Penn State Master Gardeners of Lebanon County

06/08/2026

Seats Still available on Thursday: "Mastering the Art of Fair Exhibiting". Walk in's welcome - $10.00
2120 Cornwall Rd, Ste 1, Lebanon, PA, 17042, Extension https://www.facebook.com/share/1SSLFoXS7e/

06/05/2026

June brings a few Strawberries at Lebanon YMCA - Penn State Master Gardeners of Lebanon County. Strawberries have a short season so we will soon be saying good bye for this year.

The Sunchokes (Jerusalem artichokes) reached the top of the trellis, on the way to 6-10 feet.

Another new cool season crop this year is Yellow Sugar Pod Pea. They taste like the green sugar peas many of us know and love. Planted in late March, they mature in about 70 days so we are ready to harvest.

Radishes, lettuce, bok choy, arugula, chives, mints, peas, chard, and berries were harvested this week. - approximately 12 pounds of produce was donated to the Lebanon Christian Ministry foodbank.

The Penn State Master Gardeners of Lebanon County committee works at the garden on Thursday mornings during the season. Stop in to visit and leave with some produce.
Photo credits: S Richard-LebCoMG

05/28/2026

THIS EVENT IS FOR YOU if you enter Exhibits in the Lebanon County Fair!
LEARN : Grow to Show: Mastering the Art of Fair Exhibiting
When: Thursday, June 11, at 6:30 – 8:00 pm at the Extension Classrooms
REGISTER: https://extension.psu.edu/grow-to-show-mastering-the-art-of-fair-exhibiting
This session outlines essential pre-entry steps, offers practical strategies for selecting and presenting high-quality specimens, and explains how judges evaluate entries based on condition, maturity, color, size, and uniformity to determine the exhibit that comes closest to the ideal. Participants will gain insight into common reasons for disqualification, learn how to enhance the visual appeal and quality of their displays, and develop a better understanding of the judging process. Whether new to exhibiting or looking to refine their approach, attendees will leave with the knowledge and confidence to participate successfully while enjoying the fair as both a learning opportunity and a meaningful community experience.
Attached is the photo we have been using. Please credit Dawn Kiscadden for the photo.

05/20/2026

Lebanon County Master Gardener Volunteers support Penn State Extension's education programs in consumer horticulture. We are excited to note the work at Lebanon YMCA garden season is well underway. The volunteers gave away the first produce of the season to one of our regular garden visitors to who went away happily with a pound of spring onions.
Whats growing?
-This year, a new item, Sunchokes (Helianthus tuberosus), also know as Jerusalem Artichokes has been planted and we look forward to see how they are received by our garden visitors. Sunchokes are also called Wild Sunflower, they produce an edible tuber.
- The sugar peas are in bloom so we expect to pick some in the near future.
-The Common Bluestar, Amsonia tabernaemontana,, in the perennial bed is lovely. It is a beautiful blue Spring bloomer for hummingbirds and bees.

The YMCA Community Garden is located at
Lebanon Valley Family YMCA
201 North 7th Street
Lebanon, PA 17046
Photo credits taken on Rodney Richard cell phone at the YMCA garden.

05/12/2026

If you plan on showing your Garden Bounties at County Fairs, this event is for you!
"Grow to Show: Mastering the Art of Fair Exhibiting"
Thursday, June 11, at 6:30 – 8:00 pm at the Extension Classrooms
Register: https://extension.psu.edu/grow-to-show-mastering-the-art-of-fair-exhibiting

Who is this for?
-Home gardeners and hobby growers
-Houseplant enthusiasts
-New and experienced flower and vegetable exhibitors
-Individuals interested in competing in the county fair
What will you learn?
-How to properly enter exhibits at the fair and avoid common disqualification mistakes
-The criteria judges use to determine the "closest to ideal" specimen across categories such as vegetables, flowers, and houseplants
-Techniques for selecting, cleaning, preparing, and presenting high-quality entries
-How to evaluate maturity, size, color, shape, and condition to choose the strongest specimens
-Strategies for creating uniform groupings in classes requiring multiple specimens
-Tips for transporting, staging, and understanding judging variability to approach the fair with confidence and a positive attitude
Lebanon Valley Agricultural Center
2120 Cornwall Rd Suite, Lebanon, PA 17042
Photo Credit: Dawn Kiscadden
Cost $10.00

Prepare and showcase vegetables, flowers, and houseplants with confidence. Learn how judges evaluate entries, avoid disqualification, and present high-quality exhibits at the county fair.

05/02/2026

HUGE THANK YOU to everyone who came out to support the Master Gardeners today at our Annual Plant Sale and Garden Faire! We had over 1,000 people come out. We are so appreciative of your support.
HAPPY PLANTING!!!

05/01/2026

🌿🌷🌻🌸 Come for the Plants! Stay for the Laughs! 🤣😂😅🥸

Happy World Laughter Day! That’s right, today is World Laughter Day and it just happens to fall on the day before our Annual Plant Sale and Garden Faire!

Did you know the Master Gardeners of Lebanon County aren’t just knowledgeable plant experts? They are also comedians!

While you are shopping TOMORROW, May 2nd, check out our creative signs. They have JOKES! They are PUNNY! They are certain to make you SMILE and LAUGH!
We have dozens and dozens of signs, made by our creative Master Gardeners. Here are a few of our favorites!

Stay tuned in for our Facebook LIVE later this afternoon, Plant Sale Eve!
🪴It’s Tomorrow!
📅 Saturday, May 2
⏰ 8 AM – Noon
📍 Brightbill Barn at the Lebanon Valley Expo Center, 80 Rocherty Road, Lebanon, PA 17042

04/30/2026

🌼🌻🌿 Another Sneak Peek! 🐛🦋🐞

The plants are coming into the building, the tables are being set up, the 100 HANGING BASKETS are getting hung, the learning exhibits are being assembled, the GREEN ELEPHANT Donation Sale items are being gathered, and we’re having FUN!

Thanks to PSE Master Gardener Coordinator, Judy Van Kuren for capturing these sneak peak photos.

Stay tuned in for more exciting details including a Facebook LIVE tomorrow afternoon on Plant Sale Eve!

🪴 Just TWO days away!
📅 Saturday, May 2
⏰ 8 AM – Noon
📍 Brightbill Barn at the Lebanon Valley Expo Center, 80 Rocherty Road, Lebanon, PA 17042

📸 by Judy Van Kuren