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July 2025 UME Master Gardener
State Office Announcements
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Summer temperatures and thunderstorms are officially here. We hope you all stay safe while working in the garden and out on your travels as heat and flood advisories continue.
Our newsletter this month includes the signup for the Maryland State Fair, the new Maryland Master Naturalist Handbook, new continuing education opportunities, and more!
| | | Volunteer at the Maryland State Fair! | | |
It's time again to sign-up as a volunteer docent at the UME Learning Garden for the Maryland State Fair!
The Maryland State Fairgrounds is located at 2200 York Road in Lutherville-Timonium, MD. Maryland MGs will be serving as garden docents and staffing a tent next to the UME Master Gardener Learning Garden, a collaboration between Baltimore City and Baltimore County MGs. This volunteer opportunity is open to all MGs in all County/City programs in Maryland! To learn more about the UME Master Gardener Learning Garden, see the article by Maryland Grows Blog.
Volunteers can sign up for up to 2 shifts (only 1 shift can be a weekend). Please sign up by August 12.
Note: We need to mail the parking passes out to each volunteer, and we will not have enough to send extras. Please only sign up for a shift if you are committed to volunteering during that shift.
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Docent Orientations Available
Whether this is your first time volunteering at the state fair or you would like a refresher, we have you covered. Robert Cook will again be graciously hosting two docent orientations ahead of the fair's start date.
| | | | New Maryland Master Naturalist Handbook! | | |
Immerse yourself in the wonders of Maryland's diverse ecosystems
with The Maryland Master Naturalist's Handbook. Edited by seasoned environmentalists McKay Jenkins and Joy Shindler Rafey, this essential guide explores the intricate tapestry of Maryland's natural world, from the geological foundations of the Susquehanna River to the vibrant ecosystems of the Chesapeake Bay.
This book illustrates the deep connections among the state's history, its people, and the land they have long inhabited. It journeys through forests, rivers, and mountains while uncovering the complex interplay of flora, fauna, and human communities. Learn from experts in fields ranging across urban ecology, entomology, and climate science, who
share their insights and passion for environmental stewardship.
This volume serves as the primary text for the Maryland Master Naturalist training course and
encourages a broader audience to engage in ecological restoration and conservation efforts. Whether
you're a budding naturalist or an experienced environmentalist, this book will deepen your understanding of Maryland's ecological systems and empower you to contribute to the preservation of its natural beauty.
| | | Statewide Meetings and Continuing Education | | Monthly Plant Clinic Updates | | |
First Wednesday of the month, April-October, 12:00 – 1:00pm, Zoom
Join us for monthly updates from our UME experts on what questions or hot topics you might encounter at your upcoming Ask A Master Gardener Plant Clinics!
If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in any event or activity, please contact Stephanie Pully on or before 2 weeks prior to the webinar at pully@umd.edu or (301) 226-7616.
| | Companion Planting in the Home Garden: Myths, Science, and Smart Strategies | | |
Thursday August 21st, 12:00pm- 1:30pm, Zoom
Join Jon Traunfeld, UME Extension Specialist in Fruit and Vegetable Gardening, for an evidence-based look at companion planting in the home garden. This webinar will explore the principles behind plant partnerships, separating garden folklore from research-supported practices. Learn how to use plant diversity, spacing, and timing to improve garden productivity, support pollinators, and reduce pest pressure. Whether you're growing vegetables in raised beds or backyard plots, this session will help you make informed decisions about what to plant—and what to plant it with.
If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in this event, please contact Stephanie Pully on or before August 7, 2025 at pully@umd.edu or (301) 226-7616.
| | 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.
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Diverse and Climate-Resilient Crops for Maryland Gardens
Join Jon Traunfeld, Extension Specialist in Home and Community Food Production, for a deep dive into crops that stand up to Maryland’s changing climate while honoring culturally important foods. This session will highlight resilient vegetables and growing strategies that support diverse communities and sustainable gardening practices.
| | | Composting Demonstrations | | |
Master Gardeners in Anne Arundel County maintain a composting demonstration area at Quiet Waters Park and give hour-long presentations on scheduled days. Click the link below for upcoming dates. There is a fee to enter the park.
| | | Maryland Native Plant Society Annual Conference | | |
September 6th & 7th, Washington College, Chestertown, MD- Zoom option available
Registration deadline: August 23, 2025
Come Experience the EXTRAORDINARY ECOSYSTEMS OF MARYLAND'S EASTERN SHORE. The Maryland Native Plant Society's Annual Conference has returned to the Eastern Shore to showcase the plant communities that make this part of the state so special and the efforts being taken to conserve them. This event qualifies for Continuing Education hours.
Conference highlights:
- Visit a Coastal Plains Arboretum and beautiful Eastern Shore natural areas
- Learn about rare and threatened plants of Maryland’s Delmarva Bays
- Visit a serpentine barren and learn about the special geology and soils that support an unusual plant community
- Explore an ancient shell midden supporting calcareous-rich plant communities
- Learn about efforts to restore Eastern Shore grasslands and meadows to benefit declining wildlife
- Hear how a native sparrow helped biologists design a coastal habitat restoration program
- Purchase Maryland's native plants
| | 2025 International Master Gardener Conference | |
Join in virtually August 25-28, 2025!
Discover innovative practices, learn from experts, and connect with fellow gardeners dedicated to making a positive impact on our planet. Let's grow a greener future together!
Our keynote speakers bring powerful insights, innovative ideas, and expert knowledge to ignite your passion for gardening and beyond. Don’t miss these thought-provoking presentations that will leave you informed and motivated. Get ready to be inspired!
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Native Plants and their Pollinators with Lisa Kuder
In this month's episode, we’re talking about native plants and their pollinators with Lisa Kuder, the Native Plants and Landscapes Specialist for the University of Maryland Extension. We chat about what qualifies a plant as “native”, what a specialist insect is, and why they are essential.
| | | Home and Garden Information Center | | |
What's the Buzz Going on in my Front Yard?
By Hayden Schug, AgFS, and Julia Rycyna, Home Horticulture, UME Charles County
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Suppoting Migratory Birds
By Sarah Rothman, Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Environmental Science and Technology, UMD
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Stephanie Pully
UME Master Gardner State Coordinator
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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. | | | | |
