A Garden Day in the Harrisburg, PA Area –
Visit Two Master Gardener’s Private Gardens & Local Garden Centers (on Your Own) 

What better way to welcome the first full day of Summer 2025 than to stroll through, and be inspired by, beautiful gardens created by two Dauphin County Master Gardeners. Then take that inspiration to some local garden centers and find the plants that will turn your vision into reality in your own private garden.

A frequent presenter for the Hardy Plant Society, Penn State Master Gardener Kevin Kelly will open his suburban garden for us to see. A passionate gardener and educator, Kevin has transformed his one-third-acre garden into a refuge for wildlife. His garden demonstrates the importance and beauty of creating garden layers, using matrix plants instead of mulch. In addition to hundreds of native plant species, he has built a crevice garden in the front yard, as well as a crevice garden and two bog gardens in containers. His is a four-season garden that can be enjoyed year-round. Located in Linglestown, PA this beautiful garden won a Blue Ribbon in the last PHS Garden Contest.

A second garden belongs to Kevin’s good friend and fellow Penn State Master Gardener, Angie Hartley. Located 15 minutes away from Kevin, Angie owns Willowdale Farm (circa 1831), which sits on a 1.8-acre lot that was previously a celery farm. She has introduced multiple ornamental beds, a meadow area, and many raised beds for vegetables. Both Kevin’s and Angie’s gardens are certified pollinator gardens by Penn State Extension and the National Wildlife Federation.

Visit Kevin’s and Angie’s gardens anytime between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m., in any order. Leave time to visit a few of the wonderful local garden centers – before and/or after your garden visits.

For more information on the Penn State Extension Dauphin County Master Gardeners, go to: https://extension.psu.edu/programs/master-gardener/counties/dauphin

This is a rain or shine event.

Members and non-members are welcome. Registration is required.  Cost for Members is $5; cost for Non-members is $15. Maximum number of guests is 40.

Registration opens May 1^st. Registration closes June 18^th.

Click here if you would like to become a member of HPS/MAG before registering for this event.

In addition to the addresses of these two great gardens, registrants will receive a list of local nurseries/garden centers to visit as well as a great place for lunch near Kevin’s.

Contact: Nora Sirbaugh at [email protected]