Beneficial Insects at Philadelphia Flower Show

I’m not really a big fan of flower shows. Huge displays of prematurely forced tulips really aren’t my thing. Gardening to benefit wildlife with native plants is my thing. And there’s usually precious little of that happening at any flower show I’ve ever been to.

But last week was the Philadelphia Flower Show, and I must admit to a guilty pleasure. My dear friend Bill Schaffer and his wife Kris Kratt of Schaffer Designs always have an incredibly creative and artistic display at the Flower Show, and I go every year to see what how they’ve outdone themselves this year.

Philadelphia is also known for its street art, and there’s lots of fun stuff to see just walking from the parking garage to the Philadelphia Convention Center, where the Flower Show is held.

This year I was pleasantly surprised to find a display that was educational and amusing. “A Backyard Battle” by the Mercer County Community College Horticulture Program.

The Horticulture Program at Mercer County Community College (MCCC) is a comprehensive and hands-on program designed for students interested in pursuing careers in the field of horticulture, landscaping, and garden design. The program offers a range of courses covering a variety of topics, including plant science, landscape design, garden maintenance, and more.

Students in the program benefit from a combination of classroom instruction, laboratory work, and hands-on field experiences. This allows students to gain practical experience and develop the skills they need to succeed in the industry. Additionally, MCCC’s horticulture program is unique in that it offers students the opportunity to participate in a variety of hands-on projects, such as planting and maintaining the college’s own gardens and greenhouses.

The faculty at MCCC is experienced and knowledgeable, and provides students with personalized attention and guidance throughout the program. The program is designed to be flexible, allowing students to customize their learning experience based on their individual interests and career goals.

Upon completion of the program, students will be prepared to work in a variety of roles in the horticulture industry, including positions in garden design, landscaping, nursery management, and more. The program also provides students with the opportunity to earn certifications in areas such as arboriculture, landscape design, and pesticide application.