Gardening Webinar Series

Join us for our 2025 webinar series, Gardening for the Future
This spring, learn how Maine’s growing conditions are changing and discover strategies to make your garden more resilient.

Webinars included in this series:

 

Join the University of Maine Cooperative Extension for our gardening webinar series! These one-hour and 15-minute webinars will include a 1-hour presentation, followed by Q&A and discussion.

Registration is required with a sliding scale program fee ($15 – $0) for each webinar. Participants will receive the Zoom information after registering for a webinar.

Sliding Scale:

  • $15: Full-priced registration
  • $10 (33% discount): Maine residents only. Suggested for those who cannot afford the full fee.
  • $0 (100% discount): Maine residents only. Suggested for those who cannot afford to pay a fee.

All sessions will be recorded unless otherwise noted and shared with participants in about a week following the event.

 If you are unable to attend the live session, but would like to receive the recording (if available) and a resource list, please register. 


Compost 101: Build Your First Pile

March 11, 2025
5:30 PM to 7:00 PM
Zoom Webinar

Compost system in urban gardenInterested in turning your food scraps and waste into nourishment for your plants? Now is the time to start planning your first compost pile! In this workshop you’ll learn the science behind compost formation, how to “feed” your pile, and how to use finished compost in the garden. You’ll also see different styles of home composting. Whether you’re composting in a community garden, backyard, or behind an apartment, this workshop will help you get started.

Speakers: Carrick Gambell and Nick Rowley

Register Online

Registration is required. The Zoom link will be provided the day before the event.

If you are unable to attend the live session, but would like to receive the recording and a resource list, please register.


Gardening in a Changing Climate 

March 12, 2025
6:00 PM to 7:15 PM
Zoom Webinar

One goldenrod plant growing next to rocks beside a river. Sean Birkel, Assistant Professor and Maine State Climatologist, and Rebecca Long, Coordinator of Horticulture Training Programs for UMaine Cooperative Extension, will discuss climate change in Maine, impacts important to your garden and explore how to make your garden more resilient. This webinar will lay the groundwork for the rest of the series, which will cover specific resilience topics in more detail. We recommend registering for this session, either to watch live or view the recording, if you plan to attend any upcoming webinars in the series.

Speakers: Sean Birkel, Assistant Professor and Maine State Climatologist and Rebecca Long, Coordinator of Horticulture Training Programs for UMaine Cooperative Extension

Bios:

Sean Birkel is the Assistant Professor and the Maine State Climatologist with a joint appointment to the Climate Change Institute and UMaine Cooperative Extension. His research areas include climate variability, modeling, and data visualization and as the state climatologist, he oversees the Maine Climate Office, and provides climate and weather information to facilitate decision-making, policy, and planning.

Rebecca Long is the Coordinator of Horticulture Training Programs for the University of Maine Cooperative Extension. She collaborates with experts from the University of Maine and beyond to create educational programs for gardeners and the horticulture industry.

Register Here

Registration is required. Participants will receive the Zoom information after registering for a webinar.

If you are unable to attend the live session, but would like to receive the recording and a resource list, please register.


Backyard Resilience for Pollinators

March 19, 2025
6:00 PM to 7:15 PM
Zoom Webinar 

In this webinar, participants will learn about the interdependence of pollinators, plants, and the environment. We will cover what participants can observe in their own backyards and actions everyone can take to create resilient backyard habitat for pollinators now and in the future.

Please note: This webinar will not be recorded so please register only if you plan to attend live.

A Monarch butterfly on Aster-UmbellatusSpeaker: Hannah Mullally

Bio:

Hannah Mullally is the Wildlife Biologist for US Fish and Wildlife Service for the Maine Field Office, specializing in native pollinator habitat and private lands restoration. She works with private landowners, tribal partners, and land trusts to complete voluntary conservation and restoration projects on private land. Hannah also works closely with the Natural Resources Conservation Service and Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife to complete projects benefiting federal trust, endangered, and threatened species.

Registration is required. Participants will receive the Zoom information after registering for a webinar.

This webinar will not be recorded. Please register only if you plan to attend the live session.

Register Here

Becoming a Resilient Vegetable Gardener

March 26, 2025
6:00 PM to 7:15 PM
Zoom Webinar

Peas and other plants with a hand holding one peapodHere in Maine we’re now dealing with more periods of intense heat, prolonged drought, dramatic rain, and a slew of pests and diseases. How do we stay sane, prepare our gardens for success, and bounce back from the inevitable challenges? This workshop will cover a variety of strategies to ensure that our harvests are bountiful, and our spirits stay high. We’ll discuss crop succession planning, season extension, techniques to protect your veggies from the elements, and ideas for pest and disease management. You’ll leave feeling invigorated for the growing season!

Speaker: Carrick Gambell

Bio:

Carrick Gambell, Urban Agriculture Professional, is working in a joint position with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service and UMaine Extension. He provides technical support, program planning, and delivery to bring about the wise use of land, water, wildlife, and related resources. His work will promote the accelerated delivery of financial and technical assistance to farmers and gardeners in urban and suburban settings throughout the state.

Register Here

Registration is required. Participants will receive the Zoom information after registering for a webinar.

If you are unable to attend the live session, but would like to receive the recording and a resource list, please register.


More info Coming Soon!

April 2, 2025
6:00 PM to 7:15 PM
Zoom Webinar

 

Speaker: Mark Hutton, Extension Associate Professor of Vegetable Crops and Extension Vegetable Specialist

Bio:

Mark Hutton, is Extension’s Associate Professor of Vegetable Crops and Extension Vegetable Specialist. Mark is based at Highmoor Farm in Monmouth where his professional Interests include: sustainable vegetable production practices, plant breeding and insect biocontrol. His research focuses on intercropping, living mulches, and sequential cropping for improved yields, quality, and reduced agrochemical inputs. He also evaluates and develops improved management strategies for hoop house crop production.

Registration information coming soon.

Registration is required. Participants will receive the Zoom information after registering for a webinar.

If you are unable to attend the live session, but would like to receive the recording and a resource list, please register.


Perennials for the Resilient Maine Garden

April 9, 2025
6:00 PM to 7:15 PM
Zoom Webinar

Many yellow flowers growing together with trees and a sunburst in the background.Herbaceous perennial plants are an important part of home gardens. They provide food for wildlife and pollinators and provide interesting flowers and forms that change throughout the year. As perennials and long-term plants in the garden, they can be susceptible to changes in climate, including fluctuations in temperature, rainfall, and snowfall. Stephanie will discuss things to consider and plant recommendations for resilient Maine gardens.

Speaker: Stephanie Burnett, University of Maine Professor of Horticulture

Bio:

Stephanie Burnett is a Professor of Horticulture in the School of Food and Agriculture at the University of Maine. Her research focuses on sustainable greenhouse production techniques and field grown cut flower production. She teaches herbaceous plant identification, greenhouse management, and introduction to horticulture to undergraduate students majoring in Environmental Horticulture and Sustainable Agriculture.

Register Here

Registration is required. Participants will receive the Zoom information after registering for a webinar.

If you are unable to attend the live session, but would like to receive the recording and a resource list, please register.


Need help connecting with Zoom? Contact the US:IT Service Help Desk: 800.696.4357  or  help@maine.edu


You might also like to view our Victory Gardens for ME series for help with your first (or second!) vegetable garden, and our  On Demand Webinars for information on a variety of topics.

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