Solutions in Your Community

Anne Arundel County UME Newsletter

October 2021


Dear Friends and Clients,


Fall (my favorite season) is upon us. For me, it’s all about enjoying college football, cooler weather and Maryland apples. We are lucky that we still have apple orchards in Maryland. Now is a great time to visit one the local orchards, farmers markets or roadside stands and stock up on Maryland apples. In this month’s newsletter we have included a very easy recipe to make applesauce. 


October is the perfect time to get your lawn in shape for next spring, now is the time to plant bulbs, seed those bare spots in the lawn and put down your fall fertilizer. Our Home and Garden Information Center is a great resource for anyone wanting additional information regarding their lawn and garden  the website is located at: https://extension.umd.edu/programs/environment-natural-resources/program-areas/home-and-garden-information-center.


Finally, if you haven’t already taken down your hummingbird feeders, please do so, we don’t want to encourage them to hang around, as it’s time for them to head south.


Thanks from all of us at the Anne Arundel County Extension office!


Robert Baldwin

Acting Area Extension Director

We're still in business, but with some differences!!

For well over 100 years, University of Maryland Extension has fulfilled its mission of delivering science-based education to Maryland citizens and communities.


Our office resumed normal operations on Monday, July 19, 2021 and we welcome all clientele and stakeholders.


We understand that some people are still very cautious during this time and we are always committed to meeting the needs our clientele and stakeholders to ensure that you have the information and assistance you need to protect your families, farms, and communities.


  • Call or email us: We will continue to answer your questions and provide the resources you need.


  • Field visits: We will continue to conduct on-site field visits for diagnosis of production issues.



Mark Your Calendar!

Crops Sustainability & IPM Workshop

December 16, 2021

6:00 - 9:00 PM

Anne Arundel UMEE

Click here for more information.


Office closures:

November 11 - Veteran's Day

November 25-26 - Thanksgiving Holiday

December 24 - Christmas Eve

December 31 - New Year's Eve

Fall Garden Interest

Nancy Allred, Interim MG Coordinator

As the weather turns cooler and the days grow shorter, many plants die off (annuals) or go dormant (perennials.) There are however some notable late season plants that are quite showy and worthy of a place in the home landscape. Besides adding color, texture and increasing bio-diversity, they also provide wildlife benefit in the form of food and shelter. Native plants have evolved locally so are better suited to site conditions, generally tolerate periods of wet and drought better and support native wildlife. For example, asters and goldenrods attract late season pollinating insects and throughout the winter, birds and small animals feast on the seeds and find shelter in the dried stalks. Coneflowers like Black-eyed Susan provide a nectar source for butterflies and bees and the seeds are a food source for birds. Consider planting coral honeysuckle, a climbing plant, perfect for an arbor or trellis and delight in the visiting hummingbirds, bees and butterflies. The berries of coral honey suckle attract quail, finches and nourish small mammals.  Native bees and butterflies love Gaillardia and have another advantage; they are distasteful to deer and rabbits. American beautyberry is an important food source for birds. The purple berries are quite striking and consumed by raccoon, opossum and fox. 

 

All of the above mentioned and illustrated plants grow in demonstrations gardens located at the Anne Arundel County Extension Office, 97 Dairy Lane, in Gambrills, Maryland. The Village Garden demonstration project tended by Master Gardeners includes a rain garden, herb garden, and a butterfly garden. Native shrubs and flowering plants fill the beds. The gardens provide information via plant labels and show how native plants can be successful in residential landscapes. 

 

Master Gardeners also have demonstration gardens at other county locations. These include the Chase Lloyd House, Composting and Demonstration Native Garden at Quiet Waters Park, Eastport Nature Restoration Project’s Pollinator Garden, Linthicum Walks Native Garden, South County Senior Center Demonstration Garden, the Tawes Garden and the Woodland Garden at Kinder Farm Park. The link below provides information about these and other Anne Arundel County Master Gardener Projects.

https://extension.umd.edu/locations/anne-arundel-county/master-gardener-program/master-gardener-projects

It's Turkey Time!

How can I tell if my turkey is done? Is my turkey gluten-free? The Butterball Turkey Talk Line® can help! From November 1st through December 24th Butterball® experts are available to answer your questions via telephone, email and online chat. Visit their website - www.butterball.com/turkey-talk-line - to learn more.

Join Anne Arundel County 4-H

Did you visit the Anne Arundel County Fair this year? Did you wonder what in the world 4-H is all about? Do you have children between 8 and 18 or know someone who does? If so, it's easy to learn more! Visit our website or email the the Anne Arundel County 4-H office at gsumbrum@umd.edu."4-H makes the best better!"

Become an Anne Arundel County Master Gardener

Interested in becoming a Master Gardener? Master Gardeners are a group of gardening enthusiasts who are passionate about gardening, education, and volunteering in their community. The curriculum is presented by University of Maryland Extension faculty and trained Master Gardeners.



Click here for more information.

Our Agronomy Experts are Here to Help

While our offices are closed, we are still working to provide assistance.


  • Call or email us: We continue to answer questions and conduct field research to deliver the resources you need.


  • Field visits: If needed and following social distancing protocol, we continue to conduct on-site field visits for diagnosis of production issues.



  • Online Resources: We are expanding online learning available at the websites below. Find online pesticide and nutrient voucher recertification here: Upcoming programs

We are here to help you. Contact any of your Southern Maryland Agriculture Agents:


Alan Leslie

301-542-7612

aleslie@umd.edu

https://extension.umd.edu/charles-county


Ben Beale

301-481-7209

bbeale@umd.edu

https://extension.umd.edu/locations/st-marys-county


Dave Myers

410-980-1768

myersrd@umd.edu

https://extension.umd.edu/locations/anne-arundel-county


Healthy Eating - Homemade Applesauce

7 apples, washed, peeled, cored, and cut into chunks

½ cup water

¼ cup white or brown sugar (optional)

1 teaspoon cinnamon


In a large pot, add apples, water, and sugar. You may reduce the sugar, or leave it out completely if you are using a sweet variety of apple. Cook apples, water, and sugar over medium heat for 15-20 minutes. Using a large spoon or potato masher, crush the cooked apples into a sauce. Add cinnamon and stir before serving.


Source: eatsmart.umd.edu

Area Extension Director

Robert Baldwin, Acting AED

rsb@umd.edu or 410-222-3900

Agriculture & Natural Resources

Dave Myers, Principal Agent

myersrd@umd.edu or 410-222-3906

Nutrient Management

Krista Mitchell, Nutrient Management Advisor

kristaw@umd.edu or 410-222-3906

Master Gardener Program

Nancy Allred, Interim Master Gardener Coordinator

nallred@umd.edu or 410-222-3906

4-H Youth Development

Gretchen Sumbrum, Agent

gsumbrum@umd.edu or 410-222-3900

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP-Ed)

LaTasha Coleman, Principal Agent Associate

lcolema4@umd.edu or 410-222-3903

University of Maryland Extension

Anne Arundel County Office

97 Dairy Lane, Gambrills, MD 21054

410-222-3900

extension.umd.edu/anne-arundel-county