Garden Talk

The Institute at Renfrew announces a new series of small-group garden talks. Conducted by three of the Institute’s gardening experts, the talks will take place in the four-square garden at Renfrew Park.

The series begins on August 4, and will run on Tuesday evenings from 6 to 7 p.m. through Sept. 8.

The talks will cover a wide range of topics, including gardening basics and tips, plant families, tomatoes, herbs, soil, water and fertilizing, insects, cool weather planting, companion planting, garden crop rotation, planting and harvesting schedules and more,” said Pam Hind Rowland, the Institute’s director of historical studies and an accomplished gardener.

The other presenters are Melissa Irwin, the Institute’s garden director, and Doris Goldman, former garden director. Goldman was instrumental in planning and creating the four-square garden, which is based on historic Pennsylvania German gardens.

“Although we will be talking within our four-square garden, the topics covered will apply to anyone’s home garden,” Irwin said. 

In compliance with Franklin County’s Green Phase, safety measures are in place for the talks. They are outdoors only; no indoor activities. All participants should bring a mask. Mask use is optional during appropriate (6 foot) distancing, and required when appropriate distancing isn’t possible. There is no seating available in the garden.

Pre-registration is required. The fee for each program is $5. To register, email the Institute at [email protected] or call 717-762-0373.

Payment must be received before reservation can be confirmed. Institute staff will send a link to the PayPal payment page when you contact them to register. 

The scheduled topics are as follows: 

Aug. 4: Plant Families, An Overview

Aug. 11: Gardening Basics and Tips

Aug. 18: Herbs

Aug. 25: Using the Principles of Nature for Success in the Garden: Soil, Water, and Fertilizer

Sept. 1: Beneficial Insects, Pests, and Plant Diseases    

Sept. 8: Using Plants as Natural Dyes