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Piscataquis Gardening Newsletter |
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| Volume 8 Issue 2 |
February 2010 |
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New Look!
As you see the Piscataquis Gardening Newsletter has a new look. With our new content management system for our web pages the archived version of this newsletter will no longer be available. We will try to add popular articles to the Piscataquis County Gardening Web site in the future. But for now if you see an article that interests you, please download it to refer to it again.
Thanks. |
Mission
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. |
Goal
The goal of the Piscataquis Gardening Newsletter is to provide timely information on practical, sustainable, research-based horticultural practices, tools and techniques which will improve home gardening success in Piscataquis County. Upcoming events and programs of interest will also be included. | |
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Garden Planning: Ten Tips For the Beginner Gardener
1. Decide what vegetables to grow and the quantity. Choose vegetables that you and your family will eat Plan to preserve and store vegetables to enjoy during the winter
2. If your garden space or time available to garden is limited you may have to reduce the size of your garden, consider using containers or raised beds for your vegetables.
3. If this is your first garden, start small, a 10 X 20 foot garden will be plenty
4. If you have poor soils and are looking for quick garden success, consider raised bed gardens that you can bring in good soils and mix with compost or other organic matter.
5. Place your garden near to your home so you can see it and water if with a hose when the weather turns hot and dry this summer.
6. Draw your garden to scale on a piece of paper. Mark off your garden in rows or beds. Include planting dates, distances between rows, distances between plants in the rows, number of plants, etc.
7. Use a spacing between rows that matches your tillage equipment (Hand hoes need very little space, tillers need two or more feet)
8. Place tall growing vegetables to the north side so they won't shade smaller plants
7. Make plans for succession crops, successive plantings of crops grown in the same area (ie. Early lettuce followed by snap beans)
8. Try interplanting or companion planting where two crops are grown in the same area at the same time (ie. radishes between head lettuce)
9. During the growing season you can make notes on how well your different crops grew, how much you harvested, pest problems you encountered, record of pesticide use and fertilizer application
10. Save your garden plan so you can develop a crop rotation plan in future years
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Green Care for Troops
Green Industry professionals and volunteers across the country are teaming up with "Green Care for Troops." Lawn and landscape maintenance becomes a definite hardship when a family's major breadwinner is on active duty away from home. Green Care for Troops is a nationwide outreach program that connects local landscape professionals and volunteers with men and women serving our country in the armed forces away from home. To date, Green Care for Troops has helped more than 2,400 volunteers provide free lawn and landscape services to thousands of military families nationwide.
Master Gardeners interested in volunteering should contact Green Care for Troops on the web at http://projectevergreen.com/gcft/
Source: Witt, Amy; January 28, 2010 email |
Don't Give Late Blight a Chance
For our plants to get a disease the plant itself has to be suseptable, the disease organizum needs to be present and the weather conditions need to be met.
We can't change the weather, although some gardeners have started going tomatoes in hoop houses to prevent the leaves from getting wet. Select disease-resistant or disease tolerant varieties for at least some of your crop, and use disease-free seed. Tomato disease resistant or tolerant varieties include; Mountain Magic, Plum Regal, Legend, Juliet, Golden Sweet, Legend, Matt's Wild, and Stupice. Potato disease resistant or tolerant varieties include: Jacqueline Lee ( a yellow fleshed potato), Defender, Ozette, Elba, Kennebec, Sebago, Allegany, and Rosa.
Do not use potato tubers you have saved from last year, nor should you use potatoes sold in grocery stores. Buy certified seed potatoes to plant in your garden. Grow your own tomato transplants or buy from a reputatable grower. Before transplanting be sure to inspect all plants for stem, petiole cankers or leaf blight.
Check last year's potato plot and any compost piles for "volunteer" potato plants that might come up. If you do find plants and buried tubers, dig them up and destroy them. During the growing season, pay attention to weather conditions and pest alerts to find out whether late blight has been observed in your area, and what actions you need to take to protect your crop.
Sources: Hazzard, R., Late Blight Management for Fall, Winter and Spring, UMass. Sept. 2009.
Somerset Newsflash, vol 2, Issue 6, Feb. 2010,
Vegetable MG Online, Cornell University, June 2009.,
Late Blight Fact Sheet, Cornell University, 8/09. | |
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Wood Ashes for the Garden
Many families in Piscataquis County are burning wood this winter to cut back on the amount of fuel oil they buy. Whether you burn split wood or pellets you will be cleaning the ashes out of your wood stove regularly. These ashes can provide some valuable nutrients to your garden namely phosphorus, potash and calcium. But over using ashes in your garden can cause problems.
One the average a cord of wood will yield about 20 pounds of ashes or the equivalent of a five-gallon pail. (Wood ashes need to be kept in a metal ash container or pail to prevent fires from the coals.) The largest component of wood ash (about 25%) is calcium carbonate, a liming material that will raise the pH. It also contains less than 10% potash, 1% phosphate and trace amounts of micro-nutrients that plants need.
Over application of wood ashes to garden soil can make the soil too "sweet" or alkaline. An alkaline soil above a pH of 7.0 can start to tie up plant nutrients like phosphorus, iron, boron, manganese, and potassium making them unavailable to plants.
Applying small amounts of wood ash to most soils should not harm the crops and will help replenish some nutrients. Acidic soils (pH less than 5.5) will be improved by wood ash application. Soils that are slightly acidic (pH 6.0 to 6.5) should not be harmed by application of 20 pounds per 100 square feed annually if the ash is worked into the soil about 6 inches or so. However, if your soil is neutral or alkaline (pH 7.0 or greater), find another way to dispose of wood ash. Lawns can also benefit from application of wood ash if the pH is less than 6.5. If you don't know your soil's acidity or alkalinity level, have it tested for pH.
Lerner, B.R., Wood Ash in the Garden, Purdue University Consumer Horticulture,
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Warming Center for Your Community? The cost of oil and other fuel can be a difficult expense to meet during the winter. A Warming Center can lower the cost of energy use for residents. A Warming Center is a place for residents to go for a few hours of the day. The warming center doesn't have to be open everyday, just one or two days a week so that a homeowner can lower his or her thermostat. This will help in lowering their heating costs. During these economic times this can be a valuable service to residents.
There are three important factors to remember and to refer to before starting your Warming Center. First you need to have a vision for the center. Secondly, a mission statement, to make it clear to the public, community partners, volunteers, and yourself exactly which services will be offered by the center. Lastly, you must establish a goal for the center for you and those who might be involved in the process for starting and maintaining the Warming Center.
Do you have a group in your community interested in starting a community warming center? Judy Morrison, UMaine Extension HEARTH VISTA has a publication "So...You Might Want to Start a Warming Center in Your Community" that she is willing to share with you. this publication outlines planning considerations for a warming center and also includes an appendix with sample brochures, sign-up sheets and surveys.
Judy is also willing to meet with you or your group to brainstorm some ideas for getting your community warming center off the ground. You can call her at the Piscataquis Extension Office at 564-3301 or email her at jmorrison@umext.maine.edu.
Source: Frith, I., So...You Might Want to Start a Warming Center in Your Community, United Way of the Tri-Valley Area, http://www.uwtva.org/ |
Master Gardener Volunteer in Action
UMaine Cooperative Extension Piscataquis County is happy to announce that Pamela Pultz, from Foxcroft Agway, will be spending some of her Master Gardener Volunteer time at the Extension Office in Dover-Foxcroft. She will be available to answer horticultural questions Thursday and Friday mornings from 8am to 10am, starting February 25th. Stop by with an insect or plant sample or just stop by to welcome her to her new Volunteer role.
Pam's dream of becoming a permanent Maine resident finally came true in 2003 when she and her husband, Guy Pultz, moved to Dover-Foxcroft and bought, Foxcroft Agway. They have run a successful business here for 7 years. For fun Pam enjoys horse-back riding, long distance hiking, traveling around with Dave Mallett en Company, and of course gardening. She has been a life long enthusiast for the natural world and is "very excited" to start her new role as horticultural volunteer at the Extension Office.
For information about the Master Gardener program contact Hannah Todd, Home Horticulture Coordinator at 564-3301 or in Maine 1-800-287-1491 or email htodd@umext.maine.edu. |
College Scholarship for Horticulture Study
Mary Blackstone, chair of Scholarships for the Garden Club Federation of Maine announced that each spring the federation awards a $3000 scholarship to students who will be entering their third or fourth year of undergraduate study or a masters program in the fall. The winner of the Federation scholarship is then forwarded to a national competition for one of several $4000 scholarships. Maine's nominees have nearly always received the national scholarship as well. There is also something called the Nell Goff Memorial Scholarship for $1000 which is offered by the St. Croix District. The criteria and even the application forms for all three awards are almost exactly the same, and it is possible for one person to hold all three scholarships, so students are potentially looking at a total of $8000 from GCFM/NGC sources. The areas covered by this horticulture scholarship are very broadly interpreted to include floriculture, landscape design, environmental studies, conservation, forestry, botany, agronomy, plant pathology, city planning, agriculture, and others depending on the arguments presented in the application. The applicant must be a resident of Maine--but they may be studying outside the state if their legal address is still in Maine.
Source: Mary Blackstone, Chair, Scholarships and State Life Memberships, Garden Club Federation of Maine. |
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Monthly Garden Activities
- Thinking about starting seeds? If you feel you must start something then consider crops that need alot of time from seeding to transplanting out in the garden. Remember the average last frost date in southern Piscataquis is June 1st! Cold sensitive crops shouldn't be planted out in the garden until a couple weeks after this date unless you are planning to provide protection from the cold weather. We have four months or 16 weeks from the first of February until June 1st.
- Want something green that you grow for your winter salad? think about growing your own sprouts. It usually takes less than a week! Be sure to use seed that has not been treated. A natural foods store might be your best bet to get untreated seeds. For help on growing your own sprouts you can go to http://tinyurl.com/growspouts an Extension Factsheet from Virginia Cooperative Extension. Or Piscataquis County residents can contact our office for a copy.
- Germination testing time. Do you have seed that you have saved for the past few years? Some seed loses it's viability quicker than others. To be sure the seed you are planning to use to start seedlings next month is viable, you can do a germination test. Moisten a paper towel. Lay out ten seeds, fold the paper towel over the seeds, place in a plastic bag and set in a warm place (i.e.on top of the refrigerator). After a week open the bag and count the number of seeds that have germinated. If less than 5 have germinated then it might be a good idea to buy more of that variety. If 6 or 7 seeds germinate, plan to plant more seeds that required. If 8 to 10 seeds germinate then plant the number seeds as recommended.
- Start a Neighbohood Friends Seed Swap.Most gardeners find that the seed packages that they purchase have way too many seeds for their garden. You and your friends and neighbors may be able to reduce your garden seed costs by sharing the seeds you won't use with each other. I could give you some of my "Sun Gold" tomatoes in exchange for some of your "Early Cascade" tomatoes.
- Houseplant pests can get a jump on you if you haven't been checking regularly for insect infestations. Aphids, spider mites and meally bugs can infest a houseplant to the point that it may be necessary to toss it out and start again. Small infestations may be managed with sanitation and the judicious use of an appropriate pesticide. Call Hannah Todd at 564-3301 or email her at htodd@umext.maine.edu for recommended treatments of houseplant pests.
- If you didn't sharpen your garden tools before you put them away for the winter, now would be a good time to get out the file and sandpaper. I like to spray them with a layer of cooking oil to prevent rust.
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Featured Extension Publications
The following agriculture related Extension publications are available or can be ordered at the Extension Office nearest you. You will notice that some publications are free and some have a cost recovery charge. Many other publications are available for free online or may be purchased at our secure publications web site.
- 2010 UMass Garden Calendar: The Wonderful World of Plants
Item #9503 Publisher: UMass Extension. A favorite of New England gardeners, this beautiful wall calendar features a full-color plant photo for each month, with a description explaining why you might choose that species and variety. There are gardening tips for each day, as well as sunrise and sunset times, and phases of the moon. The daily tips include information on garden pests and management strategies, as well as "how-to and when" tips such as dates to plant peas, renovate lawns, and prune and fertilize roses.
Sale! Now just $4.00 (regular price $12.00)
- 365 Audubon Songbirds & Other Backyard Birds Calendar-2010
Item #9502 Publisher: Workman Publishing. A perennial best seller, this "picture-a-day" oversized wall calendar features a full-color photo on every day. In addition, each month's spread highlights one species, including a large photograph and details on calls, plumage, migration, habitat, and more. From the experts at Audubon.
Sale! Now just $5.00 (regular price $12.99)
- Starting Seeds at Home Item #2751Publisher: UMaine Extension. Succinct, straightforward instructions to successful preseason seed starting. Covers supplies needed, planting dates, germination time and optimum temperatures for common vegetable seeds, watering, and transplanting. Includes a diagram of a homemade PVC grow-light frame. 3 pages, 2008. Download it for free http://www.extension.umaine.edu/onlinepubs/htmpubs/2751.htm , or buy a color copy for $0.50.
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| Upcoming Events
February 6th, 2010 Lurking in the Trees...Asian Longhorned Beetle Invasion of Worcester, MA at 11 am on Maine Public Broadcasting television. It will also air on Feb. 7th at 11 pm and Feb 28th at 11 pm.
February 9th, 2010 Saving Energy at Home. 6 pm to 9 pm at SEDOMOCHA School in Dover-Foxcroft. Reducing your heating costs and other energy costs in your home is the focus of this workshop. Part of the session will include a demonstration on making a window shutter from cardboard, aluminum foil and duct tape, as well as door draft stoppers from fabric and foam pipe insulation. Supplemental home heating methods, insulation materials, and importance of regular maintenance on your heating system will also be discussed as well as potential tax credits for energy conservation and heating alternatives.
Home owners, home renters, apartment renters and all interested people are welcome to this program. Please contact the Piscataquis County Extension Office at 165 East Main St., Dover-Foxcroft, ME 04426, call 564-3301 or 1-800-287-1491 or email amiles@umext.maine.edu or contact PVAEC at 48 Morton Ave., Suite M, Dover-Foxcroft, ME 04426 call 564-6525 or email knormandin@pvaec.org or visit the web site at http://tinyurl.com/homeenergyclass to let us know you are coming so we can have enough hand out materials for everyone or to find out more about this program. Course fee is $5 with scholarships are available. Sponsored by the University of Maine Cooperative Extension and PVAEC Piscataquis Valley Adult Education Cooperative in conjunction with Efficiency Maine and ARRA - American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery Act).
February 10th, 2010 Caring For Kids Informational Meeting for parents only, 6 pm at the UMaine Extension Piscataquis County Office, 165 East Main St., Dover-Foxcroft. Contact: Jane Conroy at 564-3301, for more information.
February 16th to 18th, 2010 Caring for Kids session. 10 am to 2 pm at the UMaine Extension Piscataquis County Office, 165 East Main St., Dover-Foxcroft. Are you looking for ways to improve your baby sitting skills while earning a little extra cash? An introductory level class to babysitting, Caring for Kids will be offered in the Dover-Foxcroft during February school vacation. This program sponsored by the University of Maine Cooperative Extension taught by Jane Conroy, Extension Educator will cover topics of child development, discipline, and creative play with children, safety and first aid as well as job responsibilities of the babysitter. Other activities covered will include reading to children, making toys that teach, marketing your child care skills and talking with parents.
The session is open to any youth 12 years or older. There will be a fee ($20) to cover cost of materials and snacks. Bring your own lunch. Payment is due with the required pre-registration form and is due no later than Friday, February 12th. Call the Extension Office for an application 564-3301. Register early because space is limited
February 20th, 2010 Snow Roller Day in Monson. Plan to stop by the UMaine Extension booth and see our seed starting, home energy and 4-H display.
February 23, 2010 Yardscaping with Gary Fish from the Maine Board of Pesticide Control. Sponsored by the Piscataquis County Soil and Water Conservation District in Dover-Foxcroft. For more information contact PCSWCD at 564-2321 or email Lynn Lubas at madeline.lubas@me.nacdnet.net
February 26th, 2010 Seed Swap from noon to 1 pm at the Piscataquis County Extension Office in Dover-Foxcroft. Bring your extra seed (in the original package if available) to swap with other gardeners. We will have small plastic bags, labels and markers for folks to use. For more information contact either Donna Coffin or Hannah Todd at 564-3301 or in Maine 1-800-287-1491 or email dcoffin@umext.maine.edu or htodd@umext.maine.edu
March 4th & March 11th, 2010 Backyard Chickens from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. Lawrence Adult Education, Fairfield, ME. 453-4200 x 3114 adulted@msad49.org Looking for farm fresh eggs every day? Even some cities are now passing ordinances to allow for small scale production. If you want to keep poultry for home use or for local sales, but your expertise is limited, this class will get you started. Learn how to select appropriate breeds, the stages of development, How to house and care for your flock, how to handle a laying hen, and regulations governing raising chickens. Receive a handy reference notebook and get ready to order those baby chicks. Speaker will be Richard Brzozowski who is an Extension Educator for the University of Maine Cooperative Extension.
April 17th, 2010 Maine Garden Day at Lewiston High School inLewiston. Stay tuned for details.
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Contact Info
Donna R. Coffin, Extension Educator
207-564-3301 or in Maine 1-800-287-1491
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Information in this newsletter is provided purely for educational purposes. No responsibility is assumed for any problems associated with the use of products or services mentioned in this newsletter. No endorsement of products or companies is intended, nor is criticism of unnamed products or companies implied. |
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