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Piscataquis & Penobscot
Gardening Newsletter
Volume 10 Issue 5 May 2012
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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 & Penobscot Gardening Newsletter is to provide timely information on practical, sustainable, research-based horticultural practices, tools and techniques which will improve home gardening success in our two counties. Upcoming events and programs of interest will also be included. |
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May is the Month to...
- Be patient. Avoid the heartbreak of having seedlings succumb to harsh spring weather. Take time to harden seedlings off before transplanting them outside. Wait to transplant seedlings until mid to late May. It's reasonable to wait until early June for warm season crops such as tomatoes and peppers.
- OR, be impatient. Extend the gardening season by using floating row covers or slitted/perforated plastic to protect your early crops from cool temperatures. Plastics can also be used to warm the soil.
- Plant bare root trees, shrubs and perennials. Avoid waiting too long to plant your new arrivals. Click here for details on how to plant bare root plants.
- Divide perennials that bloom in mid to late summer.
- Apply compost to your perennial gardens. If you
 | | 30% compost/70% bark mulch mix |
are planning on putting bark mulch on your garden, consider applying a mix of 30% compost and 70% mulch to help improve the soil while improving the aesthetics of your landscape. - Remove flower buds from first year strawberry plants and highbush blueberries planted less than three years. Your patience will be rewarded with more productive, healthier plants next year.
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Don't treat your soil like dirt!
How to start a new garden and tips for maintaining existing garden soil. Adapted from handout by Bruce Hoskins, Maine Soil Testing Service.
When creating a new garden using purchased soil, start by getting the new soil tested. Click here to request a soil test kit. Incorporate 2" of compost the first year, 1-2" during later years. When you get your soil report back, mix in the recommended lime, phosphorous, and potassium before planting. Apply the full rate of recommended nitrogen after planting.
If you are creating a new vegetable garden from existing lawn, find a site with well-drained soil located in full sun (at least 8 hours). Have your soil tested. Don't remove the sod! Kill grass by covering with 1-2" of compost over newspaper for at least 2 months. Add recommended lime, phosphorous, and potassium fertilizers and till in with the compost, rotted paper, and dead sod. Little or no nitrogen fertilizer should be needed the first year.
To maintain an existing garden, test your soil every 3 years to "fine-tune" the fertility and overall health of your soil. Apply moderate amounts of the following materials:
- 1" of compost or shredded leaves each fall (skip if your organic matter levels are greater than 10%)
- lime should only be needed every 3-5 years (possibly less frequently)
- little or no phosphorous should be needed
- supplement potassium, as recommended, before planting
- apply most of the recommended nitrogen fertilizer at mid-season
- apply 1/2 rate or less nitrogen fertilizer if organic matter levels are between 5-8%
Apply only what is needed at the recommended rates. Call or email your local Extension office for help interpreting your soil report. List of organic soil amendments. |
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Maine Celebrates Third Annual Greenhouse and Nursery Day
Greenhouses, nurseries and garden centers statewide will be celebrating on Saturday, May 5, as the industry kicks off Maine Greenhouse and Nursery Day. For the third year, approximately 45 family-owned businesses will hold special events to highlight the fun and joy of gardening in Maine. Planned activities for the events include giveaways, door prizes, raffles, plants and balloons for children, container-planting demonstrations, personal tours, expert speakers and mini workshops. Participating greenhouses and nurseries also will preview spring introductions and share their expertise by offering gardening tips, information on plant varieties and ideas for window box and landscape design. "Maine Greenhouse and Nursery Day allows Maine to showcase the importance of horticulture to our state's agricultural economy," Agriculture Commissioner Walt Whitcomb said. "In addition to providing thousands of jobs, the horticulture industry pumps over $280 million dollars into our state's economy. "More than half of the plants sold in Maine are grown right here, and our greenhouses and nurseries work hard to promote the sale of their product locally," Commissioner Whitcomb continued. "I hope Mainers will take advantage of the opportunity to visit their local garden centers on May 5 and enjoy the wonderful fun and educational events being offered." The Maine Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources licenses and inspects more than 1,260 businesses selling plants in Maine. The Department also certifies plant exports, regulates imported plants and assists growers with plant pest problems. Maine Greenhouse and Nursery Day is supported by the Ornamental Horticulture Council and the Mid-Maine Greenhouse Growers Association. For more information about Maine Greenhouse and Nursery Day, go to: http://www.plants4maine.com/GreenhouseAndNurseryDay.shtml
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Know Ticks, No Lyme
Gary Fish, Maine Board of Pesticide Control
Lyme disease is the most common vector-borne disease in Maine. May is Lyme Disease Awareness Month in Maine, so remember to do your tick checks! With the mild winter, it is never too early to start thinking about tick prevention.
Lyme disease is a bacterial infection that is carried by Ixodes scapularis (the deer tick). Maine had a record high number of cases in 2011, with positives occurring in all 16 counties. Lyme disease is most common among school aged children and middle aged adults. As the weather begins to get warmer, more ticks will be out in the open. Most Lyme disease infections in Maine occur during the summer months.
The most common early symptom of Lyme disease is an expanding red rash that occurs 3 - 30 days after being bitten. Fever, joint, and muscle pains may also occur. Lyme disease is treatable, and the majority of patients recover after receiving appropriate therapy.
Lyme disease is a preventable illness. Maine CDC recommends following the "No Ticks 4 ME" approach which includes:
1. Wear protective clothing
2. Use an EPA registered repellent
3. Perform daily tick checks
4. Use caution in tick habitats
Ticks must be attached for at least 24 hours for the bacteria that causes Lyme disease to be transmitted, so prompt removal of ticks is extremely important. Anyone with a known tick bite, or who spends time in a tick habitat, should watch for symptoms for at least 30 days after exposure. If symptoms develop, call your healthcare provider.
Additional information: Maine CDC has numerous educational materials available on our website. |
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Featured Bulletins:
The following horticulture related Extension publications are available online or can be ordered at the Extension office nearest you. Many other publications are available for free online or may be purchased at our secure publications web site.
Item #2752, Publisher: UMaine Extension
Provides an overview of various types of plastic mulches and their uses, as well as row covers, cold frames, hoop houses, hot caps, and insulating water tubes. Includes instructional videos for online viewing 5 pages, 2008. Download it for free, or purchase at your local Extension office for $0.75.
Non-Timber Forest Products: Goods from the Maine Woods, Item #2540
Publisher: UMaine Extension
Fiddleheads from ostrich ferns are an iconic spring edible in Maine. Fiddleheads are important to Maine's economy, with pickers, retailers, and woodland owners earning extra income from them each spring. Includes information on biology, identification and the when to pick. 4 pages. 2012. Download it for free, or purchase at your local Extension office for $1.00. Flowering Crabapples in Maine
Item #2058,Publisher: UMaine Extension
Planting and care, as well as virtues, of crabapple trees in the home landscape. Includes chart with size, foliage, flowers, fruit and disease resistance characteristics of 19 varieties. 6 pages.1994, 2008. Growing Vegetables in Container Gardens
Container & Raised-Bed Gardening series
Item #2762,Publisher: UMaine Extension
If you only have a small yard---or even an apartment balcony---you can still grow fresh vegetables and herbs using containers. This introductory bulletin can help get you started. Includes recommended varieties for Maine. Includes instructional video for online viewing. 2 pages, 2008. Download it for free, or purchase at your local Extension office for $0.35. |
Events
Saturday, May 5, 10am-noon - Apple Tree Pruning Demonstration at Hirundo Wildlife Refuge, Old Town
We will demonstrate the renovation of old apple trees to improve their appearance and ability to bear fruit. Apple trees that have not been pruned in the recent past generally have a crowded canopy of branches that bear fruit sparsely. As part of this class, we will demonstrate the type of pruning that promotes a flowering and fruiting habit and the steps involved in beginning the renovation process. The class will be led by Renae Moran, University of Maine Tree Fruit Specialist. Glen Koehler of the UMaine Extension Pest Management Office will also be on board to discuss preventing pest damage to apple trees and fruit.
Free. No registration required. Directions to Hirundo Wildlife Refuge.
Saturday, May 5, 11 am to 1 pm - Plant Clinic, Foxcroft Agway, Dover-Foxcroft
We will have a display on apple pests and will be available to help you with plant problems. Plan to stop by and say hi!
Thursday, May 10th, 3pm (rain date: Friday, May 11th, 3pm) - Building a Raised Bed, Part 1 of Gardening with Raised Bed Series
UMaine Extension Piscataquis County Office, Court House Complex, 165 East Main Street, Dover-Foxcroft. The garden is to the left of the building. To register for sessions, please call the office at (207) 564-3301 or email amanda.miles@maine.edu with your name, address, and phone number.
Saturday, May 12, Maine Farm to School Network conference on bringing local, healthy food to school cafeterias.
Featuring workshop themes on School Gardens, Food and Farm Curricula, Local Purchasing for Food Service, Community Supports, Food Policy, as well as a panel discussion, it will be a day guaranteed to get everyone fired up about improving school meals. Don't miss it! Sign up here.
Saturday, May 19th, 9 am to 3 pm - Thinning and Woodlood Enhancement
Free program starting with indoor session at Greenville High School in Greenville and outdoor session at Peter Kliem's Black Forest on Harford's Point Road on Moosehead Lake. Talk will be led by Maine District Forester and PCSWCD board member Gordon Moore and Maine Forester Gary Morse. Pre-registration is required. Please contact info@piscataquisswcd.org or call 207-564-2321 ext. 3.
Sunday May 20 at 11am. Brewer Children's Garden Clean Up Day
Bring rakes, shovels, and any other favorite tools you might have. We'll be raking, mulching, edging gardens and planting some seedlings. For more information, contact Laurie Cronin at lcronin77@yahoo.com or call 852-1410.
Thursday, June 7th, 3pm (rain date: Friday, June 8th, 3pm) - Starting your Garden, Part 2 of Gardening with Raised Bed Series (see May 10th program listing for details)
Tuesday, June 12th, 6pm - Understanding Soil Testing & Using Organic Soil Amendments
Join Bruce Hoskins (Maine Soil Testing Service), John Jemison and Kate Garland (both from UMaine Cooperative Extension) to learn about improving your soil - the very foundation of your landscape. This free program will be held in the garden at Rogers Farm (914 Bennoch Road, Old Town). If the weather is poor, we will meet in the big red barn at the farm. For more information, call Kate - 942-7396. No registration required.
Thursday, July 12th, 3pm (rain date: Friday, July 13th, 3pm) - Caring for your Garden, Part 3 of Gardening with Raised Bed Series (see May 10th program listing for details)
Tuesday, July 17th, 6pm - Art in the Garden at Rogers Farm (914 Bennoch Road, Old Town)
Free public program featuring music, dancing, culinary arts, and much more! Artwork will be available for sale - all proceeds to benefit the demonstration garden at Rogers Farm. For more information, call Kate - 942-7396. No registration required.
July 16-28, 2012 - Permaculture Design Course offered by ESTIA; The International EcoPeace Community, Bucksport, Maine
A Permaculture Design Course (PDC) offers an in depth study of the theory of permaculture as a design sytstem for sustainable agriculture and ecological human settlement. Participants of the course will then implement their knowledge at the Estia Epicenter permaculture site in Bucksport, Maine. Charles & Julia Yelton are students of the co-founder of Permaculture, Bill Mollison. Meals, facilities, and tent sites will be provided. The course fee is $1,200 with a $400 deposit due by March 15th and the remainder due May 1st. Click here for a more detailed description of the course or contact EstiaMaine@gmail.com
Thursday, August 9th, 3pm (rain date: Friday, August 10th, 3pm) - Using Your Harvest with special guest Felicia Dumont, Part 4 of Gardening with Raised Bed Series (see May 10th program listing for details)
Tuesday, August 21st, 6pm - The Edible Landscape with Lois Berg Stack
Location: Rogers Farm. Details coming soon!
Thursday, September 13th, 3pm (rain date: Friday, September 14th, 3pm) - Preserving your Harvest with special guest Jane Conroy, Extension Educator; Part 3 of Gardening with Raised Bed Series (see May 10th program listing for details)
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Edited by:
Theresa Tilton, Administrative Assistant
Contact Info
Donna R. Coffin, Extension Educator
207-564-3301 or in Maine 1-800-287-1491
and
Katherine Garland, Horticulturist
207-942-7396 or in Maine 1-800- 287-1485
In complying with the letter and spirit of applicable laws and pursuing its own goals of diversity, the University System shall not discriminate on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, including transgender status or gender expression, national origin, citizenship status, age, disability, or veteran's status in employment, education, and all other areas of the University System. The University provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. A member of the University of Maine System.
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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SURFACE MAIL RECIPIENTS CAN CONTACT THEIR COUNTY EXTENSION OFFICE FOR FURTHER INFORMATION WHEN WEB LINKS ARE INCLUDED IN AN ARTICLE.
Piscataquis County Office 207-564-3301 or 800-287-1491
165 East Main Street Dover-Foxcroft, ME 04426
Penobscot County Office 207-942-7396 or 800-287-1485
307 Maine Avenue Bangor, ME 04401
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