commonly planted is the June bearing which produce one crop per
year. The second type is the everbearing which will produce a spring
crop and a fall crop. The third type is the day neutral type. They are
the newest type will fruit from June to September. Since the June
bearing is the most common we will discuss planting them.
Strawberries can be planted in early spring when the ground can be
prepared. If you order plants from a catalog they will mail them to you
at the proper time for planting. If you're not able to plant right away
you can keep them in the refrigerator for a few days. Never let the
roots dry out. Select a site with plenty of sun and well drained soil.
You can plant them in rows in your prepared bed. Avoid areas that have
perennial weeds as they will be very hard to control in strawberries.
When you're ready to plant you want to plant your strawberries at least
18-24 inches apart. It is important to remember that the plant you set
in the garden is the mother plant. This plant will send out runners
which will cover the bare area. The runners produce new plants which
will give you fruit next year. Be sure to give them plenty of space to
grow.
Once your plants are in the ground you need to water the plants and then
give them a starter fertilizer solution you make by using two - three
table spoons of a water soluble fertilizer in a gallon of water. Use
one - two cups of the solution per plant.
One important point to remember is these plants must have all blossoms
removed as you see them. If you don't, the plant will use its energy to
produce fruit and not runners for next year's crop. Failure to remove
the blossoms will reduce your next year's crops significantly.
Strawberries like plenty of moisture so if you don't have rain each week
then you should ad about an inch of water over the area.
05/03: COMING EVENTS
Mar. 6 9:30AM-11:30 AM Hands-On Pruning, call (717) 263-9226x234 for
more information
Mar. 8 8:30 AM-3:00PM, Franklin Co. Turf and Ornamental Meeting, Penn
State Mont Alto Campus, Science & Tech Building-Room 204, Mont Alto,
call (717) 263-9226x224 for more information.
Mar. 13 9:30-11:30 AM Pruning for Safety & Health of Trees, Ag Heritage
Center, 185 Franklin Farm Lane, Chambersburg, call (717) 263-9226 x 234
for more information.
Mar. 25 7:00PM-9:00PM, Can I Wash Dishes With Insecticidal Soap?, Ag
Heritage Center, 185 Franklin Farm Lane, Chambersburg, call (717)
263-9226x234 for more information.
more information
Mar. 8 8:30 AM-3:00PM, Franklin Co. Turf and Ornamental Meeting, Penn
State Mont Alto Campus, Science & Tech Building-Room 204, Mont Alto,
call (717) 263-9226x224 for more information.
Mar. 13 9:30-11:30 AM Pruning for Safety & Health of Trees, Ag Heritage
Center, 185 Franklin Farm Lane, Chambersburg, call (717) 263-9226 x 234
for more information.
Mar. 25 7:00PM-9:00PM, Can I Wash Dishes With Insecticidal Soap?, Ag
Heritage Center, 185 Franklin Farm Lane, Chambersburg, call (717)
263-9226x234 for more information.
25/02: UNDERSTANDING POLLINATORS
-Workshop Series-
The tastier, healthier part of our diet starts with bugs. Now, here we don't try to promote the otherwise respectable practice of cooking and eating bugs-entomophagy. Nor are we talking about the minute amounts of bug parts that make way in our crunchy breakfast cereals. No, we're talking about nectar-addicted bugs that help plants bear seeds and fruits. These bugs, as well as other animals, provide pollination services for a wide diversity of flowering plants that, directly and indirectly, you and I depend upon. Unfortunately, many factors challenge pollinators these days, and our understanding of their role and needs is a prime step in the effort to protect them and our food supply.
Please join us to learn more about pollinators through an interactive program entitled "Understanding Pollinators". The workshop series will be held on the first four Saturdays of May, from 4:00 to 6:00 pm, at the Franklin County Ag Heritage Building, 185 Franklin Farm Lane, Chambersburg, PA 17202. Families with children 6 to 11 years of age are encouraged to participate. The topics will be tailored for and separately offered to each age group, with children participating in various hands-on activities. Snacks and refreshments will be provided. The registration fee for the program is $45 for the first registrant, with $10 for each additional family member. The registration process closes by April 26th, 2010.
The tastier, healthier part of our diet starts with bugs. Now, here we don't try to promote the otherwise respectable practice of cooking and eating bugs-entomophagy. Nor are we talking about the minute amounts of bug parts that make way in our crunchy breakfast cereals. No, we're talking about nectar-addicted bugs that help plants bear seeds and fruits. These bugs, as well as other animals, provide pollination services for a wide diversity of flowering plants that, directly and indirectly, you and I depend upon. Unfortunately, many factors challenge pollinators these days, and our understanding of their role and needs is a prime step in the effort to protect them and our food supply.
Please join us to learn more about pollinators through an interactive program entitled "Understanding Pollinators". The workshop series will be held on the first four Saturdays of May, from 4:00 to 6:00 pm, at the Franklin County Ag Heritage Building, 185 Franklin Farm Lane, Chambersburg, PA 17202. Families with children 6 to 11 years of age are encouraged to participate. The topics will be tailored for and separately offered to each age group, with children participating in various hands-on activities. Snacks and refreshments will be provided. The registration fee for the program is $45 for the first registrant, with $10 for each additional family member. The registration process closes by April 26th, 2010.
18/02: Backyard Woodlot
Your backyard woodlot is like a garden that needs to be tended to get the best results. A woodlot has many important resources such as soil, water, trees, wildlife and plants. Many benefits can be gained from any one of these resources.
Adding new trees and shrubs, managing insects and diseases, harvesting products and controlling invasive species can help create and preserve the woodlot. Caring for your backyard woodlot may not take as much time or money as one might expect.
Would you like to improve the health of your wooded lot? Enhance wildlife habitat on your forested property? Replace lawn with a more natural landscape? Learn to identify and care for trees? On Saturday, March 13, 2010, from 9:30 am to noon, at the Penn State Cooperative Extension Office there will be a workshop titled, “Pruning for Safety and Health of Trees.” This outside “hands on” workshop will target the issues that are important to maintaining the health and vigor of a small backyard woodlot. Workshop topics will include: Developing and implementing a vision for your property; Identifying native trees and invasive plants; Wildlife habitat improvement; and Woodlot management. For more information on this workshop, contact the Penn State Cooperative Extension Office at 263-9226.
Adding new trees and shrubs, managing insects and diseases, harvesting products and controlling invasive species can help create and preserve the woodlot. Caring for your backyard woodlot may not take as much time or money as one might expect.
Would you like to improve the health of your wooded lot? Enhance wildlife habitat on your forested property? Replace lawn with a more natural landscape? Learn to identify and care for trees? On Saturday, March 13, 2010, from 9:30 am to noon, at the Penn State Cooperative Extension Office there will be a workshop titled, “Pruning for Safety and Health of Trees.” This outside “hands on” workshop will target the issues that are important to maintaining the health and vigor of a small backyard woodlot. Workshop topics will include: Developing and implementing a vision for your property; Identifying native trees and invasive plants; Wildlife habitat improvement; and Woodlot management. For more information on this workshop, contact the Penn State Cooperative Extension Office at 263-9226.
15/02: COMING EVENTS
Mar. 4 7:00PM-9:00PM Franklin County Beekeepers’ Association Shortcourse March 4, 11, 18 & 25, Thursday evenings, Ag Heritage Center, 185 Franklin Farm Lane, Chambersburg, call (717) 263-9226 x225 for more information.
Mar. 6 9:30AM-11:30 AM Hands-On Pruning, call (717) 263-9226x234 for more information
Mar. 8 8:30 AM-3:00PM, Franklin Co. Turf and Ornamental Meeting, Penn State Mont Alto Campus, Science & Tech Building-Room 204, Mont Alto, call (717) 263-9226x224 for more information.
Mar. 13 9:30-11:30 AM Pruning for Safety & Health of Trees, Ag Heritage Center, 185 Franklin Farm Lane, Chambersburg, call (717) 263-9226 x 234 for more information.
Mar. 25 7:00PM-9:00PM, Can I Wash Dishes With Insecticidal Soap?, Ag Heritage Center, 185 Franklin Farm Lane, Chambersburg, call (717) 263-9226x234 for more information.
Mar. 6 9:30AM-11:30 AM Hands-On Pruning, call (717) 263-9226x234 for more information
Mar. 8 8:30 AM-3:00PM, Franklin Co. Turf and Ornamental Meeting, Penn State Mont Alto Campus, Science & Tech Building-Room 204, Mont Alto, call (717) 263-9226x224 for more information.
Mar. 13 9:30-11:30 AM Pruning for Safety & Health of Trees, Ag Heritage Center, 185 Franklin Farm Lane, Chambersburg, call (717) 263-9226 x 234 for more information.
Mar. 25 7:00PM-9:00PM, Can I Wash Dishes With Insecticidal Soap?, Ag Heritage Center, 185 Franklin Farm Lane, Chambersburg, call (717) 263-9226x234 for more information.
18/12: SOIL TEST
It is recommended that you have your soil tested in your yard
and garden about every three years. This is due to a wide fluctuation
of accessible nutrients in your soil depending on your gardening
practices. If you add fertilizer, lime, compost or if we have an
especially wet year like this past year, you can have a big change in
your soils nutrients that are available for your plants. A soil test
takes the guesswork out of what fertilizer and lime you should use in
your garden next year. If you don't have a soil test you could end up
spending more money on fertilizers than you need or you could get a lot
less vegetables from your garden because you did not have enough
nutrients available for your plants, especially tomatoes which are a
heavy user of nutrients.
Soil test kits are available from our office on Franklin Farm
lane in Chambersburg for the cost of $9. It will take about two weeks
to get the results. You can put any lime required on at any time the
ground is not frozen.
and garden about every three years. This is due to a wide fluctuation
of accessible nutrients in your soil depending on your gardening
practices. If you add fertilizer, lime, compost or if we have an
especially wet year like this past year, you can have a big change in
your soils nutrients that are available for your plants. A soil test
takes the guesswork out of what fertilizer and lime you should use in
your garden next year. If you don't have a soil test you could end up
spending more money on fertilizers than you need or you could get a lot
less vegetables from your garden because you did not have enough
nutrients available for your plants, especially tomatoes which are a
heavy user of nutrients.
Soil test kits are available from our office on Franklin Farm
lane in Chambersburg for the cost of $9. It will take about two weeks
to get the results. You can put any lime required on at any time the
ground is not frozen.
16/12: STORING POTATOES
Potatoes stored at 40 degrees F. or below will not sprout which
is a good thing. But potatoes stored at these low temperatures will
convert the starch into sugars and you may notice a sweet taste to your
potatoes. If you have this happen keep your potatoes for a few days at
room temperature and they will convert the sugars back to starch and
taste like you expect a potato to taste.
is a good thing. But potatoes stored at these low temperatures will
convert the starch into sugars and you may notice a sweet taste to your
potatoes. If you have this happen keep your potatoes for a few days at
room temperature and they will convert the sugars back to starch and
taste like you expect a potato to taste.
14/12: COMING EVENTS
Jan. 5-7 Keystone Farm Show, York, PA
Jan. 9-16 PA Farm Show - PA Farm Show Complex, Harrisburg, PA
Jan. 12 9:30 AM - 3:00 PM - Franklin Grazing conference,
Extension Ag Heritage Center, Call (717) 263-9226 to register, Lunch
will be provided.
Jan. 18 9:30 AM - 2:30 PM - Grain Marketing Workshop, Extension Ag
Heritage Center, Call (717) 263-9226 to register, Lunch will be
provided.
Jan. 26 9:30 - 3:00 PM - Franklin Crops Day, Kauffman Community Center,
Chambersburg, call (717) 263-9226 to register, Lunch will be provided.