January 2011 Piscataquis & Penobscot Gardening News

Seed catalogs are a welcome site this time of year. As you start planning your 2011 gardens, consider building your own seed starting bench or light stand for greater propagation success, money savings, and the satisfaction of growing your own plants. Bench plans range from simple to quite elaborate. See below for a link to an instructional video demonstrating how to build a two-level seed starting bench (includes plans). If you are designing your own seed starting bench, keep in mind the following environmental conditions:

Temperature. Seed germination is strongly influenced by soil temperature. Most seeds that are started indoors will germinate well when the soil temperature (not air temperature) is between 70 and 75^◦ F. Soil temperature can be easily checked using a thermometer. It is important that this temperature remains consistent 24 hours per day during the germination period. Later, after the first true leaves have developed, the temperature can be dropped approximately 5-10^◦ F. One of the easiest ways to provide consistent soil temperatures is to use a heat mat or heating cables that are available in seed catalogs and many garden centers.

Light. Some seeds require light for germination while some require complete darkness. Be sure to check your seed packet to determine the specific requirements of the plants you are starting. If seeds require light for germination, supplemental lighting is almost always helpful. Once seeds have germinated, supplemental lighting is essential for optimal plant development. Even in south facing windows, lighting in homes is almost always insufficient. Limiting light often results in tall, spindly plants that are pale in color. Supplemental light should be 3-6 inches above the plants and should be adjustable to accommodate growing seedlings. Cool white fluorescent lights work well.

Space. As seedlings grow, they need to be spaced apart from each other to minimize disease pressure and to encourage good plant form. Be sure to only start as many seedlings you have enough space for. Don't get greedy, a few healthy seedlings are better than many dead or sickly seedlings!

It is much too early to start most vegetable and ornamental crops for outdoor planting. Check your seed packets or seed catalogs to be sure. Look out in upcoming newsletters for information on when to start seeds, seedling containers, growing media, and watering.

Wooden, two-level bench (plans and instructional video)

Poinsettia Care

(adapted from the Maine Master Gardener Training Manual)

Congratulations on the new addition to your home landscape. Poinsettias are often considered a throw-away plant after the holidays have passed. However, it is possible to keep these plants happy and healthy for many years just by following these steps:

In the next few weeks, keep plants in bright light with temperatures between 65-70^◦ F.
Keep the growing substrate moist, but not wet. If it is hard to tell whether you should water, keep in mind that it is better to be slightly on the dry side than too wet (i.e. wait to water another day).
When bracts (the colorful leaves) begin to fade and drop off, move plants to indirect sunlight and water less frequently allowing the substrate to become dry, but not to the point where the plant begins to wilt.
After more leaves fall off, cut plants back to within 5 inches of the soil and re-pot using a quality potting mix.
As soon as new growth appears, move your plant to well lighted window.
After danger of frost has passed, move your plant outside to a partially shaded location.
Pinch new growth back to one or two sets of leaves per stem once or twice during the summer to encourage branching. Do not pinch after September 1^st.
Around Labor Day, bring plant indoors to a sunny window. Again, with temperatures between 65-70^◦ F.
Poinsettias begin to show color when they experience short days (more importantly, long nights). It is important to provide a daily dose of at least 12 hours of complete darkness to encourage plants to show color. The best way to provide these conditions is to place the plant in a closet or box every night. Start this process by October 1^st, for colorful plants by Christmas.
During the day, plants should be kept in a sunny window with the substrate moist, not wet.

Master Gardener Volunteer Training

The Penobscot County Extension office is announcing the 2011 Master Gardener training program. The 2011 training will concentrate on ornamental crops (flowers, trees, shrubs and landscaping.) Instruction will also include basic soils, botany, and pest management training. Master Gardeners receive reference materials, a lot of opportunity to interact with other gardeners, and opportunities to work on a variety of volunteer projects. Forty hours of volunteer time is required of each trainee as part of the overall program. The training begins on February 1, 2011. The application deadline is January 21, 2011. Training sessions will be held at the Extension office at 307 Maine Avenue, Bangor. Application packets for the program may be obtained by calling the Penobscot County Extension Office at 942-7396 or 1-800-287-1485 or by emailing Theresa Tilton at theresa.tilton@maine.edu.

Items of Interest

Announcing new website for the Rogers Farm Master Gardener Demonstration Garden!

For a taste of summer, take a virtual tour of our demonstration garden located in Stillwater, ME. Images of nearly 40 different demonstration plots are available and some pictures have links to web pages with additional pictures and information about the plots. We will be adding a lot more information throughout the winter. Visit often!

Great Gardening Videos for Maine

Educators from the University of Maine Cooperative Extension have been very busy putting together short informational videos on a number of gardening topics. Please take a moment to view these videos and share them with your gardening friends (click on the topic below to view). Feel free to contact your local county office to suggest other video topics.

For those reading a printed version of this newsletter, stop by your county Extension office to view these great videos. We'll be happy to show you how.

Seed Catalogs: Print and Online
It's January and now is usually the time that our mailboxes are filled to overflowing with garden catalogs trying to entice us to buy that new variety or try a newly released heirloom. But wait; have you noticed fewer than normal print catalogs in your mailbox? Most companies offer their line of products through their online "store". You can easily click on tomatoes or zinnias and see all the varieties and cultivars they carry in full color! The plant descriptions can be more detailed and the growing directions more specific for the type of plant. A few more clicks and you can easily order the mini package or larger and add to your "shopping cart". Most sites will calculate your shipping and let you either charge to a credit card or print out your order and mail to the company with a check.

While I do appreciate the quick turn around with online ordering I do miss the stack of catalogs that can be a great diversion on snowy days inside where it is warm. I know printing the catalogs on glossy paper with full color ink is expensive and mailing those catalogs can cost a lot too. I know that used catalogs need to find their way to a recycling center. I know it can be wasteful having garden catalogs delivered to my door. But I do enjoy the tactile sensation of leafing through those full color catalogs and circling my prospective purchases for this year.

I have noticed an increased number of emails from garden seed catalog companies I have ordered from in the past. Their emails are short to the point and offer their newest seeds, plants and garden tools. This gives me a chance to gradually review potential additions to my garden.

For your convenience, the contact information of several Maine mail-order seed companies is provided below. To get a larger list of seed companies you can mail, call or log on to:

ATTRA- National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service, P.O. Box 3657, Fayetteville, AR 72702, 800-346-9140, http://attra.ncat.org

West Virginia University Cooperative Extension Catalog Shopping for Seed Suppliers at West Virginia Garden Mailorder Catalogs

Mail Order Gardening Association, 5836 Rockburn Woods Way, Elkridge, MD 21075, 410-5400 9830, ww.mailordergardening.com.

(No endorsement of companies is intended in this listing, nor is criticism implied of similar companies that are not shown.)

· Allan, Sterling & Lothrop, 191 Route 1, Falmouth, ME 04105, (207) 781-4142, http://www.allensterlinglothrop.com/

· Fedco Seeds Inc, PO Box 520 Waterville, ME 04903-0520, (207) 873-7333, www.fedcoseeds.com

· Fieldstone Gardens, Inc., 620 Quaker Lane, Vassalboro, ME 04989, (207) 923-3834, http://www.fieldstonegardens.com/

· Maine Potato Lady, P.O. Box 65, Guilford, ME 04443, (207) 343-2270, www.mainepotatolady.com

· Johnny's Selected Seeds, 955 Benton Ave., Winslow, ME 04901-2601, (877) 564-6697, www.johnnyseeds.com

· Pinetree Garden Seeds, P.O. Box 300 New Gloucester, ME 04260, www.superseeds.com

· Tomato Tom's Seed Supply Co. of Maine, 59 NW River Road Sebago, ME 04029-9712, (207) 787-2734, tomatotom@pivot.net

· Vesey's Seeds, PO Box 9000, Calais, ME 04619-6102 (note they are actually located in Charlottetown, PE, Canada), (800) 363-7333, www.Veseys.com

· Wood Prairie Farm, 49 Kinney Road, Bridgewater, ME 04734, (800) 631-8027, www.woodprairie.com

Source: ATTRA - National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service, P.O. Box 3657, Fayetteville, AR 72702 800-346-9140 http://attra.ncat.org and West Virginia University Cooperative Extension Catalog Shopping for Seed Suppliers at http://www.wvu.edu/~Agexten/hortcult/homegard/catalog.htm and Mail Order Gardening Association, 5836 Rockburn Woods Way, Elkridge, MD 21075, 410-540-9830, http://www.mailordergardening.com accessed January 2011.

Monthly Garden Activities & Tips

Order seeds early to make sure you get the varieties that you really want. Consider trialing a few new varieties this year, you may find that they work better in your garden than the one(s) you have used in the past.
Plan ahead for pest control. Visit our recently updated Pest Management website to find fact sheets or view photo galleries on an enormous array of garden pests and pathogens. If you have had problems with a pest or pathogen in the past, determine when to look for and treat the problem; marking your garden calendar as a reminder.
Provide water for birds and wildlife. Fresh water is hard to find during the chilly winter months. If you don't have a heated birdbath, a sturdy plastic bowl should survive the stress of freezing and thawing. Replace frozen water every morning and you'll be amazed at how quickly your birdbath will become a destination for a variety of critters in your landscape.
Sharpen and oil tools. Avoid the frustration of finding rusty, dull pruners when you go to take care of your late winter pruning duties. Lay an old towel out on a table and carefully take your tool apart; keeping all of the parts on the towel. Rinse moving parts, nuts, and bolts with warm water and coat with lubricant after they have dried. Sharpen blades with a diamond stone and/or sandpaper on a flat surface, reassemble and store tools in a dry location.
Re-purpose your Christmas tree. Leave the tree near a bird feeder to provide protection for birds and small mammals. Or, prune branches off to use for insulating tender perennial plants, especially in locations where there is minimal snow cover.
Avoid using salt and other ice-melting chemicals on driveway and walkways. Gravel or sawdust can provide traction without damaging nearby plants. Entire perennial beds have been destroyed through the heavy use of ice melting substances. Trees, shrubs, and lawns are sensitive too.

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.

Native Plants: A Maine Source List

Landscapes for Maine, Item #2502. Publisher: UMaine ExtensionHow Maine will look 50 years from now depends greatly on what we choose to plant today. This bulletin contains a list of Maine nurseries and garden centers that sell native plants. All of these companies sell propagated native plants only, not plants dug from the wild. 8 pages, 2008. Download it for free, or buy a printout. $1.50
Vegetable Varieties for Maine Item #2190. Publisher: UMaine Extension. Details commonly available vegetable varieties that are well-suited to Maine's climate. Lists suggested varieties of asparagus, beans, beets, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, celery, Swiss chard, Chinese cabbage, pop corn, sweet corn, cucumbers, eggplant, endive, kohlrabi, kale, leeks, lettuce, muskmelons, onions, parsley, peas, peppers, pumpkins, radishes, rhubarb, rutabagas, spinach, squash, tomatoes, turnips and watermelons. 2 pages, 2006. Download it for free: PDF (for printing) / HTML, (for browsing) or add it to your cart to buy a printout. $0.75.