This fall is the perfect time to get into gardening according to the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (PHS), especially with their “Know to Grow” series, which launches in September.
As the PHS says, whether you’re seeking hands-on instruction alongside experts, a unique lecture presentation, an immersive tour of a garden, learning to grow for the 2025 Flower Show’s “Challenge Plant” competition, or seeking an opportunity to trade knowledge and plants with fellow plant lovers, fall is a fantastic time to grow your green thumb and embrace this back to school season.
Digitally, Philadelphians can delve into the year-long educational ‘Know to Grow’ series and explore different gardening topics with everything from designing with tropical plants to pollinator gardening to foodscaping (incorporating edibles into your landscape) and much more in between.
‘Know to Grow’ is meant for anyone at any skill level, from seasoned gardeners to those who are getting ready to plant their first seed. The series will be held virtually every second Wednesday of the month, starting in September, from 5 to 6 p.m. Sessions are free for PHS members, and $20 for the general public.
On top of the digital event, the PHS is also offering monthly tours of Meadowbrook Farm, a historic estate garden located in Meadowbrook, PA. While there, visitors can learn about garden design and the history of this public space, plus, participants will tour the first floor of the garden’s estate house, and view gardens from original vantage points from within the home.
And if you can’t make it out to the farm, there will be tours exploring the ecologic functions of green roofs at the PECO’s Green Roof in Center City Philadelphia as well.
The PHS is also offering some in person educational workshops this fall at their Pop Up Garden locations in Manayunk and on South Street, with time slots covering propagation, making pressed flowers, and other categories.
As a release notes, the Pop Up Gardens will additionally host free, monthly Plant Swaps where participants can learn in a peer-led environment and take home a new green friend. The Manayunk Pop Up Garden will be open through Oct. 6, and the South Street Pop Up Garden will be open through Halloween.
On Saturday, Sept. 21, Philadelphians can head to a community farm to visit the PHS Green Resource Center at Norristown Farm Park for an intro into Herbalism. The day will be spent exploring the traditional uses of herbs and the many ways you can use herbal preparations at home, as well as harvesting them to make an herbal infusion.
There will be a few other opportunities to explore the world of gardening with the organization. Firstly, PHS will be partnering with Chanticleer to deliver immersive gardening classes throughout the fall season covering timely gardening topics such as garden planning, with sessions led by horticultural experts. Then, locals can also learn how to grow a Flower Show “Challenge Plant” and see if you have what it takes to be an award winner.
And lastly, those interested in learning more can join the monthly PHS McLean Library Book Club, where readers read and discuss works of fiction or non-fiction having to do with gardening, plants, nature, or the land.
To view and register for one of the education-focused events PHS will be leading, including the new Know to Grow presentation series, visit PHSOnline.org/events.
