Ohio State - Athens County Extension

The Athens SWCD will hold another rain barrel workshop on Wednesday, June 24th. Go to www.athensswcd.org to register!

Free farm pesticide disposal collection events this August The Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) will be sponsoring three collection events for farmers to dispose of unwanted pesticides. This year, the collections are available in Athens, Crawford, and Miami counties on the following days and locations: August 3, 2026 – Crawford County Fairgrounds 80

Another great MG Newsletter! Come check out what the Athens Master Gardener Volunteers have been up to this past month (such as field trips, plant sales, and educational endeavors)!
https://athens.osu.edu/sites/athens/files/imce/MG_Forms_Docs/June%202026%20v2.pdf

Happy June, Master Gardener Volunteers! Our Plant of the Month is the wild strawberry. This perennial native plant is an ancestor of the hybridized domesticated strawberry. Though wild strawberries are smaller and more delicate than their descendants, they're often said to be far tastier! Wild strawberries can be distinguished from mock strawberries, a similar species found in Ohio, by their white flowers and seeds that look "sunken" into the flesh of the fruit. Mock strawberries have yellow flowers, and their seeds are more "spiky" in appearance. Wild strawberries are easy to grow in home gardens, and many native plant nurseries offer seeds or rooted stolons for purchase! To learn more about this plant, follow the link:https://plantpath.osu.edu/sites/plantpath/files/imce/images/NativePlants/edited%20Wild%20Strawberry%20Flyer.pdf

Join us for our final Horticulture Lunch and Learn of the season! We’re excited to welcome Dr. Tim McDermott of Ohio State University Extension, Franklin County, who will present “Tomatoes 201: Advanced Techniques for Maximum Harvest.” Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just love growing a few plants each summer, tomatoes always offer something new to learn—did you know that consistent watering is one of the keys to preventing common issues like blossom end rot, and that pruning and proper staking can significantly increase airflow and yield? From choosing the best varieties for our region to maximizing flavor and production, this session will help take your tomato-growing skills to the next level. Join us on Tuesday, June 16 at midday for this informative and engaging presentation. For more information and to register for free, visit go.osu.edu/mgvlearn

🫙 Why the science matters in home canning 🔬
Ever wondered why you can’t just “wing it” with canning times? 🤔
It’s because not all foods heat the same way inside a jar—and that matters for your safety.
Thick foods 🍲, big chunks 🥕, tightly packed jars, and even sugar or protein levels can all slow down heat pe*******on. That means some spots in the jar (called the “cold spot”) take longer to get hot enough to kill harmful bacteria.
⚠️ For low-acid foods, this is especially critical—because Clostridium botulinum (the bacteria that causes botulism) can survive if processing isn’t done correctly.
Here’s the key takeaway:
✅ Safe canning times aren’t guesses—they’re based on detailed lab testing
✅ Every food + preparation method needs its own tested process
✅ There are no shortcuts when it comes to food safety
💡 That’s why following trusted, research-based recipes is so important!
👉 Want to dig deeper into the science? Read more here: https://nchfp.uga.edu/resources/entry/backgrounder-heat-processing-of-home-canned-foods

Monarchs have started their annual migration through Ohio. It's early in the season, but some eggs and caterpillars have been spotted!

Learn more about monarch life cycle—including what they eat and steps you can take to help conserve them—in the video linked below.

https://senr.osu.edu/extension-outreach/environmental-professionals-network/continue-flight/m1?utm_campaign=faes_marketing-activity_fy26&utm_content=1780495920&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook

🍓 Jam Troubles? We’ve Got You Covered! 🍇
Uh oh… your homemade jam or jelly turned out a little too soft? Don’t toss it just yet—it’s not a lost cause! 🙌 Whether it’s sliding off your toast or behaving more like a dessert topping, you can fix it and save your batch.
✅ Learn how to remake soft-cooked jams and jellies with confidence
✅ Get expert tips for solving common jelly-setting issues
✅ Turn your “oops” into a delicious success!
👉 Check out the Jams, Jellies, and Other Fruit Spreads Fact Sheet (HYG-5350) for step-by-step help https://ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/HYG-5350
👉 Explore even more troubleshooting tips from the National Center for Home Food Preservation https://nchfp.uga.edu/
Because every jar deserves a second chance 💛

June is another active gardening month. With adequate rain and mild temps. Things should really get growing.