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Piscataquis and Penobscot
Gardening Newsletter
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Practical horticultural information based on university research
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Garden Without Bugs It is Not a Garden
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by Ana Bonstedt Home Horticulture Coordinator UMaine Extension
Insects are found almost everywhere and more so in the gardens. Many gardeners think that bugs pose a threat to the health of their plants and insects that are found in their gardens, must be removed immediately. But insects can be beneficial to plants.
We must admit that bugs are plant lovers and "some plants love them too", this is the way things work in nature, so do not panic if you find insects on your plants, instead take the time to identify them, understand their behavior and life cycle. This way their population can be controlled effectively and at a less cost and less damage to the environment.
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Photo by Ana Bonstedt
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Some plants and insects rely on one another in a mutualistic relationship, where both sides benefit. The insects are rewarded with food and a place to live; meantime plants that need insects to pollinate their flowers have developed diverse ways to attract these insects. Even more, some plants and insects have evolved together to benefit exclusively from one another, such is the case of the trees and ants, where the ants in return for sugary food and a place to raise their colonies, provide protection to the tree they live on against damage from animals, insects, and nearby plants that compete with the tree for space, nutrients and sunlight.
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Photo by Ana Bonstedt
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About 1% of all insect species are considered pest and probably a big part of these insects will visit our gardens during the growing season. But, if we take a few steps to prevent massive infestation of bugs in our gardens we can reduce the chances of insects' damage.
First, we need to scout our plants regularly, when doing it, pay special attention to leaves, stems and general appearance of the plant, they will show that an insect is there feeding and by the type of damage on the plant tissues you will figure out if the insect was chewing or sucking the sap from your plants. Another aspect to consider is to look for eggs, nymphs, caterpillars, etc. on your plants that will help to find the stage of the insect that is attacking your plants, this is important to know because will influence on the appropriate control program to suppress the pest.
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Photo by Ana Bonstedt
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You can also bring samples or e-mail pictures of your insect to the UMaine Extension Penobscot or Piscataquis offices for us to identify. Be sure to let us know where it was found, how many there are and the type of control needed. You can complete an insect identification form, located here to send or bring it with your insect sample.
How to Identify Pest in your Vegetable Garden (Video)
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by J. Jonathan Foster, Horticulturist UMaine Extension
Spring often sees gardeners turn out the mysterious contents of the compost bin and once again marvel at this fantastic transformation from kitchen scraps and lawn waste into rich, crumbly, black compost. Compost is the decomposed remains of organic materials after they have been broken down by beneficial microorganisms, and the process happens in our managed heaps just like it does on the forest floor. But sometimes this can be a daunting project for beginners, and other times composting slip-ups can throw a wrench into the works for experienced gardeners, too.
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Copyright Diego Grez
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Why compost?
It's sustainable. The plants in your yard and the vegetables in your kitchen are full of nutrients taken from the soil by the growing process. Rather than sending the leftover to the incinerator or the landfill, return them to your garden plot and reuse them. Your plants won't care one bit if their nutrients are recycled!
- Compost is full of beneficial microbes and helps support the soil ecosystem in your garden.
- Compost improves the structure of your soil over time, reducing compaction and improving conditions for root growth.
- Some research indicates compost gives lower nutrient boosts to plants than conventional fertilizer, but tends to retain those nutrients and make them available to the plants over a longer period of time, reducing leeching and runoff.
What to compost?
- Yes to kitchen vegetable and fruit scraps, herbaceous yard waste (not wood, unless it's been chopped rather fine), coffee grounds, tea bags, and egg shells.
- No to large pieces of wood (they will break down, but very slowly), meats and fatty foods (which can attract pests), and pernicious or invasive weeds.
Regardless of how long you've been composting, here are some valuable tips to keep in mind:
- Organic materials have varying amounts of carbon and nitrogen in them. Compost undergoes optimal reactions (in other words, converts most quickly from yard and kitchen waste into the final product) at a carbon to nitrogen ratio of about 30:1. Translating this into practical terms, think 2 parts grass clippings (greens) to one part dead leaves (browns).
- Keep that pile moist, keep it turning and moving about, and keep it aerated. Water and air are necessary for the microorganisms you're supporting, and matters will slow down or even stop completely if there isn't enough of either!
- The magic number for "hot" composting is about 27 cubic feet-a 3x3x3 ft cube. This is enough volume for you to reach your hand into the middle of the pile and feel noticeable warmth, and it's the temperature that will break down organic material the quickest. Smaller piles tend to fail to hold the heat in and much larger piles are too difficult to turn.
- Don't stress too much over the process unless you are having serious trouble, and certainly don't worry over it enough to keep you from trying! Composting happens as a course of nature and it will happen in your bins, as well-generally within 2 to 6 months. The above tips are aimed at speeding things up and improving the final product.
For additional information about composting, please click on the following links:
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These insects are common garden pests
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These two beetles are common garden pests. They can produce extensive damage to ornamental, fruit and vegetable plants. As adults they feed on the foliage and as grubs they feed on the roots. To know more about these insects life cycle and the way to control them effectively, please click on the links available under each picture.
Japanese Beetle
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Consumer Pesticide Survey
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The University of Maine Cooperative Extension is conducting a Consumer Pesticide Survey to request your opinion regarding how consumers feel about a small fee on their pesticides going to Extension in the possibility that the State of Maine will approves one.
To complete the survey online, please click on the following link Consumer Pesticide Survey. If you do not have access to the Internet, or prefer to answer the questionnaire on paper, please click here to print it and mail the complete questionnaire to:
James Dill
PSEP Program Coordinator
University of Maine Cooperative Extension
Pest Management Office
491 College Ave.
Orono, ME 04473-1295
Phone: (207) 581-3880 or 1-800-287-0279 (in Maine)
E-mail: james.dill@maine.edu
Your answers will be completely confidential.
Thank you in advance for your participation in this important survey.
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Photo by Ana Bonstedt
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Our Extension Specialists and Disease Diagnosticians have just announced that Late Blight has been found in southern Maine.
What does Late Blight look like on tomato? Check out this YouTube Video on how to identify late blight and how to minimize it's effect on your plant.
This devastating disease of tomatoes and potatoes spreads via spores under warm, wet conditions. And once the plants are infected, you cannot treat for them. Check out our Publication #2427 on Tomato and Potato Late Blight Information for the Upcoming Season.
Growers should take precautions by applying preventative fungicides and pruning off any affected leaves as soon as they are identified. Protective fungicides include copper compounds, Mancozeb, Maneb or Chlorothalonil can slow the progress of the disease.
Provide lots of air movement around the plant by keeping weeds under control. Container tomatoes can be moved to areas that have more air movement. If possible water the ground around the plant, not the plant leaves and water in the morning so the plant can dry during the day.
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Piscataquis and Penobscot Counties Gardening Newsletter Update
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The Piscataquis and Penobscot Counties Gardening Newsletter (PPCGN), now received by over 1,200 readers, has been offered as an educational resource by University of Maine Cooperative Extension for over 10 years. As of January 1, 2015, the PPCGN will be transitioning to electronic-only delivery. There will still be three ways to receive the PPCGN from your local UMaine Extension:
- Piscataquis & Penobscot Counties Gardening Newsletter is available online for free! You can sign up to receive the newsletter through your email or view the archived issues anytime at free e-mail newsletter. If you currently do not have an email, you can get one for free from several email hosts. If you do not have a computer, community libraries have computers for you to use to access information on the Internet and to view your email.
- Those with no email can opt to pay an annual subscription to receive the newsletters monthly for $15/year. More details on how to subscribe later this fall.
- A third option is to come into the Piscataquis or Penobscot County Extension Office and pick up a free printed copy of the newsletter.
We appreciate our readers referring others to the newsletter, and sharing it with their family and friends.
Thank you for your continued support of the PPCGN, valuable gardening information from Extension for folks in the central Maine area since 2003.
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Simple, inexpensive, seasonal recipes from Cooperative Extension
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Ingredients
Salad
4 firm ripe pears, diced
2 apples, diced
2 tablespoons fruit juice
3 cups cabbage, shredded
1/2 cup raisins
Dressing
1 cup low fat yogurt
1 teaspoon juice, any kind
1 tablespoon sugar
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Directions:
- In a large bowl, toss the pears and apples with the fruit juice.
- Add the cabbage and raisins and mix well.
- In a small bowl, mix together all the dressing ingredients and add the dressing to the salad. Toss the salad and refrigerate for 1 hour before serving.
Makes 8 - 10 servings
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Small Space Gardening Series - Skowhegan, Maine - University of Maine Cooperative Extension is offering a six-class workshop on building, planting, maintaining and harvesting in raised beds, square-foot gardens and containers. Classes meet monthly from May through October at the UMaine Extension office, 7 County Drive, Skowhegan. The first class is 9-11 a.m. May 1; the final class is Oct. 9. UMaine Extension Somerset County staff will teach the classes and local Master Gardener Volunteers will work with participants in demonstration gardens throughout the growing season. Harvested produce will be shared with area schools, and senior and food kitchen programs. Course fee is $10 per person. Scholarships are available. To register, or to request a disability accommodation, call Pete Bastien at 207.474.9622 or 1.800.287.1495 (in Maine). Requests received at least 10 days in advance are preferred; all requests will be accepted. People are welcome to register after the first session.
Rogers Farm Free Summer Program Series
- all on Tuesday nights 6pm
- Shade Plants for the Woodland Garden - July 22nd
- Art in the Garden - August 19th
Rogers Farm - "Ask a Master Gardener" weekly open house, June 3 - August 26
Bring your gardening questions and see the Penobscot County Master Gardeners work their gardening magic during their weekly work nights every Tuesday 5:30-6:30. Directions to Rogers Farm. More info 942-7396
Woodland Steward Program - Would you like to learn the basics that every woodland owner should know? This online program is aimed at helping woodland owners get the most enjoyment out of their land. To learn more, visit: www.woodland-steward.org or email info@woodland-steward.org
Herb Society - Meetings are held 10am-12pm the second Thursday of every month (except for July and August) at the Penobscot County Extension office, 307 Maine Ave. Bangor, ME. Refreshments at 9:30. Anyone is welcome to sit in on one meeting without having to join. Membership is $15. Visit their website: https://sites.google.com/site/maineherbsociety/2012-yearly-program Contact Theresa at 942-7396 for more information.
Free Landscape for Life - The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center and the United States Botanic Garden are calling for applications for the new Landscape For Life™ 'Train the Trainer' webinar series offered free of charge in 2014. Bring Landscape For Life to your community by becoming an official trainer. Ideal for botanic garden, horticulture educators, master gardeners and those interested in teaching sustainable gardening practices. Please click on the following link for detailed information and schedule Train the Trainer Webinar Series
Penobscot Beekeepers Association Monthly Meetings - Meetings are typically the last Thursday of every month. Locations will differ each month with some open hive meetings through summer months. Anyone is welcome to join one or two meetings for free. Educational programs and timely discussions are enjoyed each month. Visit: https://www.facebook.com/PenobscotCountyBeekeepersAssociation or contact Peter Cowin for more details petercowin@tds.net
Join the Dover-Foxcroft Gardeners - Anyone is invited to join the monthly group which was established last year to discuss a wide range of gardening topics including: annuals and perennials, shrubs, border plantings, and much more! Meetings will be a great opportunity to share success stories, challenges, ideas for projects and activities, gardening tips and creative ideas. Meetings will be every third Wednesday of the month. For more information call: Dotty Hadler at 564-7256.
MOFGA Online Event Calendar - If you're wondering what may be going on for educational events in the area, the MOFGA Events calendar may be of interest to you. Check out their schedule of upcoming events on the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association website: http://www.mofga.org/Events/tabid/78/Default.aspx
Find a Farmers' Market - The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry maintains a website where you can search for local farms or local farmers' markets by county or town or by product that they sell. Check it out at http://www.getrealmaine.com/.
Sign up for the Maine Home Garden News - You may access the most current issue of the 2013 Maine Home Garden News at: http://umaine.edu/gardening/maine-home-garden-news/
1) Subscribe via RSS feed by clicking on Subscribe to the RSS feed at:
http://extension.umaine.edu/gardening/feed/
2) Or, to receive an e-mail announcement when a new issue of the Maine Home Garden
News is posted, fill out the online form at:
www.umext.maine.edu/forms/maine-home-garden-news/subscribe.asp.
3) OR, like/follow us on Facebook and/or Twitter to hear about updates.
Upcoming programs at Hirundo Wildlife Refuge
Upcoming programs at Fields Pond Audubon Center
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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.
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Contributors
Donna Coffin, Extension Educator
Kate Garland, Horticulturist
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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.
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Surface mail recipients can contact their county Extension office for further information when web links are included in an article.
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Penobscot Office
307 Maine Ave. Bangor, ME 04401 207-942-7396 or 800-287-1485
Piscataquis Office
165 East Main St. Dover-Foxcroft, ME 04426 207-564-3301 or 800-287-1491 |
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 Penobscot County Piscataquis County |
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