This August, you can learn about fall vegetable gardening, explore sunflower fields and find workshops to make both floral arrangements and copper flowers.
Throughout the month, there are dozens of talks and classes to learn about plants, virtual and in-person in the Lancaster County region. There’s a native plant sale, foraging walks plus an outdoor yoga class, a nature fest and more.
Here’s a plant-focused calendar for August.
DIY Wedding Florals. Saturday, Aug. 2, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Learn how to calculate the amount of flowers for a wedding plus make a boutonniere, corsage and hand-tied bouquet with Pennsylvania Guild of Craftsmen, Lancaster. $90. Register online.
Mount Gretna Tour of Homes. Saturday, Aug. 2, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tour nine homes, gardens and sites. Rain or shine. $25 in advance. $30 the day of the tour.
Moth Lighting. Saturday, Aug. 2, 7:30-10 p.m. (plus Aug. 8 at Graham Nature Preserve and Aug. 22 at Welsh Mountain Nature Preserve). Explore flying creatures of the night with Lancaster Conservancy at Steinman Run Nature Preserve, Holtwood. $13. Register online.
Sunny Samplings: Mid-Summer Foraging Walk. Sunday, Aug. 3, 10 a.m. to noon. Explore seasonal wild foods, local ecology, plant ID and our shared history of human-plant connection at Horn Farm Center, 4945 Horn Road, Hallam. $25, sliding scale. Register online.
Back to Nature. Sunday, Aug. 3, 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Join an open discussion and walk, focusing on the importance of getting back to nature to optimize physical and mental well-being at Nolde Forest. $20. Register online.
Bonsai Tree Class. Sunday, Aug. 3, noon to 3 p.m. Create bonsai tree at The Vineyard at Hershey, 598 Schoolhouse Road, Middletown. $98. Register online.
Mindful Walking Meet-Up. Sunday, Aug. 3, 1-1:45 p.m. Join a mindful walk in the woods at Nolde Forest. Free. Adults only. No registration required.
READ: Tour 9 homes (plus 2 porches) in Mount Gretna, including this 1930s-inspired retreat
Fall Vegetable Gardening. Monday, Aug. 4, 6-7:45 p.m. Learn the best time to plant, the most suitable crops and season extenders with Penn State Master Gardeners at Milanof-Schock Library. Free. Register online.
Home Food Preservation: Introduction to Drying. Tuesday, Aug. 5, 10 a.m. to noon. Learn about drying fruits, vegetables, herbs and meat safely in this hands-on workshop from Penn State Extension at Farm and Home Center, 1383 Arcadia Road, Lancaster. $15. Register online.
Lancaster Compost Co-Ops: Orientation. Tuesday, Aug. 5, 6:30-7:30 p.m. Learn the basics of compost and how to become a member of the co-op. Free. At Brandon Park. Register online. (Plus Aug. 7 and Aug. 16 at Musser Park.)
Landscape for Life. Wednesday, Aug. 6, 5:30-8:30 p.m. (starts). Learn how to create a great-looking garden that is healthier for people and for the environment in this three-part webinar from Native Plant Trust. $225. Register online.
Seed Saving Basics. Wednesday, Aug. 6, 6-6:45 p.m. Learn how and why to save seeds with Penn State Master Gardeners at Adamstown Public Library. Free. Register online.
Philodendron Care, Growth and Troubleshooting. Wednesday, Aug. 6, 6-7:30 p.m. In this webinar from The Sill, learn the basics to grow lush philodendrons indoors. Free. Register online.
Herbs. Wednesday, Aug. 6, 7 p.m. Join the monthly meeting of Town and Country Garden Club. $5 donation for non-members. At Homestead Village’s Bachman Center, 633 Community Way, Lancaster.
Copper Daisy class. Thursday, Aug. 7, 6-8 p.m. Create a daisy from copper at The Vineyard at Hershey, 598 Schoolhouse Road, Middletown. $50. Register online.
The Mojave Desert Seed Bank: Supporting a Diverse Ecosystem into the Future. Thursday, Aug. 7, 7-8 p.m. Learn about the importance of plants to the ecosystem, what is needed for restoration and explain the details and ethics of seed banking in this virtual talk from Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve. $15. Register online.
Pennsylvania Invasive Species: Ornamental Grasses. Friday, Aug. 8, 1-2 p.m. Learn how ornamental grasses impact Pennsylvania’s landscapes, positively and negatively, plus native alternatives in this webinar from Penn State Extension. Free. Register online.
Cut Flowers and Coffee workshop. Saturday, Aug. 9, 9-10 a.m. Make a flower arrangement at Ken’s Gardens, 2467 Old Philadelphia Pike, Lancaster. $25, includes coffee from Hopeful Brews. Register online.
MCC Nature Fest. Saturday, Aug. 9, 9 a.m. to noon. Tour the Welcoming Place native gardens, learn how to be a backyard scientist plus activities. Free. MCC Welcoming Place, 21 S. 12th St., Akron.
Rethinking Fall Gardening and Cleanup. Saturday, Aug. 9, 11 a.m. to noon. (plus Aug. 16, Aug. 23 and Aug. 30.) Learn fall gardening practices that can have positive effects on pollinators, wildlife and the soil with Penn State Master Gardeners at Lancaster Public Library. Free. Register online.
String Art workshop. Saturday, Aug. 9, 1 p.m. Create string art (with botanical design options) at Horst Arts, 17 N. Main St., Manheim. $39. Register online.
Butterfly and Pollinator Exploration. Saturday, Aug. 9, 2-4 p.m. Learn butterfly identification and ecology and restoring native habitats to support these species with Lancaster Conservancy at Kellys Run Nature Preserve, 257 Old Holtwood Road, Holtwood. $13. Register online.
Butterfly Glass Mosaic class. Sunday, Aug. 10, 12:30 p.m. (plus a maple leaf design class Sept. 7.) Create a butterfly mosaic made of glass at The Vineyard at Hershey, 598 Schoolhouse Road, Middletown. $68 plus fees. Register online.
READ: Tour idea gardens, pollinator plants and Lancaster County’s top flowers at this free site
Community Forestry: Tree Checkers. Wednesday, Aug. 13, noon to 1:30 p.m. Learn about Pennsylvania Horticultural Society’s Tree Checker program to help strengthen the region’s tree canopy in this webinar from Penn State Extension. Free. Register online.
Know to Grow: Top Native Trees and Shrubs for Your Garden. Wednesday, Aug. 13, 5-6 p.m. Learn about standout native trees and shrubs for home in this webinar from Pennsylvania Horticultural Society. Free. Register online.
Harvesting and Drying Herbs. Wednesday, Aug. 13, 6:30 p.m. Learn ways to dry herbs for storage and use with Conestoga Herb Guild. $5 for guests. At Millersville VFW, 219 Walnut Hill Road, Millersville. Register at 717-725-7451 or atkinsateb@aol.com.
Virtual Garden Tour. Wednesday, Aug. 13, 6:30-7:30 p.m. Manheim Township Public Library’s garden club has virtual garden tour. Bring photos and videos of your plants to the library to join the tour. Free. Register online.
Digital Floristics: Assessing Floral Information with the Help of AI. Thursday, Aug. 14, 7-8 p.m. Learn how AI can assess floral information in this virtual talk from Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve. $15. Register online.
Open House: Pollinators at Bees, Bugs and Blooms. Saturday, Aug. 16, 9-11 a.m. Tour pollinator gardens, explore native plants and shop rare species like swamp milkweed with Master Gardeners of Lancaster County at Southeast Agricultural Research & Extension Center, 1446 Auction Road, Manheim. Free. Register online.
Muhlenberg Meadows Walk. Saturday, Aug. 16, 9:30-11:30 a.m. Join a walk in the Muhlenberg meadows at Lancaster County Central Park with the Muhlenberg Botanical Society. Free. Meet at the grass parking area on Golf Road, just past the intersection with Exhibit Farm Road.
Seed Keeping Basics Part 2. Saturday, Aug. 16, 10 a.m. to noon. Amirah Mitchell, owner of Sistah Seeds, will teach the basics of seed saving with Pasa Sustainable Agriculture at Lancaster Farmacy. $15. Register online.
Sunflower Fest. Saturday, Aug. 16 (starts), 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Aug. 17-24, 4-8 p.m. Tickets include entry to the sunflower patch. There are also special events, including a free makers market Aug. 16. $3 per person. Children ages 12 and younger are free. At Oregon Dairy, 2900 Oregon Pike, Lititz.
Pop-Up Plant Bar. Saturday, Aug. 16, 1-3 p.m. Make a succulent planter with Terrarium Therapy at Schaylor Brewing Co., Reading. $20 reserves your spot and goes toward supplies. Register online.
Plant Bingo. Saturday, Aug. 16, 6-8 p.m. (and Aug. 23). Join a Bingo game to win plants at The 9 Collective, 3043 Columbia Ave. $10. Register online.
READ: Pa. wants to learn more about historic barns; Here’s how to share yours
Green Industry Update: Woody Plants. Tuesday, Aug. 19, 1-2 p.m. Learn about key conifer and boxwood pest issues, sustainable management strategies and discover boxwood alternatives in this webinar from Penn State Extension. $10. Register online.
Native Plants 101. Wednesday, Aug. 20, 5-6 p.m. Learn about native plants, their benefits and how to choose plants for your space in this webinar from Allegheny Land Trust. Free. Register online.
Beginner’s Guide to Houseplants. Wednesday, Aug. 20, 6-7:30 p.m. In this webinar from The Sill, learn the basics to choose, care for and keep your houseplants happy and thriving. Free. Register online.
Managing Invasive Plants. Thursday, Aug. 21, 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Learn invasive plant ID, control strategies plus hands-on sprayer calibration, herbicide mixing and foliar application techniques with Penn State Extension at Berks County Agricultural Center, Leesport. $40. Register online.
Summer Native Plant Sale. Thursday, Aug. 21, 5-8 p.m. Manada Conservancy will sell keystone and late-blooming perennials at the native plant nursery, 328 N. Crawford Road, Grantville.
Cradle of Conservation: An Environmental History of Pennsylvania. Thursday, Aug. 21, 5:30 p.m. Learn about “working landscapes” of Pennsylvania and Lancaster County from the 17th century to the present at LancasterHistory, 230 N. President Ave., Lancaster (and online). Free. Register online or 717-392-4633.
Permaculture for Homeowners: Designing a Sustainable Perennial Garden. Thursday, Aug. 21, 7-8 p.m. Learn how permaculture principles can help design a beautiful, sustainable and low-maintenance, perennial-filled home garden in this virtual talk from Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve. $15. Register online.
Documenting Invasive Plants with Herbaria. Friday, Aug. 22, noon to 1 p.m. In this virtual talk from Blue Ridge PRISM, learn how to identify invasive plants, document and submit them for research. Free. Register online.
Flower Collage workshop. Friday, Aug. 22, 2 p.m. Create a paper collage flower at Horst Arts, 17 N. Main St., Manheim. $45. Register online.
Thyme to Grow: A Guide to Herb Gardening. Saturday, Aug. 23, 10-11:30 a.m. Join the Friends of the Tanger Arboretum for tips on growing, harvesting and preserving herbs at LancasterHistory, 230 N. President Ave., Lancaster. $10 for adults and $5 for children. Register online or 717-392-4633.
Invasive Species and How They Impact Our Lives. Saturday, Aug. 23, 10 a.m. In this hike at Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area, learn how to identify and manage common invasive species. Free.
Knowing Native Plants: Confusing Yellow Composites. Saturday, Aug. 23, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Learn about late summer and fall-blooming yellow composites, including goldenrods, sunflowers, coneflowers and beggar-ticks in this talk with a virtual option from Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve. $25. Register online.
A Morning of Indigo. Saturday, Aug. 23, 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Make a vat of indigo and dye a bandana with Pennsylvania Guild of Craftsmen, Lancaster. $130. Register online.
Upcycle with Indigo. Saturday, Aug. 23, 2:30-4:30 p.m. Make a vat of indigo and your own clothing (up to the size of five large T-shirts) with Pennsylvania Guild of Craftsmen, Lancaster. $50. Register online.
Wildflower-Butterfly Walk. Saturday, Aug. 23, 6:30-7:30 p.m. Join a walk through the wildflower meadow of Lancaster Central Park. All ages. $3. Register online.
Macrame Plant Hanger workshop. Sunday, Aug. 24, 3 p.m. Make a macrame plant hanger at Horst Arts, 17 N. Main St., Manheim. $50, includes a houseplant. Register online.
READ: Neighbors grew food in a secret garden for decades; Now it’s Lancaster’s new public community garden
Trailside Organic Farm Tour. Tuesday, Aug. 26, 9:30-10:30 a.m. Learn about regenerative organic farm management with Rodale Institute and Mount Gretna at Cornwall Manor’s garden, 129 Ironmaster Road.
Yoga on the Lawn. Tuesday, Aug. 26, 6-7 p.m. Join a yoga class outdoors at Conestoga House and Gardens, 1608 Marietta Ave. $20. Register online.
Backyard Composting. Wednesday, Aug. 27, 6-7:30 p.m. Learn how to turn your household waste into nutrient-rich compost in this online class from Mt. Cuba Center. $25. Register online.
Plant, Pick, Plate A Garden-to-Kitchen Journey. Wednesday, Aug. 27, 6:30-7:45 p.m. Learn how to grow tomatoes, peppers and herbs and turn them into flavorful Italian- and Mediterranean-inspired dishes in this webinar from Penn State Extension. $10. Register online.
Copper Sunflower class. Thursday, Aug. 28, 6-8 p.m. (plus Sept. 7). Create a sunflower from copper at The Vineyard at Hershey, 598 Schoolhouse Road, Middletown. $74. Register online.
Virtual Lunchtime Tour: West Garden. Thursday, Aug. 28, noon to 12:30 p.m. In this virtual tour from Scott Arboretum, explore the West Garden. Free. Join online.
Forest Walk. Thursday, Aug. 28, 6:30-7:30 p.m. Join a walk in the forest and learn about leaves, flowers, seeds, critters and more at Lancaster Central Park. All ages. $2. Register online.
Succulent Cupcake Decorating workshop. Thursday, Aug. 28, 6:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Decorate cupcakes with icing succulents at The Vineyard at Hershey, 598 Schoolhouse Road, Middletown. $62. Register online.
Garden Tour. Friday, Aug. 29, 10 a.m. Tour the garden and barn at Flourish Flowers, East Earl. $15. Register online.
Centerpiece Class and Dinner in the Pergola. Friday, Aug. 29, 5-9 p.m. Tour the gardens at Flourish Flowers, East Earl, cut flowers and learn how to create a large centerpiece. $175, includes a candlelit dinner after class. Register online.
Sunflower Festival. Saturday, Aug. 30, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Cherry Crest Adventure Farm, 150 Cherry Hill Road, Ronks. Explore sunflower fields, zinnia fields, plus music, kids entertainment, craft vendors and more. Festival included with admission to the farm.
Flameworked Glass Cactus. Saturday, Aug. 30, 1-4 p.m. Make a cactus made of glass with Pennsylvania Guild of Craftsmen, Lancaster. $120. Register online.
READ: Growing linen: Watch how this Lancaster County class took flax from field to fabric
Ongoing:
Guided walk of Hershey Gardens. Saturdays, 10-11 a.m. Take a one-hour walk with biologist Ray Barbehenn. Free with garden admission.
And looking into September:
Green Industry Update: Turf. Tuesday, Sept. 2, 1-2 p.m. Gain insights on managing pests and diseases in turf grass in this webinar from Penn State Extension. $10. Register online.
The Amazing Pawpaw. Wednesday, Sept. 3, 4-6:30 p.m. Explore the story of the pawpaws with Lancaster Conservancy at Tucquan Glen and Pyfer Nature Preserves, State Route 3017, Holtwood. $13. Register online.
Putting Your Garden to Bed. Wednesday, Sept. 3, 7 p.m. Join the monthly meeting of Town and Country Garden Club. $5 donation for non-members. At Homestead Village’s Bachman Center, 633 Community Way, Lancaster.
Seed Saving Basics. Thursday, Sept. 4, 6:30 p.m. Lititz Garden Club hosts a talk with Lois Miklas of Penn State Master Gardeners of Lancaster County at Lititz Public Library. Register at lititzgardenclub@gmail.com.
Forest Farming: Introduction to American Ginseng. Thursday, Sept. 4, 6:30-8 p.m. Learn how to identify, grow and steward American ginseng in this webinar from Penn State Extension. Free. Register online.
Identifying Common Invasive Plants: Class and Outdoor Walk. Thursday, Sept. 4, 6:30-8 p.m. (starts). This two-part series explores the impacts of invasive plants and how to manage them in your garden and natural spaces with Penn State Master Gardeners York at Penn State Extension Office, York and a walk at Nixon County Park. $25. Register online.
Pennsylvania Invasive Species: Honey Bees. Friday, Sept. 5, 1-2 p.m. Learn how invasive species affect honey bees, from pests to beneficial plants in this webinar from Penn State Extension. Free. Register online.
Cultivating Resilient Gardens for Weather Extremes. Saturday, Sept. 6, 10-11:30 a.m. Learn site assessment, plant selection, smart watering techniques and soil care practices to help your garden thrive in the face of increasingly unpredictable weather in a webinar from Penn State Extension Master Gardeners of Lancaster County. $10. Register online.
Wild Abundance: Late Summer Foraging Walk. Sunday, Sept. 7, 10 a.m. to noon. Explore seasonal wild foods, local ecology, plant ID and our shared history of human-plant connection at Horn Farm Center, 4945 Horn Road, Hallam. $25, sliding scale. Register online.
Release and Reground: Fall Forest Therapy Walk. Sunday, Sept. 7, 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Join a forest bathing (shinrin-yoku) walk at Nolde Forest. $20. Register online.
Guided Hike with Yoga and Meditation. Sunday, Sept. 7, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Join a two-mile hike with stops for yoga, relaxation and meditation at Nolde Forest. $15. Register online.
Intro to Nature Journaling. Sunday, Sept. 7, 1:30-4 p.m. Learn techniques for drawing and interpreting nature through journaling at Horn Farm Center, 4945 Horn Road, Hallam. $30, sliding scale. Register online.
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