07-05-2025
Learn all about herbs at Monterey Pass garden talks
The Garden Talk Series at Monterey Pass Civil War Garden will begin on Thursday, May 8. According to an announcement, Buttonwood Nature Center will host a series of garden talks on four consecutive Thursdays: May 8, 15, 22 and 29. The events will take place from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the garden adjacent to the Monterey Pass Battlefield Museum at 14325 Buchanan Trail East, Waynesboro, Pennsylvania. The programs are free and open to the public.
The talks will be led by Penn State master gardener volunteer Annette Spry and Melissa Irwin, a former educator and accomplished gardener. Pam Hind Rowland, Buttonwood's educational site coordinator and garden director, will also contribute to the programs.
The first session on May 8 is titled "All About Herbs and How to Use Them." Spry will discuss various herbs that can be grown successfully, including both perennial and annual varieties. Participants will learn about the needs and growing habits of each plant, as well as culinary uses for fresh and dried herbs. The session will also cover simple harvesting methods, and how to dry and preserve herbs for later use.
On May 15, Irwin will present "Small Space Gardening." This session will focus on how to create productive gardens in limited spaces, such as small yards or balconies. Irwin will also explore vertical gardening techniques that maximize space.
Melissa Irwin grew a giant lion's mane mushroom in her home garden last summer. Irwin is one of two presenters in a series of gardening talks in the historic garden at Monterey Pass in Blue Ridge Summit this spring.
The third session, "Cooking with Herbs — What's the Buzz?" will take place on May 22, led by Spry. This talk will teach participants how to enhance food flavors using various herbs. Attendees will learn the differences between dried and fresh herbs, when to use each, and how to prevent herbs from bolting. Spry will also discuss the role of herbs in supporting pollinators like bees and other beneficial insects.
The final session, "Garlic 101: Planting, Growing and Harvesting," will be presented by Irwin on May 29. Participants will discover how to grow garlic, from selecting varieties to creating garlic braids that can last until the next harvest. The session will cover culinary and medicinal uses of garlic, as well as its role as a companion plant and natural pesticide.
The historic garden was created in partnership with the Friends of the Battle of Monterey Pass, based on extensive research. It serves as an educational tool for visitors of all ages to the Monterey Pass Battlefield Museum. According to an announcement, the garden is an interpretation of a Civil War-era garden, not a literal reproduction. Rowland noted that 19th-century gardens often included a variety of herbs used for both medicinal and culinary purposes.
The garden is maintained by Buttonwood garden volunteers and members of the Blue Ridge Garden Club throughout the season.
While registration for the programs is preferred, it is not required. Interested participants can go to for more information.
Attendees are encouraged to wear appropriate shoes for the garden environment. Seating will be provided, but participants may bring their own chairs if they prefer.
This program is produced in partnership with the Friends of Monterey Pass Battlefield and is supported by grants from the M&T Charitable Foundation, Younger Toyota, and contributions from various local supporters. Facility support is provided by the Monterey Pass Battlefield Museum and Washington Township. The garden was established by Buttonwood Nature Center with additional support from local businesses and organizations.
This story was created by Janis Reeser, jreeser@ with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing and publishing process. Learn more at or share your thoughts at with our News Automation and AI team.
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This article originally appeared on Waynesboro Record Herald: Garden Talk Series to begin at Monterey Pass Civil War Garden on May 8
