Summit County Master Gardeners

06/24/2026

Observing and identifying wild, living bees. Welcome! We are Nick and Max, two scientists deeply passionate about wild bees. As avid naturalists, we were familiar with using field marks to name the…

06/24/2026

Our Biocontrol of the Month for June is Bacillus subtilis! This bacteria lives in the soil and competes with harmful bacteria and fungi that may cause damage to plants. It also directly destroys fungal pathogens by breaking their cell walls. Although research on Bacillus is still limited, experiments done within the past couple years have shown that the bacteria is an overall positive addition to a soil ecosystem. As an additional fun fact, Bacillus subtilis is also the same bacteria found in natto, a Japanese health food made with fermented soybeans! To learn more about this fascinating biocontrol, follow the link: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10686189/

06/22/2026

In his latest column for the Boston Globe's "Ask the Gardener", Director of Horticulture Uli Lorimer honors National Pollinator Week by highlighting the crucial relationship between pollinators and native plants and how to attract beneficial insects to your garden. Read the full artivle here: https://www.boston.com/real-estate/gardening/2026/06/18/national-pollinator-week-bees-moths-butterflies/

"Abundant insect life draws abundant wildlife, too, and when coupled with good ecological garden maintenance practices, results in garden spaces that are alive, resilient, and diverse." -Uli Lorimer

06/22/2026

On this gorgeous weekend, be sure to look up to the trees for our next Pollinator Month Highlight. Poe Johnson, horticulturist at Native Plant Trust, tells us more about one of their favorite (and often under-appreciated) pollinator powerhouses:

Black cherry (Prunus serotina) is a tree that quietly, and without much praise, is holding entire ecosystems together.

When we talk about pollinator powerhouse plants, we often default to ornamental flowers or species that support a handful of specialist pollinators. It matters that we also talk about the foundational native plants that hold entire food webs together across an ecoregion.

Acting as a host plant to over 300 caterpillar species, black cherry is essential in the lifecycles of many of our native pollinators. People often think of it as a “weedy” tree, seeing it grow wild on forest edges and along roadsides. But with its smooth red bark and frothy white flowers, it is just as visually striking as it is ecologically important.

Beyond moths, bees, and butterflies, it is a critical food and habitat source for larger wildlife. Its fruit and caterpillars support a wide range of species across the food web.

This Pollinator Month, it matters to expand how we think about gardening for pollinators. Planting flowers is part of it, but supporting pollinators also means building habitat and providing food for their offspring.

Photos: Prunus serotina bark and leaves © Donald Cameron; fruit © Frank Bramley; flowers © Native Plant Trust

06/21/2026

06/16/2026

A few more close ups of the incredible plants you’ll see throughout the 2026 ! Did you get your ticket yet? There’s still time! 🎟️

06/16/2026

The are working hard in partnership with the to get the garden up and running! The kids enjoy learning about vegetables, soil, insects & much more every year! Stay tuned later this summer to see the incredible harvest these children will get to enjoy! ☀️

06/16/2026

IF YOU’VE EVER posted a photo on the massive community science project called iNaturalist and wondered how such contributions get used in research... well, today’s guest is here to tell us about one especially stunning

06/11/2026

Dreamy ponds await on this year's ! ✨ A sneak peek of another beautiful garden featured on this year's tour. Ponds and plantings provide an essential habitat for pollinators while creating a vibrant, thriving landscape. Whether you're looking for ideas for your own garden or simply want to spend a day exploring inspiring outdoor spaces, there's something for everyone on the tour. 🎟️ Get your tickets: https://bit.ly/GeneralTour26