{"id":42748,"date":"2023-02-01T11:09:31","date_gmt":"2023-02-01T16:09:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/cumberland\/?page_id=42748"},"modified":"2023-03-27T14:24:55","modified_gmt":"2023-03-27T18:24:55","slug":"february-2023-master-gardener-volunteer-newsletter","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/cumberland\/master-gardener-volunteers-online-resource\/february-2023-master-gardener-volunteer-newsletter\/","title":{"rendered":"February 2023 Master Gardener Volunteer Newsletter"},"content":{"rendered":"<h3><b>In this issue\u2026<\/b><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><a href=\"#President\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">From the President\u2026<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><a href=\"#Speaker Series\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Cumberland County Master Gardener Speaker Series<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><a href=\"#Calendar\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">2023 Calendar Raffle<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><a href=\"#Seed Grants\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">2023 Norm Steele Seed Grant Recipients<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><a href=\"#Plant Sale\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Think Spring! Think 2023 Cumberland County Master Gardener Plant Sale<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><a href=\"#Tween The Seasons\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Tween the Seasons<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><a href=\"#Upcoming Events\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Upcoming Events<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><a href=\"#Volunteer Opportunities\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Volunteer Opportunities<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><a href=\"#Reporting Hours\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Reporting MGV Hours for 2023<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><a href=\"#CLYNK\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">CLYNK<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr \/>\n<h3><b><a id=\"President\"><\/a>From the President\u2026<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Hello fellow Master Gardener Volunteers,<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/>\n<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">After the recent late January snowfall, it now really feels like mid-winter. What better way to get your mind on Spring and the growing season than to start planning for the 2023 CCMGA Annual Plant Sale! Bonnie Barthmaeir kicked off this year\u2019s activities on January 20 with a meeting of the Plant Sale coordinators. Everyone at the meeting was energized to make this year\u2019s event even bigger and better than last year. The Tidewater venue is clearly a winner for us, with last year\u2019s record breaking crowds and sales. Improvements in pedestrian and traffic control to handle the crowds were talked about. Much of our inventory of veggies, annuals, dug perennials and natives sold out quickly last year, so we\u2019ll be trying to increase our available stock. The very popular big tent will be used again this year as well as using the newly constructed greenhouse for additional display space. We\u2019ll be marketing the event with an email campaign leveraging our ever expanding email list. Of course, a successful sale will depend on having enough volunteers on hand. The Memorial Day weekend date may prove an obstacle for some, but please mark your calendars for some sociable fun either the day before on May 26 for setup or the day of the sale.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Another way for a gardener to get through the cold dark winter months is to continue gardening indoors. It doesn\u2019t take much space or investment to grow microgreens on some lighted shelves. Did you know that microgreens contain seven times the nutrients of mature plants by weight? My wife Nancy and I began our microgreen growing following a class by Pamela Hargest in 2018. Our setup consists of 2X4 metal shelving with 4 shelves lighted with 4 foot LED fixtures. This gives us enough space to take cuttings every day to add to our salads, soups and stews. I also find the twice a day routine of \u201ctending\u201d the trays to be very enjoyable. Our favorite varieties for ease of growing and taste are Radishes, Broccoli, Mustard Greens, Sunflowers, Peas, and Salad Mix. And when it\u2019s time to start seedlings inside for spring planting, we leverage the same setup. So my free advice (and worth every penny) is to give microgreen growing a try.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><a id=\"Speaker Series\"><\/a>Are your seeds ordered yet? Wishing you a healthy and active winter season.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Tom Witwicki<\/span><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3><b>Cumberland County Master Gardener Speaker Series<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/>\n<\/span><b><\/b><\/h3>\n<h4><b>Seed Starting with Peat-Free Mix<\/b><b><br \/>\n<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Saturday, February 18 | 2 &#8211; 3:30 p.m.\u00a0 Falmouth Extension Office (75 Clearwater Dr, Ste 104)<\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Master Gardener, Tom Witwicki, will conduct an in-person \u201cmaster class\u201d on starting and growing your own seedlings from germination to transplant using Coconut Coir as a replacement for peat in the starting mix. Tom will discuss the best pre-mixed formulations to achieve optimal germination and growth as well as DIY mixes you can make yourself. Seed starting using traditional starting cells as well as soil blocks and multi-row seeders will be demonstrated. Start-to-finish process walkthroughs for a sample of varieties of vegetable and flowers will be performed. Other topics covered will include watering techniques, humidity domes, indoor lighting and ventilation, heat mats, lifting seedlings and use of cold frames. Registration Link:\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/docs.google.com\/forms\/d\/e\/1FAIpQLScahhBOd_D7pBjXKLwGu0Qud0dWfCfWrhxp8GkNAzUQVeDskg\/viewform\"><b>HERE<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n<p><b>Save the Date: 2023 Speaker Series<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Tuesday, March 7: <\/span><b>The Soil Food Web and Plant Communication<\/b> <b>|<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> 5 &#8211; 6:30 p.m. (Zoom)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Thursday, March 23: <\/span><b>Growing a Meadow for Nature in Your Backyard |<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> 5 &#8211; 6:30 p.m. (Zoom)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Thursday, April 6:<\/span><b> Propagation |<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> 5:30 &#8211; 7:30 p.m. (In-person)\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><a id=\"Calendar\"><\/a>Thursday, April 27: <\/span><b>Opening the Garden in the Spring |<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> 5 &#8211; 6:30 p.m. (Zoom)\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Saturday, May 13:<\/span><b> Ornamentals |\u00a0 <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">10 -11:30 a.m. (In person)\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Saturday, June 17: <\/span><b>Yoga for Gardeners |<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> 10 &#8211; 11:30 a.m. (In person) Rain date: June 24<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-41739\" src=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/cumberland\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/35\/2022\/04\/20220330_145844-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"Seedlings growing in trays in a greenhouse\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" srcset=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/cumberland\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/35\/2022\/04\/20220330_145844-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/cumberland\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/35\/2022\/04\/20220330_145844-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/cumberland\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/35\/2022\/04\/20220330_145844-105x79.jpg 105w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/cumberland\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/35\/2022\/04\/20220330_145844-317x238.jpg 317w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/cumberland\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/35\/2022\/04\/20220330_145844-423x317.jpg 423w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/cumberland\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/35\/2022\/04\/20220330_145844-634x476.jpg 634w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/cumberland\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/35\/2022\/04\/20220330_145844-846x635.jpg 846w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/cumberland\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/35\/2022\/04\/20220330_145844-951x713.jpg 951w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/cumberland\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/35\/2022\/04\/20220330_145844-500x375.jpg 500w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/cumberland\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/35\/2022\/04\/20220330_145844.jpg 1000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 320px) 85vw, (max-width: 768px) 67vw, (max-width: 1024px) 62vw,300px\" \/><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3><b>2023 Calendar Raffle<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Master Gardeners, get ready for the online sales of the 2023 Calendar Raffle! How about a seasonal wreath or 20 pounds of bird seed and a birdfeeder? A yard of compost delivered to your door? Hand-knit wool socks? A 90-minute float? Dinner for two at the Seaglass Restaurant? Please start thinking about how to encourage online sales of the calendar through social media and word-of-mouth; start thinking about what businesses you know that might provide a donation or a service. We did a fantastic job last year selling raffle <a id=\"Seed Grants\"><\/a>calendars and we raised over $5000 for seed grants. Let\u2019s sell even more this year! We can do this! Any questions, suggestions, donations, please email Barbara at <\/span><a href=\"mailto:catzrul1@live.com\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">catzrul1@live.com<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> or Richard at <\/span><a href=\"mailto:1961rangerrich@gmail.com\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">1961rangerrich@gmail.com<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3><b>2023 Norm Steele Seed Grant Recipients<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Norm Steele was in the first Cumberland County Master Gardener Class &#8211; the Class of 1988.\u00a0 For 25 years, Norm\u2019s passion for helping others was demonstrated with countless volunteer hours and an estimated 12,000 pounds of produce donated to the Maine Harvest for Hunger Program. Norm passed away in June 2013, leaving an amazing legacy. The CCMGA has named the Seed Grant Program in his honor because Norm exemplified what it means to be a Master Gardener Volunteer: he taught, inspired and shared so much with so many.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Seed Grant Projects are funded through the efforts of the Annual Master Gardener Plant Sale and our Fabulous Calendar Raffle. The Plant Sale and the Calendar Raffle represent a\u00a0 colossal fund raising effort, requiring many volunteers and months of intense planning. And it all happens on the Last Saturday in May, 8 am till noon.\u00a0 Please join us for the fun and the fund raising. May 27th at Tidewater Farm Falmouth Maine.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The Cumberland County Master Gardener Seed Grant Committee is proud to announce the recipients of the 2023 Norm Steele Seed Grant Award. This year the committee received 13 applications &#8211; and awarded over $8000.00 in Seed Grant Funds. The 2023 Seed Grant Gardens are stretched across the county. They are fun to visit, instructional, and offer a sweet taste of Maine. Pleased to present:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<div>\n<table style=\"height: 465px\" border=\"3\" cellpadding=\"1\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><b>Yarmouth Community Garden<\/b><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">MG: Don Hodgson, Mary Wicklund<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><b>St Mary\u2019s Children\u2019s Garden &#8211; Falmouth<\/b><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">MG: Bobbi MacCallum<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><b>Spring Point Children\u2019s Garden &#8211; SMCC in So Po<\/b><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">MG: Laragh Kavanaugh<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><b>Sagamore Village Food Pantry Gardens &#8211; Scarborough<\/b><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">MG: Allen Cronan, Pam Lanz<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><b>Ronald McDonald House &#8211; Bracket St Portland<\/b><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">MG: Nicki Griffin<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><b>Raymond Community Gardens 5 Meadows Rd Raymond<\/b><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">MG: L Pankewicz, L Walker<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><b>New Gloucester Library Children\u2019s Pollinator Garden<\/b><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">MG: Noreen Williams<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><b>Gorham Middle School Garden<\/b><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">MG: Heather Whitaker<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><b>Curtis Memorial Library Children\u2019s Garden &#8211; Brunswick<a id=\"Plant Sale\"><\/a><\/b><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">MG: Noreen Williams<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><b>Casco Bay Dialysis\u00a0 Garden &#8211; Westbrook<\/b><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">MG: Donna Bird<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><b>Accessible Gardens for the Bridgeton Community Gardens<\/b><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">MG: Nancy Donovan<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<figure id=\"39476\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-39476\" src=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/cumberland\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/35\/2021\/04\/Gorham-Middle-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/cumberland\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/35\/2021\/04\/Gorham-Middle-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/cumberland\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/35\/2021\/04\/Gorham-Middle-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/cumberland\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/35\/2021\/04\/Gorham-Middle-768x767.jpg 768w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/cumberland\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/35\/2021\/04\/Gorham-Middle-105x105.jpg 105w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/cumberland\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/35\/2021\/04\/Gorham-Middle-317x317.jpg 317w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/cumberland\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/35\/2021\/04\/Gorham-Middle-423x423.jpg 423w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/cumberland\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/35\/2021\/04\/Gorham-Middle-634x633.jpg 634w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/cumberland\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/35\/2021\/04\/Gorham-Middle-846x845.jpg 846w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/cumberland\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/35\/2021\/04\/Gorham-Middle-951x950.jpg 951w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/cumberland\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/35\/2021\/04\/Gorham-Middle-32x32.jpg 32w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/cumberland\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/35\/2021\/04\/Gorham-Middle.jpg 1000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 320px) 85vw, (max-width: 768px) 67vw, (max-width: 1024px) 62vw,300px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Master Gardener Volunteer and Teacher, Heather at the Gorham Middle School Gardens<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<hr \/>\n<h3><b>Think Spring! Think 2023 Cumberland County Master Gardener Plant Sale<\/b><\/h3>\n<h4><b><\/b><b>Memorial Day Weekend: Saturday, May 27th 8 AM &#8211; Noon<\/b><b><br \/>\n<\/b><b>Tidewater Farm: Farmgate Road, Falmouth, ME<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/>\n<\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The Cumberland County Master Gardener Plant Sale is an annual event held at <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/cumberland\/tidewater\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Tidewater Farm<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, the home base for the University of Maine Extension in Falmouth. Besides being the largest fundraiser for our organization, the plant sale affords us an opportunity to showcase the gardens at Tidewater Farm, provide individualized gardening tips and plant information to our patrons, and partner with local organizations, such as <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/garbagetogarden.org\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Garbage to Garden<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/wildseedproject.net\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The Wild Seed Project<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, to promote sustainable environments.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/>\n<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Our plant sale offers a wide variety of items. Conlin\u2019s Greenhouse donates locally-grown annual flowers; Winslow Farms supplies a selection of organic vegetable plants chosen for Maine\u2019s unique growing season. A variety of annual and perennial herb starts are provided by the horticultural students at the Portland Arts and Technology High School. Also included are hundreds of perennial plants lovingly dug from master gardeners\u2019 very own backyards, and a hand-picked collection of native plants. All rare finds, hardy and priced right for our discerning patrons.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The event offers the opportunity to shop with an expert, listen to a pop-up lecture on soil amendments, rummage through a variety of gently used garden tools and paraphernalia, or tour the awesome gardens of Tidewater Farm. Coffee and fresh baked goods are available at the food concession.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Our plant sale has grown exponentially over the past 5 years. We are strengthened by the recent trending interest in backyard gardening &#8211; the nation\u2019s #1 pastime. We have exceeded our wildest imagination with profits soaring from $5,000 in 2018 to $20,000 in <a id=\"Tween The Seasons\"><\/a>2022!!! It is a colossal effort, requiring many volunteers and months of intense planning. The Cumberland County Master Gardener Plant Sale provides the funds to support our Seed Grant Program and Special Projects. And it all happens on the last Saturday in May (May 27th) 8 a.m. till noon.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Bonnie Barthmaier<\/span><\/p>\n<figure id=\"40443\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-40443\" src=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/cumberland\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/35\/2021\/07\/DSC_0196-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"Packing plants for the Master Gardener Plant Sale\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" srcset=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/cumberland\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/35\/2021\/07\/DSC_0196-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/cumberland\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/35\/2021\/07\/DSC_0196-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/cumberland\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/35\/2021\/07\/DSC_0196-105x70.jpg 105w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/cumberland\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/35\/2021\/07\/DSC_0196-317x211.jpg 317w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/cumberland\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/35\/2021\/07\/DSC_0196-423x282.jpg 423w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/cumberland\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/35\/2021\/07\/DSC_0196-634x423.jpg 634w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/cumberland\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/35\/2021\/07\/DSC_0196-846x564.jpg 846w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/cumberland\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/35\/2021\/07\/DSC_0196-951x634.jpg 951w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/cumberland\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/35\/2021\/07\/DSC_0196.jpg 1000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 320px) 85vw, (max-width: 768px) 67vw, (max-width: 1024px) 62vw,300px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Master Gardender Plant Sale 2023 will be on May 27th from 8am-noon. (Photo by Pamela Hargest)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<hr \/>\n<h3><b>Tween the Seasons<\/b><\/h3>\n<h4><b><\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">By Richard Bicknell<\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">I received an email a few days ago mentioning winter being a time between seasons, and that got me thinking.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">One project from the last garden season (spring, summer, and fall) comes to mind. A little over a year ago, we had a generator installed (not the project); while it does keep the power on during wind and ice storms, it\u2019s not the prettiest thing. I got rid of several hundred square feet of lawn (mostly hoe and rake work) with the intent of<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">planting natives and turning the area into a meadow. My wife and I decided between us that a meadow would be much nicer and unquestionably more visually appealing.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/>\n<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">After clearing the area, I planted some \u201cstuff\u201d; some plants were store-bought, some transplanted, and some grown from seed on my back porch. When spring comes, I look forward to two or three species of goldenrod, golden alexanders, blue iris, strawberries, several species of asters, nodding onion, red columbine, rudbeckia, blue vervain, snakeroot, blue-eyed grass, little bluestem, and probably a few things I forgot I had planted.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Having a healthy, vibrant garden (or several of them breaking up the expanse of grass all around my yard) is a full-on invitation for my local neighbors to stop by and visit. I look forward to seeing many bees, wasps, flies, butterflies, moths, and other pollinators flitting around. They will be joined by hummingbirds, finches, sparrows, mourning doves, crows, and maybe turkeys. Where the birds go, chipmunks and squirrels (gray and red) will follow, looking for handouts (dropped seed). I will keep bird feeders out of the area as we had a bear come through last fall and destroy all our feeder poles and several feeders (I just thought raccoons were bad).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><a id=\"Upcoming Events\"><\/a>So, here I am \u2018tween one season and the next, thinking about how much work it was (even though my back still hurts from all that hoeing, it was fun work) and what a joy it will be to see it all come to fruition in a few months.<\/span><\/p>\n<figure id=\"40427\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-40427\" src=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/cumberland\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/35\/2021\/07\/David-Elliott-flower-300x199.jpg\" alt=\"Pink peony flower\" width=\"300\" height=\"199\" srcset=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/cumberland\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/35\/2021\/07\/David-Elliott-flower-300x199.jpg 300w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/cumberland\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/35\/2021\/07\/David-Elliott-flower-105x69.jpg 105w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/cumberland\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/35\/2021\/07\/David-Elliott-flower-317x210.jpg 317w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/cumberland\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/35\/2021\/07\/David-Elliott-flower-423x280.jpg 423w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/cumberland\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/35\/2021\/07\/David-Elliott-flower-634x420.jpg 634w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/cumberland\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/35\/2021\/07\/David-Elliott-flower.jpg 742w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 320px) 85vw, (max-width: 768px) 67vw, (max-width: 1024px) 62vw,300px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Pink Peony Flower (Photo by David Elliott, Master Gardener Volunteer)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<hr \/>\n<h3><b>Upcoming Events<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Wednesday, February 1:<\/span><b> Diversify Your Lawn<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> | 7 &#8211; 8:30 p.m. (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/wildseedproject.net\/walk-talk-workshop\/online-diversify-your-lawn-4\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">online<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">) Free<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Thursday, February 9: <\/span><b>Native Ground Covers<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> | 1 &#8211; 2 p.m. (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nativeplanttrust.org\/events\/native-ground-covers\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">online<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">)\u00a0 $12 &#8211; $15<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><a id=\"Volunteer Opportunities\"><\/a>Tuesday, February 21: <\/span><b>How to Identify and Remove Invasive Species<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> | 7 &#8211; 8:30 p.m. (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/2023winterseminarserieshollisnh.as.me\/schedule.php\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">online<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">) Free<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Thursday, February 23: <\/span><b>Flowers for Cutting in the Home Garden<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> | 6 &#8211; 7:30 p.m. (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mofga.org\/event-calendar\/flowers-for-cutting-in-the-home-garden\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">online<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">) Free &#8211; $20<\/span><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3><b>Volunteer Opportunities<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><b>2023 Cumberland County Master Gardener Annual Calendar Raffle Needs Volunteers<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Every year we ask MGVs to contact local businesses, artists, organizations, restaurants and others to contribute a prize for the annual calendar raffle. Last year we realized almost $5000 from raffle sales for the Seed Grant Program; in 2023 $8600 will be awarded to Seed Grant Recipients. This won\u2019t happen without your help so we really need you to continue to reach out to any supporter you have worked with in the past.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">This year presents a new twist in the process &#8211; we have developed a list of potential contributors and we are asking for MGVs to contact ONE of these and follow through with a commitment to a raffle prize. You don\u2019t have to find a donation; we will tell you who to contact, and provide you with all the information necessary to make your donation requests successful. We really need your help!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">If you plan to contact a donor you worked with last year or if you are interested in being assigned someone or someplace to contact, please let us know ASAP. Thanks!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Barbara Dee <\/span><a href=\"mailto:catzrul1@live.com\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">catzrul1@live.com<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Richard Bicknell <\/span><a href=\"mailto:1961rangerrich@gmail.com\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">1961rangerrich@gmail.com<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/>\n<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p><b>Cumberland County MGV Newstetter\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Looking for ways to put in some MGV hours during the winter months? <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/cumberland\/master-gardener-volunteers-online-resource\/newsletters\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The Cumberland County Master Gardener Volunteer Newsletter<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> is looking for contributors. The newsletter is a tool for all to use and we are looking for new contributors to write articles, compile volunteer opportunities, compile monthly event listings, and more. We are always open to comments and suggestions as to <a id=\"Reporting Hours\"><\/a>what you would like to see in this newsletter. If you would like to get involved, reach out to AJ Cornell at <\/span><a href=\"mailto:jane.andrea@gmail.com\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">jane.andrea@gmail.com<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Have a volunteer opportunity you\u2019d like to share? Please send Mary an email at <\/span><a href=\"mailto:mary.wicklund@maine.edu\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">mary.wicklund@maine.edu<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3><b>Reporting MGV Hours and Produce Donations for 2023<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Thank you to everyone who has been reporting their hours so far this year. This is a friendly reminder to report your volunteer hours here: <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/toolkit\/reporting-mgv-hours\/\"><b>Reporting Master Gardener Volunteer Hours<\/b><\/a> <b>(bookmark this page!)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">. <\/span><b>MGVs have until the end of the year (December 31, 2023)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> to complete their annual requirement of 20 hours or 40 hours if you are currently working on your certification.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><a id=\"CLYNK\"><\/a>If you are donating produce this season, please report the number of pounds donated here: <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/cumberland\/maine-harvest-for-hunger\/donation-report-form\/\"><b>Cumberland County Maine Harvest for Hunger Donation Report Form<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3><b>CLYNK<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Do you need more CLYNK bags? CLYNK bags can be picked up at the office Monday thru Friday, 8:00am to 4:30pm. Our account grows steadily and the money supports Cumberland County Master Gardener projects. Collect your returnables in one of our designated CLYNK bags, drop off at your local Hannaford and help us grow our Seed Money.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>In this issue\u2026 From the President\u2026 Cumberland County Master Gardener Speaker Series 2023 Calendar Raffle 2023 Norm Steele Seed Grant Recipients Think Spring! Think 2023 Cumberland County Master Gardener Plant Sale Tween the Seasons Upcoming Events Volunteer Opportunities Reporting MGV Hours for 2023 CLYNK From the President\u2026 Hello fellow Master Gardener Volunteers, After the recent [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":203,"featured_media":0,"parent":5557,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"templates\/page-withsidebar.php","meta":{"_kad_blocks_custom_css":"","_kad_blocks_head_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_body_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_footer_custom_js":"","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-42748","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.2 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>February 2023 Master Gardener Volunteer Newsletter - Cooperative Extension in Cumberland County - University of Maine Cooperative Extension<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/cumberland\/master-gardener-volunteers-online-resource\/february-2023-master-gardener-volunteer-newsletter\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"February 2023 Master Gardener Volunteer Newsletter - Cooperative Extension in Cumberland County - University of Maine Cooperative Extension\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"In this issue\u2026 From the President\u2026 Cumberland County Master Gardener Speaker Series 2023 Calendar Raffle 2023 Norm Steele Seed Grant Recipients Think Spring! 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