UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – The Ross Student Farms at Penn State is hosting a Summer Plant Sale on July 24 and 25 from 2:30 to 5 p.m. at Headhouse III on Curtin Road.
Student Farm interns schedule the summer sale to match the planting timelines they use on the farm. All the seedlings are planted and grown by the interns, without any pesticides or synthetic fertilizers.
Several of the plants featured at the summer sale are suitable for outdoor gardens, in addition to plants for container growing, including:
- brassicas (kale, broccoli, cabbage and more)
- lettuces
- cucurbits (cucumbers, zucchini and other summer squashes)
- flowers and herbs
After a few days of hardening-off at home or gradually acclimating to outdoor conditions, the plants will be ready to plant and are timed properly for optimal fall growth. Fall plantings often can be some of the most delicious, especially for the Brassica family and lettuce, as the cooling weather helps sweeten them up.
“The plant sales directly benefit and support the Student Farm’s educational programs at Penn State,” said Leslie Pillen, associate director of Farm and Food Systems. “The plants we offer at the summer plant sale are best suited to the climate in our area and are easy for students to grow. The varieties we offer are grown right on the Student Farm, so we know they are productive in our specific climate.”
Accepted forms of payment include cash or check (no cards). Annual seedlings are $2.50 each or 15 for $30. A selection of succulents and perennial plants will also be available, with prices marked. Purchasers should bring a box to carry plants home.
In addition to the annual Summer Plant Sale, the Ross Student Farm offers volunteering opportunities for students to gain hands-on experience with growing and harvesting many of these crops. Students don't need to have any prior experience to volunteer. To sign up for volunteering opportunities, visit the Student Farms volunteering sign-up page.
Students who take the CATA bus to the farm should let the coordinators know when they arrive. Students will then be given two bus tokens to reimburse their ride out to the farm and cover their ride back to campus.
The mission of the Sustainable Food Systems Network is to educate people about sustainable food systems, cultivate community, and increase access to local foods on campus and in the community. Any questions regarding the annual plant sale can be directed to studentfarms@psu.edu.