Penn State Extension Master Gardeners of Dauphin County

08/22/2026

🌱 Thanks to Our First‑Year Master Gardener Trainees! 🌱

Really appreciate our first‑year trainees for sharing their presentations today. Each topic brought something interesting to the table and made for a relaxed, enjoyable learning session.

• 🐞 Beneficial Insects
• 🌾 No‑Till Gardening
• 🪱 Vermicomposting
• 🌿 Restorative Justice

Nice job to everyone who presented—thanks for putting in the time and sharing what you’ve been learning. 🌼

08/21/2026

Steve Tambolas has been a Township resident for 40 years and remains an active retiree in the community. Currently, Steve lends his expertise as a Penn State Extension Master Gardener by leading a Saturday Garden Chat program for the Parks & Recreation Department. From March through October, he presents a variety of programs covering key seasonal gardening tasks and answering residents’ questions.
Be sure to check out his next Garden Chat, Fall Planting and Fall Lawns, on September 12 at Stray Winds Park from 10:00–11:00 a.m.

Thank you, Steve, for your service in our community! Read more: bit.ly/VIPSteve

08/20/2026

MG Steve gave us a tour and history lesson of the Capitol Hunger Garden, one of our seven demonstration gardens. We've nearly harvested 500 lbs of produce this season - all for the Downtown Daily Bread.

Come visit! Anyone can come up to the garden, and if you'd like to join us and harvest vegetables at *THE* Pennsylvania Capitol (how many people can say that!) you can sign up through the PA Legislative Hunger Caucus Garden Volunteering form: https://thehungercaucus.pasenategop.com/garden-volunteering/

08/20/2026

Late‑Summer Purple Power: Ironweed in the Landscape

Ironweed (Vernonia noveboracensis) is putting on a gorgeous late‑summer show right now. Those bold purple blooms stand tall in the garden — and the pollinators are all over it. Bees, butterflies, and even migrating monarchs treat this native as a late‑season buffet, making it a true pollinator magnet.

Landscape Uses:
Great for the back of perennial borders, cottage gardens, rain gardens, native meadows, and naturalized restoration spaces. Its tall, upright form adds structure, and its high deer resistance makes it a reliable choice in challenging spots.

Late summer belongs to purple — and ironweed is doing its part to keep the season vibrant.

08/19/2026

It’s been a banner year for monarchs in our Extension Office demonstration garden! 🦋

Photos by Shawna.

08/18/2026

Did you know bees see sunflowers differently than we do? Their UV patterns help guide pollinators right to the nectar. No wonder this patch is buzzing.

08/17/2026

🌿 Native Spotlight: Cardinal Flower

Looking to add a native plant that brings both beauty and ecological value to your garden? Cardinal flower (Lobelia cardinalis) is a true standout. Its brilliant red blooms aren’t just eye‑catching — they’re an essential late‑season nectar source for hummingbirds, whose long beaks are perfectly shaped for these tubular flowers.

As a Pennsylvania native, cardinal flower thrives in moist soil, partial sun, and spots where water naturally collects. It’s a great choice for rain gardens, pond edges, or any damp corner of your yard that needs a pop of color. Planting natives like this supports local wildlife and helps keep our ecosystems healthy.

If you’re thinking about adding more native plants to your landscape, cardinal flower is a beautiful place to start.

08/16/2026

💐 What's blooming around the Nature Center?

Thursday, August 20 | 9:30 - 11 AM | Wildwood Park | Free

Join Master Gardener Kevin Kelly for a guided walk through the Nature Center’s Garden Beds. Each walk will highlight what’s in bloom, along with shrubs, foliage, structure and other seasonal features that give the garden interest and support wildlife. With a strong native-plant focus, this walk offers a deeper look at how the landscape changes-and why those changes matter. Meet in front of the Olewine Nature Center.

Register:https://events.ticketleap.com/tickets/dauphincountyparksandrecreation/seasonal-garden-walks

08/13/2026

Supporting Monarch Butterflies? Here is a new native plant finder by the Xerces Society. Input your zip code and it will give you recommendations of plants that serve as hosts or nectar/pollen sources for monarchs. Why don't you give it a try!
https://plantsformonarchs.org

Plants for Monarchs. Find the Right Plants for Monarchs in Your Area. By the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation.