Penn State Ross Student Farm Hosts Summer Plant Sale

By Blake Jackson

The Ross Student Farm at Penn State will host its annual Summer Plant Sale on July 24 and 25, running from 2:30 to 5 p.m. at Headhouse III, located on Curtin Road.

Organized by the Student Farm interns, the sale aligns with the farm’s planting calendar to ensure the best growing conditions for fall.

All seedlings at the sale have been started and nurtured by the interns without the use of synthetic fertilizers or pesticides. A wide selection of plants will be available, including options well-suited for both outdoor gardens and container growing.

Shoppers can expect to find brassicas like kale, broccoli, and cabbage; lettuces; cucurbits such as cucumbers, zucchini, and summer squashes; as well as herbs and flowers.

After a brief period of hardening-off or gradual exposure to outdoor conditions the seedlings will be ready to plant, just in time for optimal fall growth. Many fall crops, especially lettuces and brassicas, develop better flavor as cooler weather sets in.

“The plant sales directly benefit and support the Student Farm’s educational programs at Penn State,” said Leslie Pillen, associate director of Farm and Food Systems. “The plants we offer at the summer plant sale are best suited to the climate in our area and are easy for students to grow. The varieties we offer are grown right on the Student Farm, so we know they are productive in our specific climate.”

Annual seedlings are priced at $2.50 each, or 15 for $30. The sale will also include succulents and perennial plants, with individual pricing marked. Attendees should bring a box or container for transporting their purchases. Payment can be made by cash or check only, as cards are not accepted.

In addition to the sale, the Student Farm invites students to participate in hands-on volunteering experiences no prior gardening experience is required. Volunteers can sign up through the farm’s official page.

Students using the CATA bus should notify the coordinators upon arrival to receive two free bus tokens to cover their round-trip travel.

Photo Credit: penn-state-college-of-ag-sciences