UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- Is your landscape lacking? Do you have bugs on your begonias, or grubs got your grass? Gardening fans with questions can get answers to all their problems at the Landscape, Lawn and Garden Tent at Penn State's Ag Progress Days, Aug. 19-21.

Visitors can ask the experts questions on landscaping, horticulture, entomology, plant pathology and turfgrass. You can learn about new products and get tips on managing your landscape and garden plants. "Penn State faculty and cooperative extension agents can help diagnose your plant and pest problems," says Jim Sellmer, assistant professor of ornamental horticulture. "Additional advice will be available on indoor plants, flowers, tree and small fruits, woody ornamentals and vegetables."

Professional growers and home gardeners interested in cut flowers can learn about varieties, weed control and business opportunities. The variety trial includes more than 100 new varieties from asters to sunflowers, as well as some unusual flowers not widely known in the market. Flower arranging demonstrations will be held daily in the tent at noon and 2 p.m., with an additional demonstration at 7 p.m. Wednesday. Visitors can get information on starting and managing field-grown cut flowers, or just enjoy a few quiet minutes walking through the flower beds. Visitors are encouraged to bring samples of turf, plants, diseases or insects to receive an on-the-spot evaluation.

Exhibits outside the Landscape, Lawn and Garden Tent will feature examples of landscape mistakes, "green roof" technology and a high tunnel for extending your growing season.

Because of concerns over the possible transmission of foot-and-mouth disease and other foreign animal diseases, visitors who have been overseas within two weeks of attending Ag Progress Days are asked not to visit the event's live-animal exhibit areas.

Penn State's Ag Progress Days is held at the Russell E. Larson Agricultural Research Center at Rock Springs, nine miles southwest of State College on Route 45. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Aug. 19; 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Aug. 20; and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Aug. 21. Admission and parking are free.

For more information, call (800) PSU-1010 toll-free until August 21 or visit the Ag Progress Days Web site at http://apd.cas.psu.edu.

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EDITORS: Contact Jim Sellmer at 814-863-2250 or by e-mail at jcs32@psu.edu.

Contact:

Jeff Mulhollem jjm29@psu.edu 814-863-2719 814-863-9877 fax #195