Penn State Extension Franklin County

The Master Gardener Hotline will be available Thursday, June 18, from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM.
Do you have gardening questions or need advice? Our knowledgeable experts are here to help!

🌱 Master Gardener Hotline – Get Expert Help! 🌱

The Master Gardener Hotline will be available Thursday, June 18, from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM.

Do you have gardening questions or need advice? Our knowledgeable experts are here to help!

📍 Visit us:
Penn State Extension Office - Franklin County
181 Franklin Farm Lane, Chambersburg

📞 Or call during hotline hours to speak with a Master Gardener.
Get guidance on plants, pests, soil, and more—let us help your garden thrive!

Interested in Becoming a Penn State Master Gardener? 🌱
Join us tonight to learn more about our upcoming basic training program!

Interested in Becoming a Penn State Master Gardener? 🌱
Stop by this evening to learn more about our upcoming basic training program! Get details, ask questions, and discover how you can get involved.

Contact Tosh at 717-809-2192 with questions about slug monitoring or management.

🍓 Love Making Your Own Jam & Jelly? Join Us! 🍇

Whether you’re brand new or have years of experience in home food preservation, this class is for YOU!

👩‍🍳 What will you learn?
✔️ Today’s recommended methods for safely processing jam and jelly
✔️ Basics of water bath and atmospheric steam canning
✔️ Techniques for making cooked and freezer jams & jellies
✔️ Understanding different pectin products for the perfect set
✔️ Recipes for reduced-sugar and no sugar-added options

✨ Gain confidence, learn new skills, and enjoy delicious homemade results!

Home Food Preservation: Jams and Jellies Learn the science behind recommended methods for making and processing jam and jelly, while dispelling food preservation myths and unsafe practices.

Come join us for a fun and interactive cooking class! We’ll dive into the delicious world of the Mediterranean diet, where you’ll get to work with ingredients like whole grains, fresh vegetables, hearty beans, juicy fruits, crunchy nuts, and healthy fats. It’s a great opportunity to get hands-on experience and enjoy some tasty dishes together!

Let's Cook Mediterranean Take a tasty trip to the Mediterranean in this hands-on cooking class. Prepare and enjoy an authentic Mediterranean meal.

Do you love gardening and plants? Are you interested in improving your gardening skills and plant knowledge? Are you ready to volunteer by sharing your knowledge about home gardening with others in the community through informal, research-based educational outreach activities? Then you might be interested in the Penn State Extension Master Gardener volunteer program in Franklin County.

To learn more, attend a Master Gardener Information Night on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, from 6:30 to 7:30 pm, to be held at the Penn State Extension office, 181 Franklin Farm Lane, Chambersburg, PA, 17202. For more information, contact the Extension office at 717-263-9226 to speak to the Master Gardener Coordinator, or email Annette MaCoy at [email protected].

https://extension.psu.edu/a-significant-flight-of-black-cutworm-moths-arrived-in-franklin-county

A Significant Flight of Black Cutworm Moths Arrived in Franklin County It is nearly time to scout for cutting by caterpillars in corn in the vicinity of Franklin County

Too wet to plant?

Over the past couple of weeks, some areas of the state have been receiving significant rainfall. Planting into saturated soils can cause sidewall smearing, rutting, and deep soil compaction.

Compacted soils:
🌱reduce pore space
🌱limit exchange of gases - causing an increase in the likelihood of aeration-related problems
🌱restrict water infiltration
making crops more vulnerable to stress later in the year.

An extra day or two of patience can help protect soil structure and preserve long-term productivity.

Did you know?
The compaction created in one wet planting season can impact productivity for years 😳

Healthy soils are one of the best investments we can make for resilient cropping systems in Pennsylvania.

🍓 Jams & Jellies Workshop 🍇
📅 July 22 | ⏰ 1:00 PM

Learn the science behind safe, modern jam and jelly making! This workshop covers water bath and atmospheric steam canning, cooked and freezer jams, pectin types, and ingredient basics. We’ll also explore reduced- and no-sugar-added options—and clear up common preservation myths so you can preserve with confidence.

📍 Penn State Extension - Franklin County
181 Franklin Farm Lane
Chambersburg, PA 17202

Home Food Preservation: Jams and Jellies Learn the science behind recommended methods for making and processing jam and jelly, while dispelling food preservation myths and unsafe practices.