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Need Help with Affordable, Healthy Nutrition?
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Eat Better. Spend Less. Looking for family-friendly ways to eat healthy while saving money? Check out this resource for nutrition tips and help paying for groceries.
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Spiders and Beetles and Bugs . . .Oh, My!
Mikayla Johnson
4-H Program Assistant
mdiane@umd.edu
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On February 26, youth had an exciting opportunity to enjoy a literally hands-on experience with insects at the 4-H Office. During the program, participants explored the fascinating world of insects through up-close observation and guided interaction.
This program was made possible thanks to Todd Waters from the University of Maryland Department of Entomology and their outreach program, the Insect Zoo.
The Insect Zoo regularly visits schools and community groups to showcase more than 100 live insects and arthropods cared for in their lab. Their diverse collection allows youth to observe species from around the world while learning directly from knowledgeable educators, creating an engaging and memorable experience.
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Charles County youth learned about the key roles insects play in our ecosystem as pollinators, decomposers, and natural pest managers.
The star of the show was a tarantula named Taco, who quickly captured everyone’s attention. Participants had the opportunity to gently touch and hold Taco, as well as hold live millipedes and even observe Blue death-feigning beetles—fascinating insects known for “playing dead” as a defense mechanism.
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In addition to meeting live insects, Clovers put their creativity to work by designing and crafting their own “made-up” bugs. Using what they learned about insect characteristics, youth created imaginative species complete with unique adaptations and features.
The program sparked curiosity, encouraged scientific thinking, and helped youth build confidence while interacting with living organisms. Experiences like the Insect Zoo continue to inspire a deeper appreciation for science and the natural world.
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4-H Winter Highlights: Celebrating Achievements & Looking Ahead to Spring Programming
Kelly Bryant
4-H Educator
kmbryant@umd.edu
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As winter comes to a close, Charles County 4‑H is proud to celebrate the accomplishments of our members and volunteers while gearing up for a busy season of hands‑on learning across the county.
Recognizing Excellence in 4-H
Congratulations to Jeanne Williams, 4‑H Program Assistant, who was honored with the Dick Angus Volunteer Award in February during the Maryland 4‑H Foundation’s annual awards program. Jeanne received this distinguished recognition from Dr. Jeff Howard, Maryland 4‑H Program Leader, and Maryland Department of Agriculture Secretary Kevin Atticks.
This award highlights Jeanne’s unwavering dedication to youth development and her strong commitment to supporting clubs, programs, and families throughout Charles County. We are grateful for her leadership and passion for serving our 4‑H community. (Photo Provided: L-R, Bonnie Boyden, Jeanne Williams, Kelly Bryant, Lauren Mohler)
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Skylan Brassell Selected for
National 4-H Congress
We also extend a well‑deserved congratulations to Skylan Brassell, President of the STEAM Rollers 4‑H Club. Skylan has been selected by the Maryland 4‑H Awards and Recognition Committee to represent Maryland at the 2026 National 4‑H Congress, one of the highest honors a 4‑H member can achieve.
Her selection followed an extensive process that included submitting a resume, crafting an essay, and participating in an interview. Skylan excelled in all components of the process, demonstrating strong leadership, communication skills, and a clear commitment to the 4‑H values of Head, Heart, Hands, and Health. We are incredibly proud of her achievement. (Photo credit: Kelly Bryant)
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A Busy Start to 2026 in Charles County 4-H
This year has already brought exciting growth, with new 4‑H projects and programs emerging across the county. Families who are curious about 4‑H but not yet enrolled can explore hands‑on learning through Kelly’s Little Homesteaders program, a free spring series offered at the Charles County Public Library. These sessions are ideal for youth interested in animals, gardening, sustainability, and practical life skills.
Spring 2026 Little Homesteaders Schedule (6:00–7:00 PM)
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March 17 – La Plata Branch - Topic: Backyard Chickens
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March 26 – La Plata Branch - Topic: Microgreens
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April 9 – Potomac Branch - Topic: Vermicomposting
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April 23 – P.D. Brown Memorial Branch - Topic: Sewing
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May 5 – Waldorf West Branch - Topic: Rabbits
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May 12 – Waldorf West Branch - Topic: Herbs
We invite families to join us for any or all of these sessions to discover more about 4‑H and the many ways youth can grow through practical, hands‑on experiences. Click on the event in the CCPL calendar to register.
| | Participants at Winter Sowing Workshop January 10, 2026. Photo credit Terry Thir. | | |
Starting in January, the Master Gardeners did a lot of winter sowing. The Demonstration Garden Project leaders gave a public presentation on winter sowing native plants and invited the Grow It Eat It Education Committee to say a few words on winter sowing vegetable and herbs.
Master Gardeners worked with the 7th grade class at Theodore G. Davis Middle School to help winter sow some native plants and herbs for their Student Service-Learning project. The students would like to beautify a courtyard at the school and, while it may not only contain plants, having some containers with plants may aid this project.
| | In February, the Southern Maryland Food Bank project leaders also started winter sowing plants for the food bank garden including kohlrabi, Swiss chard, spinach, kale, mustard greens, broccoli, chives, cabbage, and lavender. On the same day, they also started the vining process on five varieties of sweet potatoes (Jewell, White Hannah, Purple, Garnet, and Japanese). Hopefully there will be plenty of seedlings come spring for all! | | Winter sowing jugs (left) and potato slips (right). Photo credit Brent Burdick | |
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The Master Gardener Spring Basic Training has begun. This year we welcome 15 new trainees to the program. We are excited to get them into the Charles County Program and start activities with them soon.
Please check out some of out upcoming events
Save the Date
March 21 – Growing Vegetables in Containers and Backyard Berries– 10:00 am - noon, Christ Church La Plata Auditorium.
April 11 – Backyard Buffers Program, 9 am-1 pm, Charles County Extension Office.
April 11 – Vegetable Garden Planning 10:00-noon, Charles County Extension Office
April 18 – Rain Barrel and Composting Workshop, 9 am-11:30 pm, Waldorf Senior and Recreation Center
May 16 – Fund Raiser Plant Sale, 8 am -2 pm, La Plata Farmer’s Market
May 30 – NatureFest hosted by Neighborhood Creative Arts Center, 10am-3pm, at College of Southern Maryland La Plata campus
| Visit the Home & Garden Information Center’s (HGIC) webpage for more gardening information and to submit your questions. You can find more tips and tricks for taking photos here at Ask Extension. You can also follow HGIC on social media- Facebook page, YouTube channel, or Instagram (@umdhgic)HC). | |
Julia Rycyna
Home Horticulture Educator
Master Gardener Coordinator
jrycyna@umd.edu
| | Protect Your Tomatoes: Managing Thrips Early in the Season | | Thrips are tiny insects that can cause big problems in vegetable and flower production. These insects are especially common in greenhouses, high tunnels, and gardens early in the growing season. In Southern Maryland this year, tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) has already been confirmed in tomato transplants, which means growers and gardeners should be paying close attention to thrips management. | | |
Thrips are difficult pests because they reproduce quickly and often hide inside flowers, buds, and plant tissue. More importantly, some thrips carry tomato spotted wilt virus, a disease that can cause stunted growth, spotted leaves, distorted fruit, and even plant death. Once a plant becomes infected with this virus there is no treatment, so prevention is extremely important. Thrips pick up the virus when they are young and can spread it for the rest of their lives as adults when they feed on plants. Because of this, even a very small number of thrips can cause problems if they are carrying the virus.
One of the best ways to reduce the risk of thrips and tomato spotted wilt virus is through good sanitation. Before starting seedlings or moving plants into a greenhouse or high tunnel, remove weeds, volunteer plants, and leftover plant debris. These materials can provide hiding places for thrips and may also carry the virus. Houseplants and ornamental plants can also host thrips, so keeping them out of vegetable production areas can help reduce risk.
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Monitoring is another useful tool. Sticky cards (think advanced fly paper) placed just above plant height can help detect thrips early. Blue sticky cards tend to attract thrips best, but yellow cards also work and will capture other pests such as whiteflies and fungus gnats. Checking these cards regularly can help identify problems before populations become too large.
For gardeners growing tomatoes, choosing resistant varieties can also help reduce risk. Several tomato varieties contain resistance to tomato spotted wilt virus. While resistance is not always perfect, it can reduce the severity of outbreaks and help protect plants during seasons with high thrips pressure.
Thrips management is largely about prevention and timing. Waiting until plants show damage or virus symptoms is often too late. By starting with clean growing areas, monitoring early, and reducing places where thrips can survive, gardeners and growers can greatly lower the risk of tomato spotted wilt virus.
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Hayden Schug
Agriculture and Food Systems Educator
hschug@umd.edu
| | Spring Is Here—Let’s Get Ready for the Growing Season with Nutrient Management | |
Spring is just around the corner in Charles County, and with longer days and warmer temperatures, it’s time to start preparing for another productive growing season. As planting, pasture growth, and manure applications begin, this is also the perfect time to review your Maryland Nutrient Management Plan and make sure everything is up to date.
Maryland law requires most agricultural producers to follow a current Nutrient Management Plan to ensure that fertilizer and manure are applied at the right rate, right time, and right place. These plans play a vital role in protecting our local waterways, improving soil health, and supporting long-term farm productivity—benefits that matter not only to farmers, but to the entire community.
Manure Management Matters
For livestock producers, proper manure management is a key part of nutrient management planning. Manure is a valuable resource when used correctly, supplying nutrients and organic matter that improve soil structure and crop performance. A Nutrient Management Plan helps ensure manure applications meet crop needs while minimizing nutrient losses to runoff or leaching.
How University of Maryland Extension Can Help
As the Nutrient Management Consultant for Charles County with University of Maryland Extension, my role is to work directly with farmers and producers to:
- Develop and update Nutrient Management Plans
- Interpret soil and manure test results
- Answer questions about regulations and recordkeeping
- Provide practical, farm-specific guidance for nutrient applications
Whether you’re updating an existing plan, starting a new operation, or simply have questions about compliance, I’m here as a local resource to help make the process straightforward and stress-free.
A Reminder for the Season Ahead
Nutrient Management Plans must be reviewed and updated regularly, and spring is an ideal time to make sure your plan reflects current crop rotations, acreage, and livestock numbers. Getting ahead now can help avoid delays later in the season when time is at a premium.
If you’re unsure whether your plan is current—or if you’re new to nutrient management planning—please don’t hesitate to reach out. Working together, we can support successful farms, a strong agricultural community, and a healthier environment for Charles County.
Wishing everyone a safe, productive, and prosperous spring growing season!
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Gilbert (BJ) Bowling
Nutrient Management Advisor
Gbowlin1@umd.edu
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Feel free to contact our staff with any questions
or ideas you have to help make our community better.
Please send an email to jcrawfo4@umd.edu or visit our website.
| | University programs, activities, and facilities are available to all without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, age, national origin, political affiliation, physical or mental disability, religion, protected veteran status, genetic information, personal appearance, or any other legally protected class. This institution is an equal opportunity provider. If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in any event or activity, please contact us at (301) 226-7500. | | | | |
