November 2024 Master Gardener Volunteer Newsletter

In this issue…


From the President…

Tenacious and hardy leaves still cling to the trees in my yard, accented by the colorful array of leaves that have fallen. The trickle of falling leaves continues in what is always a fascinating and random manner. I sympathize with the leaves that hang on, as they enjoy every moment of the good fall weather we have all enjoyed.

While our fall gardening tasks seem to be never ending, they always come to a fairly abrupt end in November. We’ve been blessed with spectacular October days, but I soon expect the day when I find my garden’s soil a bit frozen. Ah… bittersweet.

As I mentioned last month, each year I keep a list of my gardening successes and failures. While this year’s success list has been greatly helped by Mother Nature, I am telling myself now to “cut back next year”. While the “cutting back” idea is not new for me, it rarely happens as there is always a new variety or method to try. I do find satisfaction in putting my gardens “to bed”, while at the same time planning for next year no matter how big or small.

November is also highlighted with our elections both nationally and locally. Elections are mostly about ideas, as to how to accomplish what is good and the people who profess to be able to make the ideas happen. Much like our gardening experience there is a wide array of ideas and opportunities and not one “best way”. The only “best way” idea I have for both is to participate and follow your heart.

The CCMGA Board met in October so I have some news to share. 

  • A Board sub-committee submitted a draft of the initial work on our Association’s restructuring. The Board reviewed the restructuring draft and made thoughtful additions and changes. Our November Board Meeting will hopefully complete the restructuring and result in a final document.
  • The Board hopes to coordinate our meeting schedule with the schedule of Master Gardener Activities in the coming year.
  • The Board also established a dynamic list of “norms/expectations” for our future meetings.

Pamela Hargest with cake and presentsA highlight of our October meeting was the post-meeting gathering to celebrate and honor Pamela Hargest with a surprise (at least I hope it was a surprise!) baby shower. Congratulations to Pamela and our best wishes!

A friend recently reminded me that the greatest gifts we have is “gratitude, gratitude for life”. Well into his 90’s, while confined to an extended care facility, my friend was growing in his spartan room a lemon plant (a thriving healthy plant) that he started from a seed. This amazing man reminds us all of the meaning of Thanksgiving, of the wonderful gift of life and of our bond with nature.

Enjoy your gardening experiences. May they yield you not only a beautiful and bountiful harvest, but more importantly, tranquility. 

Gary Hoyt, CCMGA President

 


Climate Change and the MGV (The Science of Therapeutic Gardening – Part 2 of 3)

Guest columnist MGV Colleen Griffin is a Registered Horticultural Therapist currently practicing in Southern Maine and co-owner of a therapeutic horticultural practice, Cultivating Well-Being, LLC.  Her recent work has been focused on community wellness and climate anxiety.  Her research, for program development, has led her to the conclusion that spending time in a garden space, as well as becoming involved in community horticultural programs, helps to mitigate our collective anxiety regarding climate change and other stressors in life. We’re lucky to have Colleen contributing a series of three articles to our monthly newsletter!

It’s become undeniable – climate change is wreaking havoc with our mental health.  Our future seems uncertain due to the frequency of catastrophic weather events across the globe.  And we are feeling it right here in Maine.  At this point we cannot halt climate change, which is causing widespread distress.  Adapting to the changes in our climate may be our best path forward.  Mental health providers, educators and environmentalists are currently considering the best course of action to mitigate climate anxiety and create ecological stewardship in the process. This article contemplates the questions: Could we lessen our anxiety by means of adaptation?   What steps can we take to create a “climate adaptation plan”?  And what role could Master Gardener Volunteers play in a localized solution to this global situation?

Recent research suggests a time-honored approach may be effective in reducing the grip of climate anxiety. Engaging in meaningful and sustainable action helps to empower individuals. Through this empowerment we experience anxiety reduction. An example of this approach can be found in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic when societal anxiety was extremely high. We had the advantage of knowing how a virus spreads and how we could protect ourselves. In this situation, a positive action plan was designed and implemented. Wear a mask in public, socially distance, wash your hands and get vaccinated. The adaptation of these measures into daily life put the individual into a position of gaining  personal control. Of course, the COVID-19 virus was not eradicated by this course of action. Wearing a mask did not award immunity, but life did return to normal due in large part to the collective meaningful and sustainable actions taken by many individuals.

climate erosion on beach
SMCC Campus Shoreline Trail

 According to the Climate Psychology Alliance-North America, CPA-NA, a non-profit organization of mental health professionals, the best approach is not to solve this problem but to acknowledge anxiety as a healthy response to the threat of climate change. Their clients are encouraged to explore the interconnectedness of humanity within the environment. This view is also a hallmark of my profession, horticultural therapy. Once the client’s anxiety is acknowledged the next step is to take meaningful action. Meaningful and sustainable action is the key to success. Empowerment comes from implementing simple actions into daily life. Reduce, reuse, repair, recycle is an action that enables personal control over climate anxiety. Another empowering and sustainable action is to create a connection to the Earth.  

Every MGV knows there is no better way to create a connection to the Earth than to maintain a garden space, regardless of its size.  In the context of a climate adaptation plan, cultivating plants is an evidence-based practice that supports resiliency in both the gardener and the local ecosystem. This is very important when considering the inequities surrounding access to mental health services in most communities throughout Maine. The simple act of planting seeds, caring for those plants, and participating in the harvest are profoundly enriching and meaningful experiences. These actions provide connection to the Earth and enable us to support life in many forms.  Sharing these experiences with others creates hope and curtails isolation.  Gardening is affordable, sustainable, and empowering for anyone willing to dig their hands into the soil.  To take this concept one step further consider a community garden focused on restoring biodiversity within the local ecosystem.  This focused action could easily be accomplished by using native plants and seeds.  All those involved in such a project would reap the benefits of creating meaningful action for their own mental health and well-being in addition to creating opportunities for ecological stewardship.  

To be clear, this article is not suggesting the MGV become involved with anyone’s mental health issues.  The role of the MGV is to create opportunities for the development of a symbiotic relationship between people and nature, aka people-plant connections.  It is important to understand how a personal climate action plan, that includes gardening, spending time in gardens, or in nature, will organically loosen the grip of stress and anxiety through interactions with the soil, plants and wildlife that co-exist within the ecosystem. By creating and maintaining garden spaces within communities across the state, the MGV provides a vital resource for improving mental health and wellness, as well as promoting environmental stewardship.

SMCC Campus Shoreline Trail

Considering the predicament we all face with climate change; it is easy to become overwhelmed.  Accepting our anxiety as a healthy reaction to a very real threat is the first step toward developing a personal climate adaptation plan.  Next step is to include meaningful and sustainable actions, like recycling, composting and maintaining a garden space into your routine.  These actions will also create opportunities for ecological stewardship.  The MGV is uniquely positioned to foster these actions for Mainers across our state.  By creating and maintaining beautiful natural spaces as places for food production, wildlife interaction and respite from daily stress, the MGV becomes a champion against the debilitating effects of climate anxiety.

Note:  A wonderful example of how a community garden organically brings people together can be found in the book SeedFolks, by Paul Fleishman.  SeedFolks is considered a children’s novella but delivers a powerful message to all ages, of how we are all more alike than different and how the simple act of gardening can strengthen a community and support local ecology. SeedFolks can be found in most public libraries.


Roots – Get to Know an MGV 

MGV Gary Hoyt holding carrots
Gary Hoyt

Gary Hoyt – our current CCMGV President and longtime Scarborough resident – grew up on a small dairy farm in the then-rural area of Saco and recalls how his mother canned, pickled, preserved, and froze a wide variety of crops, as well as how they sold produce to wholesalers and stores before it became popular to ‘buy local’. 

“When I was in fifth grade my Father gave me a small unused section of the farm to grow anything I wanted. I grew a new variety of corn, an early variety of two-color corn which is now a common market corn. I was fortunate to have a good growing season and had early marketable corn which I sold to a wholesaler for $68. In those days it was a lot of money! I bought my first two-wheel big boy bicycle with streamers (Western Flyer) with some of my earnings.”

Gary went on to earn a BA in Biology (and a minor in Chemistry) from the University of Maine, an Ms Ed Administrations from USM, and an advanced certificate (CMAA) in Athletic Administration. Gary spent 43 years at Cheverus High School, most recently serving as the Director of Athletic and Student Activities prior to stepping down in 2017 and continues to be active in high school activities serving as the Executive Director of the Southwestern Maine Activities Association (which serves 17 Southern Maine High Schools) and as a site director for the Maine Principals Association. 

When not timing, scoring, and announcing local sports, Gary devotes significant energy to his garden. Gary has developed an impressive system of elevated raised beds (4ft by 8ft) as well as (20ft x 18ft with wooden walkways) as well as a trellis system and vertical gardening structure to maximize the space. His mini green-houses provide shelter for crops that require more heat (peppers) and he’s recently found success in utilizing “grow bags” for his potato crop. 

Perhaps most impressive, Gary starts everything he grows in his garden from seeds. He especially enjoys growing a wide variety (16!!) of tomatoes, lettuce, garlic, zinnias, potatoes and peppers. “I have created a very cost-effective indoor seed starting rack which I can easily move outside in the spring and back inside in the fall for storage.” Gary particularly enjoys sharing these activities with his grandchildren. 

Gary’s shares some tips for new gardeners: 

  • Follow your interests – and your tastes! “Don’t plant any vegetables that you or family members don’t eat”
  • Experiment each year with at least one new variety. 
  • Purchase seeds and supplies from Maine and New Hampshire seed vendors – there are so many good ones! 
  • Don’t become overwhelmed with what you don’t know. Every gardener has a preferred style and method for growing…take from them the ideas that fit you and make them your own. 

As the weather turns, and after Gary’s put his gardens to sleep for the winter, you’ll find him reclining in his red leather chair in front of the woodstove. 

Is there a Master Gardener Volunteer you’d like to see featured here? Nominate them by emailing Heather Wiggins Berger.


Volunteer Opportunity Spotlight

The Curtis Memorial Library in Brunswick has had a demonstration and learning garden for many years.  Recently, Master Gardener Volunteers have collaborated to renovate and expand the gardens around the library. They began with the Children’s Garden in 2021, focusing on incorporating native plants, and they have since achieved certification as a pollinator-friendly garden through the University of Maine Cooperative Extension! The funding for the original creation of the Children’s Garden was generously donated by former MGV Ruth Klein in memory of her sister Nancy Bouchard Laffely.  

In 2022, the gardens at the library’s Middle Street entrance were redesigned to include iris and daylilies from the Harpswell hybridizer Currier McEwen, thanks to the generous donation from the collection by McEwen family and Curtis Memorial Library Garden project mentor and former Master Gardener Volunteer Sharon Whitney.  MGV’s have continued to enhance the garden by removing invasives, expanding plantings beyond the children’s garden fence, adding native plants throughout to create a broader pollinator habitat, improving the entrance gardens, and restoring the library outdoor reading garden area.

LIbrary GardenIn the coming year, the Curtis Memorial Library Garden MGV Project aims to continue renovating the gardens around Curtis Memorial Library and to plan additional community gardening programming.  

Noreen Williams shares  “I love that the community stops to talk with us while we work – asking questions about the Curtis Gardens or their own gardening questions, and thanking us for making the gardens beautiful and wildlife friendly. I also love the wonderful, hard working group of MGVs who have taken great joy in beautifying our community library,  which is such a treasure.”

We’re looking for volunteer projects to feature in our Master Gardener Volunteer Newsletter. If you are interested in having your project featured – or if there is a project you would like to learn more about – please reach out to Kerri Frazier.


What’s Happening in my Garden

Dave Hesselink shares that he is especially excited about the leeks he grew this last summer. Dave mentions that “I have been putting into practice what I learned from the MGV course this last year and I feel more successful with my gardening skills.”  This was the first year that he tried growing leeks. Dave has enjoyed eating and sharing his leeks with his family and friends including sharing a casserole with leeks in it for the Harvest Festival at Tidewater Farms. Additionally, he looks forward to getting out and sketching some of the plants in his perennial beds and adding some watercolor to his artwork. Dave loves being outdoors and being creative. 

Want to share what’s going on in your garden? Please reach out to Kerri Frazier. Both successes and maybe not so successful moments are totally welcome.


Upcoming Events

Cumberland County Master Gardener Volunteer Education Series 

The Education Committee has an exciting schedule planned for the months ahead. All events are offered on a sliding fee. If you have any ideas on topics or presenters please let Barbara or Jim know. 

  • Monday, December 2: Holiday Wreath Making with Kathy Tarpo | 4:30 PM – 6:30 PM | Falmouth Extension Office 
  • Thursday, January 9: Growing Figs in Maine with Bob McArdle | 5:00 PM – 6:30 PM | Zoom 
  • Thursday, February 13: Drought Resistant Gardens with Amy Witt | 5:00 PM – 6:30 PM | Zoom 
  • Thursday, March 13: Therapeutic Horticulture | 5:00 PM – 6:30 PM | Zoom 
  • Thursday, April 10: Biochar and Soils with Andrew Carpenter of Northern Tilth | 5:00 PM – 6:30 PM | Zoom 
  • Thursday, May 8: Insects: Maine’s Oddballs, Tricksters & Lookalikes | 5:00 PM – 6:30 PM | Zoom 
  • Thursday, June 12: TBD

UMaine Extension Events

Community Events


MGV Updates

Casco Bay Dialysis Center is looking for more volunteers!

We’re looking for several volunteers to join our project at the Casco Bay Dialysis Center. The project was established In 2017 by Dr. Patricia Cantlin. She created a raised bed and container garden along the front of the Dialysis Center in Westbrook. The intention was for it to be wheelchair/walker accessible and to provide fresh herbs and vegetables to the patients who receive dialysis there, many of whom have limited income, food insecurity, limited familiarity with fresh vegetables and changing health and functional status limiting their ability to garden.

We’re seeking at least 2 or 3 MG Volunteers for continuation of this project (several members of our team have “retired” out of the project). This garden has been quite successful, and the patients at the center have been incredibly appreciative of the produce we are able to provide.

If you have any questions or are interested in joining us, please contact our project leader Bonnie Moger .

Emeritus Award for David Elliott

During the Master Gardener Harvest Celebration on October 5, we had the pleasure of celebrating David Elliott, who received his Emeritus Award at the gathering. David became a certified Maine Master Gardener Volunteer in 2012 and has focused his efforts on food security and educational programs ever since. He’s been involved with Tidewater Farm since its inception, playing an important role in the development and maintenance of the Harvest for Hunger Garden. As a tutor and teacher for many years, it’s no surprise that David was quickly drawn to teaching others how to grow their own food. His contributions to the program continued to evolve as he served on the MGV board for 6 years and in the Vice President and President role in recent years. Thank you, David, for your service and commitment to the program

 

Outstanding Horticulture Volunteer of the Year: Lucretia Bagley

This year’s Outstanding Horticulture Volunteer of the Year was awarded to Lucretia Bagley during the Cumberland County Extension Open House and Annual Meeting on September 10. Lucretia became a certified Maine Master Gardener Volunteer in 2019 and quickly found herself in leadership roles as a member of the MGV board and co-coordinator of the plant sale dig team. It’s not often that new volunteers are comfortable and ready to provide leadership when they first start with our program as this requires a unique perspective and skill set. However, Lucretia’s professional background in educational leadership has made her a natural leader for the program. She’s helped create a positive and welcoming volunteer experience for both new and existing volunteers and her involvement has informed the direction of the program. Congratulations to Lucretia and thank you for all you do!


Past Editions: Missed a previous newsletter? View them all HERE  (password: ladybug)

About this Newsletter: The Cumberland County Master Gardener Volunteer Newsletter is edited by Clarissa Brown, Kerri Frazier, and Heather Wiggins Berger. If you would like to submit an event, article,or help with any aspect of the Newsletter, please contact Heather Wiggins Berger, the newsletter coordinator.