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Lisa Kuder recently joined the University of Maryland as the Native Plants & Landscapes Extension Specialist. This new position is part of a recent bill called the Maryland Native Plants Program (MNPP) that received wide bipartisan support.
The bill is a response to the increased demand for and use of native plants by growers, nurseries, wholesalers, and consumers. Several agencies -- University of Maryland Extension, Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA), and the Maryland Native Plant Society (MNPS) -- are entrusted with (1) creating a Commercial Maryland Native Plant List, (2) developing a voluntary commercial Maryland Native Plants Certification Program for growers and retailers, (3) initiating a marketing campaign, and (4) educating the commercial sector, consumers, and other plant users on the importance, benefits, and availability of native plants.
Expected outcomes of the MNPP include increased availability of native plants, defined in the bill as being present before colonial settlement, listed as native to Maryland by the Maryland Plant Atlas, and straight species (cultivars will only be included on the list if a native species can no longer fulfill its ecological niche). Lisa will work with growers on seed sourcing, propagation techniques, and consumer-facing materials. This, along with public outreach efforts, will go a long way in promoting climate-resilient, healthy landscapes.
Lisa can be reached at lkuder@umd.edu or by phone at (301) 226-7635.
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Dr. Stacy Small-Lorenz has joined the University of Maryland Extension as a Faculty Specialist for Residential Landscape Ecology. Based in the Home and Garden Information Center, she will promote climate-resilient, sustainable suburban and urban landscapes through teaching, technical assistance, collaborations, and applied research. She brings to the position extensive training and professional experience in the areas of wildlife ecology, habitat restoration, climate change adaptation planning, and science education.
Stacy is charged with advancing ecological principles for landscape management in ways that touch on many subject areas, including wildlife habitat, environmental horticulture, native plants, pollinator plants, invasive plant management, watershed protection, lawn alternatives, and sustainable lawn care.
A central part of her new position will be to oversee the Bay-Wise Landscape Management Program, setting strategic priorities, building partnerships, and offering science-based technical assistance to Master Gardeners, landscape professionals, Extension colleagues, agency partners, and many other key stakeholders. This program engages Marylanders in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed to take actions across residential landscapes to improve water quality, foster biodiversity, and ameliorate climate change impacts like floods, heat waves, and droughts. “Connected communities are resilient communities” will be a central theme of her work. She looks forward to hearing your ideas about future directions and priorities for the Bay-Wise program.
She is available to discuss your needs and suggestions for programming, partnerships, technical assistance, and research. You may contact her by email at sslorenz@umd.edu or by phone at (301) 226-7634.
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Fall Actions for Beneficial Insects
Plant debris like leaves, pithy woody stems, and flower stalks provide winter habitat.
Download a checklist of fall actions you can take to conserve beneficial insects.
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Growing Vines
Our updated resource page includes lists of vines recommended for Maryland gardens, such as the beautiful native coral honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens) pictured here.
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Box Tree Moth
If you grow boxwood, watch out for a new pest: Box Tree Moth. This pest has been found in Delaware, Ohio, and several other states. Please report to Ask Extension if you see it.
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Enrollment is open now for the winter Sustainable Horticulture Course, which begins on January 6 and runs through March 10, 2025.
The University of Maryland Master Gardener Program is pleased to offer this noncredit course on sustainable gardening and landscape management. This online, self-paced course is well-suited for beginner and advanced home gardeners. Students will learn through interactive online modules carefully crafted by experts within each specific area. Topics include soils, vegetable gardening, entomology (insects), plant pathology, integrated pest management, botany, and more! After completing the learning modules, there will be an optional final project that will be evaluated by a gardening expert. The course fee is $225. Please email statemg@umd.edu with any questions. | |
Tree Recommendation?
Q: I plan to replace a small Japanese maple in my yard with a larger shade tree and would like to choose native. I had planned for a red 'October Glory' maple, but I am reading that some think this plant is too prevalent already. What do you recommend?
A: Red maples are beautiful, and if that is your favorite, go for it. Shade trees like oaks, maples, and black gum (Nyssa sylvatica) can become pretty large over time (offering nice shade), and they tend to live for a longer time than smaller native trees.
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Do you have a gardening question? Our Certified Professional Horticulturists, faculty, and Master Gardener Volunteers answer questions - year-round! | |
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Our YouTube channel offers hundreds of videos to help you learn about good gardening practices and integrated pest management. In addition to brief "how-to" videos, you can watch some of the recorded webinars from the state Master Gardener Program:
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Featured Article
Senior Agent Associate Ashley Bodkins shares guidance on how to capture and reuse rainwater using rain barrels.
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Walk with an Arborist & Your Baby encourages new parents to connect with each other and with the outdoors in a safe space, both physically and emotionally. Based in the University of Maryland Garden of Reflection & Remembrance at the Memorial Chapel, participants learn about trees and plants while having their newborns along. | |
Prince George's County Community Garden Summit Saturday, October 12 | Beltsville Community Center | |
Current and aspiring gardeners are welcome to attend this event for informative talks about fall and winter gardening, growing and gardening for communities, and the University of Maryland's sustainable food systems (food pantry, composting, Terp Farm), and more! | |
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NOTICE TO BENEFICIARIES AND PROSPECTIVE BENEFICIARIES
Name of Organization: University of Maryland Extension
Name of Program: Home and Garden Information Center
Contact Information for Program Staff: David Clement, Ph.D., Acting Director, 301-226-7601, clement@umd.edu.
Because this program is supported in whole or in part by financial assistance from the Federal Government, we are required to let you know that:
(1) We may not discriminate against you on the basis of religion, a religious belief, a refusal to hold a religious belief, or a refusal to attend or participate in a religious practice;
(2) We may not require you to attend or participate in any explicitly religious activities (including activities that involve overt religious content such as worship, religious instruction, or proselytization) that are offered by our organization, and any participation by you in such activities must be purely voluntary;
(3) We must separate in time or location any privately funded explicitly religious activities (including activities that involve overt religious content such as worship, religious instruction, or proselytization) from activities supported with direct Federal financial assistance; and
(4) You may report violations of these protections, including any denials of services or benefits by an organization, by contacting or filing a written complaint with the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Center for Civil Rights Enforcement, Program Complaint Division by mail, fax, or e-mail at:
Mail:
United States Department of Agriculture
Director, Center for Civil Rights Enforcement
1400 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20250-9410
Fax: (202) 690-7442
Email: program.intake@usda.gov
(5) If you would like to seek information about whether there are any other federally funded organizations that provide these kinds of services in your area, please contact Latoya Hicks at lhicks12@umd.edu.
This written notice must be provided to you before you enroll in the program or receive services from the program, unless the nature of the service provided, or exigent circumstances make it impracticable to provide such notice before we provide the actual service. In such an instance, this notice must be provided to you at the earliest available opportunity.
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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.
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