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1) FEBRUARY IS THE MONTH TO....
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- Shovel snow!
 - Clean and sharpen tools. Yes, it would have been better to have cleaned them before they were stored for the winter, but sometimes you don't have time to get all of those fall chores done before winter comes along (especially this year). Read more about how to spiff up your tools for the upcoming season.
- Check the germination rate of your stored seeds to see if you need to order new seed. Learn how
- Start onions and leeks from seed indoors. Learn the basics on how to start seeds (bulletin #2751) and check out seed starting dates for other crops.
- Build a seed starting stand. This short video showing how to construct a two level stand with seed starting tips is always a big hit this time of year.
- Get to know your garden friends . . . and enemies. Find countless fact sheets, photos, and links to more information about good and bad critters at our Home and Garden IPM website. There's a great collection of "curiosities" in the photo gallery!
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Ana Bonstedt
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Ana Bonstedt
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2) WHAT IS PHENOLOGY AND
WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?
Did you ever wonder, why the insects and plants life cycles synchronize? Why bird-breeding season occurs when the larvae of many insects are available? Why loons migrate from the lakes to the coast during the winter months? If so, there's a reason why natural occurrences like these coincide, and not always within a specific calendar date.
Read more...
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3) GARDEN SNAPSHOTS
Master Gardener John Hackney is experimenting with overwintering artichoke plants in his basement. Despite their sad appearance right now, artichokes are a very attractive plant for the vegetable garden. They provide a stunning display of large, serrated foliage and eye-catching flowers (if the chokes aren't harvested first). Here's a choke about to flower:
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5) FEATURED PLANT OF THE MONTH: SPROUTS
Sprouting Seeds for Food by Diane Relf, Extension Specialist, Horticulture, Virginia Tech
Seeds themselves are a very nutritious form of food because they contain proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, and oils that a beginning plant needs to grow. Many of these constituents are increased greatly when the seeds are sprouted.
If their presence in restaurant salad bars and in grocery stores is any indication, the popularity of sprouts is increasing. It's very easy to grow your own sprouts at home with a minimum of supplies.
Read more
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UMAINE EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
Piscataquis Master Gardener Volunteers Training. Thursdays 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. from March 5th through June 18th in Dover-Foxcroft. Application deadline is February 19th. Click here for more information and to apply.
Grow it Right Plant Sale
Highbush blueberries, asparagus crowns, and strawberry plants for sale to benefit Master Gardener Volunteers program. Plants come with full educational materials to make your growing experience a success. Order today!
4-H Silent Auction
Just in time for Valentine's Day shopping! Bangor Mall Saturday, February 14, 2015, from 10 AM to 7 PM. Many wonderful items and gift certificates have been donated by area businesses. Please stop by an d bid on your favorite items. All proceeds will be used to support 4-H activities and scholarships in Penobscot and Piscataquis Counties' University of Maine Cooperative Extension 4-H Youth Development Programs. For donations or questions, contact sheila.norman@maine.edu
Environmental Horticulture Student Presentations FREE 12:30-1:45, Page Farm and Home Museum in Orono. Directions.
2/17 Seed Potatoes
2/17 Medicinal Plants
2/19 Aquaponics
2/19 High tunnel production
2/24 Wiki plant site
2/24 Mulches
2/26 Seed Saving
2/26 Houseplants
more topics in March!
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OTHER LOCAL EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
Invasive Forest Insect Outreach Volunteer Training.
February 11th, 10am to 2:30pm Greenville Town Office. Free. Help aid in recognizing and reporting signs of infestation for key invasive forest pests in Maine. SAF and BPC credits available. To pre-register call PCSWCD at 207-564-2321 ext. 3, or email info@piscataquisswcd.org.
FREE Film Screenings
Growing Local (Trailer) February 6th, 7pm Center Theatre, 20 East Main Street, Dover-Foxcroft.
The movie is about exploring the growing pains of the local food movement and the uncertain fate of the farmers and farmland that keep it alive. UMaine Extension staff will be there to answer questions about farming and gardening.
A Place at the Table February 17th, 6:30 Peace & Justice Center (96 Harlow Street, Bangor). This film shows how hunger and obesity pose serious economic, social and cultural implications for our nation and some solutions to these issues. Contact Joanna for more information 989-5860.
What's Up with the American Chestnut? February 21st, 3pm East Sangerville Grange. FREE. Lear the state of this important species and the progress being made to restore it in Maine. Presentation by Brian Roth, Associate Dir., Cooperative Forestry Research at UMaine and Chair of the Science and Data Committee for the Maine Chapter of the American Chestnut Foundation.
Organic Gardening Workshop
Orono adult ed. April 7th, 6-9pm. Cost $10. Contact: acaballero@rsu26.org or 866-4119 to register.
Intermediate Beekeeping
Bangor adult ed. April 27, 6:30pm, runs for 3 weeks. Cost $45. More info. 992-5523
Maine Coast Heritage Trust looking for an Agriculture Program Coordinator for MDI
application deadline Feb 27th. Learn more
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CLUBS AND ORGANIZATIONS
Maine Herb Society Monthly meetings in Bangor through most of the year. Visit their website or call Theresa for more information 942-7396.
Penobscot Beekeepers Association Monthly meetings through most of the year. Visit their Facebook page or contact Peter Cowin petercowin@tds.net for more details.
Maine Organic Famers and Gardeners Association Penobscot Chapter Potluck meetings the last Sunday of every month. Contact Galen Young of Argyle Acres, 745-4797 or galen.the.beekeeper@gmail.com.
Brewer Garden & Bird Club
Monthly meetings Feb.-Nov., the third Wednesday from 11:30 am to 1:00 pm. Next meeting February 18th. at the UMaine Extension Piscataquis County Office 165 East Main Street Dover-Foxcroft. For more information call: Dotty Hadler at (207) 564-7256
Orrington Garden Club
10am, 1st Wed. of the month Sept-June. Meetings are held at member homes. Contact Barbara 989-3746 or barenaj@gmail.com.
Hampden Garden Club
Monthly meetings Feb.-Dec., fourth Tuesday. Call Pat 862-3909 or Ellen 234-2945 for more information.
Veazie Garden Club
farmers' markets, CSAs, and other sources of locally produced food.
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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
Erin Thomas, Master Gardener Volunteer |
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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