Master Gardeners offer Fall Gardening 101 series

The Franklin County Master Gardeners will offer "Fall Gardening 101" classes on Saturday mornings from 9:30-11:30 AM, September 8, 15, 22 and October 6 at the Cooperative Extension Office, 181 Franklin Farm Lane in Chambersburg. "Gardening 101" workshops are designed to provide basic gardening information and hands-on experiences for new gardeners or a refresher course for seasoned gardeners. For more information, call (717) 263-9226.

The Saturday September 8 workshop will feature "Turf Establishment and Care". Participants will learn about lawn management, including how to establish a new lawn as well as how to repair a drought-damaged lawn. Home Horticulture Educator Bob Kessler will offer the details of fall lawn care and renovation, and will give tips on dealing with damage from grubs in the lawn.

At the September 15 class, "Backyard Habitat Workshop", five Franklin County Master Gardeners will teach participants the principles of attracting wildlife to their gardens and landscapes. Ray Eckhart will show how he created a wildflower meadow at the Horticultural Center; Chris Mayer will offer information about attracting butterflies, pollinators and beneficial insects; Anne Finucane will discuss attracting birds to your property and Linda Secrist and Jane Krumpe will present a segment of water features.

On September 22, Master Gardener Bud Marshall will teach "Preparing Your Yard for Next Year". Topics will include overwintering tender plants, fall pruning of shrubs and small trees, flower bed preparation, bulb planting, and fall cleanup and fertilizing.

The October 6 "House Plants and Propagation" class will be hosted by Master Gardener Linda Secrist, who will teach participants how to take plant cuttings, diagnose plant diseases, and prepare plants for winter. She invites her students to bring along any problem houseplants to the class!

"Fall Gardening 101" classes are $5 per person per workshop. Pre-registration is required. Call 717-263-9226 for more information.