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1) MAY IS THE MONTH TO....
- Finish bed preparation and get them into circulation! As long as your soil has dried enough, go ahead and work it with a hoe or garden fork to loosen things up. If you are composting, shoot for an inch or so across the surface of the bed before you turn it in. Till if you must, but be aware that over-tilling a plot can destroy the soil structure and lead to drainage problems down the road.
- Plant those vegetable gardens! You've waited long enough--go ahead and plant beets, carrots, lettuce, peas, radishes, spinach, and chard. And in a week or so, transplant out those broccoli and cabbage seedlings that have been yearning for fresh air on your light stand. BUT REMEMBER to harden the seedlings off first by giving them an hour or two outdoors in a protected spot, increasing the time each day for the next week. This will gradually acclimate them to the different conditions. For more information, read up on hardening off here.
- An ounce of row cover is worth a pound of picking worms! Save yourself headaches later in the season by covering your cabbages, kale, broccoli, and related vegetables with floating row cover. Preventing cabbage moths from laying their eggs will drastically decrease your issues with cabbage worms this summer.
- Be vigilant for ticks. The temperatures are warm and we're already seeing the little menaces showing up in the office for identification. Wear long socks and pants, use insect repellant, and carefully scout yourself, and especially children and pets, after walking through any area with long grass or dense undergrowth. Learn all about ticks and the University of Maine Cooperative Extension's efforts to help the public avoid them here.
- Don't forget Mother's Day! There is still time to pick up fresh flowers, seedlings, seeds, or garden tools for Mom. Getting her out into the spring garden is a great way to show your love and thank her for everything she does.
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Photo by Jonathan Foster
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Cherry
(
Photos by Jonathan Foster)
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Photo by U
Maine
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2) 2016: The Year of the Pulse
By Jonathan Foster, UMaine Cooperative Extension, Penobscot County
The United Nations has declared 2016 to be the
Year of the Pulse
. Now, we gardeners know that every year is declared the year of something-or of several or many somethings-but this is one worth visiting a bit about. Do you know what a pulse is? How about a legume? Are they different or just synonyms for the same thing? In popular usage...
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3) Garden Snapshots
Pulmonaria
Master Gardener Volunteer Class of 2016 gets to work at Rogers Farm.
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4) Hearty Lentil Soup
Makes 10 Servings
Ingredients:
5 cups chicken broth (make your own or use chicken bouillons)
3 cups water
1 1/2 cups lentils, picked over and rinsed
1 cup brown rice
2 (15 ounce) cans diced tomatoes with liquid 3 carrots, peeled and sliced
1 large onion, chopped
1 large celery stalk, chopped
2 large garlic cloves, diced 1/2 teaspoon basil
1/2 teaspoon oregano
1/2 teaspoon thyme
2 Tablespoons parsley
2 Tablespoons cider vinegar...
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 5) Featured Plant: Porcelainberry (Ampelopsis brevipedunculata)
Developed by the Maine Natural Areas Program and University of Maine Cooperative Extension
Porcelainberry is relatively pest- and disease-free where it grows, in the northeastern part of the U.S. With no natural enemies to help keep this plant in check, it quickly overwhelms and outcompetes native vegetation. It grows in dense, sprawling mats over native plants, creating ugly, tangled, monocultural thickets. It is particularly successful in urban and suburban areas where there are numerous disturbances that enable it to become established.
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EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
The Rogers Farm Demonstration Garden has kicked off its 2016 season. Come out Tuesday nights at 5pm if you have gardening questions you'd like to run past the Master Gardener Volunteers. Also, please check out the
new Facebook page and like us! Anyone interested in helping in the garden this year should attend or contact jonathan.foster@maine.edu.
The Maine Home Garden News, a statewide newsletter by the University of Maine, is published during the gardening season. Interested Maine gardeners may access the most current issue here.
The Beatrix Farrand Society has announced its 2016 program schedule. Details on the talks being offered at Garland Farm this season, as well as information about the Society, can be found here.
Giant pumpkin seeds for sale to benefit the Bangor Community Garden. Each $5 packet (available at Tiller and Rye) will contain two 'Atlantic Giant' seeds and a tip sheet for growing a big beauty.
The
Maine School Garden Network
newsletter, from an local organization dedicated to school gardens, healthy eating, and environmental stewardship, can be accessed
here.
Learn about Maine School Garden Day, the Northeast Farm to School Institute, and more! They are also hiring a new coordinator--see the job posting
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EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
Online courses and resources
:
For aspiring, new, and experienced farmers.
Support Maine farmers and eat food grown and produced in Maine. Outdoor markets will be opening soon, and many communities have year-round farmers' markets.
Find a Farmers' Market near you
Maine Herb Society Monthly meetings in Bangor through most of the year. Visit their website or call Theresa for more information 942-7396.
Penobscot Beekeepers Association Monthly meetings through most of the year. Visit their Facebook page or contact Peter Cowin petercowin@tds.net for more details.
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CLUBS AND ORGANIZATIONS (cont.)
Brewer Garden & Bird Club
Orrington Garden Club
10am, 1st Wed. of the month Sept-June. Meetings are held at member homes. Contact Barbara 989-3746 or barenaj@gmail.com.
Hampden Garden Club
Monthly meetings Feb.-Dec., fourth Tuesday. Call Pat 862-3909 or Ellen 234-2945 for more information.
Veazie Garden Club
Meetings second Tues. Sept-June, 7pm Veazie Grade School. Call 866-4564.
Penquis Beekeepers
Meetings 7pm on second Tues. of the month at the Dexter VFW.
Sebasticook Garden Club meets at 1:30 on the 4th Thursday in March-October. Most meetings are held at the Newport Cultural Center located at 154 Main Street in Newport. For information call Ann at 416-4807
Milo Garden Club-Second Tuesdays September-June. Locations and programs vary. Contact Gini Goodhind at 943-7772 or Pauline Mullins at 343-2612 FMI.
Dexter Dover Area Towns in Transition (DDATT). Folks interested in seed saving have formed an interest group. More information can be found on DDATT's Facebook page.
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Mission
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.
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Contributors
Jonathan Foster, Home Horticulture Coordinator
Donna Coffin, Extension Educator
Kate Garland, Horticulturist
Theresa Tilton, Administrative Support Supervisor
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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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Surface mail recipients can contact their county Extension office for further information when web links are included in an article.
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