{"id":46706,"date":"2026-01-15T11:58:16","date_gmt":"2026-01-15T16:58:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/cumberland\/?page_id=46706"},"modified":"2026-01-15T12:11:34","modified_gmt":"2026-01-15T17:11:34","slug":"winter-2026-master-gardener-volunteer-newsletter","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/cumberland\/winter-2026-master-gardener-volunteer-newsletter\/","title":{"rendered":"Winter 2026 Master Gardener Volunteer Newsletter"},"content":{"rendered":"<h3><b><i>In this issue\u2026<\/i><\/b><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><a href=\"#President\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">From the President<\/span><\/i><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><a href=\"#Coordinator\">From the Coordinator<\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><a href=\"#Roots\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Roots: Meet the Newest Class of MGVs<\/span><\/i><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><a href=\"#Spotlight\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Volunteer Spotlight: Maine Wildlife Park<\/span><\/i><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><a href=\"#Ask\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Ask an MGV &#8211; Tips &amp; Tricks for Your Best Garden Yet<\/span><\/i><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><a href=\"#Events\">Upcoming Events<\/a> <a id=\"President\"><\/a><\/span><\/i><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr \/>\n<h3><b>From the President<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><b>\u201cI like to think of seeds as tiny archives of the past, storing information about who and where we\u2019ve been, our decisions, challenges, and innovations, generation after generation.\u00a0 We are all standing on the shoulders of the people who have come before us, and seeds are woven through that story.&#8221; <\/b><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">&#8211; Andrea Tursini introductory letter to the High Mowing seed catalog<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">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.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">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 &#8211; 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\u2019s magic is at work.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201c<\/span><b>January is the quietest month in the garden. But because it is quiet doesn\u2019t mean that nothing is happening.\u201d &#8211; <\/b><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Rosalie Muller Wright<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The MGV Advisory Committee did not meet in December so I have no breaking news to share. Our next meeting will be January 26<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">th<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">As we approach a New Year, we typically think of New Year\u2019s Resolutions like exercising more, eating healthier, getting rid of clutter, and volunteering more. Typically, I have NOT been very successful with New Year\u2019s 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.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">I think this year I\u2019ll continue trying to create a theme for the year\u2026to be less selfish, more open-minded and more appreciative. In essence, I hope to approach life more simply each day.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>\u201cWe 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\u2026 not looking for flaws, but for potential.\u201d &#8211; <\/b><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Ellen Goodman<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Wishing you a Happy New Gardening Year!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Gary Hoyt<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">MGV Advisory Committee President <a id=\"Coordinator\"><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3><b>From the Coordinator\u00a0<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Readers,\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">You\u2019ll see us trying something new this January as we shift from a monthly newsletter to one that goes out quarterly with the seasons. We\u2019ll be including the same content &#8211; only more of it! &#8211; in each send. Let us know what you think.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Heather Wiggins Berger<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">CC MGV Newsletter Coordinator, Contributor, and Editor <a id=\"Roots\"><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3><b>Roots &#8211; Get to the Newest Class of MGVs<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">We are excited to welcome the <\/span><b>24 Master Gardener Volunteer Interns<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> who are enrolled in this year\u2019s 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.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">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.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">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.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">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\u2019d like to get involved with. We\u2019re thrilled to see how their energy, curiosity, and commitment will take root across Cumberland County this growing season.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Is there an MGV you\u2019d like to know more about?\u00a0 Please send their name to <\/span><\/i><a href=\"mailto:heatherwberger@gmail.com\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Heather Wiggins Berger<\/span><\/i><\/a><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> for a future article. <a id=\"Spotlight\"><\/a><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3><b>Project Spotlight: Maine Wildlife Park<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-46707 alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/cumberland\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/35\/2026\/01\/IMG_4551-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"Box planter around a sign shaped like a black bear at the Maine Wildlife Park.\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/cumberland\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/35\/2026\/01\/IMG_4551-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/cumberland\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/35\/2026\/01\/IMG_4551-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/cumberland\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/35\/2026\/01\/IMG_4551-105x140.jpg 105w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/cumberland\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/35\/2026\/01\/IMG_4551-317x423.jpg 317w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/cumberland\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/35\/2026\/01\/IMG_4551-423x564.jpg 423w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/cumberland\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/35\/2026\/01\/IMG_4551-634x846.jpg 634w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/cumberland\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/35\/2026\/01\/IMG_4551-846x1128.jpg 846w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/cumberland\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/35\/2026\/01\/IMG_4551-951x1268.jpg 951w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/cumberland\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/35\/2026\/01\/IMG_4551-rotated.jpg 1058w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 320px) 85vw, (max-width: 768px) 67vw, (max-width: 1024px) 62vw,225px\" \/>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.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">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.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">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.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">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.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">In addition to the pollinator gardens, volunteers plant and maintain 20 barrel planters and 16 large hanging planters throughout the park.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-46708 alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/cumberland\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/35\/2026\/01\/IMG_0721-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"Flowering plants in a greenhouse.\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/cumberland\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/35\/2026\/01\/IMG_0721-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/cumberland\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/35\/2026\/01\/IMG_0721-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/cumberland\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/35\/2026\/01\/IMG_0721-105x140.jpg 105w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/cumberland\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/35\/2026\/01\/IMG_0721-317x423.jpg 317w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/cumberland\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/35\/2026\/01\/IMG_0721-423x564.jpg 423w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/cumberland\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/35\/2026\/01\/IMG_0721-634x846.jpg 634w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/cumberland\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/35\/2026\/01\/IMG_0721-846x1128.jpg 846w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/cumberland\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/35\/2026\/01\/IMG_0721-951x1268.jpg 951w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/cumberland\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/35\/2026\/01\/IMG_0721-rotated.jpg 1058w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 320px) 85vw, (max-width: 768px) 67vw, (max-width: 1024px) 62vw,225px\" \/>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\u2014such as working in the greenhouse, watering plants weekly, or maintaining barrels and hanging planters\u2014or 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.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">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.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">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. \u201cIt takes a community to help things thrive,\u201d she says. \u201cThat\u2019s what makes me smile.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">If you are interested in volunteering, please reach out to <\/span><a href=\"mailto:jristich55@gmail.com\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Jodee Ristich<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/>\n<\/span><\/p>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">We\u2019re looking for volunteer projects to feature in our Master Gardener Volunteer Newsletter. If you are interested in having your project featured &#8211; or if there is a project you would like to learn more about &#8211; please reach out to <\/span><\/i><a href=\"mailto:pdxsail@gmail.com\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Kerri Frazier<\/span><\/i><\/a><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">. <a id=\"Ask\"><\/a><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3><b>Ask an MGV: Tips &amp; Tricks for your Best Garden Yet<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><b>Q: Spring seems so far away but I\u2019m 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?\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n<p><b>A: You\u2019re 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! \ud83c\udf37<\/b><\/p>\n<p><b>January<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">As the new year begins, it&#8217;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:<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u2615\ufe0fHost a Garden Party:\u00a0 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.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\ud83e\uddd1\ud83c\udffc\u200d\ud83c\udf3eEvaluate Your Garden and Create Your Wist List<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Identify which <\/span><b>varieties thrived<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> and which were a disappointment. Did any crops need to be replanted or were left unharvested?<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Note any <\/span><b>new pests or diseases<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> that emerged last season.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Reflect on <\/span><b>which plant combinations delighted you<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> and which beds need more contrasting colors.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Consider new plants for those slow bloom periods<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> and assess which perennials need division or pruning.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Identify any plants that haven\u2019t worked for you<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> and consider removing them.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Use your observations to <\/span><b>draft a wish list and &#8220;to-do&#8221; list <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">for the upcoming season. If you&#8217;re considering hiring a landscaper, reach out early to secure their services.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\ud83c\udf31Seed Starting Preparation\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">January is a great time to <\/span><b>inspect your seed-starting equipment<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, order supplies, and sanitize pots and trays.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Go through your seed collection <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">and discard any outdated packets. Some seeds can remain viable for up to five years if stored properly.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Look for new plant varieties<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> in seed catalogs and place your orders soon to ensure availability.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\ud83e\udeb4Indoor Plant Care\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Regularly <\/span><b>check indoor plants for pests and diseases<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">. Isolate any affected plants and discard those that don\u2019t respond to treatment.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Cut back on fertilizing most flowering plants<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> until they show signs of new growth.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Monthly <\/span><b>check moisture levels for stored bulbs<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> and tubers like dahlias and gladiolus.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>February<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Regardless of whether the groundhog sees its shadow, this is the perfect time to start gearing up to get outside!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\ud83d\udcecSeed and Plant Ordering<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Order seeds<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> and gather seed starting supplies now, as many items may already be back-ordered or sold out.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Consider ordering bare-root trees and shrubs<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> for their resilience and cost-effectiveness.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\ud83c\udf31Indoor Seed Starting: Late in the month, <\/span><b>begin sowing seeds <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">for geraniums, onions, shallots, leeks, and petunias, but hold off on other varieties for a few weeks.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\ud83e\uddd8\ud83c\udffdSelf-Care: Engage in stretching and aerobic exercises to prep your body for the upcoming gardening season.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>March<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Extra daylight this month, along with the spring solstice, means we\u2019re in the home stretch this month.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\ud83e\udd55Support Local Farmers: Consider purchasing a CSA share to enjoy fresh produce while supporting local agriculture.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u2702 Pruning: March is ideal for pruning woody plants; check for crossing or damaged branches.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\ud83e\udebeForcing Branches Indoors: Try forcing branches like forsythia or crabapple indoors to enjoy early signs of spring.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\ud83c\udf41Maple Syrup Season: Check out local maple syrup producers on March 21-22, the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/mainemapleproducers.com\/events\/maine-maple-weekend\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">43rd Maine Maple Sunday Weekend!\u00a0<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">We want to help you with your gardening questions and issues. To get help from your fellow MGVs, submit your questions to <\/span><\/i><a href=\"mailto:heatherwberger@gmail.com\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Heather Wiggins Berger<\/span><\/i><\/a><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">. <a id=\"Events\"><\/a><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3><b>Upcoming Events<\/b><\/h3>\n<h4><b>Featured Events<\/b><\/h4>\n<p><b>Flowering in the North Conference\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n<p><b>January 27-29:\u00a0 <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The Flowering in the North conference is back &#8211; 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.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">We hope you\u2019ll join us for this three day gathering to learn, share, and connect.\u00a0 Space is limited.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/umaine-extension.formtitan.com\/ftproject\/events?eventid=a1cUy000004NqlB\"><b>Register here<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n<h4><b>Community Events<\/b><b><br \/>\n<\/b><\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Saturday, January 24: <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/maineaudubon.org\/events\/ecological-garden-design-workshop-jan26\/\"><b>Ecological Garden Design Workshop<\/b><\/a><b> | <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">9:00 &#8211; 12:30 PM |\u00a0 Falmouth\u00a0 | $45-$55<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Tuesday, January 27: <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/wildseedproject.net\/events\/in-person-summer-four-season-walk-ft-williams-lpz99-274a7\"><b>Winter Four Season Walk at Fort Williams<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u00a0 |\u00a0 2:30 &#8211; 4:00 PM\u00a0 |\u00a0 Cape Elizabeth\u00a0 |\u00a0 Free<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Wednesday January 28:\u00a0 <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/wildseedproject.net\/events\/cultivating-community-through-seed-saving\"><b>Cultivating Community Through Seed Savings<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u00a0 |\u00a0 6:30 &#8211; 7:30 PM\u00a0 |\u00a0 Online | $15<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Tuesday, February 3: <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/wildseedproject.net\/events\/in-person-summer-four-season-walk-at-thorne-head-s67ck-d6l9k\"><b>Winter Four Season Walk at Thorne Head<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u00a0 |\u00a0 2:30 &#8211; 4:00 PM\u00a0 |\u00a0 Bath\u00a0 |\u00a0 Free<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Wednesday, February 4: <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/maineaudubon.org\/events\/native-plants-short-course\/\"><b>Maine Native Plant Short Course<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u00a0 |\u00a0 6:00 PM\u00a0 |\u00a0 Online\u00a0 |\u00a0 Free<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Sunday, February 8: <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mofga.org\/event-calendar\/gardener-to-gardener-2026\/\"><b>Gardener to Gardener Conference<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u00a0 |\u00a0 9:00 &#8211; 5:00 PM\u00a0 |\u00a0 Portland\u00a0 |\u00a0 $125-$200<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Wednesday, February 11: <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/maineaudubon.org\/events\/native-plants-short-course\/\"><b>Maine Native Plant Short Course<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u00a0 |\u00a0 6:00 PM\u00a0 |\u00a0 Online\u00a0 |\u00a0 Free<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Wednesday, February 18: <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/maineaudubon.org\/events\/native-plants-short-course\/\"><b>Maine Native Plant Short Course<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u00a0 |\u00a0 6:00 PM\u00a0 |\u00a0 Online\u00a0 |\u00a0 Free<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Friday, February 20: <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/wildseedproject.net\/events\/online-winter-seed-sowing\"><b>Online Winter Seed Sowing<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u00a0 |\u00a0 12:00 &#8211; 1:00 PM\u00a0 |\u00a0 Online\u00a0 |\u00a0 Free<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Wednesday, February 25: <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mofga.org\/event-calendar\/gardening-qa-9\/\"><b>Gardening Q&amp;A<\/b> <\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u00a0|\u00a0 6:00 &#8211; 7:00 PM\u00a0 |\u00a0 Online\u00a0 |\u00a0 Free<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Wednesday, February 15: <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/maineaudubon.org\/events\/native-plants-short-course\/\"><b>Maine Native Plant Short Course<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u00a0 |\u00a0 6:00 PM\u00a0 |\u00a0 Online\u00a0 |\u00a0 Free<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Saturday, March 7: <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mofga.org\/event-calendar\/pruning-workshops\/\"><b>\u00a0Apple Tree Pruning Workshop<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> |\u00a0 10:00 &#8211; 12:30 PM\u00a0 |\u00a0 Unity |\u00a0 Free<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Saturday, March 14:\u00a0 <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mofga.org\/event-calendar\/tapping-into-maples-2026\/\"><b>Tapping into Maples:\u00a0 Educational Sugarhouse and Sugarbush Tours<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> |\u00a0 12:00 &#8211; 3:00 PM\u00a0 |\u00a0 Unity\u00a0 |\u00a0 Free<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Saturday, March 21:\u00a0 <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mofga.org\/event-calendar\/apple-tree-pruning-workshop\/\"><b>Apple Tree Pruning Workshop<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u00a0 |\u00a0 1:00 &#8211; 3:00 PM\u00a0 |\u00a0 Patten\u00a0 |\u00a0 Free<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Wednesday, March 25: <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/falmouthlandtrust.org\/events\/habitat-gardening\"><b>Habitat Gardening<\/b><\/a> <span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u00a0|\u00a0 5:30 &#8211; 7:00 PM\u00a0 |\u00a0 Falmouth\u00a0 |\u00a0 Free <a id=\"Updates\"><\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr \/>\n<h3><b>MGV Updates<\/b><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/toolkit\/mgv-dashboard\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">MGV Dashboard<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> 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.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><a href=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/master-gardeners\/project-leader\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">MGV Project Leaders<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> can still re-enroll their projects if they haven\u2019t already done so. The MGV Project Leader Dashboard is still open!<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr \/>\n<p><b>Past Editions: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Missed a previous newsletter? View them all <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/cumberland\/master-gardener-volunteers-online-resource\/newsletters\/?ppwp=1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">HERE<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u00a0 (password: ladybug)<\/span><b><br \/>\n<\/b><\/p>\n<p><b>About this Newsletter: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">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 <\/span><a href=\"mailto:heatherwberger@gmail.com\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Heather Wiggins Berger<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, the newsletter coordinator.<\/span><a href=\"mailto:jane.andrea@gmail.com\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u00a0<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>In this issue\u2026 From the President From the Coordinator\u00a0 Roots: Meet the Newest Class of MGVs Volunteer Spotlight: Maine Wildlife Park Ask an MGV &#8211; Tips &amp; Tricks for Your Best Garden Yet Upcoming Events From the President \u201cI like to think of seeds as tiny archives of the past, storing information about who and [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":203,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","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-46706","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>Winter 2026 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\/winter-2026-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=\"Winter 2026 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 From the Coordinator\u00a0 Roots: Meet the Newest Class of MGVs Volunteer Spotlight: Maine Wildlife Park Ask an MGV &#8211; Tips &amp; Tricks for Your Best Garden Yet Upcoming Events From the President \u201cI like to think of seeds as tiny archives of the past, storing information about who and [&hellip;]\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/cumberland\/winter-2026-master-gardener-volunteer-newsletter\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Cooperative Extension in Cumberland County\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-01-15T17:11:34+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/cumberland\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/35\/2026\/01\/IMG_4551-rotated.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1058\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1411\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"11 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/cumberland\/winter-2026-master-gardener-volunteer-newsletter\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/cumberland\/winter-2026-master-gardener-volunteer-newsletter\/\",\"name\":\"Winter 2026 Master Gardener Volunteer Newsletter - Cooperative Extension in Cumberland County - University of Maine Cooperative Extension\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/cumberland\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/cumberland\/winter-2026-master-gardener-volunteer-newsletter\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/cumberland\/winter-2026-master-gardener-volunteer-newsletter\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/cumberland\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/35\/2026\/01\/IMG_4551-225x300.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-01-15T16:58:16+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-01-15T17:11:34+00:00\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/cumberland\/winter-2026-master-gardener-volunteer-newsletter\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/cumberland\/winter-2026-master-gardener-volunteer-newsletter\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/cumberland\/winter-2026-master-gardener-volunteer-newsletter\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/cumberland\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/35\/2026\/01\/IMG_4551-225x300.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/cumberland\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/35\/2026\/01\/IMG_4551-225x300.jpg\"},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/cumberland\/winter-2026-master-gardener-volunteer-newsletter\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/cumberland\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Winter 2026 Master Gardener Volunteer Newsletter\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/cumberland\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/cumberland\/\",\"name\":\"Cooperative Extension in Cumberland County\",\"description\":\"Information you can use. Research you can trust.\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/cumberland\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Winter 2026 Master Gardener Volunteer Newsletter - Cooperative Extension in Cumberland County - University of Maine Cooperative Extension","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/cumberland\/winter-2026-master-gardener-volunteer-newsletter\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Winter 2026 Master Gardener Volunteer Newsletter - Cooperative Extension in Cumberland County - University of Maine Cooperative Extension","og_description":"In this issue\u2026 From the President From the Coordinator\u00a0 Roots: Meet the Newest Class of MGVs Volunteer Spotlight: Maine Wildlife Park Ask an MGV &#8211; Tips &amp; Tricks for Your Best Garden Yet Upcoming Events From the President \u201cI like to think of seeds as tiny archives of the past, storing information about who and [&hellip;]","og_url":"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/cumberland\/winter-2026-master-gardener-volunteer-newsletter\/","og_site_name":"Cooperative Extension in Cumberland County","article_modified_time":"2026-01-15T17:11:34+00:00","og_image":[{"width":1058,"height":1411,"url":"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/cumberland\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/35\/2026\/01\/IMG_4551-rotated.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Est. reading time":"11 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/cumberland\/winter-2026-master-gardener-volunteer-newsletter\/","url":"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/cumberland\/winter-2026-master-gardener-volunteer-newsletter\/","name":"Winter 2026 Master Gardener Volunteer Newsletter - Cooperative Extension in Cumberland County - University of Maine Cooperative Extension","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/cumberland\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/cumberland\/winter-2026-master-gardener-volunteer-newsletter\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/cumberland\/winter-2026-master-gardener-volunteer-newsletter\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/cumberland\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/35\/2026\/01\/IMG_4551-225x300.jpg","datePublished":"2026-01-15T16:58:16+00:00","dateModified":"2026-01-15T17:11:34+00:00","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/cumberland\/winter-2026-master-gardener-volunteer-newsletter\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/cumberland\/winter-2026-master-gardener-volunteer-newsletter\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/cumberland\/winter-2026-master-gardener-volunteer-newsletter\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/cumberland\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/35\/2026\/01\/IMG_4551-225x300.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/cumberland\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/35\/2026\/01\/IMG_4551-225x300.jpg"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/cumberland\/winter-2026-master-gardener-volunteer-newsletter\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/cumberland\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Winter 2026 Master Gardener Volunteer Newsletter"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/cumberland\/#website","url":"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/cumberland\/","name":"Cooperative Extension in Cumberland County","description":"Information you can use. Research you can trust.","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/cumberland\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"}]}},"taxonomy_info":[],"featured_image_src_large":false,"author_info":{"display_name":"sdavenport","author_link":"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/cumberland\/author\/sdavenport\/"},"comment_info":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/cumberland\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/46706","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/cumberland\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/cumberland\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/cumberland\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/203"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/cumberland\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=46706"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/cumberland\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/46706\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":46713,"href":"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/cumberland\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/46706\/revisions\/46713"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/cumberland\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=46706"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}