An open garden will be held from 9 a.m. to noon July 19 at the North Park demonstration garden. The garden is at East Ingomar Road and Babock Boulevard. Penn State master gardeners who tend the garden will be on hand to answer questions. There will also be a Q&A booth where visitors may bring diseased or pest-infested plants for identification. (Please make sure infected plant parts are in sealed plastic bags.)

Former McCandless resident Mark Rieger has recently written a book, "Introduction to Fruit Crops" (Haworth Food & Agricultural Press, $59.95).

Dr. Rieger, a North Allegheny High School graduate who is currently associate dean of the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences at the University of Florida, says the book is a comprehensive look at the world's major fruit crops.

It is geared toward avid gardeners, extension agents and students and is meant to be used as a reference.