Solutions in Your  Community


In This Issue

May 25:
Memorial Day
Office closed.

July 4:
Independence Day
Office closed.
April 2020

We here at UM Extension hope that everyone is safe and healthy this spring as we struggle with the impact of COVID-19. This is certainly not the spring we were expecting or hoping for, but since it is what we have received we are alltrying to do the best we can to be supportive


 
Karol Westelinck Dyson
Capital Area Extension Director
Master Gardener Coordinator's Corner
Nancy Allred, Interim Master Gardener Coordinator

Prior to my Master Gardener Training, I had little appreciation of the value of native plants. My gardening experience had been limited to raising backyard vegetables, tending a needy and very weedy lawn, and caring for ornamental shrubs and flowers. What I learned from the training and from author/educators like Doug Tally of  "Bringing Nature Home" was that my plant choices impact the overall health of my landscape. With my unsuitable soil (acidic and sand), proximity to the bay and aversion to lawn chemicals, it seemed prudent to reduce areas of turf and plant natives. Doing so has added more diversity and beauty to my landscape, and provided more ecological value.

Gradually, I began introducing natives. A river birch now flourishes above my deck. In addition to providing food and cover for many animals, I get shade for my deck where I can enjoy the aesthetic of its exfoliating bark (Figure 1). The eastern red bud and flowering dogwood are spectacular in their spring bloom (Figures 2 & 3). Mayapple colonizes my wooded areas (Figure 4). Other spring favorites are bleeding heart, Dutchman's breeches, and lungwort (5, 6 & 7). In a sunny spot, the American native shrub, Fothergilla, with its bottlebrush-like flower spikes, is fragrant and attracts bees (Figure 8). At its feet are golden ragwort, a particularly sunny though assertive groundcover (Figure 9). These are just a few highlights in my spring landscape. Some of these will disappear as the tree canopy fills in and others have yet to emerge.

Figure 1: River Birch
Figure 2: Eastern Red Bud
Figure 3: Flowering Dogwood
Figure 4: Mayapple
Figure 5: Bleeding Heart
Figure 6: Dutchman's Breeches

Figure 7: Lungwort
Figure 8: Fothergilla
Figure 9: Golden Ragwort

Being in nature is good for the soul and has been a godsend during Covid-19 shelter-in-place protocols. Spring arrived without regard for the virus and the birds and bees have found a welcome home. If you want to learn more about native plants you can check out these links or even better, become a Master Gardener. Information can be found at:




Resources for Families During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Faculty members and graduate students in the Department of Family Science have
created several resource guides for families and children in the context of the COVID- 19 pandemic.These guides aim to support parents who may be struggling with how to communicate to their children in an age-appropriate way about this unprecedented global pandemic.

Click here to learn more.

Source: UMD Department of Family Science
4-H Projects and Activities
Gretchen Sumbrum, 4-H Educator

Hello from 4-H. As we are all still adjusting to this new "normal" we wish everyone good physical and mental health.

Just a few months ago, adults may have been struggling with how to keep youth from having so much screen time. Now we are trying to figure out how to have enough screens for everyone; between schoolwork, business meetings, socializing, research, and so much more, there just aren't enough devices around! So how can we give our youth productive, educational, engaging, activities that do not require the use of the internet? 4-H Project Books!

 

Project books guide youth through a topic of their choice with little to zero need for online resources. Life skills such as decision-making, planning/organization, communication, and career interests are acquired while youth engage in self-directed, exciting activities.

Here are a few ideas.

So many choices and luckily we currently have so much time!

 

Look at the project books and find one or two, that fit your family's interests. For additional information or questions, reach out our 4-H Educator, Gretchen Sumbrum at gsumbrum@umd.edu.

Our Agronomy Experts are Here to Help

For over 150 years,  University of Maryland Extension   has fulfilled its mission of delivering science-based education to Maryland communities. We will not waiver on that promise. Our faculty members are developing new learning opportunities to continue to meet the needs of our clientele; we are working to ensure that you have the science-based information you need to protect people and reinvigorate businesses threatened by COVID-19.  We are ready to serve you.
 
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 website below. Find online pesticide and nutrient voucher recertification here: https://go.umd.edu/iKp
  We are here to help you. Contact any of your Southern Maryland Agriculture Agents:
 
Alan Leslie
301-542-7612
 
Ben Beale
301-481-7209
 
Dave Myers
410-980-1768

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.
Do you have a plant question? Pests in your house? Not happy  with your lawn? The University of Maryland Home and
Garden Information Center can help. Visit their website:
Agriculture & Natural Resources

Interested in agriculture? There are many agriculture resources available on our website.

Agriculture Newsletters

For more information, please contact Dave Myers, Extension Educator, AGNR.

4-H offers plant and animal science programs for youth ages 8-18. See the 4-H website for more details.
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 Anne Arundel County 4-H office at gsumbrum@umd.edu. "4-H makes the best better!"
Healthy Eating - Zucchini Pizza Bites


1 large zucchini, washed and sliced in 1/4 inch thick circles
Cooking oil spray 
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1/2 cup pizza sauce
1/2 cup part-skim mozzarella cheese, shredded


 

Preheat the oven to broil. Place zucchini slices on a baking sheet, in a single layer.Spray each zucchini slice lightly with cooking oil spray.  Flip each slice and spray on the other side. Sprinkle Italian seasoning on top of zucchini slices. Broil the zucchini for 2 minutes. Remove from the oven, flip slices over, returnto the oven and broil 2 minutes more. Top each zucchini slice with 1 teaspoon of pizza sauce. Sprinkle 1 teaspoon of cheese on each slice. Return the baking sheet to the oven and broil for an additional minute or two until cheese melts and begins to brown. Using a spatula, transfer pizza slices to a tray or plate to cool a bit before serving.


Did you know...

Assassin eggs
Assassin bugs  are generalist predators that feed on a wide variety of pests ranging from small ones like aphids to larger ones like caterpillars.  

Click here to learn more.



Anne Arundel County Extension
97 Dairy Lane
Gambrills, MD 21054
410-222-3900

 Area Extension Director
 Karol Dyson, AED
Agriculture & Natural Resources
Dave Myers, Principal Agent
myersrd@umd.edu  or 410-222-3906

 
Nutrient Management
Kayla Griffith, Nutrient Management Advisor
kmgriffi@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


Food Supplement Nutrition Education Program
LaTasha Coleman, Principal Agent Associate
lcolema4@umd.edu or 410-222-3903


Family and Consumer Sciences
Jeanette Jeffrey, Agent
jjeffrey@umd.edu or 410-222-3906