|
March 2025 UME Master Gardener
State Office Announcements
| |
|
Spring isn't quite here yet, but signs are starting to show. The daffodils are coming up and will flower soon!
Our newsletter this month is packed and includes our spring Volunteer of the Season, the heirloom tomato trial results, IMGC's Search for Excellence award, and more!
| |
|
Mariayne Brodnicki form Baltimore City
The UME Master Gardener program in Baltimore City thrives because of dedicated volunteers like Mariayne, whose unwavering commitment and willingness to step up have made a lasting impact.
Read more about Mariayne
| |
|
The much anticipated results of our 2024 heirloom tomato trial are here!
| |
|
Increase the visibility of your events!
Anyone can submit an event to the UME Events Calendar. Under department/program, check off 'Environment & Natural Resources' and 'Yard & Garden'. After you submit your event, use the convenient feature that will generate posts for social media and connect your event back to the official listing on the UME calendar. Having MG events listed here helps us promote your events statewide through our HGIC social media channels.
| |
2025 Search for Excellence Award | |
|
The International Master Gardener Search for Excellence (SFE) Awards are named in honor of Dr. David Gibby, the visionary founder of the Extension Master Gardener (EMG) program. SFE includes seven categories in which EMGs can demonstrate meaningful contributions to their communities.
We had three county programs win awards at the 2019 conference, which you can read about here. We encourage you all to see if your project meets the award criteria and to apply! Please be sure to work with your coordinator or AED.
Click the button below to learn more about the award criteria and application process. Applications close May 1, 2025.
| |
|
City Nature Challenge is an annual community science competition for cities across the globe to find and document the plants and wildlife found in urban areas. As regional coordinator, the National Aquarium is calling on community scientists to explore, identify and document urban wildlife in the Baltimore metropolitan area.
The 2025 challenge takes place from Friday, April 25th through Monday, April 28th. Participants will use the free iNaturalist app to record the species they find during the challenge. All observations made in the following counties and uploaded to iNaturalist during the challenge will automatically be counted toward Baltimore's City Nature Challenge totals: Baltimore City, Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Carroll, Harford, Howard and Queen Anne's counties.
| |
Statewide Meetings and Continuing Education | |
Putting Down Roots with Maryland Native Plants | |
|
Dr. Stacy Small-Lorenz, Residential Landscape Ecology Specialist and Lisa Kuder, UME Native Plants and Landscapes Specialist
Thursday, March 20th from 6:30-7:30 PM, Virtual
We'll be talking about the hows and whys of selecting and obtaining Maryland native plants, and some highlights about exciting developments in the new Maryland Native Plants Program!
| |
Implementing Climate Resilient Living Shorelines in Maryland | |
|
Wednesday, March 12, 2025, 12:00 – 1:30pm, Zoom
This webinar will cover the history of shoreline erosion control practices and how traditional techniques have evolved in recent years. What is a 'living shoreline'? How can we enhance habitat, water quality, access, and prepare for climate impacts at the same time? We will cover the Shoreline Conservation Service and discuss which technical and financial assistance opportunities are currently available through the Maryland Department of Natural Resources.
| |
Winter Grow It Eat It Meeting | |
|
Thursday, March 13, 2025, from 10:00 AM- 2:00 PM
Join us for updates on this year's growing season, Year of Herbs, and programming around the counties. This meeting will have hybrid options, so you can attend virtually or in-person at the Central Maryland Research and Education Center.
| |
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.
| |
Growing Together: How Master Gardeners Can Support Thriving Community Gardens | |
Wednesday April 16th, 12:00 – 1:30pm, Zoom
Join UME Community Gardening Specialist Jon Traunfeld for a webinar on the vital role Master Gardeners play in supporting community garden leaders, educating gardeners, and addressing common challenges in shared growing spaces. Jon will provide practical strategies to enhance community engagement, improve garden sustainability, and foster successful collaborations. Whether you're a seasoned volunteer or new to community garden outreach, this session will equip you with valuable insights to make a meaningful impact.
If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in any event or activity, please contact Stephanie Pully on or before April 2, 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.
| |
Engage Your Community through Interpretation
Ever wonder how you can better engage those guests that are visiting your demo garden? Are you sometimes unsure of what to say when guests come up to your info table? Join Angela Yau, the Nature Program and Facility Manager at the Locust Grove Nature Center, to learn all about using interpretation to level up your skills as a Master Gardener!
| |
|
Backyard Gardening Series | |
|
University of Maryland Extension's Backyard Gardening virtual series is back this spring! This year, we’re bringing you a fresh lineup of topics and speakers. We hope you'll join us every other Tuesday at noon. If you can’t attend a live session, no worries—registering ensures you’ll receive a link to the recording.
March 18 - Gardening 101
April 1 - Unique Herbs & how to use them
April 15 - Companion planting
April 29 - Fruit for the Mid-Atlantic
May 13 - Cucurbits in-depth
| |
What's the Buzz on Wild Bees? | |
Free event. No registration needed. | |
LAHR Native Plant Symposium | |
Saturday, March 29, 2025- 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Join the U.S. National Arboretum for a day of engaging presentations about native plants, pollinators, and ecosystems during the 38th Annual Lahr Native Plant Symposium. Learn about supporting native pollinators, utilizing native plants in a historic estate garden, uses of preserved specimens from USNA’s Herbarium (demonstration included), species versus cultivars in regional trial gardens, backyard stormwater management, and foraging locally from this year’s slate of experts!
Your ticket also includes access to the Friends of the National Arboretum Native Plant Sale, where you’ll find local native plant vendors and artisans. Free lunch and snacks will be provided, with gluten-free and vegan options available.
| |
|
Home and Garden Information Center | |
|
Q&A: What Can I Grow in Place of Dogwood?
By Miri Talabac, Horticulturist, University of Maryland Extension Home & Garden Information Center
| |
|
Starting a Culinary Herb Garden
By Erica Smith, Montgomery County Master Gardener
| |
|
Stephanie Pully
UME Master Gardner State Coordinator
| |  |
|
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. | | | | |
