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
September 2021

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!

Be well
-Trisha Smith
Staffing Changes:
I hope you will join with me in congratulating Trisha on her new full time position. We are very happy for her, but very sad that she will leave UMaine Extension in Piscataquis County.

Another farewell to Brian Erickson, Somerset County Extension Sustainable Agriculture Professional. Brian has recently submitted his resignation. We wish him well in his future endeavors.

UMaine Extension administration and the County Extension Associations are considering a number of options to maintain the same level of home horticulture programming in both counties.
Piscataquis County will be seeing more of a familiar face with Laurie Bowen, who is increasing to 20 hours a week for Piscataquis County.

Laurie Bowen is a Food Systems Program Assistant with UMaine Cooperative Extension. Laurie provides programming to the public in food preservation, food safety including Cooking for Crowds, horticulture Master Gardener Coordination, and the Pollinator-Friendly Garden Certification Program. 

Please join me in welcoming Laurie Bowen to her expanded position.

Donna Coffin, Extension Educator
Regular Feature:
Now Is the Time To...
By Kate Garland, Horticulturist , UMaine Extension Penobscot County
  • Embrace the beauty of goldenrod. For quite some time, this plant has been undervalued and even despised. We’ve even put undue blame on it for causing seasonal allergies. Many are falling in love with this well deserving plant now that we have a clearer picture of its role in supporting a tremendous variety of insects. A whopping 124 species of butterflies and moths use goldenrod as a caterpillar host plant in our region.Ensure weeds don’t go to seed. It can be tempting to think “Why bother? The season is almost over.” However this is the time of year when weeds can easily drop hundreds of thousands of seeds into your garden to haunt you for many years to come. The time you take to reduce the weed seed rain will pay huge dividends.
  • Sow lawn seed. According to our bulletin Establishing a Home Lawn in Maine, “The best time to seed a lawn in Maine is from August 15 to September 15, when the warm soil allows seeds to germinate quickly. Late summer’s warm days and cool nights are ideal for strong seedling growth. There is less weed competition in late summer than in spring.”
  • Enjoy every bit of the harvest. Are you pressure canning? Be careful to make sure the gasket on your pressure canner is in good condition, and get your dial gauge tested annually. Pressure canner gauges can be tested at most UMaine Extension offices.
  • Construct a native seed starting nursery area or germination bed for late fall seed sowing adventures. While native seeds are ready to withstand the elements of winter in Maine, you do need to keep in mind a few site selection considerations. Be sure to choose a spot that’s not under a drip edge or where you expect heavy snow loads.
  • Prepare for frost. Gather supplies such as old bedsheets, wire hoops, row cover, etc. to cover plants when temperatures begin to dip. Taking low-cost simple measures to protect cold sensitive crops at night can often extend the season 2-3 weeks or more.
  • Scatter oat seeds under your tomato plants to get a cover crop growing while your plants are still in the ground. When it’s time to remove your tomato plants, simply use a pair of loppers or pruners to cut the stem at the soil line instead of pulling the roots out of the ground. This reduces the amount of disturbance around the newly emerging cover crop. After decomposing all winter, the remaining stump can easily be tugged out the following spring.
  • Gather up a soil sample for testing. Tests taken at the end of the growing season are especially helpful because some amendments, such as lime, can take some time to react in the soil. Request a soil test kit.
Fall Frost Tolerance of Common Vegetables
Adapted with permission from South Dakota State University.
Vegetables vary widely in how much cold they can tolerate as they reach maturity.
Crops that came from warmer parts of the world cannot tolerate even a light frost, and may even begin to suffer at temperatures below 50°F. Basil is an extreme example of this, as the leaves can turn black when the temperatures dip into the 40s. Other plants are a little more tolerant, and warm temperature following a short cold exposure can reverse some of the injury. For example, pumpkins can withstand 35°F nights if daytime temperatures reach 70°F or more.

  • No Frost
  • Light Frost
  • Frost Hardy
Bringing in Herbs for Winter Enjoyment
By Donna Coffin, Extension Professor,
UMaine Extension Penobscot and Piscataquis Counties

You’ve been enjoying fresh herbs in your food and drink all summer, but can you continue enjoying fresh herbs during the winter? The answer for some herbs is yes. Tender perennial herbs with smaller root systems or seedlings of annual herbs may be able to make it through the winter in our homes. Remember the air inside during the winter is dry, the natural daylight is not as long or intense (artificial lights may be needed) and plants must be watched for pests, which can take over very quickly.
Things to consider when bringing herbs to use during the winter:
  • Bring them in before cool weather
  • Select herbs that are healthy and pest free
  • Divide a perennial herb that has multiple stems if the roots are large
  • Spray the plant and roots with water to wash away any unwanted hitchhikers
  • Use a pot big enough for their root system with media that drains well
  • Provide bright light or artificial light for most herbs once they are acclimated to indoor life
  • Be careful not to over or under water
  • Group plants together to make their immediate area more humid
Herbs that can do well indoors in the winter by separating roots from in-ground plants:
  • chives
  • parsley
  • mint
Herbs that do better if grown in pots year-round (they can summer outside with the pot sunk in the ground and then be brought in before the temperatures get cool):
  • rosemary
  • thyme
  • oregano
  • sage
  • lavender
Herbs that do better started in pots from seed for winter use:
  • basil
  • cilantro
  • lemon balm
  • dill
Some links of interest:
Survey Requests
Central Maine Garden Newsletter Survey
We sent you a separate email with an invitation to complete a survey of this Central Maine Garden Newsletter to let us know if this newsletter has been of any help in your gardening endeavors. The people who fund us also want to know if you value our work. You can also give us suggestions for future newsletter articles and programs.
If you missed the invite, here is the link to complete the survey. We all thank you in advance.
cucurbit harvest
One Tomato Harvest Survey
Did you get a One Tomato cherry tomato from UMaine Extension? If yes, please complete our harvest survey to tell us how they did.
NE Regional Center for Rural Development Survey
The four Regional Rural Development Centers are leading an effort to identify the issues various rural residents see as top priorities for economic and workforce development. We invite you to participate in this effort by completing an online survey to share more about the challenges and opportunities you see for investing in Rural America. Responses must be submitted no later than October 6, 2021.
Events of Interest
University of Maine Cooperative Extension County offices are open, at least part-time, and most projects allow in-person volunteering. The health and safety of the community are still important to us as we re-adjust to unrestricted activities. We have developed a number of online resources for those who have reliable internet connections. Here are a few ways we’re available:

New Garden Resources to Meet New Needs
  • 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
  • Victory Garden for ME series: videos for first time vegetable gardeners
  • 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.
  • Garden Mentorship Program: direct technical assistance and encouragement via phone or email throughout the season from trained Master Gardener Volunteers
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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).

New resources are being developed daily. Please check, UMaine Extension: Connecting with Maine Communities During COVID-19 for new updates on our outreach efforts. Your feedback and questions are welcome anytime.

Traditional Services Being Offered in New Ways
  • Identifying insect pests: Charley Armstrong, will identify pest samples via images. See instructions for submitting an insect specimen.
  • Identifying plant diseases: Dr. Alicyn Smart will identify plant disease samples via images. See instructions for submitting a sample.
  • Tick testing: Ticks are being tested on a limited basis. See instructions for submitting a tick sample.
  • Publication orders: We are still processing orders from our publication catalog, including pesticide application training materials.
  • 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.
  • 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.
Other Garden Resources
Extension Programs in other states:
Many states across the US have programs of interest to folks in Maine. Try exploring Extension websites in states with similar climates to ours: Michigan State University, Cornell Cooperative Extension, UVM Extension, UNH Extension, University of Minnesota Extension, UMass Extension

For instance:
Across the Fence covers a wide range of educational topics, including dairy, stewardship, natural resources, and sustainable agriculture. It is your source for gardening tips and tricks from UVM experts and certified Master Gardeners. Our recipe shows air the first Thursday of each month. And learn what Vermont youth are doing in robotics on Across the Fence. Aired on WCAX Channel 3, Mon. - Fri., 12:15 p.m. (EDT) plus their website and YouTube channel.

Enter "Cooperative Extension" in Eventbrite's search bar, and see what pops up! Gardening, food, youth activities, and more!

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
Garden Organizations and Allies
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. 
  • 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.
  • Hirundo Wildlife Refuge is a 2,400 acre nature preserve spanning Pushaw and Dead Streams, Lac d'Or, vast wetlands (including a gently raised bog), Silver Maple Floodplain Forest, mixed hardwood and evergreen forests. Accessible by canoe and trails.
  • 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' 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 Mycological Association is devoted to a better understanding of mushrooms and our environment. MMA is also affiliated with the North American Mycological Association (NAMA)
  • 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.
  • Maine State Beekeepers Association - local chapters: Northern Penobscot County Beekepers Association, Penobscot County Beekeepers, Penquis Beekeepers
  • Maine State Grange-Patrons of Husbandry 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 
  • Orono Land Trust The Orono Land Trust (OLT) a local, accredited, 501(c)3 organization with an all-volunteer Board of Directors. Our mission is to protect, manage, and preserve portions of the natural environment in Orono and surrounding communities, for the benefit and enjoyment of present and future generations.
  • 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 Skowhegan meets every 1st Thursday at 6 pm, Skowhegan Public Library. Contact Iver Lofving 474-7370 or Jason Tessier 474-4380: Dexter Dover Area Towns in Transition (DDATT): email info@ddatt.org 
  • 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. 
Rogers Farm Master Gardener Demonstration Garden sign
Master Gardener Volunteers

Guidelines for Master Gardener Volunteers (Updated 6/8/21):

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 donna.coffin@maine.edu
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

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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?

Need Pesticide credits?  Check out the Maine Board of Pesticide credit calendar.  Many approved pesticide applicator re-certification programs are listed. 


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 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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Penobscot County Office
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Piscataquis County Office
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Somerset County Office
Penobscot County Office - website 
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 

Somerset County Office- website
7 County Drive Skowhegan, Maine 04976-4209
Tel: 207.474.9622 or 1.800.287.1495 (in Maine)