LAWRENCE COUNTY (PA)
Gardener training. The Penn State Master Gardeners of Lawrence County will host a basic training class this fall. There will be an informational meeting to discuss that class and answer questions Aug. 26, 5-7 p.m., at Cascade Park, by the gardens.
The class will cover botany, plant propagation, soil health and fertilizer management, composting, controlling pests safely, entomology, plant diseases, indoor plants, vegetables, lawn care, pruning, woody ornamentals, herbaceous plants, native plants, weeds and invasives.
For more information, contact the Penn State Extension office at 724-654-8370. To apply for the class online, visit pennstate.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3PmMb79OEVMiA4K.
BUTLER COUNTY (PA)
Canner testing. Dial pressure gauge testing will be available at the Penn State Extension Butler County office Aug. 31, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. An appointment is required. If you cannot attend at this time, you can schedule a time to drop off your dial gauge pressure canner lid to be tested Aug. 31.
The testing is free — just bring the canner lid with the gauge or just the gauge. Weighted gauge canner lids do not need to be tested.
Penn State will have information on preserving available, and the “So Easy to Preserve” book, from the National Home Food Preservation Center, will be available for purchase for $20 (cash or check only). A Penn State master home food preservation volunteer will be available to answer questions about preserving summer harvests.
To schedule an appointment or a time to drop off a canning lid with gauge, call 724-287-4761.
FRANKLIN COUNTY
School gardens. The seventh school garden conference will be Oct. 22, from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., at the Nationwide and Ohio Farm Bureau 4-H Center on Ohio State University’s campus. The theme is voices from the field. Session presentations will be from those currently engaged in school gardening, as well as from garden experts.
The $55 fee includes a light breakfast, boxed lunch and all materials. The event is sponsored by 4-H personnel at OSU Extension, Franklin County. To register go to go.osu.edu/sgc2021. Additional information can be found at documentcloud.adobe.com/link/track?uri=urn:aaid:scds:US:69d65b22-c3e5-44d9-b36c- daf4f51a990f.
GREENE COUNTY
Urban ag. Central State University Extension is offering a fall urban agriculture production series, designed for beginning farmers. The free series will start Sept. 13 and run through Oct. 4. Participants will learn how to sample their soil for fertility, how to interpret soil test results and how to amend their soil based on those results.
“The series is also designed to help participants develop strategies to help them log and record their production activities, how to retrofit a raised bed using simple inexpensive materials to extend their growing season, and simple techniques to grow a variety of garlic in Ohio,” said Wallace.
Each program will be on a Monday evening, 6-7 p.m., at Mott Library, 1010 Dorr Street, in Toledo. The Sept. 13 session will cover urban soil, site preparation and compost. The Sept. 20 session will cover basic planning and record keeping. The Sept. 27 session will cover season extension. The Oct. 4 session will cover garlic.
To register, visit forms.office.com/r/EWLnNTFgTV. For more information, contact Michelle Wallace, agriculture and natural resources educator, at mwallace@centralstate.edu.
(To add a nonprofit event to our gardening listing, send details at least three weeks in advance to: Gardening News, Farm and Dairy, P.O. Box 38, Salem, OH 44460; or email: editorial@farmanddairy.com.)
