A Backyard Gardening lecture series by the Penn State Cooperative Extension's Master Gardeners will be held today from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Trax Farms in Finleyville (412-835-3246). The second session is 12:30 to 4 p.m. April 11 at Hahn Nursery in Ross (412-635-7475). Cost is $15.

The topics at each session are "Growing Heirlooms," "Pruning 101" and "Herbs: From Seed to Table." Registration is encouraged; walk-ins are welcome. Information: 412-473-2540.

PG garden columnist Doug Oster and his radio partner Jessica Walliser will present three lectures at Soergel's fourth annual Spring Gardening Symposium beginning at 1 p.m. March 28. Their topics are "Easy Tips for Growing Tomatoes, Garlic and Basil," "Remarkable Perennial Flowers" and "Unique Edibles You Should Grow."

Soergel's Orchards is in Franklin Park. The cost is $45 per person. Call 724-935-2090 to register.

A Master Gardener plant sale will be held from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 24 as part of the Western Pennsylvania Gardening & Landscaping Symposium at Chatham University, Shadyside.

Doug Oster writes a blog, "Growing With Doug," exclusively at PG+, a members-only web site of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Our introduction to PG+ gives you all the details.