(Mostly) Monthly News for Gardeners
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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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February 2020
I got some great feedback about the incomplete list of Maine-based seed companies cited in last month's newsletter, so I have an updated list. Find it in the "This is the time to..." column. Please feel free to email me with questions, corrections, suggestions, and especially programs and events in your area that might interest your fellow gardeners.
Enjoy the last months of winter!
-Trisha
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Regular Features
- This is the time to...
- Pest Reports
- Plant Picks
- Skill Share
- Volunteer and Project Profile
- Food and Nutrition
- Organizations and Resources
- Upcoming Events
- Mission and Quick Links
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UMaine Tick Surveillance Program Annual Report
The University of Maine Cooperative Extension Tick Lab conducts surveillance of ticks and tick-borne pathogens to track their distribution, detect trends or changes in tick activity, and to identify areas of risk for tick-borne disease in Maine. In 2019, the UMaine Extension Tick Lab
began accepting tick samples from the public for tick-borne pathogen testing. For $15, Maine residents can have ticks tested for the causative agents of Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, and babesiosis; the three most common tick-borne diseases. A free tick identification program also continues to be offered.
This report summarizes the information gathered through the passive surveillance associated with the UMaine Extension Tick Surveillance Program. Passive surveillance refers to tick specimens found and submitted by members of the public and can potentially result in a bias toward certain geographic locations or uncertainty about where a specific sample was collected. All samples were submitted to the Tick Lab within the UMaine Cooperative Extension Diagnostic & Research Laboratory. For more information on ticks in Maine or on submitting a tick to the Tick Lab, please visit us online at:
ticks.maine.edu
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(from the archives, June 2018)
Miniature Rose Plants — Divas Need Not Apply
By Lynne M. Holland, Community Education Assistant, University of Maine Cooperative Extension Androscoggin and Sagadahoc Counties
The miniature rose plant is often overlooked as an option for in the outdoor garden. They tend to be sold in 4” or 6” pots in the florist and grocery store during holidays in the winter and spring when the idea of planting outside is a distant memory. Though the colors are varied and the plants attractive for a while, they often wither and die in the home; one bloom and done. Anyone could be forgiven for thinking this is a petulant, hard to care for plant; a tiny diva of the rose world. Nothing could be further from the truth.
Did you get a miniature rose as a Valentine's Day gift? Keep it alive and plant it outside in spring!
Read more
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Materials, tools, and techniques for building a rain barrel
from
Cornell University Cooperative Extension
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Wintertime Stew
Makes 6 servings | Serving size: 1 ½ cups
Ingredients
1 onion, chopped (½– ¾ cup)
1 clove garlic, chopped or minced
2 teaspoons olive or canola oil
½ butternut* squash, peeled, seeded and cut into ½-inch cubes
2 cups water
2 cups tomatoes, canned, diced
1 Tablespoon brown sugar
1 teaspoon mustard
1 teaspoon oregano
1 teaspoon salt
¼ package fresh spinach,**washed and chopped (2 cups)
2 cups cooked rice
Directions
- Heat oil in a large saucepan, sauté onion, and garlic until transparent.
- Add squash and water to saucepan, cover, and boil until squash is tender; about 10 minutes.
- Add next 6 ingredients (tomatoes, brown sugar, mustard, oregano, and salt), and boil 5 minutes.
- Stir in cooked rice and spinach. Cover and cook until rice is hot and spinach is wilted.
*Butternut is a large, yellow, pear-shaped winter squash. You may substitute other varieties.
**Or use frozen spinach or other greens such as kale.
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Organizations and Resources
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Click the links to learn more, find a chapter near you, and get involved.
Bangor Land Trust
is a nonprofit organization that has conserved over 800 acres of land with public access in the Bangor area. Our mission is to protect for public benefit land and water in the Bangor region that have special ecological, natural, scenic, agricultural, or recreational significance; and to increase public understanding of the value of land and water conservation.
The Garden Club Federation of Maine
National Garden Clubs, Inc. provides education, resources and national networking opportunities for its members, to promote the love of gardening, floral design, civic and environmental responsibility.
Good Shepherd Food Bank
In addition to distributing food to Mainers in need, the Food Bank is leading a statewide effort to combat the root causes of hunger by engaging in advocacy, nutrition education, and strategic partnerships. Good Shepherd welcomes you to join in this effort.
Maine Audubon
is a member-based organization that engages people in conservation, education and advocacy to advance wildlife and wildlife habitat conservation in Maine.
Maine Federation of Farmers' Markets
' mission is to cultivate a vibrant, sustainable farmers' market community as a vital part of Maine's local food network. The Federation works with farmers, consumers, and communities to make wholesome, locally-grown foods available to all residents, to educate consumers about food resources, and to support farm viability.
Maine Gleaning Network
A collaborative farm surplus rescue effort gathering crops from Maine's fields and engaging communities in resourceful and equitable food system activities.
Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association (MOFGA)
The purpose of the Association is to help farmers and gardeners: grow organic food, fiber and other crops; protect the environment; recycle natural resources; increase local food production; support rural communities; and illuminate for consumers the connection between healthful food and environmentally sound farming practices.
The Grange provides opportunities for individuals and families to develop to their highest potential in order to build stronger communities and states, as well as a stronger nation.To inquire about finding a nearby Grange, contact Walter Boomsma at
grange@boomsmaonline.com
Transition Towns
The Transition Movement is comprised of vibrant, grassroots community initiatives that seek to build community resilience in the face of such challenges as peak oil, climate change and the economic crisis. Transition Initiatives differentiate themselves from other sustainability and "environmental" groups by seeking to mitigate these converging global crises by engaging their communities in home-grown, citizen-led education, action, and multi-stakeholder planning to increase local self reliance and resilience.
Transition Skowhegan meets every 1st Thursday at 6 pm, Skowhegan Public Library.
Contact Iver Lofving 474-7370 or Jason Tessier 474-4380
Wild Seed Project
works to increase the use of [Maine] native plants in all landscape settings in order to conserve biodiversity, encourage plant adaption in the face of climate change, safeguard wildlife habitat, and create pollination and migration corridors for insects and birds. Check out their
Native Plant Blog
.
Maine Agriculture in the Classroom
promotes the understanding of agriculture and natural resources among students, educators, and the general public. Curricula and resources for educators and others working with young people. Check out newsletters and/or subscribe
here
.
Maine Farm to School Network
supports the rapidly spreading farm to school movement in Maine. This network knits together a wide diversity of students, teachers, school nutritionists, parents, farmers and groups who support child nutrition and Maine agriculture.
Search
their resource database,
join
the network.
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Upcoming Events
February 15
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Out & About on Snowshoes, a Family Affair, Hirundo Wildlife Refuge, Old Town. $10 adults/ $5 Youth.
Pre-registration Required
February 16-All-In-One-Skiing, Yoga, and Wildlife Interpretation
. Hirundo Wildlife Refuge, Old Town. Ski equipment not included.
$45, group discount available
.
March 5-Growing Vegetables in Containers
: An introduction for "Garden in a Box" project participants and others. Thompson Free Library, Dover-Foxcroft. 4-5:30 pm. Free.
March 7
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Winter Fun Day
, Hirundo Wildlife Refuge, Old Town. 10-2. Adults $15/kids free.
March 14-
Maine Garden Day
Lewiston High School. Back after a 5-year hiatus! All day conference, register online via link above. $60/general admission, $30/students.
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Master Gardener Volunteers
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Stay current with enrollment and reporting your volunteer hours! All required "paperwork" is available and accessible online. Contact your county coordinator for the password.
Report your volunteer hours online anytime:
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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
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Contributors
Donna Coffin, Extension Educator
Kate Garland, Horticulturist
Kathy Hopkins, Extension Educator
Trisha Smith, Community Education 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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