Monthly News for Gardeners
|
|
News and events for gardeners from Penobscot, Piscataquis, and Somerset Counties from University of Maine Cooperative Extension, Soil and Water Conservation Districts, Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry, Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association, and other trusted partners |
|
November 2021
Fellow gardeners of Central Maine,
Yours,
Donna, Kate, and Laurie
|
|
Regular Feature:
Now Is the Time To...
By Kate Garland, Horticulturist , UMaine Extension Penobscot County
|
- Visit a Bog Walk to enjoy vibrant fall color
- Empty and rinse clay garden pots
- Collect natural items to add to holiday decorations, but don't use invasives
- Take pictures of areas you aim to redesign over the winter months
- Plant spring-flowering bulbs such as crocus, hyacinth, and snowdrops
- Begin managing Browntail Moths by pruning out webs
- Protect the base of young fruit trees from voles or meadow mice
- Prepare for power outages
|
|
Why Do Insects Have to Be Either 'Beneficial' or 'Pests'? |
An article by Chris Helzer, Director of Science for The Nature Conservancy in Nebraska was in the Maine Garden News. She says, "every insect species is part of a complex web of interacting communities and ecosystems. Every (native)species plays an integral role that would be missed if it were gone."
Other articles in the November Maine Garden News include:
- City Rat, Country Rat - Preventing Your Garden from Being a Source of Unwanted Rodent Pests
- Black-capped Chickadee
- Curbside Composting Programs
- Winter Harvest Handbook - Book Review
|
|
|
Poinsettias: from ditch weed to holiday super star (history, lore, and how to get those d@!% things to rebloom next year) |
John Porter, Urban Agriculture Program Coordinator/Educator for Nebraska Extension gives a great history and growing tips for Poinsettias. Read his article here.
|
|
|
Did you know we have a page that you can "Ask Our Expert" a garden question? We post the questions and answers. The questions and answers are categorized by topic. Check out what other gardeners have been asking.
This past month we had the following question.
What’s the Best Way to Overwinter Plants I’m Propagating?
|
|
|
Amynthas worms change the soil by accelerating the decomposition of leaf litter on the forest floor. They turn good soil into grainy, dry worm castings (aka poop) that cannot support the native understory plants of our forests.
What you can do:
- Do not buy or use Amynthas worms for composting, vermicomposting, gardening, or bait
- Do not discard live worms in the wild, but rather dispose of them (preferably dead) in the trash
- Check your plantings-know what you are purchasing and look at the soil
- Buy bare root stock when possible
- Be careful when sharing or moving plantings, cocoons may be in the soil
- If you see any on your property, you can report it here.
|
|
Any nonprofit organization, public or private school, or youth program in the United States or US Territories planning a new garden program or expanding an established one that serves at least 15 youth between the ages of 3 and 18 is eligible to apply for one of 40 $1,000+ Youth Garden Grants sponsored by Kids Gardening. Previous Youth Garden Grant winners are not eligible.
|
|
|
-
Dec. 6, 2021 - Gardening Webinar Series: Designing for Winter Interest, 6 pm
-
Dec. 15, 2021 - Identify & Manage Mosses in the Landscape, 4 pm CMBG
-
Jan. 3, 2022 - Gardening Webinar Series: Growing Microgreens, 6 pm
-
Jan. 10, 2022 - National Houseplant Appreciation Day
-
Jan. 11 - 13, 2022 - Maine Agricultural Trades Show, Civic Center, Augusta.
|
|
New Garden Resources to Meet New Needs
- New UMaine Extension Publications
- Bulletin #4274, Food for Holiday Giving: Safety Comes First
- Webinars & Videos
-
Garden Chats: Growing Resilience From the Ground Up- You may have missed the live Zoom presentations, but we've rounded up fact sheets for each week's discussion for your reference
-
Victory Garden for ME series: videos for first time vegetable gardeners
-
Growing Maine Gardeners: An initiative led by UMaine Extension’s Home Horticulture team to address the increased demand for gardening education throughout the state of Maine and to provide additional support for beginner gardeners.
- Other
-
Garden Mentorship Program: direct technical assistance and encouragement via phone or email throughout the season from trained Master Gardener Volunteers
-
Maine Farm Products and Pick-Up Directory: The directory provides information on available local farm products and alternative pick-up options developed by farmers statewide to accommodate the recommended social distancing in light of COVID-19.
-
Learn at Home: Educational Resources to Use During School Closures: From science to financial literacy, whether for toddlers or teenagers, we encourage you to take advantage of these activity books, guides, and other resources to help children remain engaged in educational experiences throughout their school closure.
-
Learn at Home with 4-H Friday Fun! Each Friday, watch for a new hands-on activity that you can try out with simple materials you have at home. Watch a short video clip to see how it’s done or download our 4-H Learn from Home activity sheets. Each activity outlines materials needed, easy-to-follow instructions, reflection questions for discussion and activity extensions.
-
Social Media: Many of our staff are stepping up efforts to communicate to audiences via social media. For example, see Rogers Farm Demonstration Garden’s short educational Facebook videos (also on Instagram).
Traditional Services Being Offered in New Ways
-
Identifying insect pests: Charley Armstrong, will identify pest samples via images. See instructions for submitting an insect specimen.
-
Identifying plant diseases: Dr. Alicyn Smart will identify plant disease samples via images. See instructions for submitting a sample.
-
Tick testing: Ticks are being tested on a limited basis. See instructions for submitting a tick sample.
-
Publication orders: We are still processing orders from our publication catalog, including pesticide application training materials.
-
Soil testing: The Analytical Lab and Maine Soil Testing Service remains open and is taking samples with a priority on commercial samples. If you need to drop off a sample, you can place it in the box outside of Deering Hall; do NOT enter the building.
-
General gardening questions: Contact your county office. Emails are preferred. If it’s necessary to leave a voicemail, please leave your email address (if available) or a mailing address in addition to your phone number.
|
|
Extension Programs in other states:
If you find a great program when you're poking around online, let me know so I can share with your fellow gardeners: donna.coffin@maine.edu
|
Garden Organizations and Allies
Click the links to learn more, find a chapter near you, and get involved.
|
|
Master Gardener Volunteers
Guidelines for Master Gardener Volunteers (Updated 6/8/21):
Reminder for MGV
Master Gardener Volunteer End of Year Celebration
Calling all Master Gardener Volunteers! You are invited to a Master Gardener Volunteer Open House
- Saturday, December 18th, 9-11am at the Penobscot Extension office in Bangor. This will be a mostly outdoor event where you can pick up free goodies (mesh produce bag, seeds and certificates*) and enjoy make and take activities as well as light refreshments. Rain/snow date will be 12/19, same time. For those who can’t make it on the weekend, all activities will also be available 8-noon on 12/20.
- Friday, Friday, December 17th 9-11am at the Piscataquis Extension Office in Dover-Foxcroft. Come pick up free goodies.
You’re welcome to come to either open house or even both. Aroostook MGV are also encouraged to come to the Bangor or Dover-Foxcroft MGV open house events. If we don’t see you, goodies will be sent to active Aroostook MGV (i.e. those who reported hours) in mid-December.
Watch for information about the "Take Five" Winter Walk Series for Master Gardeners starting in January.
|
|
Mission
The University of Maine Cooperative Extension is the major educational outreach program of the University of Maine with offices statewide. UMaine Extension provides Maine people with research-based educational programs to help them live fuller, more productive lives.
Mention or display of a trademark, proprietary product, or firm in text or figures does not constitute an endorsement and does not imply approval to the exclusion of other suitable products or firms.
|
|
The goal of the Central Maine Gardening Newsletter is to connect gardeners with resources and events that encourage and inform.
Quick Links
|
|
 |
Local Weather Anytime
Most outdoor activities are driven by the weather. Our local National Weather Service in Caribou has meteorologists on staff 24 hours a day. They are willing to talk with you about predictions for your town. Give them a call at 492-0180. Or check out their online detailed maps at http://www.weather.gov/car/.
Need Pesticide Credits?
Interested in Volunteering with UMaine Extension?
Nearly 8,000 volunteers devoted more than 150,000 hours to their communities last year through the University of Maine Cooperative Extension! Look around our
Photos: Edwin Remsberg, Donna Coffin, or Laurie Bowen unless other listed.
|
|
|
|
Contributors
Donna Coffin, Extension Professor
Kate Garland, Extension Horticulturist
Laurie Bowen, Food Systems Program Assistant
The goal of the Central Maine Gardening Newsletter is to connect gardeners with resources and events that encourage and inform.
The University of Maine does not discriminate on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, including transgender status and gender expression, national origin, citizenship status, age, disability, genetic information or veteran status in employment, education, and all other programs and activities. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies: Director, Office of Equal Opportunity, 101 North Stevens Hall, 207.581.1226.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Piscataquis County Office |
|
|
Open Monday - Friday 8 am to 4:30 pm
307 Maine Ave Bangor, ME 04401 207.942.7396 or 800.287.1485
Piscataquis County Office - website
Open Monday, Thursday, Friday 8 am to 4:30 pm
165 East Main St Dover-Foxcroft, ME 04426 207.564.3301 or 800.287.1491
7 County Drive Skowhegan, Maine 04976-4209
Tel: 207.474.9622 or 1.800.287.1495 (in Maine)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
