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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October 2020
UMaine Cooperative Extension's website is frequently updated to keep up with concerns regarding the spread of COVID-19. Be sure to check out Maine Home Garden News. It is the source of the content in this month's Central Maine Garden News, and has more pictures and articles than I squeeze into this newsletter.
The University of Maine System is beginning a state-wide gradual reopening process with new COVID-19 protocols and modifications in place. Please check websites and make phone calls before you head out, hoping to meet in person. We are available as always by email, although we are looking forward to seeing (at least part of) people's faces again!
-Trisha
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This is the time to...
By Kate Garland, Horticultural Professional, UMaine Extension Penobscot County
- Leave the leaves! “One of the most valuable things you can do to support pollinators and other invertebrates is to provide them with the winter cover they need,” says Justin Wheeler for the Xerces Society. Read more in his article below. If it’s tough to fully retire the rake, allow leaves to accumulate in certain areas of the landscape and encourage friends to do the same. Become a #leavetheleaves trendsetter.
- Contact an arborist to discuss the removal of hazard trees and limbs before the winter storm season begins. The State of Maine arborist program maintains a listing of licensed professionals and offers tips on how to select the right contractor for your project.
- Sow native plant seeds. Many of our native plant species require a period of cold, moist conditions in order to germinate. Fall sowing mimics natural processes and is a very inexpensive way to add more native plants to your landscape. The Wild Seed project has a nice 6-step process outlined on their website.
- Plant garlic. UMaine garlic experts Dave Fuller and Steve Johnson explain the proper timing in Growing Hardneck Garlic in Your Maine Garden. “The goal in the timing of planting is to allow the clove to establish a root system but not to plant so early as to have the top emerge above the soil line where it is prone to winter injury. Plant hardneck garlic cloves in Maine about mid-September to the end of October, north to south.”
- Start or revamp your compost pile. While it’s best to let as many leaves as possible serve as habitat for overwintering insect populations, using some of those leaves as a foundation for, or supplement to, compost piles also serves as an important way we can have a positive impact on the environment. Leaves are an excellent foundation material for home compost piles.
- Dig, prep, and store tender bulbs*. Dahlias, cannas, elephant ears, gladiolus, and tuberous begonia all have underground storage structures that can be stored in a cool, dark location for the winter and replanted the following season. Here are some great tips for preparing the plant material and establishing the proper storage conditions.
- Identify sugar maples for tapping this winter before one of their most helpful identification characteristics (their leaves) disappear. Forest Trees of Maine has a nice tree identification key (PDF) and a detailed section on maple trees (PDF). Once you’ve marked trees with brightly colored flagging, start looking for sugaring supplies and check out our nice collection of “How To” videos to get ready to enjoy nature’s candy.
- Test your soil. Soil samples can be collected and sent to the lab at any time, but tests taken at the end of the season are especially helpful because some amendments, such as lime, can take some time to react in the soil. Plus, you can purchase what you need now so you’re prepared for next spring! Request a kit.
- Plant spring-flowering bulbs*. The sight of cheerful crocus, tulips, daffodils, snowdrops, and other early blooms can warm even the coldest Mainer in April and May. Use the “toss” approach for a more natural effect by gently dropping small groups of bulbs from about 2 feet above where you plan to plant and tuck them in exactly where they land.
- Pre-register to safely dispose of obsolete pesticides by October 9. This free annual program is open to homeowners, family-owned farms, and greenhouses. Collections will occur at four sites: Presque Isle, Bangor, Augusta, and Portland. Drop-ins are not permitted. Collected pesticides are taken to an out-of-state disposal facility licensed by the federal Environmental Protection Agency. Information to register and fill out your obsolete pesticide inventory form may be found at the Obsolete Pesticide Collection website.
* Some of the plants that are listed as bulbs are technically a corm, rhizome, or tuber.
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Thoughtful interview questions by Jen Lund, Maine State Apiarist, Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, Division of Animal and Plant Health, jennifer.lund@maine.gov
Q. Please describe your background (how you got into bees, how many hives do you have, etc.).
A. I came into beekeeping late in life. It wasn’t something I’d ever considered until I met a guy in college whose parents were beekeepers. It sounded like a weird, offbeat hobby I could get behind. In my 40s I finally got a hive of my own after reading a long article about colony collapse and thinking I’d like to be part of the solution rather than part of the problem. It turns out I was part of a nationwide trend of people making exactly the same decision. We now look after about 20 hives in total. The Honey Exchange is a hub for the beekeeping community. We teach classes, provide hives, bees, equipment, and year-round support for the beekeepers, including a custom honey extraction service. The other half of the business is one of Portland’s favorite gift shops, where we sell local and artisanal honey, food and drinks made with honey, and beeswax products from candles to hand salves.
Q. What should a person do if they want to start beekeeping?
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Leave the Leaves!
By Justin Wheeler, October 6, 2017. Reprinted with permission from the Xerces Society blog. xerces.org/blog
One of the most valuable things you can do to support pollinators and other invertebrates is to provide them with the winter cover they need.
Besides providing the right plants, and protecting your garden from pesticides, one of the next most valuable things you can do to support pollinators and other invertebrates is to provide them with the winter cover they need in the form of fall leaves and standing dead plant material. Frequently, however, this is the hardest pill for gardeners to swallow.
It may be habitual, a matter of social conditioning, or a holdover of outdated gardening practices from yesteryear, but for whatever reason, we just can’t seem to help ourselves from wanting to tidy up the garden at the end of the season: raking, mowing, and blowing away a bit of nature that is essential to the survival of moths, butterflies, snails, spiders, and dozens of arthropods.
That’s why this year — and every year — we are making the case for leaving the leaves and offering input on what to do with them. Read on!
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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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University of Maine Cooperative Extension buildings are open, at least part-time, and some projects have begun to allow in-person volunteering. The health and safety of the community and the spread of the Coronavirus are still of concern, and offices are implementing strategies to maintain CDC-approved conditions. We have developed a number of new online resources for those who have reliable internet connections. Here are a few ways we’re available:
New Resources to Meet New Needs
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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Garden Mentorship Program: direct technical assistance and encouragement via phone or email throughout the season from trained Master Gardener Volunteers
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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: With novel coronavirus closing schools across Maine for several weeks, UMaine Extension has assembled a collection of helpful educational resources for parents and caregivers. 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. For example, see Rogers Farm Demonstration Garden’s short educational Facebook videos (also on Instagram).
Traditional Services Being Offered in New Ways
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Identifying insect pests: Clay Kirby, Associate Scientist/Insect Diagnostician, 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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Master Gardener Volunteers |
UMaine Extension Master Gardener Volunteers are beginning a gradual restart process, which initially will focus only on Maine Harvest for Hunger.
All other in-person Master Gardener Volunteer related activities remain suspended until further notice, including (but not limited to) plant sales, in-person meetings, and demonstration garden maintenance.
Master Gardener Volunteer trainees who are currently working towards their certification will continue to receive additional time to complete their initial 40 hours of volunteer service. Currently, active certified Master Gardener Volunteers will still not be required to complete their annual 20 hours of volunteer service in order to maintain their certification. However, individuals may, with approval, continue to volunteer as they are able. Please report those hours in a timely way so we can track our impact within our communities.
Updated: 9/3/2020
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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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