|
|
|
|
Piscataquis & Penobscot
Gardening Newsletter
Volume 10 Issue 7 August 2012
|
|
|
|
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. |
Find Penobscot County Extension on Facebook
Find Piscataquis County Extension on Facebook
|
|
|
|
|
August is the Month to...
-
 | |
Susan Garland
|
Seek local gardens to tour as a way to pick up new gardening ideas and tips. Some nice spots to visit include: - Harvest your garlic. Pull entire plant, cure for a few weeks in a dry location with good air flow (a garage works well), and eventually store in a cool, dry location (just above 32F).
- Pay attention to what is happening in your yard and garden. Look for and note any changes, growth, damage, stress, death, fruit formation or flowering. On damaged plants, look for the culprits. Some of this inspection might need to take place on your hands and knees. Check out our home and garden pest identification and management website.
- Enroll in Maine Harvest for Hunger. Learn how you can help - it's not just for gardeners who have a lot of zucchini! Consider Harvest for Hunger if you are a business, school, or organization looking for a service project.
- Enjoy a bountiful crop of beans. Learn how to freeze green beans. While you're at it, be sure to gather supplies and learn about preserving all of your upcoming harvests.
- Learn about insect repellents. Remember insect repellents are registered pesticides!
- Visit your local farmers market.
- Re-seed empty spots in your garden with lettuce, radishes, chard, spinach, beet greens and other short-season crops. You could also sow a cover crop.
|
Upcoming program: The Edible Landscape
 | |
Susan Garland
|
August 21st, 6pm at Rogers Farm
Many landscape plants are edible ... but how many burdock roots and chokecherries will you really eat? Dr. Lois Berg Stack, UMaine Cooperative Extension Ornamental Specialist, will talk about edible landscapes for real gardeners: plants that add beauty to the landscape and provide food for the table; and how to balance food, beauty and labor in the context of your gardening and cooking activities. FREE - no registration required. Rain or shine. For more info, call Kate 942-7396
|
Houlton Harvest Update
Many thanks go to all of the volunteers who helped with the great bean harvest in Houlton last week. With many hands, we harvested approximately 1,100 pounds of beans that were distributed throughout Aroostook, Penobscot, and Piscataquis counties. If you are interested in participating in future Maine Harvest for Hunger opportunities, please contact Kate Garland(942-7396) or Craig Anthony (564-3301).
 | |
boxes of beans
|
|
|
|
National Grange Celebrates the Morrill Act
The National Grange is celebrating the 150th anniversary of the creation of the Public Land-Grant University System, established under the Morrill Act of 1862 by asking any Grange member who is a graduate of a Public Land-Grant University to submit their information for recognition on the National Grange website.
The legislation, better known as the Morrill Land Grant Act, named after its sponsor, Justin Morrill, founded the system of federal funding for public institutions that agreed to "teach such branches of learning as are related to agriculture and the mechanic arts ... in order to promote the liberal and practical education of the industrial classes..."
Under the Morrill Act, each state received 30,000 acres of federal land for every member of Congress representing their state. Total, the Act allocated 17,400,000 acres of land that provided an endowment of $7.55 million in 1862. The Act helped spark the establishment and growth of numerous universities, including the University of California, Kansas State University, and our own University of Maine. Today, more than 100 Land-Grant colleges and universities are in operation.
The state of Iowa was the first to accept funds provided by the Act, which helped to grow Ames College, now known as Iowa State University, still in the top ten agricultural schools in the United States.
"Many top institutions of higher education are Land-Grant colleges and universities that continue to advance knowledge and research in the field of agriculture," National Grange President Ed Luttrell said. "Without the foresight of Congress in 1862, American agriculture could not have grown and prospered so much in the past 150 years, today providing food, fiber and fuel for our nation and much of the world."
|
It's important to test your well water on a regular basis
Laura Wilson, UMaine Extension
About half of the residents of Maine obtain their drinking water from a private source. Public water supplies are regularly tested, and treated if necessary, to ensure they meet health standards - but it's up to the private well owner to determine if his/her well water is safe to drink.
In general, Maine CDC recommends that well owners have their water tested each year for bacteria and nitrates, and every 3 - 5 years for arsenic, radon, fluoride, uranium, radon, etc.... however, if people notice a difference in taste, smell or appearance, or if they are expecting a baby/bringing a child into the home, it's a good idea to have the water tested.
More information on well testing, including a list of laboratories certified to do drinking water tests, is at the Maine CDC's website: wellwater.maine.gov
Arsenic, radon and uranium are very common in Maine. None have any distinctive smell or taste - the only way to know if they're in water is to have the water tested.
The UMaine Extension publications office also has several drinking water related publications.
|
Food Preservation Resources
In anticipation of the bountiful harvests to come, here are some great resources to have handy for when you are ready to preserve your crops:
Food Preservation: "How To" videos Food Preservation Hands-on Workshops Pressure Gauge Testing Service Publications including USDA Complete Guide to Home Canning, Let's Preserve fact sheet series and the Canning and Freezing Quick Guides: http://extensionpubs.umext.maine.edu/ePOS?this_category=8&store=413&form=shared3%2fgm%2fmain.html&design=413
|
Events
Thursday, August 9th, 3pm (rain date: Friday, August 10th, 3pm) - Using Your Harvest with special guest Cathy Curry, Part 4 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 Craig.Anthony@maine.edu with your name, address, and phone number.
Saturday, August 11th, 9 am to 3 pm Forest Heritage Days- on the school grounds, Pritham Ave. , Greenville UMaine Extension will have a booth in the high school gym during the Forest Heritage Days festivities. Plan to stop by and say hi! FMI http://www.forestheritagedays.org/
Wednesday, August 15, 1-3pm - One Writer's Garden: Eudora Welty's Home Place
Garland Farm, Bar Harbor
Join Jane Roy Brown for a presentation about the famed Southern writer, Eudora WElty, and her garden which has recently been restored. $10 members, $20 non-members. Registration is required: programs@beatrixfarrandesociety.org. Directions
Sunday, August 19, 10am-4pm - Family Day at Hirundo Wildlife Refuge
Guided trail walks and canoe tours, electrofishing demonstration by fishery biologist, obstacle canoe race, art activities, paper making, environmental games for children and adults. Pack a picnic and plan to spend the day. Suggested donation $4 for adults, school-aged children free. For more information call 944-9259. Directions.
Tuesday, August 21st, 6pm - The Edible Landscape with Lois Berg Stack
Location: Rogers Farm. Details in article above.
Wednesday, August 22 COMPOSTING 101, held at the Abbott Memorial Library in Dexter from 6 to 8 P.M. is being sponsored by DDATT (Dexter-Dover Area Towns in Transition) and the Abbott Memorial Library. Jason Kafka will offer a workshop on basic composting for Maine gardeners. Jason and his wife, Barbara, are owners of Checkerberry Farm in Parkman. Checkerberry Farm now consists of 15 cultivated acres, 7 in cover crops this year and the rest in mixed vegetables (as well as some 400 Sweet Annie artemisia plants to sell at Common Ground). "I consider composting a different kind of home brewing," jokes Kafka, "basically, I want to keep the energy of productive ground as high as it can be, with microbes and nutrients. That positive energy - we interpret it as good taste." FMI 924-3836 (evenings) or info@ddatt.org.
Thursday through Sunday, August 23rd to 26th - Piscataquis Valley Fair, Dover-Foxcroft UMaine Extension will have a booth in the 4-H Exhibition Hall. Plan to stop by and say hi and check out all the 4-H projects that the youth of our area have completed.
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 August 9th program listing for details)
October 26-27 - ESTIA's 9th Annual Conference on Slow Food, A Model for Sustainable & Healthy Living
Location: Well's Commons, University of Maine. For more information see Slow Food Flyer
|
|
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. |
|
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
|
|
|
|
|
