News and events for gardeners from Penobscot, Piscataquis, and Somerset Counties from University of Maine Cooperative Extension, Soil and Water Conservation Districts, Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry, Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association, and other trusted partners | |
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April 2023
Fellow gardeners of Central Maine,
How you care for your home garden and landscape makes a difference, and the UMaine Cooperative Extension Home Horticulture team is here to support you! Check out this month's Maine Home Garden News for the full articles linked in this newsletter, plus more! Subscribe here to get Maine Home Garden News in your inbox on the first of every month!
Wishing you all a very Happy New Year!
Yours,
Donna, Kate, and Laurie
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EGG-Cellent Eggs!
Laurie Bowen
UMaine Cooperative Extension
This is the time of year eggs are on everyone’s mind. Your local feed stores are filled with the
sound of day-old chicks and Easter Egg hunts are being planned. The US Department of
Agriculture estimates that Americans consume approximately 250 eggs per person per year.
If you have plans to host your own Easter Egg Hunt, and prepare the eggs yourself, the
University of Arkansas Extension Service has a great article on “How to Make the Perfect Boiled
Eggs Without The Green Ring” with a helpful reminder to use only food grade dye. If you prefer
a video and do not plan to decorate your eggs “Mainely Dish has a video recipe on preparing
hard boiled eggs.
If you find yourself with an excess of eggs, consider pickling those extra eggs. Kathy Savoie,
UMaine Extension Educator has an article providing instructions on pickling eggs.
For more extensive information on overall food safety and eggs, UMaine Extension Bulletin#2257 Food Safety Facts: Facts about Eggs is a great resource.
No matter the time of year, there are always great recipes to prepare those “Egg-Cellent” eggs.
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Bulletin #2751, Starting Seeds at Home
Developed by Marjorie Peronto, Extension Professor; and Theresa Guethler, Extension Master Gardener.
Updated January 2021 by Marjorie Peronto; Frank Wertheim, Associate Extension Professor; and Emma Fournier, Extension Community Education Assistant.
When you grow your own seedlings, you can get a jump on Maine’s short gardening season, and start enjoying flowers and harvesting vegetables four to six weeks earlier than if you had waited for the ground to warm up enough to sow the seeds outside.
Starting your own plants from seed also allows you to choose from the much broader array of varieties offered by seed catalogs. Commercial transplant sellers offer a more limited number of varieties for sale.
Using transplants instead of direct-seeding is especially important for plants that take a long time to mature or are sensitive to frost, such as tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, and melons. Some plants (mostly root crops) do not transplant well, or they mature quickly enough that starting seedlings indoors is not necessary. Vegetables that are typically direct-seeded in the garden include beans, beets, carrots, corn, peas, spinach, lettuce, turnips, and zucchini.
Read more...
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Pussy willow (Salix discolor) The Wild Seed Project
By Pamela Johnson
A large shrub, or small to medium-sized multi-trunked tree found across Canada, south to Montana and S. Dakota, and in the East, from Newfoundland to Delaware; inhabiting old fields and swamps, found along roadsides, wetland shorelines and in disturbed areas; thrives in wet soils, but adapts well to drier sites; critical pollen source for early-emergent insects; one of the most popularly recognizable native shrubs, appreciated for its early flower bud display.
An old field specked with budding pussy willows (Salix discolor) is like a constellation come to earth, descended from the heavens and hovering just above the ground. On a dim late winter’s afternoon, pussy willows spark and scint in a landscape still in thrall to monochromatic cold. Everyone notices pussy willows, and feels their encouragement in the waning winterscape.
Insects notice too: for some native pollinators, pussy willows offer a first, important source of pollen and nectar in very early springtime. Look closely at the male catkins, or aments, that follow the buds and you will see a roil of small wasps, ants and bees (Hymenoptera) and varieties of flies (Diptera), all crawling, burrowing, bumping, flitting and wriggling in benign competition while foraging the flowers for nectar and pollen. There must be joy equal to our own in this early benison.
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A Tree-Lined Path
By Nancy Donovan, Ph.D, PT
Master Gardener Volunteer
Resident of Bridgton
I cannot remember in which grade I had to memorize the poem titled “Trees” that was written
by Joyce Kilmer in 1913. While I now cannot recall the entire poem, the first two lines continue
to come to my mind many times throughout the year. I find myself reciting:
I think that I shall never see
A poem lovely as a tree
I suspect that many, if not all of us, at some point had to collect, and identify, as many different
leaves as we could for a class project. Unfortunately for me, I did once collect the leaves of
poison sumac. Just one of many lessons I have learned the hard way.
In the spring I always look forward to the light lime green color when the buds on tree branches
begin to open to signal that the white of winter is in the past. The leaves continue to grow and
darken until the fall season when they float to the ground to create golden, orange, red, purple,
and brown colors in mosaic patterns that remind me of carefully designed and sewn quilts.
In science classes I, and I suspect each reader, learned that trees are important for many
functions, including:
1. Absorption of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere (by the process of photosynthesis)
and storage of it in the wood (a process termed carbon sequestration)
2. Absorption of the rainwater in the soil
3. Release of oxygen into the atmosphere
4. Blocking the suns rays which provides cooling shade
5. As leaves decompose the nutrients in the soil are increased
6. Blocking of the cold winter winds
7. Prevention of soil erosion
8. Provision of habitat and food for birds, insects, and other wildlife
9. Decrease of the temperature of the soil
10. Serve as the subjects of poems for school-age children to memorize (I made this one up)
Read more...
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Earwigs
Earwigs are reddish brown and up to 3/4″ long when fully grown. Earwigs have a pair of forcep-like pincers extending from the back end. The pincers are used for defense and also to catch other insects upon which earwigs sometimes feed.
Young earwigs resemble adults but are smaller. The female cares for her eggs and young until they are big enough to wander away from the nest and obtain their own food. Usually, earwigs are first noticed in the spring around the outside of the home or garage near the foundation. It is reasonable to assume that most areas around homes are likely to be infested with earwigs. A certain percentage of adults and eggs last through the winter. While it is unlikely that they can ever be completely eliminated, one ‘can’ keep populations at acceptable levels.
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Maine Audubon Alert
It's estimated that one million birds die or are injured per day around the country after colliding with glass windows. We need your help understanding this problem in Maine so we can craft and implement solutions.
As spring migration gets underway, millions of birds will be moving north through the state. Some will mistakenly collide with reflective glass windows, and we'd like your help in identifying which birds are dying, and which windows they're hitting.
What You Can Do
BirdSafe Maine is a partnership between the University of Southern Maine and the Portland Society for Architecture, working together to understand and address bird / building collisions in Maine. We've received reports of hundreds of birds representing dozens of species, and we're working to turn our study into real policy solutions, including a bill in the legislature right now. But we still need your help.
If you find dead or injured birds below your windows this fall, please take a photo and send it to BirdStrike@MaineAudubon.org.
We will use this data to better understand timing, species at risk, and help identify solutions homeowners can take to reduce these deaths.
If you find a dead or injured bird, please:
- Take photographs of the bird in place.
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Email images with the date and address to BirdStrike@MaineAudubon.org
- No need to collect the bird, but you can move it to a safe place to decompose if you feel comfortable.
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If you find an injured but living bird, please contact Avian Haven at 207-382-6761.
For interested volunteers, we are hosting a virtual information session on Wednesday April 5 between 12 and 1. Register here.
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UMaine Cooperative Extension Poultry Care Resources
UMaine Cooperative Extension Poultry Care Resources
Laurie Bowen
UMaine Cooperative Extension
Whether you are looking to start your own flock or have an existing flock, UMaine Cooperative Extension has many resources to help you along the way. For those who would like to hatch their own poultry, UMaine Cooperative Extension Bulletin# 2072 Maine Poultry Facts: Hatching Your Own Chicks will help guide you along your way. If you would rather purchase day-old chicks the Bulletin has a link to connect you with registered hatcheries.
If you already have an existing flock and would like to delve further into the resources available from
Cooperative Extension, the https://extension.umaine.edu/livestock/poultry/ poultry webpage has links
to all the videos and bulletins that will assist you in maintaining and caring for your flock.
You’re sure to find helpful answers to all your poultry questions with these resources.
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Animals in the Garden, Yay or Nay??
Wildlife can be a major pest in a home garden causing considerable damage. At the same time many home gardeners want to attract some wildlife to their gardens for enjoyment.
UMaine Cooperative Extension will offer an informative talk on animals in the garden. A discussion of including and excluding animals in the garden will be the topic. Attracting birds and other invertebrates into the garden as well as discouraging wildlife from our gardens will be discussed.
For more information contact Laurie Bowen laurie.bowen@maine.edu or Donna Coffin donna.coffin@maine.edu or 207.564.3301
Event will be held at the Thompson Free Library, Dover-Foxcroft on April 20, 2023 10am - noon.
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Ice Out Dates
Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry
The Maine Lakes Ice Out Table below is updated on weekdays during the spring as information becomes available. Use the easy-to-remember www.maine.gov/dacf/iceout to send this page to friends or link to our page.
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Ice Out Update subscribers receive a message at 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. if the table has been updated. You may choose to receive text or email messages. Text ICE-OUT to 888-514-7527 to subscribe. And, an easy to remember short URL for this webpage is www.maine.gov/dacf/iceout.
- Report Ice Out in your area by sending us an email.
- "Ice Out" is defined for this webpage as when you can navigate unimpeded from one end of the water body to the other. There may still be ice in coves or along the shoreline in some areas, but when a person can traverse the entire waterbody without being stopped by ice floes we will consider the ice to be out.
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Include lake name, town, and date in Your Report of Lake Ice Out Email to us.
- Using the Ice Out Table
- To search for a specific lake or town use the search box above the table.
- To sort by either lake, town, or date ice out was reported click on the table column titles.
- View past years Ice Out tables - since 2003
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Using Egg Substitutes in Baking and Cooking
February 16, 2023 Nutrition, Spoonful
— By Kate McCarty, Food Systems Professional, University of Maine Cooperative Extension
Perhaps you’ve noted that egg prices have increased dramatically over the last year. Due to increased demand and incidences of avian flu, the price of a dozen eggs has more than doubled since 2021. Many people are exploring alternatives to eggs, looking to save a few dollars on their grocery bill.
While we love eggs as a source of protein that are low in calories, there are times in cooking and baking when less expensive alternatives can be used. In baking, eggs create structure and give lift, called leavening, to doughs. Egg substitutes can have more or less success, depending on the role of the egg in that particular recipe.
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Garden & Home Resources
Timely UMaine Extension Publications
https://www.johnnyseeds.com/growers-library/seed-planting-schedule-calculator.html
- Webinars & Videos
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Garden Chats: Growing Resilience From the Ground Up- You may have missed the live Zoom presentations, but we've rounded up fact sheets for each week's discussion for your reference
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Victory Garden for ME series: videos for first time vegetable gardeners
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Growing Maine Gardeners: An initiative led by UMaine Extension’s Home Horticulture team to address the increased demand for gardening education throughout the state of Maine and to provide additional support for beginner gardeners.
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Free Distance Nutrition Education Classes through UMaine Extension Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program is free to income eligible adults with children or your adults and if you are eligible for programs such as SNAP, WIC, or Head Start.
- Other
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Maine Farm Products and Pick-Up Directory: The directory provides information on available local farm products and alternative pick-up options developed by farmers statewide to accommodate the recommended social distancing in light of COVID-19.
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Learn at Home: Educational Resources to Use During School Closures: From science to financial literacy, whether for toddlers or teenagers, we encourage you to take advantage of these activity books, guides, and other resources to help children remain engaged in educational experiences throughout their school closure.
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Learn at Home with 4-H Friday Fun! Each Friday, watch for a new hands-on activity that you can try out with simple materials you have at home. Watch a short video clip to see how it’s done or download our 4-H Learn from Home activity sheets. Each activity outlines materials needed, easy-to-follow instructions, reflection questions for discussion and activity extensions.
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Social Media: Many of our staff are stepping up efforts to communicate to audiences via social media.
Traditional Services Being Offered in New Ways
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Identifying insect pests: Charley Armstrong, will identify pest samples via images. See instructions for submitting an insect specimen.
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Identifying plant diseases: Dr. Alicyn Smart will identify plant disease samples via images. See instructions for submitting a sample.
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Tick testing: Ticks are being tested on a limited basis. See instructions for submitting a tick sample.
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Publication orders: We are still processing orders from our publication catalog, including pesticide application training materials.
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Soil testing: The Analytical Lab and Maine Soil Testing Service remains open and is taking samples with a priority on commercial samples. If you need to drop off a sample, you can place it in the box outside of Deering Hall; do NOT enter the building.
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General gardening questions: Contact your county office. Emails are preferred. If it’s necessary to leave a voicemail, please leave your email address (if available) or a mailing address in addition to your phone number.
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Extension Programs in other states:
If you find a great program when you're poking around online, let me know so I can share with your fellow gardeners: donna.coffin@maine.edu
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Garden Organizations and Allies
Click the links to learn more, find a chapter near you, and get involved.
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Master Gardener Volunteers
Reminder for MGV
to report their time and activities in the on the Master Gardener Volunteer Reporting Volunteer Hours website.
Did you forget the password? Contact laurie.bowen@maine.edu
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Mission
The University of Maine Cooperative Extension is the major educational outreach program of the University of Maine with offices statewide. UMaine Extension provides Maine people with research-based educational programs to help them live fuller, more productive lives.
Mention or display of a trademark, proprietary product, or firm in text or figures does not constitute an endorsement and does not imply approval to the exclusion of other suitable products or firms.
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The goal of the Central Maine Gardening Newsletter is to connect gardeners with resources and events that encourage and inform.
Quick Links
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Local Weather Anytime
Most outdoor activities are driven by the weather. Our local National Weather Service in Caribou has meteorologists on staff 24 hours a day. They are willing to talk with you about predictions for your town. Give them a call at 492-0180. Or check out their online detailed maps at http://www.weather.gov/car/.
Need Pesticide Credits?
Interested in Volunteering with UMaine Extension?
Nearly 8,000 volunteers devoted more than 150,000 hours to their communities last year through the University of Maine Cooperative Extension! Look around our
Photos: Edwin Remsberg, Donna Coffin, or Laurie Bowen unless other listed.
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Contributors
Donna Coffin, Extension Professor
Kate Garland, Extension Horticulturist
Laurie Bowen, Food Systems Program Assistant
The goal of the Central Maine Gardening Newsletter is to connect gardeners with resources and events that encourage and inform.
The University of Maine does not discriminate on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, including transgender status and gender expression, national origin, citizenship status, age, disability, genetic information or veteran status in employment, education, and all other programs and activities. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies: Director, Office of Equal Opportunity, 101 North Stevens Hall, 207.581.1226.
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Piscataquis County Office | |
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Open Monday - Friday 8 am to 4:30 pm
307 Maine Ave Bangor, ME 04401 207.942.7396 or 800.287.1485
Piscataquis County Office - website
Open Monday, Thursday, Friday 8 am to 4:30 pm
165 East Main St Dover-Foxcroft, ME 04426 207.564.3301 or 800.287.1491
7 County Drive Skowhegan, Maine 04976-4209
Tel: 207.474.9622 or 1.800.287.1495 (in Maine)
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