|
February 2025 UME Master Gardener
State Office Announcements
| |
|
Looks like we're in for more winter weather this year. Our Home and Garden Information Center has a great Facebook post about winter salt awareness. We hope everyone stays safe and warm!
Our newsletter this month includes a save the date for Giving Day, updated HGIC webpages, and several upcoming events that can count towards continuing education.
| |
|
|
Get ready for #GivingDayUMD!
On March 5, join together with fellow University of Maryland alumni, faculty and staff, students, and volunteers for an extraordinary day of giving back. On this one-day campaign, please show your support for Extension’s home horticulture services by contributing to the Home and Garden Information Center Fund.
We want to focus this year's Giving Day funds on food gardening programming for low-income individuals and families. HGIC will have social media posts that you can re-share, so please follow their Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/UMDHGIC) and Instagram (umdhgic) accounts.
All gifts to our fund will also count to help the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources unlock a challenge grant to support student scholarships. Learn more about Giving Day.
Photo taken by Robert Toborek, Montgomery County Master Gardener Intern.
| |
Statewide Meetings and Continuing Education | |
Creating a Winter Wonderland for Wildlife in Your Landscape | |
|
Dr. Stacy Small-Lorenz, Residential Landscape Ecology Specialist and Sarah Witcher, DNR
Thursday, February 20th from 6:30-7:30 PM, Virtual
How to use yard & garden "waste" to create organic habitat structures in yards and gardens that support pollinators, beneficial insects, and the food web while reducing our carbon emissions and improving soil.
| |
|
Wednesday, March 12, 2025, 12:00 – 1:30pm, Zoom
Josh Demers, Environmental Horticulturalist, will lead a hands-on pruning workshop at Brookside Gardens. There will be a lecture portion inside the main Visitor Center followed by a demonstration out in the gardens. Please dress accordingly for the weather.
| |
Implementing Climate Resilient Living Shorelines in Maryland | |
|
Wednesday, March 12, 2025, 12:00 – 1:30pm, Zoom
This webinar will cover the history of shoreline erosion control practices and how traditional techniques have evolved in recent years. What is a 'living shoreline'? How can we enhance habitat, water quality, access, and prepare for climate impacts at the same time? We will cover the Shoreline Conservation Service and discuss which technical and financial assistance opportunities are currently available through the Maryland Department of Natural Resources.
| |
Winter Grow It Eat It Meeting | |
|
Thursday, March 13, 2025, from 10:00 AM- 2:00 PM
Join us for updates on this year's growing season, Year of Herbs, and programming around the counties. This meeting will have hybrid options, so you can attend virtually or in-person at the Central Maryland Research and Education Center.
| |
Catch Up on Continuing Education | |
|
Did you miss any of our continuing education webinars last year?
Check out the recordings below! You can always see both upcoming continuing education opportunities and recorded webinars on the State MG Continuing Education webpage.
| |
Plant Diagnostics Training Course: Part 1- Diagnosing Plant Problems
Become a plant detective and enhance your diagnostic skills! Madeline Potter, UME Faculty Specialist for Entomology & IPM, hosted this plant diagnostic training session for Master Gardeners.
| |
|
Watershed Stewards Academy
Annual Conference
| |
We have a truly exciting conference planned for you this year! This year’s event is designed to explore topics most relevant to restoring communities and improving local waterways. Whether you’re a Watershed Steward, stormwater professional, or just interested in environmental restoration, this year’s conference has something for everyone! | |
Saturday, March 8, 2025- 7:30 AM- 4:00 PM, York, Pennsylvania
Don't miss the annual GardenWise event sharing researched based information about sustainable gardening and environmental stewardship. GardenWise is filled with informative sessions for new and experienced gardeners!
What will you learn?
- Designing and growing a climate-resilient landscape
- Choosing interesting, durable houseplants
- Understanding the role of insects in our environment
- Addressing emerging pest and disease issues for plants in the mid-Atlantic region
| |
|
What's the Buzz on Wild Bees? | |
Free event. No registration needed. | |
LAHR Native Plant Symposium | |
Saturday, March 29, 2025- 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Join the U.S. National Arboretum for a day of engaging presentations about native plants, pollinators, and ecosystems during the 38th Annual Lahr Native Plant Symposium. Learn about supporting native pollinators, utilizing native plants in a historic estate garden, uses of preserved specimens from USNA’s Herbarium (demonstration included), species versus cultivars in regional trial gardens, backyard stormwater management, and foraging locally from this year’s slate of experts!
Your ticket also includes access to the Friends of the National Arboretum Native Plant Sale, where you’ll find local native plant vendors and artisans. Free lunch and snacks will be provided, with gluten-free and vegan options available.
| |
|
Home and Garden Information Center | |
Web Content
Check out these revised webpages:
| |  |
Video Content
Check out these videos:
| |
|
New Year, New Habits on the Horizon
By Stacy Small-Lorenz, Ph.D, Residential Landscape Ecology Specialist, University of Maryland Extension
| |
How to Pay for a Pollinator or Native Plant Garden?
By Anahí Espíndola, Associate Professor, Department of Entomology, University of Maryland, College Park
| |
|
Stephanie Pully
UME Master Gardner State Coordinator
| | |
|
Kaitlyn Baligush
Program Management Specialist
| |
The University of Maryland Extension programs are open to any person and will not discriminate against anyone because of race, age, sex, color, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, religion, ancestry, national origin, marital status, genetic information, political affiliation, and gender identity or expression. | | | | |
