The garden is an ecosystem, and the gardener is an ecologist. You’ll often hear us say this at the Horn Farm, but what does it really mean?
At its root, ecology means “home.” A garden isn’t just a collection of plants, it’s a living household filled with relationships between soil, insects, fungi, trees, water, and people. When we garden, we’re participating in that web of life. The more we understand those relationships, the better we can help our plants, our planet, and our communities thrive.
Winter is the perfect time to start dreaming big for the upcoming season, and we’re here to support you with a variety of gardening classes and workshops:
Designing Your Spring Garden
February 26, 2026 | 6PM – 8PM
Succession & Companion Planting
March 12, 2026 | 6PM – 8PM
Healing Your Garden Soil
March 26, 2026 | 6PM – 8PM
Exploring Weeds & Pests
April 9, 2026 | 6PM – 8PM
Join Farm Manager Jon Darby starting February 26th for our gardening workshop series and grow your skills as an ecologist in your own backyard
All About Live Stakes
Live stakes, or dormant cuttings from species like willow and dogwood, are one of the most accessible and effective ways to stabilize soil, restore streambanks, and support thriving ecosystems. Planted directly into the ground, they root quickly and help regenerate landscapes from the ground up.
This spring, Horn Farm Center is offering a variety of ways to learn about live stakes, whether you prefer hands-on field experience, lecture, or guided discussion. However you learn best, there’s an opportunity to build your skills and confidence in using this powerful regenerative technology.
Live Stake Work & Learn with Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay
Volunteer & Learn: Thursday, March 5 | 4:30-6PM
Stick It & It Will Grow: Planting Habitat with Live Stakes
Webinar: Tuesday, March 10 | 6-7:30PM
Grow a Forest with Sticks: The Secret of Live Stakes
Workshop: March 15 | 10AM-12:30PM
Saving Soil and Water: One Stake at a Time with LSRA
Speaker Series: Wednesday, March 18 | 6-8PM
Ready to put your knowledge into action? We’ll also have locally harvested live stakes available for purchase starting March 9th! Live stakes are ideal for erosion control, habitat creation, and restoration projects of all sizes.
Join us in our community efforts to grow stronger landscapes, one stake at a time!
Livestake Catalog
Foraging & Eastern White Pine
On a snowy hike in the Lower Susquehanna Riverlands, you may come across spruces, firs, pines, hemlocks, cedars, junipers, larches, and more. Can you tell these conifer cousins apart?Click the video link above to learn a few tips to get started with conifer identification.
Signs of the Pines – our newest foraging deep-dive – will be here February 22nd. Join us for any of our upcoming winter walks as we needle our way through conifer ecology, foraging, medicine, crafting, and natural history!
Save the New Dates: Farmhouse Opening
We’re thrilled to officially open the doors of our brand new Education Center in May! This milestone – over five years in the making – was made possible by the dedication, generosity, and belief of our incredible community.
Join us as we celebrate together with a ribbon cutting and open house to mark this exciting new chapter at the Horn Farm.
Education Center Ribbon Cutting
Friday, April 24 | 2PM
Welcome Back Weekend: Plant Sale & Open House
Saturday & Sunday, May 2-3 | 9AM-3PM
More details will be announced soon! Bring your friends and family to help us celebrate all that we’ve grown together. Join us for a joyful celebration of community and new beginnings at the Horn Farm Center as we welcome this new season.