School of Transportation & Natural Resources Technologies News Articles

A recent donation from a branch of the nation's largest full-service landscaping firm helped Pennsylvania College of Technology students build a walkway to the conifer garden at the college's School of Natural Resources Management.

With spring atour doorstep, many of us may be thinking of doing some landscaping at home. Here is a tip from Penn College's Horticulture Club: Think about using native plants. This not only will give the landscape a natural feel, but it may be easier on your pocket and save you some time.

This week's Green Tip is brought to you by the Horticulture Club: Small changes in daily routine can save a great amount of water, money and preserve resources for the future. A full bathtub uses up to 70 gallons of water, while taking a 5- or 10-minute shower instead only uses 25 gallons.

Several orchids are in bloom at the Schneebeli Earth Science Center greenhouse, part of a collection from donations to the School of Natural Resources Management over the years. Lana G. Baker, greenhouse attendant, said students have used the flowers and plants in floral-design work, and have been exposed to the different soils and growing conditions that the orchid varieties require.

A Spring 2008 landscape/nursery technology graduate of Pennsylvania College of Technology has earned state certification as a horticulturist. Christopher M.

The latest "Green Tip of the Week" comes from the Horticulture Club: We've all heard that baking soda in the refrigerator can absorb odors, but what else can it do? Did you know there are many uses for this versatile product? From cleansers, to odor controllers, to absorbing moisture, baking soda can take the place of many more toxic products that we use on a daily basis.

Eight Pennsylvania College of Technology students seven horticulture majors and an alumnus of the School of Natural Resources Management re-enrolled for his bachelor's degree increased their marketability by passing the Pennsylvania Pesticide Applicator Certification exam Nov. 20.

Some people might frown upon "regifting" around the holidays, but four Virginia high schools are grateful for a recent donation of automotive diagnostic equipment from Pennsylvania College of Technology's School of Transportation Technology and the Ford Motor Co. Four Worldwide Diagnostic System analyzers were obtained and refurbished by Christopher H.

This week's "Green Tip," advice on how to "Water Properly," is provided by the Horticulture Club: Grass lawns naturally go dry during the summer season, then return to their lush state when it rains. If you must water throughout those months, do so rarely and thoroughly to encourage deep root growth, and always in the morning to prevent water loss through evaporation and transpiration.

This week's "Green Tip," dealing with drip irrigation, is provided by the Horticulture Club: The way water is mostly lost is through evaporation. To eliminate this, drip irrigation should be used whenever possible. Installation of the drip-tubes is fast and inexpensive. It not only applies water directly where it is needed, but it waters deeply and thoroughly.