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April 2024 UME Master Gardener
State Office Announcements
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April is National Garden Month and National Volunteer Appreciation Week! I know we're all looking forward to warmer days out in our gardens both at home and project sites.
Our newsletter this month includes a new employment opportunity, new continuing education, and more!
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We have an Agent, Residential Landscape Ecology position open. This position will oversee the Bay-Wise subprogram. A flyer is available to distribute.
The Agent Associate / Master Gardener Coordinator position is still open in Charles County.
Apply today or share with others who may be interested!
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Citizen Science Opportunity | |
Project GNBee
“Project GNBee” focuses on mapping aggregations of diverse ground-nesting bees. From this, researchers hope to facilitate the study of their nesting requirements as well as the biology of these bees across space and through time. They are asking a broad community of participants to upload observations they have made of ground-nesting bee aggregations to their iNaturalist project.
GNBee: website
iNaturalist: project
Instagram: projectGNBee
See flyer
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Have you caught the native plant fever? We're looking for stories to feature on social media and our website about Master Gardeners who have incorporated native plants into their landscapes to help gardeners who are new to natives.
Whether you have a small patio garden or a larger property, we want to share a variety of examples to reflect many different types of properties, especially when it comes to design.
Have you incorporated natives alongside traditional ornamental plants, or used them in a layered container design? Do you have visual interest throughout the season? Do you have a planting style (e.g., formal vs naturalistic)?
If you want to share your stories and photos, please email them to Kaitlyn.
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Statewide Meetings and Continuing Education | |
Ask A Master Gardener Plant Clinic | |
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We're trying something new for Ask A MG Plant Clinic training this year. We'll have monthly updates on the first Wednesday of the month (except in July, then it's the 2nd Wednesday) at 12pm from April through October. These will all be conducted virtually.
If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in this webinar, please contact Stephanie Pully at least 2 weeks prior to the webinar at (410) 531-1754 or pully@umd.edu.
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How Native Plant Cultivars Affect Pollinators | |
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Are native cultivars as valuable in pollinator habitat gardens as valuable as straight native species? Native plants are generally recommended for supporting pollinators, but the growing demand for native plants, coupled with the horticulture industry’s desire for plants with unique characteristics, has led to the increased breeding and availability of native cultivars or “nativars”. Annie White was one of the first researchers in the country to evaluate native cultivars based on their ecological value instead of just their garden performance.
Informed by both years of rigorous field research and real-world landscape design experience, Annie’s talk will discuss both the benefits and challenges of using native species and their cultivars in the landscape.
This webinar will take place on Friday, April 12th at 12:00 PM and will be recorded. If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate, please contact Stephanie Pully at pully@umd.edu or 410-531-1754 by March 29th.
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Sustainable Solutions: Landscaping for Resilience around Septic Systems and Flood-Prone Areas | |
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Join us for an insightful webinar on integrating conservation landscaping practices to promote environmental sustainability and resilience in areas surrounding septic systems and flood-prone zones. Discover practical strategies and innovative approaches to design and maintain landscapes that mitigate risks associated with flooding while supporting the health and functionality of septic systems. From native plant selection to stormwater management techniques, this webinar equips homeowners, landscapers, and environmental enthusiasts with the knowledge needed to create beautiful, resilient landscapes that protect both property and the environment.
This webinar will take place on Friday, May 10th at 12:00 PM and will be recorded. If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate, please contact Stephanie Pully at pully@umd.edu or 410-531-1754 by April 26th.
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Join us on Tuesday, June 4th for a tour of the food forest at the American Chestnut Land Trust. Calvert County Master Gardener Birgit will lead the tour and give an overview about what a food forest is and how to start one.
This event is in-person only and spots are limited. We will all meet at the barn on site.
If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate, please contact Steph Pully at pully@umd.edu or (410) 531-1754 by May 21, 2024.
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Tour of Backyard Basecamp | |
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On Friday, August 2nd, visit BLISS Meadows, a 10-acre land reclamation project, where we operate an urban farm and educate our community on how to grow, harvest, cook, survive, and thrive in the outdoors.
Our tour will be led by Aitya Wells, the Founder and Executive Director of Backyard Basecamp, Inc. - a nonprofit with a mission to (re)connect Black, Indigenous, and People of Color to land and nature. By diving into research and history, Atiya learned that historical trauma is a key player in the lack of diversity in environmental programming. She has since dedicated her time to (re)introducing her community to nature by starting in their own backyards and eventually embarking on a journey into the many green spaces across Baltimore.
Parking is very limited, so we will be traveling by bus. If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate, please contact Steph Pully at pully@umd.edu or (410) 531-1754 by July 19, 2023.
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Catch Up on Continuing Education | |
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Did you miss any of our continuing education webinars last year?
Check out the recordings below! You can always see both upcoming continuing education opportunities and recorded webinars on the State MG Continuing Education webpage.
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Year of Heirloom Tomatoes train-the- trainer
Join Jon Traunfeld as he goes through the 'Year of Heirloom Tomatoes' PowerPoint. This presentation is available for all Master Gardeners to present within their county/city.
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A Berries Nice Time with Dr. Haley Sater
Hello Listener,
This month, we discuss cane berries with University of Maryland Extension Agriculture Agent for Wicomico County, Dr. Haley Sater.
Listen Here
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Smithsonian Environmental Research Center Webinars | |
What a Warming World Means for Plants, Pests and Pollinators | |
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Tuesday, Jun 18, 2024 - 7:00pm - 8:30pm
How will a hotter planet reshape the insect world? In our June evening webinar, join entomologist and author Michael Raupp for a look at the future of insects, both pests and pollinators. He will reveal how climate change is shifting weather patterns around the globe, and what that means for insects and mites in the mid-Atlantic. Learn how rising temperatures impact insect abundance, distributions, seasonal behaviors, and the web of interactions among plants, herbivores and their natural enemies.
This webinar will be recorded! Closed captions will be available during the live event and on the recording. By signing up on Zoom, you'll be able to join live and receive a link to the recording approximately 1 week after the live webinar.
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Home and Garden Information Center | |
Web Content
Check out these webpages:
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Video Content
Check out these videos:
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Getting Rid of Invasive Plants
By Ashley Bodkins, Senior Agent Associate and Master Gardener Coordinator, Garrett County, University of Maryland Extension
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Q&A: What Screening Plants Fit in a Small Space?
By Miri Talabac, Horticulturist, University of Maryland Extension Home & Garden Information Center
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Stephanie Pully
UME Master Gardner State Coordinator
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Kaitlyn Baligush
Program Management Specialist
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The University of Maryland Extension programs are open to any person and will not discriminate against anyone because of race, age, sex, color, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, religion, ancestry, national origin, marital status, genetic information, political affiliation, and gender identity or expression. | | | | |
