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June 2025 UME Master Gardener
State Office Announcements
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Can you believe summer is almost here? Many of our counties have finished their spring basic trainings, and we are so excited for our new cohort of interns to join the program!
Our newsletter this month includes a special message to our western Maryland Master Gardeners, the Summer Volunteer of the Season, Bay-Wise/Water-Wise updates and more!
| | | Holding Space for Our Western Counties | | |
We are holding in our hearts all of our Allegany and Garrett County Master Gardeners and their family and friends who have been impacted by last month's severe flooding.
Sadly, Allegany has lost many of its project sites and demonstration gardens. Rebuilding will be a long-term process and we will support however we can.
We will let you know if there are any opportunities for Master Gardeners from other counties to assist.
| | | Summer Volunteer of the Season | |
Lee Graul from Harford County
Lee was nominated by her coordinator, Isabel Mooney, and fellow MG Greg Murray. She is a dedicated and hard-working volunteer who goes above and beyond on any project she takes on. She has implemented and managed the pollinator gardens trail and is the vice president of the UME MGs in Harford County.
Learn More About Lee Here
| | | Bay-Wise/Water-Wise Updates | | Announcing the release of the "Maryland Living Landscapes" Metric: A Checklist of Landscape Practices for Healthy Maryland Watersheds | | |
The Maryland Living Landscapes Metric will be the new guiding document for Bay-Wise/Water-Wise 2.0 landscape certifications. It was developed in collaboration with Extension specialists from across Maryland, with direct input from many University of Maryland Extension Master Gardeners active in our Bay-Wise Living Landscapes program. It updates and replaces the previous Bay-Wise Yard Stick that has served us well for many years. The metric features updated formatting, practices, and resources, emphasizing actions that Marylanders can take to improve water quality, soil health, biodiversity, and climate resilience of Maryland residential landscapes. Many of the practices on the checklist can result in substantial time and cost savings, as well.
A digital, fillable PDF version of the checklist is available online at: https://go.umd.edu/MD-Living-Landscapes-Metric. Upon request, hard copies are available through county Extension agents, while supplies last.
| | Bay-Wise 2.0 Field Trainings Scheduled | | |
Trainings will be offered in person and online for Master Gardeners interested in staying or becoming active with the Bay-Wise Living Landscapes program, focused on using the new Maryland Living Landscapes Metric. More field trainings will be offered on future dates, to be announced.
Upcoming scheduled field trainings include:
| | | Date | County | Contact | | June 6 | Calvert | Karen Anderson | | June 9 | Frederick | Amy Rembold | | June 11 | Kent | Robin Hanway | | June 12 | Talbot | Mikaela Boley | | June 13 | Cecil | Doris Behnke | | June 16 | Prince George's | Esther Mitchell | | June 17 | Howard | Tiffany Frazier | | June 18 | Carroll | Linda Gray | | July 8 | Queen Anne's | Rachel Rhodes | | TBD | Baltimore City | Tess Loys | | | 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.
| | Ask A Master Gardener Plant Clinic Lab Training Day | | |
Wednesday June 25th, 10:00am- 3:00pm, Central Maryland Research and Education Center, Ellicott City, MD
Registration deadline: June 11th.
Join our Extension specialists and special guest Mike Raupp, The Bug Guy, for our first in-person plant clinic training at our new facility! Rotating stations will include our new classroom and the Stanton Gill Laboratory. Depending on the weather, we will also take a trip to Little Portion Farm which is right down the road from our office. Spaces are limited, and lunch will be provided.
If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in this event, please contact Stephanie Pully on or before June 11 at pully@umd.edu or (301) 226-7616.
Partial funding thanks to USDA-NIFA.
| | 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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Pollinator Power: Tools, Resources, and Outreach Strategies for National Pollinator Week
Get ready to celebrate National Pollinator Week (June 16-22, 2025)! Join Madeline Potter, UME Faculty Specialist for Entomology & IPM, for an interactive session to equip you with tools, resources, and creative outreach strategies to support pollinator-themed education during National Pollinator Week.
| | | Garden Tour: Best Practices in Action | | |
Saturday June 21st, 9:00am- 2:00pm, John Rudy Park, York, PA
Registration deadline: June 18, 2025, 9:00 am
Explore the beauty and benefits of sustainable gardening with the Penn State Extension Master Gardeners of York County. This exclusive tour highlights seven diverse gardens—both home and public landscapes—showcasing native plants, wildlife-friendly practices, shade and vegetable gardens, and innovative horticultural techniques. Along the way, Master Gardener volunteers will provide expert insights into the methods used at each site. Begin your journey at the Penn State Demonstration Gardens at John Rudy Park, where you'll receive a brochure and garden addresses before setting off at your own pace. Don't miss this opportunity to gain inspiration and practical ideas for your own garden while experiencing firsthand the power of environmental stewardship.
| | 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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It's Hip to be Square when You Grow Mint
This month it’s hip to be square as we discuss a favorite herb of our, MINTS! Mints are a common herb of the genus Mentha that are widely used in cooking, cosmetics, and popular medicine. Join us as we share some fun facts about mints, their history and chatting about how to grow it in your own garden.
| | | Home and Garden Information Center | | |
Tiny Tomatoes Perfect for Patios (And Canine Companions)
By Erica Smith, Montgomery County Master Gardener
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Savor the Season, But Don't Take Off the Gardening Gloves
By Annette Cormany, Principal Agent Associate and Master Gardener Coordinator, Washington County
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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. | | | | |
