Penn State Master Gardeners of Somerset County

03/02/2026

Registration is still open!
https://extension.psu.edu/learn-more-grow-more

02/23/2026

Thank you JARCA for a great event!

02/18/2026

2026 is the year for transformation and growth. That garden you've always dreamed of can happen this year. Join the Master Gardeners of Somerset County to Learn More! Grow More! https://extension.psu.edu/learn-more-grow-more

02/06/2026

*GARDEN TIP OF THE WEEK*⁠
Testing Seed Viability⁠
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You know all those packets of seeds you bought last year—or maybe years before— but either didn’t use or had leftovers? Don’t toss them out in a frenzy of spring cleaning. It’s easy to test them to see if they’re still usable. All you need are the seeds, paper towels, plastic bags, and an indelible marker.⁠
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Before You Begin⁠
Note the days for germination on the seed packets; this will help in monitoring the test.⁠
Find a warm location where the seeds can spend a week or two, such as the top of a refrigerator or windowsill with a southern exposure.⁠
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How to Do the Test⁠
1. Mark the date and type of seed on a plastic bag and put aside.⁠
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2. Moisten a sheet of paper towel.⁠
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3. Arrange 10 seeds in a row near one edge of the towel.⁠
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4. Carefully fold the other side of the towel over the seeds.⁠
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5. Put the towel into the plastic bag and seal it.⁠
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6. Place the bag in a warm location and let it sit for a week or two, checking every few days to make sure the towel is still moist. Apply water with a spray bottle if needed to maintain moisture. You might also see signs of germination.⁠
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7. Towards the germination time specified on the seed packet, or after a week to 10 days, remove the towel from the bag and carefully open it.⁠
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8. Count the number of seeds that have sprouted. If 6 out of the 10 have sprouted, that means the germination rate is 60%—not a great rate for success. It’s best to buy new seed. Rates at 70% and above indicate good viability, so you can use the seeds in the new growing season. Unless the rate is 100%, hedge your bets and use more seed than suggested on the seed packet.⁠
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Tips⁠
You can plant the sprouted seeds. If they’re hard to tease from the paper towel, just cut around them with scissors and plant the seeds attached to the towel.⁠
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If you’re going to place the seeds on a heat mat (the kind for starting seeds), set them on a wire rack or thick towel on top of the mat to avoid cooking the seedlings.

02/05/2026

Online registration is now open for our annual Learn More! Grow More! series for gardeners at every experience level to expand their knowledge. https://extension.psu.edu/learn-more-grow-more

01/20/2026

Soil health educational sessions presented by: The PA No-Till Alliance; PSU Extension; USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service; Conservation Districts located in the Southwest Region of PA; and PDA – State Conservation Commission Registration flyer with schedule and speakers Register and pay o...

01/20/2026

You may have caught a glimpse already, but now it’s official.

Meet Tilva, Penn State Extension’s new AI assistant ready to answer your ag questions 24/7. 🌐

The name is inspired by cultivation—of land and of learning—and reflects an AI assistant built to grow and evolve over time.

Access trusted expertise, identify pests and plants from your uploaded photos, gain insights based on real-time local weather and soil data, and more.

Get started by asking questions now: ai.extension.psu.edu

01/20/2026

𝗦𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝗦𝘄𝗮𝗽 𝗦𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗱𝗮𝘆

Date: Saturday, January 31
Time: 9 AM-Noon
Location: 214 Donohoe Road, Greensburg, PA 15601

Join us for the fourth annual Seed Swap Saturday workshop, designed to inspire gardeners of all experience levels to grow, save, and share seeds with confidence. Participants will learn the essentials of starting seeds indoors, explore practical strategies for pairing edible and ornamental plants to boost garden productivity, gain clarity on the differences among seed types, and discover native plants that support pollinators while withstanding deer pressure. Throughout the day, the Penn State Master Gardeners of Westmoreland County will offer research-based guidance, hands-on insight, and expert answers to your gardening questions.

More information and registration: https://extension.psu.edu/seed-swap-saturday

01/14/2026

01/13/2026

Register now for tomorrow's exciting presentation via Zoom!

10/04/2025

We're talking Fall gardens at the Somerset Farmers Market today. There is still time to visit us.