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1) SEPTEMBER IS THE MONTH TO....
- Join the University of Maine Cooperative Extension and the Penobscot County Master Gardener Volunteers at the Rogers Farm Demonstration Garden Field Day! Guest speakers Dr. Lebelle Hicks and Heron Breen will headline a day of garden-oriented family fun. September 10, 10am-2pm, rain or shine (full details in this month's article below). And, hey, while you're at it--give us a like on Facebook!
- Keep harvesting produce from the garden. Many of our seasonal favorites have gracefully bowed out or will shortly (I'm looking at you, zucchini. . .), but the late bloomers are still producing and you may still have time to squeeze in a quick Fall crop.
- Save seeds. For any non-hybrid garden plants (i.e., those that have F1 in their name), think about saving seeds for next year's garden. For information on how to go about this fun, easy step toward self-sustainability, see our Bulletin 2750, "An Introduction to Seed Saving."
- Tidy up the garden plots. Remove dead plant debris from your vegetable and ornamental beds to prevent pest and pathogen overwintering. Start thinking about mulching and putting those beds to bed for the winter--don't forget to add Fall leaves into your calculations, as shredded leaves make an excellent, inexpensive cover for your garden. Or if you are worried about continued weed presence or the nutrient content of your soil, take a look at cover crops to handle both issues at once!
- Responsibly dispose of old or banned garden pesticides. Check through whatever is in your garden shed or garage and make plans to let the State of Maine help you dispose of them in a way that won't harm your family and neighbors, unintended targets in the animal and plant world, or our water supply.
- Wear sunscreen and reduce sun exposure. Take care of your skin, even on days you might not think it's important. Apply sunscreen products first if also using insect repellent.
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Take a moment. Fall and winter are around the corner. It's easy at this time of year to look forward to the
guilty relief we all feel when the garden is put to bed and we get a welcome respite. . . but you know we'll all be salivating for the garden again long before it's time to plant. Stroll through your garden and appreciate what's in bloom--you can bank that beauty in your memory for the snowy days ahead.
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Photo by Jonathan Foster
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Fresh Maine artichokes
(
Photos by Jonathan Foster)
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Photo by Jonathan Foster
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2) Rogers Farm Demonstration Garden 2016 Field Day
By Jonathan Foster, UMaine Cooperative Extension, Penobscot County
We talk a lot in this newsletter about the Master Garden Demonstration Garden at Rogers Farm. This is possibly due to a conflict of interest, since this author's two primary professional responsibilities at the Cooperative Extension are the penning of the Central Maine Garden News and managing said Demonstration Garden, but it's also because the garden is Penobscot County's largest Master Gardener projects and one of the longest-running. Since breaking ground in 1994, the garden has evolved...
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3) Garden Snapshots
2016 Master Gardener recruit Chris Lemieux with a garden oddity
Veteran Harvest for Hunger grower Holly Violette shows off some of this year's beet crop
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4) Eggplant Dip
(Courtesy of the University of Maine)
Makes 16 2-tbsp servings
Ingredients:
1 medium eggplant, peeled and cut into 1 1/2 inch chunks
1/4 cup sesame tahini (sesame butter)
1/4 cup lemon juice
1/3 cup fresh parsley, minced and packed
1-2 cloves garlic
1 teaspoon soy sauce
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 5) Featured Plant: Lesser Celandine (Ranunculus ficaria)
Developed by the Maine Natural Areas Program and University of Maine Cooperative Extension
Lesser celandine is primarily a threat to native plants and native plant diversity in lowland woods and on flood plains. It outcompetes native plants through its extremely early seasonal growth and the development of a dense network of roots and tubers in the soil. Over time it forms extensive carpets in natural areas, crowding out native plants, especially native ephemeral (short-lived) wildflowers. The survival strategy of native ephemeral wildflowers is to grow and flower early...
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EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
Common Ground Fair, September 23-25, in Unity, ME. Find out more information about the annual extravaganza here.
Seed to Table Variety Tasting, September 25th, 4pm, Unity Food Hub. Find out more information and purchase tickets
here.
The Maine Home Garden News, a statewide newsletter by the University of Maine, is published during the gardening season. I
nterested 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.
Hops Twilight Meeting, September 14th, Hop Yard in Gorham. Bring questions about commercial production of hops, learn more information
here.
Horse Pasture Program, September 17th, 9AM, Witter Horse Farm in Orono. Topics will include nutritional quality, weed suppression, erosion control, and more. Contact Donna Coffin at 942-7396 or donna.coffin@maine.edu for information.
The
Maine School Garden Network
newsletter, from an local organization dedicated to school gardens, healthy eating, and environmental stewardship, can be accessed
here.
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EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
"The Way Life Should Be" Garden Tour of Boothbay, Bar Harbor, and Camden. September 25-27, 2016.
Depart Holiday Inn by the Bay, Portland, Sunday morning, September
25th, 8:15 a.m.
Parking is available adjacent to the Hotel for $12.00 a day. If you wish to stay in the Hotel on the night of return to Portland,
September 27th
, please make your reservation for a room by
August 12th
. When making the reservation, mention you are on the National Garden Club Bus Tour to Bar Harbor. More information and registration here.
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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