Penn State Master Gardeners of Luzerne County

Penn State Master Gardeners of Luzerne County Master Gardeners are volunteers trained through the Penn State Cooperative Extension who help educate the public through research based horticulture knowledge.

Master Gardeners are volunteers trained by the Penn State Cooperative Extension. Once they complete their training, Master Gardeners help the Extension better serve the home gardening public by answering questions, speaking to groups, working with 4-H horticultural projects, participating in civic beautification, maintaining demonstration gardens, teaching plant sciences and horticulture, maintain

ing this web site, and in many other ways. Master Gardeners are willing and able to educate individuals and groups in gardening topics such as plant selection, composting, soil improvement, pest control, vegetable and flower gardening, pruning, and more. The program provides interested individuals with extensive training in many phases of gardening. In return, participants dedicate volunteer time to teaching horticultural information based on university research and recommendations. Training and volunteer service are coordinated at the county level by extension educators or trained volunteers. State wide functions are carried out by Nancy Knauss, State Master Gardener Coordinator and from the State Master Gardener Steering Committee. The Penn State Master Gardening Program is a volunteer program that takes people with an interest and enthusiasm for horticulture and gives them basic training in a broad range of horticulture topics. In exchange for the training, volunteers are expected to give at least 50 hours of volunteer time within one year of completing the training to help Penn State Extension better serve the home gardening audience. Volunteer hours can be served in any number of ways, such as answering home gardening questions over the phone at the Penn State Extension Office, speaking to garden clubs, civic organizations, schools, or other groups about horticultural topics, community beautification projects, or in other ways which help to educate the public to techniques and benefits of gardening. All in all it is a good opportunity for excellent training, fellowship with others who share enthusiasm for gardening, and a chance to help people with gardening problems.

06/23/2026
06/21/2026

🦗 Who's Eating My Plants? Learn Before You Treat

Holes in leaves? Chewed flowers? Damaged vegetables?
Before reaching for a pesticide, take a closer look. The first step in managing any garden pest is proper identification. Different pests leave different clues, and knowing what's causing the damage helps you choose the most effective—and environmentally responsible—solution.

Some insects, such as aphids, leafhoppers, and stink bugs, feed by piercing plant tissues with straw-like mouthparts and sucking out plant sap. This can cause yellowing, curling leaves, stunted growth, or wilting.

Others, like thrips, scrape and puncture plant surfaces before feeding, often leaving flowers and leaves looking silvery or distorted.

Spider mites, which are not insects but close relatives of spiders, pierce individual plant cells and feed on their contents. Their feeding creates tiny yellow or white speckles, giving leaves a stippled or bronzed appearance.

The good news? Not every damaged leaf requires treatment. Correctly identifying the pest—and understanding the extent of the damage—can help you avoid unnecessary pesticide use and protect beneficial insects that may already be helping control the problem.

🔍 Know your pest before you choose a solution. Good identification is the foundation of successful Integrated Pest Management (IPM). https://extension.umd.edu/resource/ipm-prevent-identify-and-manage-plant-problems/

Have you discovered a mystery pest in your garden this season? Share a photo in the comments!

Recently I changed the cover photo of our web page, depicting a quote from Rachel Carson.I began to wonder if some of ou...
06/17/2026

Recently I changed the cover photo of our web page, depicting a quote from Rachel Carson.
I began to wonder if some of our younger followers knew the impact she had on our natural world.
Here is a brief synopsis of her important work. It is information taken from the National Women’s Museum webpage.@

“Rachel Carson, was a marine biologist and nature writer, who catalyzed the global environmental movement with her 1962 book Silent Spring. Outlining the dangers of chemical pesticides, the book led to a nationwide ban on DDT and other pesticides and sparked the movement that ultimately led to the creation of the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).”

And now you know.

For more information on her life and work:
https://www.womenshistory.org/education-resources/biographies/rachel-carson

Photo credit: Photo Researchers, Inc.-Science History

On June 14th Luzerne County Master Gardeners hosted a community event in celebration of National Pollinator Week at the ...
06/17/2026

On June 14th Luzerne County Master Gardeners hosted a community event in celebration of National Pollinator Week at the Penn State certified pollinator garden in Dallas.
Master Gardeners were available to answer questions, and provide a tour of the garden.
Rock painting, butterfly puddler making, origami making, and story time for kids were available.
Participants were given free native plants and a chance to win a free gift basket.
The North Branch Land Trust and Wyoming Valley Audubon Society also participated.
Photo credits: Gina Thackera

I spent yesterday morning with my grandson at Morris Arboretum. Here’s some information and a link to their web page. ...
06/17/2026

I spent yesterday morning with my grandson at Morris Arboretum. Here’s some information and a link to their web page. A must see if you love flowers and trees, and an easy day trip from the northeast.

“Morris Arboretum & Gardens is a public garden and educational institution of the University of Pennsylvania, where people, plants, and place come together. Set across 92 acres and conveniently located in Chestnut Hill neighborhood of Philadelphia, the Morris offers a unique blend of historic landscapes, plant collections, and engaging experiences for visitors of all ages.

Visitors can explore the gardens, participate in programs, and discover the Morris as a place for learning, research, and meaningful connection with the natural world.”

Connecting plants, people, and place

Thanks, Joe Amendola, for these photos of our Luzerne County Master Gardeners hard at work tending our Penn State Certif...
06/14/2026

Thanks, Joe Amendola, for these photos of our Luzerne County Master Gardeners hard at work tending our Penn State Certified Pollinator Garden.

Our Luzerne County Master Gardeners are working hard to create an insectary garden adjacent to the West Pittston Communi...
06/11/2026

Our Luzerne County Master Gardeners are working hard to create an insectary garden adjacent to the West Pittston Community Garden plots.
What is an insectary garden?
An insectary garden is a dedicated planting area designed to attract, feed, and shelter beneficial insects that prey on garden pests.
Here’s a link to learn more: https://www.thegardenacademy.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Insectary-Plants-OHBA-2019.pdf

Photo credits: Gina Thackera

Address

16 Luzerne Avenue, Ste 200
West Pittston, PA
18643

Telephone

+15708251701

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