(Mostly) Monthly News for Gardeners
|
|
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
|
|
March 2020
The current
Maine Home Garden News
is the source of most of the content in Central Maine Garden News. I compiled the list of "Organizations and Resources" and "Upcoming Events." Any errors are my own. Please let me know if information is incorrect, and contact me with suggestions.
Enjoy the changing seasons!
-Trisha
|
|
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
|
|
|
|
Now is the time to...
by Pamela Hargest, Horticulture Professional, UMaine Extension, Cumberland County
- Create a plan. Review your garden notes from last season, and select which vegetable, herb, and flower varieties you’d like to grow this year. Create a map of your garden and decide where everything will be planted throughout the season. This will help you determine how many seedlings or seeds you’ll need for each crop and when they’ll need to be started indoors or planted outside. Try using this planting chart for the home vegetable garden to help with your plan.
- Order your seeds. Before ordering for the year, check the packaging date on your old seed packets and review this life expectancy of vegetable seeds chart to confirm whether or not your seeds are still viable. There are several reliable seed companies based out of northern New England, so consider ordering from a Maine company.
- Start your own seedlings. Starting seedlings indoors will give you a head start on our short growing season, so you can get the most out of your garden. It also allows you to select unique varieties that may not be available at your local nursery. Supplemental light should be used when starting seeds indoors. Temperature is another big consideration, since most seeds need a soil temperature of 65-70°F for germination and many heat-loving crops prefer an even higher temperature. Learn more about the supplies and growing conditions necessary for starting seeds at home. Enter your frost-free date (a safe estimate for central Maine is May 25) on this website and it will automatically calculate the best times to start different seeds indoors.
- Sample local maple syrup. Maine Maple Sunday is March 22 this year. This family-friendly event gives residents the opportunity to visit local sugarhouses and sample local maple syrup. Many farms also offer a variety of activities throughout the day. If you have sugar maple (Acer saccharum) trees on your property, you can also try tapping and making your own syrup.
- Clean and sharpen your tools. If you didn't do it in the fall, do it now! For more information, check out How to Clean and Sharpen Your Pruners by UNH Extension and Cleaning Garden Tools by University of Vermont Extension.
- Prune woody landscape plants. Late March is a great time for pruning. Always make sure your tools are clean and well-sharpened. At this time of year, you can get a good look at the form of your shrub or tree, and more easily identify areas where thinning may be necessary to allow better air flow and light penetration. You’ll also want to remove any dead or broken branches, rubbing branches, downward and inward growth, suckers, and watersprouts. Pruning will improve overall plant health, increase its ornamental value, help reduce disease pressure, and make your shrubs and trees much easier to manage.
|
|
|
|
Photos by Amy Emery, Maine Forest Service.
Used with permission.
The brown-tail moth causes significant harm to trees and humans. The caterpillars are responsible for defoliating a variety of hardwood trees and have poisonous hairs that can cause serious skin and respiratory problems in humans. It’s present in areas from the western Maine border to east of the Penobscot River. If you find webs within reach, now through mid-April is the time to clip and destroy the webs by soaking them in soapy water or burning them.
|
|
|
Native Plant Profile: Amelanchier (Shadbush/Serviceberry/Juneberry)
By Ginger Laurits, Master Gardener Volunteer
Amelanchier, one of our most appealing native plants, has a host of common names that refer to its early bloom time and value as a food source for many animals, including us. Also known as shadbush, shadblow, serviceberry, sarvisberry, Juneberry, wild currant, sugar plum, and saskatoon, Amelanchier can be seen along the roadside edges, stream beds, and the woodland understory, coming into flower as pussy willow blooms are going by. The name “shadbush” refers to its bloom time, which coincides with shad running to spawn in local rivers. “Serviceberry” may come from “sarvisberry,” because its berries resemble the fruit of the sarvis tree or European mountain ash. A different explanation says that “serviceberry” was so named in Colonial times because it bloomed when the ground thawed, and burial services could be held for loved ones who had died in winter. If I could name this lovely small tree, I would call it “so-delicious-it’s-sinful” berry.
|
|
|
|
|
Five Favorite Ways to Use a Cold Frame This Spring
By Anne Bartoo, Master Gardener Volunteer (2014)
Chilly spring temperatures don’t need to stop the enthusiastic home gardener from producing salad greens or hardening off seedlings. The concept of starting and growing vegetables during the colder months has been around since Romans employed cold frames in the first century to grow preferred food for the Emperor Tiberius.
[1]
As greenhouses became a popular status symbol among the wealthy in 17
th
Century Europe, cold frames were employed as an intermediate home for young plants before they were moved to the outdoor garden.
[2]
Today, home gardeners use a variety of methods to jump-start or extend the growing season, including cold frames and hoop houses. These are great solutions while we wait for the ground temperature to warm and the nighttime temperatures to stabilize in order to dig in young plants.
The process of building a cold frame is straightforward, but using it takes a bit of practice and savvy. To get you started, [here] are some tips from a few of my experienced Sagadahoc County neighbors and Master Gardener Volunteer colleagues:
|
|
Hand Washing 101: Back to the Basics
By Kathy Savoie, Extension Educator
Plain Soap vs. Antibacterial Soap
We all hear it, all the time...wash your hands
to prevent the spread of germs and illness. The
latest information from the U.S. Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) advises consumers to wash their hands with plain soap and water. That’s it, just plain soap and water for 20 seconds. Why? Because ingredients in antibacterial soaps have not been proven to be safe for daily use over long periods of time. These ingredients have also not been shown to be more effective than plain soap
and water in preventing illnesses.
What about hand sanitizer?
Hand sanitizers kill many germs, but they do not remove dirt and other matter from your skin and under your nails. Using soap and water is always the better choice. Save hand sanitizer for times when soap and water is not available.
When to wash?
Frequent hand washing is a must. Make sure to wash your hands:
• Before, during, and after making food
• Before eating food
• Before and after caring for someone who is sick
• Before and after treating a cut or wound
• After using the toilet
• After changing diapers or cleaning up a child who has used the toilet
• After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing
• After touching an animal, animal feed, or animal waste
• After handling pet food or pet treats
• After touching garbage
NEW TO THE LIST
…after touching your phone or other devices while making food
The FDA 2016 Food Safety Survey Report tells us that 48% of people use devices such as smartphones or tablets while preparing food. Of those, only 35% wash their hands with soap and water after touching the device while preparing food. These devices can be a source for germs.
|
|
Organizations and Resources
|
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.
|
|
Upcoming Events
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.
March 19-Native Plants for the Home Landscape
. Nokomis Regional High School, Newport. $5.
Please pre-register
.
March 24-Backyard Poultry Care
. Nokomis Regional High School, Newport. $5, book (optional) $20.
Please Pre-registe
r.
March 25
-
Growing in a Greenhouse
, UMaine Cooperative Extension Penobscot County, Bangor. 10-noon. $10.
Please pre-register
.
March 27
-Final Friday Community Climate Conversation and Potluck, The Commons at Central Hall, 5:30-7:30 pm.
April 11
-
Bird ID Made Easy with Bob Duchesne
. Dover-Foxcroft Clongregational Church, 8-10 am. Free;
please pre-register
.
April 22
-
Restore Our Nature Trail
-Earth Day Kick-Off, Sedomocha School Library with outdoor Nature Trail activities. All ages, free. Dover-Foxcroft, 3-5:30 pm.
|
|
Master Gardener Volunteers
|
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:
|
|
|
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.
|
|
The goal
of the Central Maine Gardening Newsletter is to connect gardeners with resources and events that encourage and inform.
Quick Links
|
|
 |
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
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Piscataquis County Office
|
|
|
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)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
