In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, University of Maine Cooperative Extension created a virtual exhibit hall for Maine 4-H members in lieu of traditional exhibits generally displayed during fair season. UMaine Extension 4-H members from across the state have entered more than 180 projects to this inaugural Maine State Virtual Fair, ranging from art to […]
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Gardens created to attract essential pollinators are the focus of a new pollinator-friendly garden certification from the University of Maine Cooperative Extension Master Gardener Volunteers program. Pollinator-friendly gardens provide food and habitat for native insects and animals in a dedicated garden space. Maine gardeners can apply to have existing or new gardens certified when specific […]
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Village Soup, the Boothbay Register, the Sun Journal and CentralMaine.com highlighted the University of Maine Cooperative Extension Maine State Virtual Fair, which was developed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic to allow 4-H members to share projects that would normally be exhibited during fair season. More than 180 exhibits are featured at the fair, including art, sewing, building […]
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The Bangor Daily News talked with Alicyn Smart, assistant professor and plant pathologist at the University of Maine Cooperative Extension, about blossom end rot. This marker of calcium deficiency is common during hot, dry growing seasons. According to Smart, a lot of Maine gardeners may be losing tomatoes and peppers to blossom end rot this […]
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The Bangor Daily News talked with University of Maine Cooperative Extension horticulture specialist Kate Garland about why gardeners should save seeds from that perfect summer tomato. “Our food system would be less stable if we were just relying on one or two varieties because they won’t have the resilience when disease and other pressures come […]
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University of Maine Cooperative Extension will offer a webinar about ways to address the physical strain of gardening noon–1 p.m. Aug. 31. This is the fourth in a six-part summer gardening webinar series to be offered every other Monday through September. “Pain-free Gardening,” led by Maine AgrAbility specialist Ellen Gibson, will include discussions about ergonomics and […]
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WGME (Channel 13 in Portland) discussed trends in food preservation during the pandemic with University of Maine Cooperative Extension Educator Kathy Savoie. Savoie says that economic disruption often leads to an increase in home gardening, with beginners tending to plant too much for their consumption. UMaine Extension anticipated the pandemic-related resurgence in home gardening and […]
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Jim Dill and David Handley talked with the Bangor Daily News about this summer’s spotted wing drosophila population explosion. “This is a whole different species than the fruit fly people are used to if they leave bananas out too long on the counter and then start flitting around and driving you crazy,” said Dill, pest […]
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The Lyme Time column in the Wiscasset Newspaper and Boothbay Register cited statistics from University of Maine Cooperative Extension, including that there are 15 species of ticks identified in Maine. The column also indicated the public can submit ticks to the university’s Tick Lab for identification (free) and testing for diseases ($15).
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The Bangor Daily News and VillageSoup interviewed Jim Dill, University of Maine Cooperative Extension pest management specialist, about fall webworms, which are building their silky nests in increasing numbers. “The fall webworms are on the march,” Dill said to the BDN. “Calls are coming in and this pest seems to be abundant this year.” He suggested a […]
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