Monthly News for Gardeners
News and events for gardeners from Penobscot, Piscataquis, and Somerset Counties from University of Maine Cooperative Extension, Soil and Water Conservation Districts, Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry, Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association, and other trusted partners
June 2020
UMaine Cooperative Extension's website is frequently updated to keep up with concerns regarding the spread of COVID-19. Be sure to check out Maine Home Garden News. It is the source of the content in this month's Central Maine Garden News, and has more pictures and articles than I fit into this newsletter.
Enjoy the frost-free days ahead!
-Trisha
Regular Features
  • This is the time to...
  • Pollinators and Pests
  • Skill Share
  • Organizations and Allies
  • Extension Resources
  • Mission and Quick Links
This is the time to...
By Ann Marie Bartoo, Master Gardener Volunteer, 2014, and Kate Garland, Horticulturist UMaine Extension Penobscot County
(photo by Art Shaw)

  • Make native plant species an integral part of your garden design. Viburnum species, for example, have a high ecological value because their early flowers serve as a food source for pollinators, their foliage hosts butterflies and moths, and their fall fruit are treasured by birds.

  • Continue planting food crops. Don’t fret if your garden isn’t completely planted by the first of June. Follow the suggested planting dates listed in the last column in this chart.

  • Apply mulch to minimize weed pressure and conserve moisture. Start with a layer of newspaper, cardboard or all those paper grocery bags you’re suddenly accumulating, then cover with an organic material such as bark, wood chips, pine needles or straw.

  • Protect crops from insect pests. Immediately cover all brassicas and cucurbits to protect from flea beetles and cucumber beetles (respectively). Once both male and female flowers are present on cucurbits, remove row cover to allow pollinators to work their magic. Most brassicas can be left under a lightweight row cover all season long for insect protection. Be sure to lift the row cover occasionally to pull weeds.

  • Support plants before they get too big. Peas, tomatoes, and beans will quickly get hard to wrangle if left unsupported for too long. Learn more about staking, trellising, basket weaving, and caging tomatoes. Many cut flowers benefit from being supported as well.

  • Prepare for Japanese beetles. These well-known insects usually show up in Maine between the last week of June and the first week of July. Remove beetles daily (best in the morning) by knocking them into a bucket of slightly soapy water. Bagged pheromone traps, if poorly placed or left unmanaged, can potentially increase beetle populations by attracting beetles to your yard.

  • Establish a container garden. Countless vegetables and herbs grow very well in containers. The aesthetic possibilities are endless when adding flowers and ornamental foliage plants.


  • Label your plants with the variety and date planted. Labels will help you avoid mixing up your hot peppers with your sweet peppers or letting your pickling cucumbers grow too large thinking they’re a slicing cuke.

  • Gather food preservation supplies and start researching the best method to preserve the bounty you’ll gather from your garden and the farmers’ market.

  • Start a compost pile. Not only is compost good for building soil structure, it reduces the amount of materials directed into the waste stream.


  • Cover areas to prepare new in-ground garden spaces. Generally, the longer you leave an area covered, the more likely you’ll kill off problematic perennial weeds. Opaque plastics, cardboard or a thick layer of newspaper can all work well. All require anchoring. Landscape pins work well for keeping the plastic in place and good options for anchoring cardboard and newspaper include bark mulch, wood chips, straw or shredded leaves. If you don’t want to leave it all season, consider keeping it on until early July. At that point in the season, you can still plant beans, carrots, beets, broccoli, cabbage, leafy greens, and a variety of herbs.


  • Record and appreciate the work you’ve done. Spring and summer come and go so quickly, that it can be challenging to remember all you’ve accomplished, as well as the challenges you’ve overcome. Gardens begin to thrive in June, and there can be lots of intense work leading up to that point. Starting a garden journal can help you keep track of what’s new, what’s been moved/removed, or adjusted, and can provide easily-forgotten details to guide your decisions in subsequent seasons. And, most important of all, make time to sit or take a contemplative walk around your yard and gardens. You’ve put time, effort, and energy into your creation, so now enjoy!



Bees of Maine: Family Halictidae
By Jennifer Lund, Maine State Apiarist, Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, Division of Animal and Plant Health
(photos of possible Halictidae by Megan Leach)

Nearly 4,000 bee species have been identified in the United States. Maine has more than 270, representing six families. This is the third of a series of articles where we explore the types of bees found in Maine and learn about their biology, foraging preferences, and nesting requirements.

Family Halictidae (Halictids, Cuckoo, and Sweat Bees)
Some members of this family are metallic blue or green, but most are black or brown. They are small (0.1 – 0.6 inches in length), slender, and range from bald to moderately hairy. Most species are solitary, but some are sub-social where multiple females build and defend a single nest. Females are generalist foragers and carry pollen on the hind legs or thorax. There are eight genera found in Maine with Lasioglossum being the most diverse.



Growing Vegetables and Herbs in Part Sun
By Kate Garland, Horticulturist, UMaine Extension Penobscot County

Many gardeners are faced with landscape conditions that limit the types of plants they’re able to grow. For those who aim to grow food, insufficient sunlight can be a big challenge. While you might not be able to grow everything you’d traditionally produce in a full-sun site, there’s still hope for a vegetable garden with 4-6 hours of direct sunlight daily.
Assessing light conditions
When determining light exposure in sites surrounded by deciduous trees, keep in mind that lighting may vary dramatically when trees leaf out and as the sun angle changes throughout the year. South facing sites typically have the greatest sun exposure. The timing of exposure is also a factor. Midday and early afternoon sun is more intense than morning sun. In other words, an hour of sun at 7:00 a.m. has less photosynthetic value than an hour of sun at noon.

Organizations and Resources
Click the links to learn more, find a chapter near you, and get involved.

Bangor Land Trust is a nonprofit organization that has conserved over 800 acres of land with public access in the Bangor area. Our mission is to protect for public benefit land and water in the Bangor region that have special ecological, natural, scenic, agricultural, or recreational significance; and to increase public understanding of the value of land and water conservation.

The Garden Club Federation of Maine  National Garden Clubs, Inc. provides education, resources and national networking opportunities for its members, to promote the love of gardening, floral design, civic and environmental responsibility.
  Good Shepherd Food Bank In addition to distributing food to Mainers in need, the Food Bank is leading a statewide effort to combat the root causes of hunger by engaging in advocacy, nutrition education, and strategic partnerships. Good Shepherd welcomes you to join in this effort.
Hirundo Wildlife Refuge is a 2,400 acre nature preserve spanning Pushaw and Dead Streams, Lac d'Or, vast wetlands (including a gently raised bog), Silver Maple Floodplain Forest , mixed hardwood and evergreen forests. Accessible by canoe and trails.

Maine Audubon is a member-based organization that engages people in conservation, education and advocacy to advance wildlife and wildlife habitat conservation in Maine.

Maine Federation of Farmers' Markets ' mission is to cultivate a vibrant, sustainable farmers' market community as a vital part of Maine's local food network. The Federation works with farmers, consumers, and communities to make wholesome, locally-grown foods available to all residents, to educate consumers about food resources, and to support farm viability.

Maine Gleaning Network A collaborative farm surplus rescue effort gathering crops from Maine's fields and engaging communities in resourceful and equitable food system activities. 
Maine Mycological Association  is devoted to a better understanding of mushrooms and our environment. MMA is also affiliated with the North American Mycological Association (NAMA).
Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association (MOFGA)  The purpose of the Association is to help farmers and gardeners: grow organic food, fiber and other crops; protect the environment; recycle natural resources; increase local food production; support rural communities; and illuminate for consumers the connection between healthful food and environmentally sound farming practices.


The Grange provides opportunities for individuals and families to develop to their highest potential in order to build stronger communities and states, as well as a stronger nation.To inquire about finding a nearby Grange, contact Walter Boomsma at grange@boomsmaonline.com  

Transition Towns The Transition Movement is comprised of vibrant, grassroots community initiatives that seek to build community resilience in the face of such challenges as peak oil, climate change and the economic crisis. Transition Initiatives differentiate themselves from other sustainability and "environmental" groups by seeking to mitigate these converging global crises by engaging their communities in home-grown, citizen-led education, action, and multi-stakeholder planning to increase local self reliance and resilience. 
Transition Skowhegan meets every 1st Thursday at 6 pm, Skowhegan Public Library.
Contact Iver Lofving 474-7370 or Jason Tessier 474-4380
Dexter Dover Area Towns in Transition (DDATT): email info@ddatt.org  

Wild Seed Project works to increase the use of [Maine] native plants in all landscape settings in order to conserve biodiversity, encourage plant adaption in the face of climate change, safeguard wildlife habitat, and create pollination and migration corridors for insects and birds. Check out their Native Plant Blog .

Maine Agriculture in the Classroom  promotes the understanding of agriculture and natural resources among students, educators, and the general public. Curricula and resources for educators and others working with young people. Check out newsletters and/or subscribe here .

Maine Farm to School Network supports the rapidly spreading farm to school movement in Maine. This network knits together a wide diversity of students, teachers, school nutritionists, parents, farmers and groups who support child nutrition and Maine agriculture. Search their resource database, join the network. 

While University of Maine Cooperative Extension buildings are CLOSED until further notice in an effort to ensure the health and safety of the community, and to help stem the spread of the Coronavirus, we are still here to help! Here are a few ways we’re available:
New Resources to Meet New Needs
*Those with limited internet access can call the following numbers at the select times to participate: Garden Chats (Mon 9-10am, Wed 12-1pm and Thurs 6-7pm), call +1 312 626 6799 or +1 646 876 9923. Meeting ID: 786-090-734
Virtual office hours (Mon 10-11 and 1-2, Tues 9-10 and 3-4, Wed 9-10 and 1-2, Thurs 10-11 and 1-2, Fri 10-11 and 1-2 ), call +1 646 876 9923 or +1 301 715 8592 Meeting ID: 968 3762 0590
  • Maine Farm Products and Pick-Up Directory: The directory provides information on available local farm products and alternative pick-up options developed by farmers statewide to accommodate the recommended social distancing in light of COVID-19.
  • Learn at Home: Educational Resources to Use During School Closures: With novel coronavirus closing schools across Maine for several weeks, UMaine Extension has assembled a collection of helpful educational resources for parents and caregivers. From science to financial literacy, whether for toddlers or teenagers, we encourage you to take advantage of these activity books, guides, and other resources to help children remain engaged in educational experiences throughout their school closure.
  • Learn at Home with 4-H Friday Fun! Each Friday, watch for a new hands-on activity that you can try out with simple materials you have at home. Watch a short video clip to see how it’s done or download our 4-H Learn from Home activity sheets. Each activity outlines materials needed, easy-to-follow instructions, reflection questions for discussion and activity extensions.
  • Social Media: Many of our staff are stepping up efforts to communicate to audiences via social media. For example, see Rogers Farm Demonstration Garden’s short educational Facebook videos (also on Instagram).
New resources are being developed daily. Please check, UMaine Extension: Connecting with Maine Communities During COVID-19 for new updates on our outreach efforts. Your feedback and questions are welcome anytime.
Traditional Services Being Offered in New Ways
  • Identifying insect pests: Clay Kirby, Associate Scientist/Insect Diagnostician, will identify pest samples via images. See instructions for submitting an insect specimen.
  • Identifying plant diseases: Dr. Alicyn Smart will identify plant disease samples via images. See instructions for submitting a sample.
  • Tick testing: Ticks are being tested on a limited basis. See instructions for submitting a tick sample.
  • Publication orders: We are still processing orders from our publication catalog, including pesticide application training materials.
  • Soil testing: The Analytical Lab and Maine Soil Testing Service remains open and is taking samples with a priority on commercial samples. If you need to drop off a sample, you can place it in the box outside of Deering Hall; do NOT enter the building.
  • General gardening questions: Contact your county office. Emails are preferred. If it’s necessary to leave a voicemail, please leave your email address (if available) or a mailing address in addition to your phone number. Since most staff are working remotely, there may be a slight delay in response time to messages. Thank you for your patience.
Master Gardener Volunteers
All in-person Master Gardener Volunteer-related activities are suspended until further notice, including, but not limited to: plant sales, meetings, gleanings, demonstration garden maintenance, and workdays.

Due to the current COVID-19 situation, we are encouraging all of our volunteers to stay home and practice social distancing as recommended by the CDC. We will not be approving any volunteer hours that require Master Gardener Volunteers to travel or be present on-site of a garden project while in-person activities are suspended.

There will be modifications made to the volunteer hour reporting requirements for all new and existing Master Gardener Volunteers in the near future. Please contact your MGV Coordinator if you have any questions and/or concerns. The situation will continually be assessed and updates will be provided to all active Master Gardener Volunteers and partner organizations.
(updated 3/24/20)



Catch up on reporting your hours while you're observing stay-at-home directives:



Rogers Farm Master Gardener Demonstration Garden sign
Mission
The 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.

Mention or display of a trademark, proprietary product, or firm in text or figures does not constitute an endorsement and does not imply approval to the exclusion of other suitable products or firms.

The goal of the Central Maine Gardening Newsletter is to connect gardeners with resources and events that encourage and inform.

Quick Links

Local Weather Anytime
 
Most outdoor activities are driven by the weather. Our local National Weather Service in Caribou has meteorologists on staff 24 hours a day. They are willing to talk with you about predictions for your town. Give them a call at 492-0180. Or check out their online detailed maps at  http://www.weather.gov/car/.

Need Pesticide Credits?

Need Pesticide credits?  Check out the  Maine Board of Pesticide credit calendar.   Many approved pesticide applicator re-certification programs are listed. 


Interested in Volunteering with UMaine Extension?

Nearly 8,000 volunteers devoted more than 150,000 hours to their communities last year through the University of Maine Cooperative Extension! Look around our





Contributors 

Donna Coffin, Extension Educator

Kate Garland, Horticulturist

Kathy Hopkins, Extension Educator

Trisha Smith, Community Education Assistant

The goal of the Central Maine Gardening Newsletter is to connect gardeners with resources and events that encourage and inform.


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.
 
Penobscot County Office
Piscataquis County Office
Somerset County Office
Penobscot County Office -  website  
Open Monday - Friday 8 am to 4:30 pm
307 Maine Ave Bangor, ME 04401 207.942.7396 or 800.287.1485

Piscataquis County Office -  website  
Open Monday, Thursday, Friday 8 am to 4:30 pm
165 East Main St Dover-Foxcroft, ME 04426 207.564.3301 or 800.287.1491 

Somerset County Office- website
7 County Drive Skowhegan, Maine 04976-4209
Tel: 207.474.9622 or 1.800.287.1495 (in Maine)