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Piscataquis and Penobscot
Gardening Newsletter
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Practical horticultural information based on university research
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by Ana Bonstedt Home Horticulture Coordinator UMaine Extension
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Photo by Ana Bonstedt.
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The Japanese beetle is one of the most common backyard insect pests in the Eastern and Midwest regions of the U.S. This summer, Central Maine gardeners have experienced an invasion of a large number of adult Japanese beetles devouring vegetable gardens, flower gardens, fruit trees, and shrubs.
Japanese beetles damage plants in both adult and larval stages (white grubs). By September, the adult population gradually dies off, but this does not mean the pest is completely gone. Underground a new generation is developing.
During hot summer days, adults spend their time eating and mating on the leaves and flowers of the host plants. Females fly to the ground at dusk to lay eggs in the soil approximately 3 inches deep and a few days later these eggs hatch into grubs that begin to feed and store energy in preparation to overwinter.
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Photo by Ana Bonstedt
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Japanese beetle grubs spend up to 9 months in the soil. They feed in groups and are very active when the soil is warm, feeding just below the soil surface on the roots and lower sections of the plant. As the temperature drops and the soil cools in the fall, grubs burrow deep into the soil below the frost line and remain dormant through the winter. By spring, the grubs start feeding again and pupate. Adults emerge throughout the summer starting in late June/early July.
It is a challenge to control this pest once it becomes established, so a combination of cultural, chemical and biological pest control treatments implemented at the correct time of year can reduce their population to acceptable economical and aesthetic levels. The effectiveness of these treatments also depends on the mutual collaboration of neighborhood gardeners playing defense against this pest.
 | | Tachinid fly eggs on Japanese beetle Photo by Ana Bonstedt |
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Japanese Beetle Grub
Photo by Ana Bonstedt
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The UMaine Extension Pest Management Office on its Fact Sheet # 5037 mention the methods and the pesticides permitted in the State of Maine to control this pest. For additional information click on this video link too.
Additional information can be find on the following USDA - APHIS link
Managing Japanese beetle: A Homeowner's Handbook
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Why a New Animal/Plant Disease and Insect Control Lab for Maine?
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Photos: Edwin Remsburg & Griffin Dill
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On November's ballot there will be an $8,000,000 bond referendum to support Maine agriculture, facilitate economic growth in natural resource based industries, and monitor human health threats related to ticks, mosquitoes, and bedbugs through the creation of an Animal and Plant Disease and Insect Control Laboratory administered by University of Maine Cooperative Extension.
Explore the ways a new Animal/Plant Disease and Insect Control Laboratory will benefit Maine by clicking on one of these topics:
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How to Harvest and Store Onions and Winter Squash
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You've worked hard all season to cultivate a beautiful crop of storage onions and winter squash. Now is the most important time to ensure that you'll be able to enjoy the fruits of your labor long into the winter months. Taking care to properly harvest, cure, and store onions and squash will reduce the incidence of premature rotting and improve the quality of the vegetable over a longer period of time.
Onions
Storage onions are ready to harvest when approximately half the leaves die back and the topsof at least half of the plants topple over. Keeping the tops attached, carefully pull or dig the onions when the soil is relatively dry. Try your best to avoid bumping or bruising the bulb and refrain from handling bulbs when wet.
To begin the curing process, harvested plants can be left in the field for a few days to dry out further if the weather is warm and sunny. Otherwise, plants can be placed in a single layer on a clean dry surface, in a warm, dry (65-85F, 70% relative humidity) location. Plants can be exposed to sunlight during the curing process. Good options for curing spaces include a well-ventilated greenhouse (not too hot), garage, or storage shed. Curing is complete when the neck just above the bulb is dry and tight and the outer scales are dry and papery. This usually takes a few weeks.
Dried tops can be braided together if you prefer to hang the onions for storage or the tops can be cut back to 1" above the bulb. Onions should be stored in a well ventilated container (basket, mesh bag, etc.) or hung in a location that allows for good airflow. The space should be cool and relatively dry (32-40F and 65-70% relative humidity). It's best to gradually bring the onions down to storage temperature from the warmer curing temperatures. Keeping them for a few weeks after curing in an unheated garage, as the autumn temperatures drop is a good way to make this transition.
Winter Squash
To determine if the fruit is ripe, look for tough, dull, dry skin that cannot be punctured with a thumbnail. Unripe fruit will not store as well. Care should be taken to avoid bruising or cutting the fruit during harvest and fruit should not be stacked too deep (two to three layers deep at most). Stems should be cut as short as possible.
Most winter squash should be cured in a warm, slightly dry location with plenty of air flow (80-85F and 75-80% relative humidity). If the weather if favorable, this can be done in the field, but care should be taken to avoid sunscald and chilling injury during nights below 50F. Curing typically takes about 10 days. Not all winter squash types benefit from the curing process. For example, the quality of acorn varieties declines with curing. Therefore, acorn types should simply be gradually cooled and put into storage.
Winter squash store best in well-ventilated, cool, dry areas (55-60F and 50-70% relative humidity). Lower humidity will cause the fruit to dry out and higher humidity can provide favorable conditions for potential decay organisms.
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Free Obsolete Pesticides Collection
Sign Up by September 26, 2014
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This October, the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry's (DACF) Board of Pesticides Control (BPC) will team up with the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to help Mainers dispose of banned pesticides or unusable pesticides.
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Photo by Donna Coffin
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These Free-Collection events are open to homeowners, gardeners, greenhouses and family-owned farms and are held in Presque Isle, Bangor, Augusta and Portland.
Registration is mandatory and drop-ins are not permitted. To qualify, people must register by September 26, by filling this form and mail it to Maine Board of Pesticides Control at 28 State House Station Augusta, Maine 04333 or e-mail it to
Do not miss this once a year collection event, a great opportunity to dispose the unusable pesticides in a properly way to protect the environment and save money.
For detailed information about this event, and about the temporary storage and transportation of obsolete pesticides, go to the BPC Web site at http://www.maine.gov/dacf/php/pesticides/public/obsolete_pesticide_collection.shtml, or call 207-287-2731.
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These two insects are common pest of vegetable gardens
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Click on the titles above each picture to find important information about these two common pest in home gardens.
 | | Photo: Ana Bonstedt |
 | | Photo: Ana Bonstedt |
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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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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:
- 6 medium tomatoes, cut into wedges
- 8 slices whole grain bread, cubed
- 1/4 cup butter or margarine, melted
- 2 teaspoon dried basil
- 2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
| Directions:
Preheat oven to 350�F. - Arrange tomatoes in a greased 13-in.x 9-in. pan.
- Top with bread cubes.
- Combine butter or margarine, basil and thyme; drizzle over bread and tomatoes.
- Sprinkle with cheese.
- Bake, uncovered, for 30-35 minutes or until tomatoes are tender.
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School Garden Open House at Ridge View Community School in Dexter- September 27th, 2-4pm
This event will feature potluck-style garden snacks, games, and activities for all ages. The garden is located over the hill behind the playground. For more information, contact Sonja Birthisel 942-7396 or sonja.birthisel@foodcorps.org.
Back to Bee School!
 | | photo by Peter Cowin |
This fall, Peter Cowin will be giving six beekeeping courses in our area. Classes will meet 3 times for 2 hour sessions. Please call the numbers below for more information.
- Bangor Beginners Mondays Sept 8 - Sept 22 6:30-8:30pm 207-992 5523
- Newport Beginners Tuesdays Sept 9 - Sept 23 6:30-8:30pm 207-368-3290
- Bucksport Beginners Wednesdays Sept 10 - Sept 246:00-8:00pm 207-469-2129
- Bangor Intermediate Mondays October 20 - Nov 3 6:30 - 8:30pm 207-992-5523
- Hampden Beginners Tuesdays Oct 21 - Nov 46:30 - 8:30pm(207) 866-4119
- Mount Desert Island Beginners Wednesdays October 22 - November 5 (207) 288-4703
Mainstreaming Local Food to Institutions Conference - October 14 8:30-6pm
Colby College Waterville, ME
A roundtable discussion and workshops about moving more local food into Maine campuses, hospitals, and other institutions. Please RSVP by following this link:
Reserve your spot on Eventbrite!
OR contact Ellen at 207-338-6575 207-338-6575 / ellen@mainefarmlandtrust.org
Pollinator Health and Safety Conference - November 20, 2014
Portland Marriott at Sable Oaks, ME
The University of Maine Cooperative Extension and the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry are co-sponsoring the Pollinator Health and Safety Conference to bring together farmers, bee-keepers, entomologists, policy-makers and others interested in protecting pollinators. State and national experts on pollinators, bee-keeping, and pesticides will share the latest scientific research on factors affecting pollinator health and best practices for their protection. Register Online! Register by October 31, 2014: $50.00/person All registrations after October 31, 2014: $75.00/person DEADLINE TO REGISTER: November 14, 2014.
For more information, contact Meghan Dill, meghan.dill@maine.edu or 207.581.3878.
participants. Registration closes when limit is reached. Registration fee is $600 and to be paid via credit card at registration. See registration link at course info website.
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:
PVAEC Adult Education - Milo
Is this plant a weed?
Is the question that many gardeners ask to themselves. If you want to know a little more about how to identify weeds and their life cycles? So this class is for you.
Also you will learn the basics of Integrate Pest Management (IPM) a combination of common sense control measures to prevent, contain, eliminate or eradicate the weeds that are ruining your garden. The class will meet on Thursday October 2nd from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. at Penquis Valley High School Milo. For more information about this class and other classes offered for Fall 2014 please visit the following link PVAEC or call to 800-551-6525.
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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