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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September 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 Rebecca Long, Agriculture and Food Systems Professional, University of Maine Cooperative Extension, Oxford County
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Reflect on the growing season. Recording this year’s successes and challenges will provide valuable information when you are planning next year’s garden. Take note of which varieties you liked, what disease and insect issues you struggled with, and what you planted too much of (Hint: It’s zucchini).
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Start your garden clean-up. Healthy plant debris can go in the compost, but plants that suffered from disease or pest issues should be discarded. This can help eliminate sources of insect larvae and fungal spores for next year.
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Consider adding a cover crop! Winter rye is great because it can be seeded the latest. But before you plant, carefully consider how you’ll terminate the crop and deal with the residue next spring. Check out Bulletin #1170, Cover Cropping for Success, and these handy charts of Cover Crops and Green Manures for more information.
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Start researching native seeds to order for fall and winter sowing. Check out Bulletin #2500, Gardening to Conserve Maine’s Native Landscape and all the great resources on the Wild Seed Project site. But don’t order too early! Some native seeds require particular storage conditions, so let the seed company hold on to them until you are ready to sow.
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Whether black lawn or another foliar disease, it was a tough year for lawns made more susceptible by the stress of heat and drought. If your lawn is not showing signs of bouncing back, this is a good time to reseed, following these directions for renovating patches of damaged lawn. For next year, consider adopting low-input lawn practices to make your lawn more resilient.
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Start slacking off on deadheading annual and perennial flowers. Those last flowers and seed heads of the season can provide winter food for birds, and the stalks can serve as nesting sites for ecologically important insects.
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Learn about native insects. Every fall we get lots of calls about Fall Webworm from homeowners concerned they are invasive and destructive. Fall Webworm are actually one of our native tent forming caterpillars and an important food source for birds. Because they feed late in the season on leaves near the end of their useful lives, after trees have stored most of their reserves for winter, they are unlikely to impact the long-term health of trees. If you find they are an aesthetic nuisance, or they have engulfed a young tree in your landscape, their tents can be removed by hand and destroyed by dunking in soapy water.
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Keep an eye out for freezing temps and be prepared to harvest the last tender vegetables on short notice.
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UMaine Extension Offers Pollinator-friendly Garden Certification
Gardens created to attract essential pollinators are the focus of a new pollinator-friendly garden certification available from the University of Maine Cooperative Extension Master Gardener Volunteers program.
Pollinator-friendly gardens provide food and habitat for native insects and animals in a dedicated garden space. Maine gardeners can apply to have existing or new gardens certified when specific criteria are met. Guidelines and educational resources are included for each step of the process.
Maine gardeners can apply online for a nonrefundable $10 fee. Certified gardens can purchase the permanent display sign for an additional $30. For more information or to request a reasonable accommodation, contact 207.942.7396; extension.pollinators@maine.edu.
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Wild Seed Project Profile
By Anna Fialkoff, Program Manager for Wild Seed Project
As we face the unprecedented, urgent, and entwined challenges of the climate crisis and biodiversity loss, Wild Seed Project offers tools to be part of the solution. We are a Maine-based non-profit working to inspire people to restore seed-grown native plants in all landscapes. We do this through our beautiful website’s numerous free resources, talks and workshops, six issues of our annual advertising-free magazine Wild Seed, locally grown native plant seeds for purchase, and a new pledge to rewild initiative.
Pledging to rewild means committing to restore at least 70% native plant biomass in one’s home landscape and eliminating harmful management practices in order to keep intact the delicate web of butterflies, bees, birds, and other forms of life that is crucial to a functioning ecosystem (Douglas Tallamy, Nature’s Best Hope). Anyone can take the pledge, whether you have a small balcony with only enough space for potted plants, or a front lawn large enough to be converted into layers of native groundcovers, shrubs, and trees. By browsing through the blogs, plant lists, and primers for seed sowing and ecological gardening, pledgers will find tools to rewild their own yards, roadsides, and public spaces.
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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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