September 2025 Master Gardener Volunteer Newsletter

In this issue…

From the President

Sitting here in late August, there is a hint of Fall in the air. I recognize that summer is fleeting – yet it’s always a gift. While the burst of summer squash, zucchini, tomatoes, cucumbers and flowers is a challenge, I much prefer that to preparing for snow and ice. The height of the growing season is gently moving past, and we can anticipate the glorious displays of handiwork and produce at the State’s upcoming agricultural fairs. Visit a fair to see the incredible displays by Mainers and to enjoy people-watching and savoring all the food we probably should not eat regularly. The cyclical nature of life is never more apparent to me than it is at this time of the year.

I have recently again visited a retirement community which has raised bed gardens for community members. The variety and quality of beds reflects each resident’s interest and gardening expertise (from beginners to highly experienced). The beds provided the residents the opportunity to grow vegetables and flowers of their choice, many of which had personal meaning from their pre-retirement years. The anticipation, planning, planting and care of their personal beds gave each resident gardener an identity. Resident gardeners and non-gardeners were strolling from bed to bed with curiosity and fascination. The gardeners enthusiastically embraced being identified as “resident gardeners” within their retirement community. While they expressed their gratitude for my sharing gardening expertise with them, they gave me more….  In taking a moment to notice, praise and thank these resident-gardeners for their efforts, I could sense their joy and enthusiasm for life and growth.

No matter how big or small your garden is, allow it to be a joy shared. 

The CCMG Advisory did not meet in July and August so I have no news to share. Our next Advisory Meeting will be in September.

  • The Summer MG Gala, was a HUGE success, with over eighty MG’s in attendance. Big thank you to Sally Wright for being the inspiration behind this new event, also to Janet Kane, Pamela Hargest, and the Pine Tones for all their efforts and energy to make this a great event!
  • Please, mark your calendars for the Annual Harvest Celebration that is scheduled for Thursday, October 9th, 2025 from 5:00 P.M.-7:30 P.M. at Maine Audubon in Falmouth.  The Harvest Celebration is always one of our hallmark events.

Gary Hoyt
CCMGA President

Roots – Meet MGV Linda Hyatt

Originally from Long Island, New York, Linda Hyatt now lives in Falmouth. Her exposure to gardening growing up was limited, and it was the installation of gardens at her Maine home in 2016 that prompted her to learn more. “I realized I didn’t know what to do to keep the gardens going. I’d heard about the Master Gardener Volunteer program from a friend and thought it would be a great way to learn about my own gardens and how to maintain them. I was also nearing retirement and decided that becoming a master gardener volunteer and having a volunteer commitment would be a great way to start my new chapter.” Linda graduated with the MGV Class of 2021. 

A descriptive sign featuring information about the Grove Garden at Wolfe Neck Center.Linda’s volunteer time has been spent at Tidewater – “I love that space and met some other wonderful volunteers there” – but she’s also passionate about Wolfe’s Neck Center and the work they do there. “I was living in Freeport at the time and started to think about how the two organizations might be able to collaborate. The Grove Garden first started to come to life in the fall of 2023 when the trees and shrubs were installed, followed by the perennials in the spring of 2024, and some additional transplants from other gardens, including Tidewater Farm, in the fall of 2024.” 

Several healthy shrubs in a well-mulched garden bed.Today, the Grove Garden is thriving and as with all garden projects, will continue to need some adjusting, including additional plants to ensure year round interest, and a little dividing to make the garden more balanced. In late July, a group of volunteers from the Maine Association of Non-Profits joined Linda and MGV classmate Erlene Skillin at the gardens and provided some “much needed muscle to weed and mulch”.  The work is ongoing, and anyone interested in volunteering can reach out to Linda. 

At home in her own garden, Linda loves to grow perennial flowers. She enjoys seeing them sprout up in the spring and shares that she’s “always amazed that they actually bloom, and that the bees and other pollinators come to visit. I have this great sense of wonder about it.” In addition to gardening, Linda’s also taken up golfing – “a work in progress but lots of fun!” – and also likes to cook, hike, and walk. 

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

Volunteer Spotlight:  Long Island Community Garden

MGV Long Island Community Garden started in 2006 by project leader Penny Murley. Penny shares –  it all started as a small idea when I was preparing to retire to Long Island. After running our family plant nursery for 30 years, I knew I needed a new outlet. The island did not have a community garden, and I thought—why not start one?

Penny began by quietly floating the idea to neighbors, and the response was overwhelmingly positive. It turned out many residents had long wanted to garden but faced two main challenges – poor soil and a large deer population.

The Long Island Community Garden rallied support for this project. Long Island community members helped write grants and they secured start-up funding from the Maine Community Foundation. The Long Island Civic Association also made a generous donation, and the town’s select board approved a site for the garden on public land.

When it came time to build the garden, the community stepped up. In spring of 2006, volunteers showed up with dump trucks, bucket loaders, shovels, hammers, and saws to build raised beds, truck in healthy soil, and install deer fencing. The support from the Long Island Community was incredible!  To thank everyone, the community garden held a harvest supper at the school that fall.  The harvest supper grew quickly. Within a few years, they moved the harvest supper to the VFW to accommodate more people. Now, except for a brief pause during COVID, they welcome around 125 attendees each year.

The Long Island Community Garden project now has 32 beds.  A small committee of five dedicated volunteers maintains the perennial borders and the municipal planters that greet ferry passengers with vibrant flowers as they arrive. The Long Island Community Garden relies on a few loyal helpers who mow and edge the garden beds regularly.

The biggest challenge for the Long Island Community Garden MGV Project is getting help with the perennial border. While most members focus on their individual plots, unfortunately only a handful help weed and maintain the communal flower beds. The project has tried sign-up sheets and scheduled shifts, but nothing has stuck. They would love ideas on how to encourage more engagement—everyone loves the flowers, but not many are eager to do the work.

In the food pantry section of the garden, they have experimented with various crops—beans, tomatoes, potatoes, pumpkins, and sunflowers. But last year’s sweet corn was the standout. They sold the ears of corn and donated the proceeds to the Evergreen United Methodist Church’s outreach program.  As it was so successful, sweet corn is being grown again this year.

A selection of vegetable seedlings for sale.Every Memorial Day weekend, the Long Island Community Garden holds a plant sale. Penny starts many of the veggie and flower seedlings in her home greenhouse, and they also use the school’s greenhouse. They sell vegetable starts, annuals, and potted perennials, raising enough funds to maintain the municipal planters. They also buy a couple of pallets of organic compost each spring for members to purchase at cost, to encourage sustainable gardening practices. One of the 32 garden beds is even dedicated to cut flowers, which they sell to both locals and summer visitors.

One of the most exciting developments for the community garden this year is the addition of three elevated beds built by one of the young island summer residents and garden volunteers.  This rising high school senior built the beds as her project to complete her Girl Scout Gold Award, the equivalent of Eagle Scout.  It is a wonderful contribution of love and labor to ensure the garden is accessible for seniors or disabled gardeners. 

Penny shares – What do I love most about this project? The garden isn’t just for our 32 members—it’s a source of beauty and pride for the whole island. Being part of something that brings so much joy and benefit to our community is incredibly rewarding.

If you are interested in volunteering at the Long Island Community Garden or want additional information, please reach out to Penny Murley.

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.

Ask an MGV: Tips & Tricks for your Best Garden Yet

Q: My pumpkins and cucumbers have struggled this summer! They started off really strong, but I had to pull them from the garden mid-August because the leaves and vines all yellowed and went crispy. (Fortunately for my kids, we still got a couple great carving pumpkins!) What happened?!

Powdery mildew is a common and easily recognizable fungal disease that can affect nearly every type of plant, from garden vegetables to ornamental shrubs. While it’s rarely fatal, severe infections can stunt growth, reduce flowering, and weaken the plant, so it’s important to know how to treat now and, at this point in the growing season, how to prevent it next year. 

The most obvious sign of powdery mildew is a white to grayish-white powdery growth on the surface of leaves, stems, buds, and sometimes flowers and fruit. These fuzzy spots often begin as small, circular patches that can spread to cover the entire plant. Over time, infected leaves may turn yellow, become distorted, and drop prematurely. On edible plants like squash and pumpkins, the leaves may wither and brown, potentially causing the fruit to ripen improperly.

Powdery mildew is caused by a variety of fungi species that are obligate parasites, meaning they can only grow on living plant tissue. Unlike many other fungal diseases, these spores do not require free-standing water to germinate which is why this disease is thriving this year. Instead, their development is fueled by several environmental factors:

  • Weather: Powdery mildew is most prevalent during periods with warm, dry days and cool, humid nights. Moderate temperatures, roughly 68°F to 81°F, are ideal for its development.
  • Airflow: Poor air circulation creates a humid, stagnant environment where fungal spores flourish. Overcrowded plants and shady conditions are common culprits.
  • Spore Spread: The disease is spread by airborne spores carried by wind and insects. The fungi can also overwinter on plant debris and in buds, ready to start a new infection the following spring.

Prevention

Preventing powdery mildew is more effective and easier than treating it once it appears. You can reduce the risk of infection in cucurbits and other plants by following these best practices: 

  • Provide good air circulation: Space plants properly and thin out dense foliage to allow for better airflow and light penetration.
  • Choose resistant varieties: When buying new plants, choose cultivars that are known to be resistant to powdery mildew. 
  • Water correctly: Water plants at the base rather than overhead to keep leaves dry. Watering in the morning also allows foliage to dry out quickly in the sun.
  • Clean up debris: Regularly remove and dispose of fallen leaves and  plant debris throughout the season and at its end. This reduces the chance of the fungus overwintering in the garden.
  • Dispose of infected material properly: Do not add infected plant material to your home compost pile, as the fungus may be spread when compost is used in future growing seasons.
  • Clean gardening tools: Wash and store tools properly at the end of the season to avoid spreading the disease. 

Management

Managing powdery mildew is a two-part process: treating the existing infection and preventing its return, both now and next year. If you already see signs of powdery mildew on your cucurbits, your response will depend on how far along your plants are in their growth. For example:

  • If you’ve already harvested plenty of zucchini and powdery mildew is just beginning to appear, it may not be worth the effort to treat, so consider pulling the plants.
  • If you are growing winter squash that still needs time to mature, you might harvest any ripe fruits and remove the rest of the plant. Alternatively, you could consider using a pesticide.

However, it’s important to note that chemical treatment is usually not recommended or necessary for home gardeners. In most cases, cultural practices and timely plant removal are sufficient to manage powdery mildew and limit its spread.

We want to help you with your gardening issues. To get help from your fellow MGVs, submit your questions to Heather Wiggins Berger.

Upcoming Events

MGV Events

University of Maine Extension Events

Community Events

MGV Updates

Several Master Gardener Volunteers enjoy a meal under the shade structure at Tidewater Farm.Thank you!

Thank you again to everyone who attended the MGV Summer Gala on August 12th! I don’t know about you, but the gatherings this year have felt especially meaningful. There’s a renewed sense of community and enthusiasm for reconnecting with fellow volunteers, and it’s been such a joy to witness the passion and dedication you bring to your work and your community.

It’s truly inspiring to see the MGV program flourish and evolve thanks to the unique contributions each of you makes.

Master Gardener Volunteers gather to hear a presentation as part of the Summer Gala.A special thank you to our Engagement Committee for making these gatherings possible. Sally Wright, Janet Kane, and Gary Hoyt were responsible for organizing the Summer Gala, and their fresh ideas and energy are redefining what it means for our group to come together. We’re also grateful to Lorissa Ciriello for leading the flower arranging demonstration and for coordinating our ongoing weekly flower donations to Northern Lights Home Hospice patients, what a beautiful and meaningful effort.

The Engagement Committee, currently made up of three volunteers, is looking for new members! If you’re interested in helping foster connections within the MGV community, whether by planning social events or mentoring new volunteers, please reach out to Sally Wright via email at sallylucywright@gmail.com.

Pamela Hargest

Hours 

Please report your hours and impact in our MGV Dashboard!

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.