If you are ready for spring gardening, check out these useful links compiled by Vina Lindley of the UMaine Cooperative Extension. Vina is always available to answer your questions. There are also workshops coming up–see the link below.
Order until April 20 online or mail in your order. Plant sale pick up is April 24th, 9am-12pm. Our sale will be held outdoors, with “curbside” pickup for orders and socially distanced shopping for perennials and plants available the day of the sale, at our new location, Hunter Green Farm- Maine TradeHers in Unity at 956 Albion Road (Rt 202).
Landscapes and Gardens for Maine This portal of resources from Knox-Lincoln SWCD includes Extension Fact Sheets on care of fruits and vegetables, trees and shrubs, and detailed profiles of many of the native woody plants on our list. There is also information about buffer plantings, meadow establishment, composting – lots of stuff!
“Together, we can do more” is the theme under which the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (DACF) is rolling out its 2021 National Invasive Species Awareness Week (NISAW)
campaign. NISAW is the annual program designed to raise consumer awareness of invasive species, the threats they pose, and what can be done to slow or prevent their spread.
DACF, with the Maine Department of Environmental Protection and Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, invites everyone to join in NISAW by using this opportunity to learn more about invasive species harming Maine’s natural resources, including their economic impacts, and get involved.
Ten Ways to Slow or Prevent the Spread of Invasive Species in Maine
Be on the lookout for the invasive tree of heaven, which is host to a new invasive insect threat, the spotted lanternfly. If you think you have seen the tree of heaven in Maine, please report it to mnap@maine.gov.
Watch out for Browntail Moth! Browntail moth winter webs have been found from Northern Aroostook County to York County in Maine. Check your hardwood trees and shrubs for browntail moth winter webs. Now is a great time to clip out and destroy webs of overwintering browntail moth caterpillars before they become active.
Protect our forests from invasive earthworms! Did you know there are no earthworms native to Maine? European and Asian invaders destroy forest soils with their voracious feeding. The most destructive worms are known as crazy worms, jumping worms, or snake worms. Earthworms spread when people move plants, soil, mulch, or leaves or when bait worms are left on the banks of waterways.
Planning a camping trip? Leave your firewood at home and prevent the spread of invasive pests. Buy firewood at the campground or other local sources.
Play-Clean-Go Clean hiking boots, waders, boats and trailers, off-road vehicles, and other gear to stop invasive species from hitching a ride to a new location. Learn more at Play Clean Go.
Don’t release aquarium fish and plants, live bait, or other exotic animals into the wild. If you plan to own an exotic pet, do your research and make sure you can commit to its care. Learn more at Habitattitude. And remember, it is illegal to import any freshwater fish, and many other organisms, into the state of Maine without a permit from the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.
Together, we can do more! Spread awareness, tell your friends, family, neighbors, and others about invasive species and the harm they do to our environment and health. Please encourage them to get involved with National Invasive Species Awareness Weeks in their way. Here are some resources to help get started:
Learn more on the National Invasive Species Awareness Week website
We’d love to share our stories and pictures from a most eventful year, and some of our plans for 2021. Please check out our latest Annual Journal for some good winter reading. We hope you’ll be inspired!
Maine Audubon, the Forest Stewards Guild, Maine Forest Service, and Maine Tree Farm have created a series of videos filmed in the woods that walk you through some interesting topics including an introduction to Forestry for Maine Birds and why Maine is so important for birds; an introduction to the habitat features birds need; a conversation with a Maine Forest Service forester and private consulting forester; and links to more resources and funding opportunities to help you manage your woodland “with birds in mind.”
Maine Audubon, the Forest Stewards Guild, Maine Forest Service, and Maine Tree Farm have created a series of videos filmed in the woods that walk you through some interesting topics including an introduction to Forestry for Maine Birds and why Maine is so important for birds; an introduction to the habitat features birds need; a conversation with a Maine Forest Service forester and private consulting forester; and links to more resources and funding opportunities to help you manage your woodland “with birds in mind.”