Master Gardeners will be available at their booth at the Butler Farm Show to answer your questions about garden-related topics and sustainable gardening throughout the duration of the show. Submitted photo

Sustainable gardening is the theme for this year’s Penn State Extension Butler County Master Gardener Farm Show education booth. At our Farm Show’s education booth, Master Gardeners will provide up-to-date, research-based information on best practices for sustainable gardening. Seven topics every home gardener can apply to support environmentally friendly and sustainable gardening practices are emphasized. Our educational materials include: creating and using compost; attracting beneficial insects; selecting alternatives to chemical pesticides; recognizing and removing invasive plant species; managing the soil with sustainable methods; landscaping with native plants; and utilizing water conservation.

These seven topics offer a wealth of readily-applicable gardening practices that naturally support garden ecosystems. One garden and one gardener can make a positive change in our local environment. For more information about sustainable gardening, visit Penn State Extension (https://extension.psu.edu/save-your-garden-save-the-world).

In addition to the focus on sustainable gardening, the Master Gardener education booth will provide updated information on the spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicaluta). This insect is considered a threat to Pennsylvania’s agricultural crops and trees. The spotted lanternfly has been identified in Pennsylvania, including Beaver and Allegheny counties. Penn State Extension, including Master Gardeners are working to keep this insect from spreading by educating the community and will be available to explain how to identify the spotted lanternfly as well as its host plant, the tree of heaven (Ailanthus altissima), and how to report your spotted lanternfly sightings.

Master Gardeners will be in attendance to answer questions on garden-related topics throughout the duration of the Farm Show. Information about becoming a Penn State Extension Master Gardener and the next Basic Training Certification class will be available.

The Farm Show will be held at the Butler Farm Show grounds, 625 Evans City Road, from Aug. 5 to 10.

The Master Gardeners look forward to meeting you there!

Terri Helfer has been a Penn State Extension Master Gardener in Butler County since 2016.