Future gardeners learn from pros
CAROL ZICKLER/SPECIAL TO THE TIMES NEWS The Slatington Elementary School, through the Penn State Master Gardener Program, visited Sensinger's Greenhouse to learn more about Mother Earth. Master gardeners Lisa Hiles, background, and Ed Knittle, foreground, assist fifth and sixth grade students in planting violas.
As 20 students traveled to the Mahoning Valley to visit Sensinger's Greenhouse in Mahoning Township with their teacher Deb Siglin, the master gardeners were preparing for the visit.
Jan Kromer, owner of greenhouses; Lisa Hiles; and Ed Knittle, all master gardeners, gave a tour of the facility and taught the children how to plant flowers.
The beautiful array of flowers promised some interesting lessons for them. They got to see the production facility where the seeds are grown and then to plant their own flowers.
Not many elementary schools have garden clubs but Slatington does.
The greenhouse started in 1913 by Calvin Sensinger and his wife and has been in business for the last 97 years by various owners. Kromer's son Lucas, the manager, assisted in giving the tour and explaining the functions of the greenhouses. There are twelve greenhouses in all.
The children left with their planted flowers and a new lesson in the wonders of nature.
