Winter 2026 Master Gardener Volunteer Newsletter

In this issue…

From the President

“I like to think of seeds as tiny archives of the past, storing information about who and where we’ve been, our decisions, challenges, and innovations, generation after generation.  We are all standing on the shoulders of the people who have come before us, and seeds are woven through that story.” – Andrea Tursini introductory letter to the High Mowing seed catalog

January is here and signs of the New Year are everywhere. It is the month of resolutions and new beginnings. My yard and walking paths are brilliantly covered with white glistening snow which hides the drab brown of the winter.

As I walk in my yard and through walking paths, it is challenging to notice much happening other than my stacked wood pile going down – yet I have witnessed seasonal decorations coming down: Rudolph and Frosty resting up for next year, Christmas trees by the side of the road to be recycled, the days becoming slightly longer (notice more afternoon sunlight?!) and bigger than ever store discounts. Doubtless, the warmth of my wood stove is fostering my desire to hibernate. While we are well aware of the activity taking place below the surface of our observations, we know that winter’s magic is at work.

“January is the quietest month in the garden. But because it is quiet doesn’t mean that nothing is happening.” – Rosalie Muller Wright

The MGV Advisory Committee did not meet in December so I have no breaking news to share. Our next meeting will be January 26th.

As we approach a New Year, we typically think of New Year’s Resolutions like exercising more, eating healthier, getting rid of clutter, and volunteering more. Typically, I have NOT been very successful with New Year’s Resolutions! Last year, I resolved to be in the gym three days a week. You can imagine how well I held to that resolution as I averaged once per week. 

I think this year I’ll continue trying to create a theme for the year…to be less selfish, more open-minded and more appreciative. In essence, I hope to approach life more simply each day.

“We spend January walking through our lives, room by room, drawing up a list of work to be done, cracks to be patched. Maybe this year, to balance the list, we ought to walk through the rooms of our lives… not looking for flaws, but for potential.” – Ellen Goodman

Wishing you a Happy New Gardening Year!

Gary Hoyt

MGV Advisory Committee President

From the Coordinator 

Readers, 

You’ll see us trying something new this January as we shift from a monthly newsletter to one that goes out quarterly with the seasons. We’ll be including the same content – only more of it! – in each send. Let us know what you think. 

Heather Wiggins Berger

CC MGV Newsletter Coordinator, Contributor, and Editor

Roots – Get to the Newest Class of MGVs

We are excited to welcome the 24 Master Gardener Volunteer Interns who are enrolled in this year’s training to the Cumberland County program! This enthusiastic group comes from communities across the county, including Brunswick, Cumberland, Falmouth, Freeport, Gorham, Portland, Scarborough, South Portland, Steep Falls, Westbrook, and Yarmouth. 

While their gardening backgrounds range from beginners to seasoned growers, they share a strong set of common interests and values. Many are motivated to volunteer by a desire to improve food security in their local communities, whether through community gardens or gleaning initiatives that reduce food waste and increase access to fresh, nutritious food. Others are especially passionate about creating and caring for pollinator-friendly and native plant landscapes, recognizing the vital role these spaces play in supporting biodiversity, climate resilience, and healthy ecosystems. 

Educational programs that are inclusive and accessible was another central theme for this group. Interns expressed excitement about working with people of all ages, from youth and families to seniors, and creating garden spaces that are welcoming, accessible, and responsive to community needs. Gardening was often described not just as a way to grow food or flowers, but as a powerful tool for connection, learning, and healing.

At the end of this month, the new MGV class will have the opportunity to connect with project leaders and begin selecting the projects they’d like to get involved with. We’re thrilled to see how their energy, curiosity, and commitment will take root across Cumberland County this growing season.

Is there an MGV you’d like to know more about?  Please send their name to Heather Wiggins Berger for a future article.

Project Spotlight: Maine Wildlife Park

Box planter around a sign shaped like a black bear at the Maine Wildlife Park.The Maine Wildlife Park is a state-run conservation and educational facility that is home to approximately 30 wildlife species. These animals are unable to survive in the wild due to injury, orphaning, or dependence on humans. The Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife works closely with biologists to design naturalized exhibits that support both animal welfare and public education. The park is open seven days a week from April through Veterans Day.

The Maine Wildlife Park Master Gardener Volunteer (MGV) project is currently coordinated by two project leaders: Jodee Ristich and Bonnie Bump. Jodee has volunteered at the park since 2011. She began by caring for a garden and assisting with group projects, such as renovating existing garden spaces. When the former project coordinator, Maryanne, who had served for many years, decided to step down, Jodee recognized the significant time commitment required to manage the greenhouse, coordinate more than 30 volunteers, and oversee the Memorial Day weekend plant sale. She proposed a team-based approach to share responsibilities. The project is now led by a team consisting of Jodee Ristich, Bonnie Bump, and Paul Scheib and Chris Bailey.

The project operates a greenhouse that begins production around March, growing plants for gardeners to install throughout the park. Bonnie Bump manages seed ordering, with the largest order coming from Jolly Farmer in Canada. This past year, several new garden areas were developed with a focus on native plants for pollinators, including a variety of milkweed species. Many of these plants were purchased locally.

Funding for the gardens is raised primarily through the Memorial Day plant sale, with additional support from the nonprofit Friends of Maine Wildlife Park. This organization also contributes to improvements for the animal enclosures.

In addition to the pollinator gardens, volunteers plant and maintain 20 barrel planters and 16 large hanging planters throughout the park.

Flowering plants in a greenhouse.Master Gardener Volunteers play a vital role in maintaining the on-site gardens and helping to grow plants in the greenhouse for park grounds. Volunteers may choose to help occasionally—such as working in the greenhouse, watering plants weekly, or maintaining barrels and hanging planters—or they may take responsibility for individual garden plots from June through September. Some gardeners prefer to work as part of a small team. For individual gardens, volunteers can choose from a wide variety of plants along with mulch and fertilizer is supplied. Gardeners may enter the park as early as 7:00 am. and can drive their vehicles in before the park opens to the public at 9:00 am. Volunteering hours are flexible, allowing individuals to work on their own schedules.

Jodee shares that she especially enjoys coming in before the park opens. This allows her to drive directly to her garden with her own tools and stop by the greenhouse to select plants she would like to use. An added bonus is that the animals are most active at that time of day, as keepers begin feeding at 7:00 am.

Jodee describes the park as a beautiful place where visitors can learn about animals while interacting with gardeners working throughout the grounds and answering questions. She calls it a true gem for the state of Maine. Having visited the park for 39 years with her children and grandchildren, she has seen it grow and flourish over time. Much of that success, she notes, is due to the dedication of countless volunteers. “It takes a community to help things thrive,” she says. “That’s what makes me smile.”

If you are interested in volunteering, please reach out to Jodee Ristich.

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: Spring seems so far away but I’m eager to get my hands back into the soil. What are some gardening-related things I can do while I wait for the days to get warmer? 

A: You’re in luck, because while the days might be short, the list of things you can do to get in a garden state of mind this season is long! 🌷

January

As the new year begins, it’s the perfect time to reflect on your gardening triumphs and challenges from 2025 while gearing up for 2026. Here are some things to consider this month:

☕️Host a Garden Party:  Invite your garden-loving friends for a cozy indoor garden brunch or hot beverage of choice. Swap seeds, share plant recommendations, and discuss gardening successes and challenges from the past year.

🧑🏼‍🌾Evaluate Your Garden and Create Your Wist List

  • Identify which varieties thrived and which were a disappointment. Did any crops need to be replanted or were left unharvested?
  • Note any new pests or diseases that emerged last season.
  • Reflect on which plant combinations delighted you and which beds need more contrasting colors.
  • Consider new plants for those slow bloom periods and assess which perennials need division or pruning.
  • Identify any plants that haven’t worked for you and consider removing them.
  • Use your observations to draft a wish list and “to-do” list for the upcoming season. If you’re considering hiring a landscaper, reach out early to secure their services.

🌱Seed Starting Preparation 

  • January is a great time to inspect your seed-starting equipment, order supplies, and sanitize pots and trays.
  • Go through your seed collection and discard any outdated packets. Some seeds can remain viable for up to five years if stored properly.
  • Look for new plant varieties in seed catalogs and place your orders soon to ensure availability.

🪴Indoor Plant Care 

  • Regularly check indoor plants for pests and diseases. Isolate any affected plants and discard those that don’t respond to treatment.
  • Cut back on fertilizing most flowering plants until they show signs of new growth.
  • Monthly check moisture levels for stored bulbs and tubers like dahlias and gladiolus.

February 

Regardless of whether the groundhog sees its shadow, this is the perfect time to start gearing up to get outside! 

📬Seed and Plant Ordering

  • Order seeds and gather seed starting supplies now, as many items may already be back-ordered or sold out.
  • Consider ordering bare-root trees and shrubs for their resilience and cost-effectiveness.

🌱Indoor Seed Starting: Late in the month, begin sowing seeds for geraniums, onions, shallots, leeks, and petunias, but hold off on other varieties for a few weeks.

🧘🏽Self-Care: Engage in stretching and aerobic exercises to prep your body for the upcoming gardening season.

March

Extra daylight this month, along with the spring solstice, means we’re in the home stretch this month. 

🥕Support Local Farmers: Consider purchasing a CSA share to enjoy fresh produce while supporting local agriculture.

✂ Pruning: March is ideal for pruning woody plants; check for crossing or damaged branches.

🪾Forcing Branches Indoors: Try forcing branches like forsythia or crabapple indoors to enjoy early signs of spring.

🍁Maple Syrup Season: Check out local maple syrup producers on March 21-22, the 43rd Maine Maple Sunday Weekend! 

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

Upcoming Events

Featured Events

Flowering in the North Conference 

January 27-29:  The Flowering in the North conference is back – and bigger than ever! Mark your calendars and plan to join us as we bring together flower growers, researchers and industry professionals from across the Northeast for three days of learning, connecting, and inspiration.  

We hope you’ll join us for this three day gathering to learn, share, and connect.  Space is limited.

Register here

Community Events

MGV Updates

  • The MGV Dashboard will be closed until early March when volunteer re-enrollment begins. If you forgot to report hours for 2025, please wait until the dashboard re-opens to report those hours.
  • MGV Project Leaders can still re-enroll their projects if they haven’t already done so. The MGV Project Leader Dashboard is still open!

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.