(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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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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This is the time to...
By Kate Garland, Horticulturist, UMaine Extension Penobscot County
- Educate your friends about invasive plants. Pointing out an invasive plant in a friend’s yard is a lot like letting them know they have food in their teeth. It’s an uncomfortable conversation, but best to just do it (in a kind and positive way) and get it over with. Many homeowners unknowingly have invasive plants in their landscape and, while it’s not illegal to have them, it’s best to make efforts to eradicate as many as possible to minimize risks to our natural landscapes. Prepare to offer suggestions for alternatives or direct them to Extension for advice. Hopefully they’ll still invite you back to their next barbecue.
- Step away from the pesticides until your garden problems are properly diagnosed. 'Tis the season for powdery mildew, blight, leaf spots, insect damage, and more. Once fungal pathogen symptoms are visible on plant tissue it’s almost always too late to “cure” the plant with a fungicide and it may not be necessary to treat the plant anyway. Insecticides are often only effective during a narrow window of time during an insect’s life cycle. Avoid unnecessary and ineffective applications of pesticides by reaching out to your local Extension office to properly diagnose and learn how to manage the problem.
- Harvest frequently. Beans, peas, zucchini, and summer squash are all examples of crops that require harvests more than once a week. If left unchecked, you risk having tough, watery or oversized low-quality fruit.
- Preserve your harvest! UMaine food safety experts have compiled many excellent resources for the home gardener. Notable resources include: refrigerator pickles, herbal vinegars, and over a dozen “how-to” videos. If you’re pressure canning, have your dial gauge checked annually for accuracy.
- Share your harvest! Join the Maine Harvest for Hunger team as we celebrate our 20th year and the milestone of donating over 3 million pounds for fresh produce to neighbors in need. Contact your area food pantry to see if and when they can accept donations of fresh produce or reach out to your local Extension office to find a donation site.
- Take advantage of sales and inspiration at local nurseries. It’s perfectly fine to install new plants this time of year. Simply provide 1” of water per week to get them established and they’ll do fine.
- Plant a fall cover crop, such as oats, in areas that have been harvested clean OR plant short-season crops such as radish, salad turnips, spinach, pea shoots, lettuce, and other assorted baby leaf greens.
- Practice low-input lawn care methods. Keep mower blades set high and leave clippings behind. Apply beneficial nematodes (PDF) in late August (timing is very important) to keep white grubs in check and reseed bare spots to reduce weed pressure. Have your soil tested to determine whether any adjustments to pH or fertility need to be made. This is also a good time of year to get new lawns established from seed.
- Don’t let weeds go to seed. Weed seed rain (the result of weeds developing and dropping seeds onto the soil) from a single plant can potentially add thousands of seeds to the soil seed “bank.” The seed of some species can remain viable in the soil seed bank for 30-40 years. Reducing weed seed rain can have a significant impact on long- and short-term weed pressure.
- Remove spent flowers on annual and perennial plants to improve overall plant health and increase the likelihood of rebloom.
- Gather supplies for season extension. Winter is coming . . . there, I said it. Instead of denying the inevitable, purchase or dig out your row cover and hoops to protect low-growing crops. Don’t let an early frost steal precious days of great growing conditions and even better yields from your crops this fall. Learn more.
- Take advantage of the bounty at your local farmers’ market and learn about great programs such Maine Harvest Bucks, end of market gleaning, and Senior Farm Share. If you have a free day and are looking for a new market, the Maine Federation of Farmers’ Markets even has organized a list of markets by the day of the week they’re open.
- Enjoy the fair season! Maine agricultural fairs are fun for the whole family. Be sure to say hello and support our 4-H friends who work very hard to share their knowledge with the public at these events. See full listing of dates and locations here.
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News Release: USDA Declares August Tree Check Month; Urges Public To Look For Invasive Asian Longhorned Beetle
WASHINGTON, July 23, 2019 — August is the height of summer, and it is also the best time to spot the Asian longhorned beetle (ALB) as it starts to emerge from trees. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is asking the public to take five minutes to step outside and report any signs of this invasive pest. Checking trees for the beetle will help residents protect their own trees and better direct USDA’s efforts to eradicate this beetle from the United States.
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Managing Invasive Plants in Maine
By Matt Wallhead, Ornamental Horticulture Specialist/Assistant Professor, UMaine Extension, Orono
Approximately a third of Maine’s vegetation is comprised of species not native to the state. Invasive plants are those that are non-native and have the potential to cause environmental and/or economic damage. Invasive plants can be introduced to an area in a variety of ways. Many invasive species were first brought to the state for ornamental purposes, including
Norway maple
,
burning bush
, and
Japanese barberry
. Accidental introductions and wildlife assisted dispersal are common as well. For instance, it’s not very difficult to find
glossy buckthorn
growing under power lines where birds perch.
The most effective way to manage invasive species is to prevent their introduction.
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False Anemone (Anemonopsis macrophylla)
By Leala Machesney, Horticulture Master’s Student, The University of Arkansas
False anemone. Photo courtesy of Haragayato, Wikimedia Commons.
Many plants native to Japan also grow well in Maine. This can be attributed to Maine and northern Japan sharing the same Köppen climate classification: humid continental. Humid continental climates are characterized by warm humid summers and bitterly cold winters. Forests, both deciduous and evergreen, are typical in these regions. As a result, there is a great diversity of herbaceous plants adapted to woodlands in humid continental climates. The false anemone (Anemonopsis macrophylla) is one such plant. False anemone can be found in the north of Japan’s main island, Honshu. It thrives in the moist, neutral or acid soils composed of clay or loam typical of the area. The forest environment favored by false anemone protects plants from strong, desiccating winds and harsh sun that would burn the plant’s foliage. In Maine, where soils tend to be acidic and many homeowners have abundant access to both full and partial shade, the false anemone grows with relative ease. Because false anemone is hardy from zones 4 to 7, only growers in the coldest regions of Maine may have difficulty with this plant.
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How to Divide Perennials in Late Summer and Early Fall
By Liz Stanley, Horticulture Program Coordinator, UMaine Extension Knox, Lincoln, and Waldo Counties
Dividing perennials can rejuvenate plants and make them perform better next season. The bonus? You end up with extra plants to add to your garden or give away.
Although many plants can be divided in early spring, now is often the best time for plants that bloomed early. By late summer, you can also tell which plants haven’t flowered very well, or have hollow centers and weak foliage.
Some of the best candidates for dividing at this time of year are peonies, veronica, Siberian iris, trollius, oriental poppy, and bearded iris. When you make more plants, think about making groupings of a single variety for a more natural “drift” effect.
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Volunteer Spotlight: Growing Beauty and History in Somerset County
By Kathy Hopkins, Extension Educator, UMaine Extension Somerset County
Patricia Horine's diverse and exceptional Master Gardener Volunteer projects began when she first enrolled in the Somerset County Master Gardener Volunteer training in Skowhegan in the spring of 2002. One of her first ideas for a volunteer project with fellow MGV trainee, Sarah Carpenter, was to organize a “Plant Swap” for people in the county and surrounding area. Why a swap and not a sale? The goal was to provide gardening knowledge and assistance for low income gardeners who might not otherwise have access to a variety of plant material for their gardens. The requirements of the swap are simple. Bring a plant and swap for a different plant. The plants can be ornamentals, vegetables, trees or shrubs. The only requirement is that plants have to be healthy and labeled with the correct scientific name. Patricia, Sarah, and new Master Gardener Volunteers have always been on hand to help determine scientific names and to key out unknown specimens. The Plant Swap has been an annual event for 16 years and is looked forward to by the horticultural community in Somerset County each year. The Master Gardener Volunteers have benefited from this spring opportunity over the years by putting their botanical knowledge to use in their local community and informally sharing their plant knowledge with friends and neighbors.
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Food & Nutrition: Drying Your Garlic Crop
By Dave Fuller, UMaine Cooperative Extension Agriculture and Non-Timber Forest Products Professional, Franklin County
Now that you’ve harvested your garlic, the process of drying begins. Improperly dried garlic can result in issues with mold, mites or possibly the loss of your crop.
Follow these tips
to maintain bulb quality and lengthen the storage life of your treasured garlic.
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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
Dexter Dover Area Towns in Transition (DDATT) meets every first Friday at 6 pm, Abbott Memorial Library, Dexter. Contact Sam Brown 277-4221 or 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.
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Upcoming Events
August 8-Herbs and Homeopathics 101.
Linda Tisdale, Herbalist. Thompson Free Library, Dover-Foxcroft. 1:30-2:30 pm. Free.
August 10
-Milo Garden Club Summer Fair. Three Rivers Kiwanis, Milo. 11-1:30.
August 17
-Birding at Lake George Regional Park, Skowhegan/Canaan. 8:30-10:30am.
September 7-
Celebration of Weston
, Somerset Woods Trust, Madison. Meet at 3:30 in downtown Madison to walk the new Weston Waters Trail, or at the homestead at 5.
September 14
-Families in the Outdoors-Rocks, Gems, and Dirt! Piscataquis Soil and Water Conservation District's Law Farm. 1-4. $5/person.
Please pre-register.
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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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