There's still time to register for the Fall Garden Workshop planned by the Penn State Master Gardeners of Butler County.

The workshop, with the theme of growing your own food playing a major role, will be held on Sept. 26 at the Unionville Fire Hall along Route 8 north of Butler.

The doors open at 8:15 a.m. and presentations include information on heirloom tomatoes, kitchen herbs and vegetable gardening. For a break from the theme of eating what you grow, there will also be a session on unusual perennials.

The session on unusual perennials will be first on the agenda as Master Gardeners Karen Schmidt and Eileen Stroup discuss "great-to-grow" perennials not frequently found in local nurseries. They'll include growing tips and, of course, will tell you where you can find these beauties.

The day's second session has Mindy Schwartz, the owner of Garden Dreams Urban Farm and Nursery in Wilkinsburg, focusing on heirloom tomatoes. Workshop attendees will learn how to grow heirloom tomatoes from seed and pick up secrets about Mindy's favorites.

On the agenda immediately following lunch, Nancy Heraud, an Allegheny County herbalist, will cover planting and using the herbs from your own herbal kitchen garden. Her presentation and handouts will include sample garden plots, cultural practices, herb charts and recipes.

Rounding out the day's sessions, Jessica Walliser, a well-known local gardening-book author and radio show host, will provide tips and techniques for growing a high-yield and beautiful vegetable garden with minimal fuss. Topics included will be best varieties for organic growing, amending soil and pest control along with ways to attract beneficial insects to your garden.

There will be plants and bulbs for sale during the lunch break and after the final session. The registration fee of $25 includes breakfast and lunch. Parking is free and there is plenty.

The workshop is a great value — important gardening information about growing your own food, good meals and the chance to get a head start as you plan for spring!

Additional information and registration forms are available from the Penn State Extension Office by calling 724-287-4761 or you can download your registration form at http://butler.extension.psu.edu/MG/fallseminar.htm.

This material is submitted by Donna Zang, extension director, and the staff of the Penn State Extension office at the Sunnyview Nursing and Rehabilitation Center complex.