{"id":24143,"date":"2024-06-28T09:06:35","date_gmt":"2024-06-28T13:06:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/?p=24143"},"modified":"2024-07-08T10:20:03","modified_gmt":"2024-07-08T14:20:03","slug":"maine-home-garden-news-july-2024","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/2024\/06\/28\/maine-home-garden-news-july-2024\/","title":{"rendered":"Maine Home Garden News &#8211; July 2024"},"content":{"rendered":"<h3>In This Issue:<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"#month\">July Is the Month to . . .<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#article-1\">My Battle With Bishop&#8217;s Weed<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#article-2\">Maine Summer Events Celebrating People, Places and Food<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#article-3\">Book Review: Lawns Into Meadows<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#ask\">Ask the Expert: Planting Strategies for Erosion Control<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#article-4\">Fresh From the Garden: How to Enjoy Green Beans<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#article-5\">Backyard Bird of the Month &#8211; Song Sparrow<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#article-6\">Maine Weather and Climate Overview (July 2024)<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr \/>\n<h2><a id=\"month\"><\/a>July Is the Month to . . .<\/h2>\n<p><em>By Barbara Harrity, Penobscot County Master Gardener Volunteer<\/em><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">In the fruit or vegetable garden<\/span><\/h3>\n<figure id=\"24217\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-24217\" src=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2024\/06\/Trellised-tomatoes-using-repurposed-garden-hoops-and-metal-conduit-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"vegetable garden with tomatoes growing up strings attached to metal hoops. Field in background.\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" srcset=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2024\/06\/Trellised-tomatoes-using-repurposed-garden-hoops-and-metal-conduit-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2024\/06\/Trellised-tomatoes-using-repurposed-garden-hoops-and-metal-conduit-105x79.jpg 105w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2024\/06\/Trellised-tomatoes-using-repurposed-garden-hoops-and-metal-conduit-317x238.jpg 317w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2024\/06\/Trellised-tomatoes-using-repurposed-garden-hoops-and-metal-conduit-423x317.jpg 423w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2024\/06\/Trellised-tomatoes-using-repurposed-garden-hoops-and-metal-conduit-500x375.jpg 500w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2024\/06\/Trellised-tomatoes-using-repurposed-garden-hoops-and-metal-conduit.jpg 624w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 320px) 85vw, (max-width: 768px) 67vw, (max-width: 1024px) 62vw,300px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Trellised tomatoes using repurposed garden hoops and metal conduit.\u00a0<br \/>Photo by Kate Garland.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Plant crops for fall harvest.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> If you have enough room in your garden, July is a good time to plant crops to harvest in the fall. Sow carrot seed in mid-July; it\u2019s important to keep the soil moist until the seeds germinate.\u00a0 Sow peas, beets, chard, lettuce, and spinach from mid-July until early August and fall brassicas (cabbage, turnip, kale; broccoli) from late July to mid-August.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Remove weeds before they set seeds.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Regular cultivation of small weed seedlings with a sharp hoe on sunny days will do the trick.<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Prune and stake your tomato plants. <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">These videos demonstrate how to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?reload=9&amp;v=bmpQE6s_PEY&amp;feature=youtu.be\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">stake<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=XSf3aSj46jo&amp;feature=youtu.be\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">basket weave<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=giJwIJSHoqo&amp;feature=youtu.be\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">trellis<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=giJwIJSHoqo&amp;feature=youtu.be\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">prune<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> tomatoes. You should also watch for signs of <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/umaine.edu\/ipm\/ipddl\/publications\/5087e\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">early blight<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/umaine.edu\/ipm\/ipddl\/publications\/5088e\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Septoria<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> leaf spot<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/video.maine.edu\/media\/Identifying+Late+Blight\/1_s3w435k0\/89968052\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">late blight<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">.<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Monitor your garden regularly for insect pests and diseases.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> UMaine Extension experts are available to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/ask\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">help you identify the problem<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> before using any pesticides. Catching problems early and determining exactly what is causing the symptoms will make management more efficient and effective. <\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>July can be a dry month, so be prepared to water.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Gardens need 1 inch to 1.5 inches of water a week. If you\u2019re thinking about using trickle irrigation, see Bulletin #2160, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/publications\/2160e\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Trickle Irrigation: Using and Conserving Water in the Home Garden<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Thin peaches.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> If you have a peach tree, it\u2019s important to thin the fruit so they\u2019re 6-8 inches apart, to keep branches from breaking. For more information, see Bulletin #2068, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/publications\/2068e\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Growing Peaches in Maine<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Renovate strawberries after harvest is complete.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> For more information see Bulletin #2067, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/publications\/2067e\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Growing Strawberries<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">.<\/span><\/span>\n<p><figure id=\"24223\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-24223\" src=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2024\/06\/Plant-cuttings-and-propagation-supplies-300x210.png\" alt=\"a table with plant propagation supplies including: two small pots filled with potting mix, a collection of short cuttings from a variety of plants with leaves stripped off the lower parts of the stem, plant labels, pencil, rooting hormone, and plastic bags\" width=\"300\" height=\"210\" srcset=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2024\/06\/Plant-cuttings-and-propagation-supplies-300x210.png 300w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2024\/06\/Plant-cuttings-and-propagation-supplies-105x73.png 105w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2024\/06\/Plant-cuttings-and-propagation-supplies-317x221.png 317w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2024\/06\/Plant-cuttings-and-propagation-supplies-423x296.png 423w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2024\/06\/Plant-cuttings-and-propagation-supplies.png 624w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 320px) 85vw, (max-width: 768px) 67vw, (max-width: 1024px) 62vw,300px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Plant cuttings and propagation supplies.<br \/>Photo by Kate Garland.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">In the yard and flower garden<\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Prune spring-flowering shrubs.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> It\u2019s better to prune spring-flowering shrubs before they develop flower buds for next season, so take your pruners and loppers to your azalea, flowering quince, deutzia, forsythia, lilac, cornelian cherry, dogwood, bridalwreath spirea, rhododendron, and many viburnums. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/publications\/2169e\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Learn more<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Propagate <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/publications\/2410e\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b>softwood cuttings (PDF)<\/b><\/a><b> of select woody plants.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Serviceberry, forsythia, weigela, various dogwoods, viburnum, lilac, summersweet, Japanese maples, and flowering quince all root well from cuttings at this stage of growth.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Deadhead annual flowers.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Deadheading is especially important for snapdragons, salvias, alyssum, dahlias, zinnias, and pansies, which all tend to stop flowering if not deadheaded promptly. Also, fertilize your annual flowering plants regularly during the summer to maintain growth and bloom.<\/span><\/span>\n<p><figure id=\"24222\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-24222\" src=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2024\/06\/Lavendar-plants-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"small green shrubby plants with numerous light purple flowers\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" srcset=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2024\/06\/Lavendar-plants-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2024\/06\/Lavendar-plants-105x79.jpg 105w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2024\/06\/Lavendar-plants-317x238.jpg 317w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2024\/06\/Lavendar-plants-423x317.jpg 423w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2024\/06\/Lavendar-plants-500x375.jpg 500w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2024\/06\/Lavendar-plants.jpg 624w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 320px) 85vw, (max-width: 768px) 67vw, (max-width: 1024px) 62vw,300px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Lavender plants just starting to flower.<br \/>Photo by Kate Garland.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li>\n<li><b>Harvest lavender just as the flowers open.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Use the first crop for drying and leave the second flush of flowers to enjoy in the August garden.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Deal with daffodils.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Daffodil bulbs that produced few flowers this spring can be dug this month and replanted. Remove and discard the small bulb splits and plant only the largest bulbs back into the garden. Or, instead of discarding the smaller ones, you can move them to a cut flower garden where they will mature and produce flowers in a few years. July is also a good time to order bulbs for fall planting.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Mow lawns at the highest setting and leave clippings where they fall.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Follow the guidelines in <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/manual\/lawns\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">UMaine Extension lawn bulletins and videos<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> for beautiful and low-maintenance green spaces.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Protect yourself from ticks and check yourself after being outside.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> The <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/ticks\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">UMaine Tick Lab<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> can identify ticks. If you remove one that\u2019s embedded, they can test it for tick-borne diseases for a fee.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">In the kitchen<\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Pickles!<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> What do beets, cucumbers, and green beans have in common? They all make great pickles as do many other vegetables and combinations of vegetables. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/food-health\/2022\/07\/21\/tips-for-preserving-pickles\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Extension\u2019s website<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> has a wealth of information to get you started.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Savor strawberry season! <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">UMaine Extension has resources on <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/publications\/4047e\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">freezing and making jam<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/publications\/2067e\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">growing strawberries<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/publications\/4268e\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">handling, storage, and delicious healthy recipes<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Presto, it\u2019s pesto time. <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Although pesto is most commonly made with basil, it can also be made with other herbs like parsley, lovage, or sorrel, or garlic scapes, or even greens such as spinach or kale. Pesto comes together quickly for an easy weeknight dinner and also freezes well.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Around and About<\/span><\/h3>\n<figure id=\"24220\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-24220 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2024\/06\/Master-Gardener-Volunteers-hosting-Open-Farm-Day-at-Brae-Maple-Farm-in-Union.-Photo-credit-Liz-Stanely-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"garden in foreground with white awning set up along the back edge of the garden. People milling around the tent and exploring a field beyond the tent. A body of water in the distance.\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" srcset=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2024\/06\/Master-Gardener-Volunteers-hosting-Open-Farm-Day-at-Brae-Maple-Farm-in-Union.-Photo-credit-Liz-Stanely-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2024\/06\/Master-Gardener-Volunteers-hosting-Open-Farm-Day-at-Brae-Maple-Farm-in-Union.-Photo-credit-Liz-Stanely-105x79.jpg 105w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2024\/06\/Master-Gardener-Volunteers-hosting-Open-Farm-Day-at-Brae-Maple-Farm-in-Union.-Photo-credit-Liz-Stanely-317x238.jpg 317w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2024\/06\/Master-Gardener-Volunteers-hosting-Open-Farm-Day-at-Brae-Maple-Farm-in-Union.-Photo-credit-Liz-Stanely-423x317.jpg 423w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2024\/06\/Master-Gardener-Volunteers-hosting-Open-Farm-Day-at-Brae-Maple-Farm-in-Union.-Photo-credit-Liz-Stanely-500x375.jpg 500w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2024\/06\/Master-Gardener-Volunteers-hosting-Open-Farm-Day-at-Brae-Maple-Farm-in-Union.-Photo-credit-Liz-Stanely.jpg 624w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 320px) 85vw, (max-width: 768px) 67vw, (max-width: 1024px) 62vw,300px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Master Gardener Volunteers hosting Open Farm Day at Brae Maple Farm in Union. Photo credit Liz Stanley<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><b>Take part in the 35th annual Maine Open Farm Day.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Maine Open Farm Day is a yearly event on the fourth Sunday in July, which this year is Sunday, July 28. Participating farms<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">showcase the wide range of Maine agricultural products, from specialty farms (apiaries, lavender, even water buffalo) to dairy, livestock, and fiber producers, to fruit and vegetable growers. Click the link to see the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.realmaine.com\/agritourism\/maine-open-farm-day-2024-listings\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">list of open farms<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Visit a pick-your-own berry,<\/b> <b>flower, or vegetable farm.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> If you don\u2019t have your own garden, you can still enjoy one of the best parts of gardening\u2014harvesting\u2014by visiting a pick-your-own farm. Recommendations from friends and neighbors or roadside signs can lead you to a great PYO farm, or you can check the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.visit-maine.com\/state\/pick-your-own-farms\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Maine Department of Tourism\u2019s PYO farm list<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Enjoy the numerous cultural festivals throughout Maine<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> noted in our article below.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Donate excess produce to a local food pantry or soup kitchen or neighbor.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> More information is available at the <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/umaine.edu\/harvest-for-hunger\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Maine Harvest for Hunger<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> website. <\/span><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3><a id=\"article-1\"><\/a>My Battle With Bishop&#8217;s Weed<\/h3>\n<p><em>By Tricia Griffith, Master Gardener Volunteer Intern<\/em><\/p>\n<p>My name is Tricia and I have bishop\u2019s weed.<\/p>\n<p>I originally wrote this post for my personal treehugger and gardening blog back in April. It was early spring and I was young and optimistic. Now, it&#8217;s late June, and I come back to edit this article for Maine Home Garden News with a more grim view of my situation. So, consider this a \u201clessons learned\u201d edition!<\/p>\n<p><strong><em>Aegopodium podagraria<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>AKA: bishop\u2019s weed, goutweed, ground elder, snow-on-the-mountain.<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s an embarrassing gardening problem to have, but at least I didn\u2019t plant it myself. We bought our house in 2020.\u00a0 It came with a very large flower bed that covers the slope between the house and the driveway. \u201cThanks\u201d to the early months of the pandemic, I had a lot of time to really dig into the garden.<\/p>\n<p>I spent several months weeding, digging up the rock borders, and figuring out what exactly grew there. It took me a while to identify everything, including this particularly persistent groundcover that was taking over everything. I eventually identified it as bishop\u2019s weed, all the names listed above, and a few names not appropriate for a mixed readership.<\/p>\n<p>Because I had a ton of time, I managed to pare the plant\u2019s presence down to a minimum. Of course, I did eventually have to go back to work, giving me much less time to manage an invasive plant. In last year\u2019s rainy summer it went from bad to worse. I spent less time in the gardens, and the goutweed flowered and went to seed [insert ominous music here].<\/p>\n<p><strong>Some Bishop\u2019s Weed Basics:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Bishop\u2019s weed, <em>Aegopodium podagraria <\/em>is a member of the parsley family, related to Queen Anne\u2019s Lace and carrots. It was introduced to the US in the mid-1800s from Europe and Northern Asia.<\/p>\n<p>Due to its popularity as a low maintenance ground cover, it is now found from Maine south to South Carolina and west as far as Minnesota and Missouri. It\u2019s found in the Pacific Northwest from Montana to Washington and Oregon, and in most Canadian provinces. Here in the Northeast, it is considered invasive in natural areas; it is prohibited from sale in Maine, Massachusetts, Vermont, and Connecticut.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Why is it a problem?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Goutweed\u2019s natural habitat is disturbed land such as felled forests, abandoned fields, and pastures. It forms dense patches by spreading long, branching rhizomes. While it can also reproduce by creating seeds, most of its spread happens through its hard-to-remove roots and rhizomes, which are exceptionally hard to weed out.<\/p>\n<p>Where this plant grows, it impacts the reproduction of a variety of native plants by inhibiting seedling growth.\u00a0 It decreases biodiversity in its habitat and is of particular concern in Maine&#8217;s rare floodplain forests, due to the fragility of these wetland habitats. In addition, various beetles, bees, and flies pollinate it, potentially disrupting the relationships between native plants and pollinators.<\/p>\n<p>I can tell you from personal experience, it has been relentlessly taking over, drowning out the smaller plants in my garden before they can grow tall enough to reach above it. Taller plants like daisies and irises have held their own, but that\u2019s about it.<\/p>\n<p><strong>What\u2019s a Treehugger To Do?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>I\u2019m personally not keen on using a herbicide. There are recommendations out there, but keep in mind you need to try not to treat all the stuff around it. This isn\u2019t easy when the plant is literally everywhere in the garden, including growing up between the stems of other plants.<\/p>\n<p>I am opting for a more long-haul plan. Because I\u2019m an extra busy lil\u2019 treehugger, I don\u2019t have time to go out every single day and pull bishop\u2019s weed and its miles and miles of rhizomes and roots. So. Here\u2019s my plan, based on some recommendations from <a href=\"https:\/\/hyg.ipm.illinois.edu\/article.php?id=899\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">University of Illinois Extension<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.invasive.org\/weedcd\/pdfs\/wgw\/goutweed.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Plant Conservation Alliance<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><em>I\u2019m going to smother them.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Grim, right? But if I don\u2019t want to use chemicals, a treehugger\u2019s gotta do what a treehugger\u2019s gotta do.<\/p>\n<p>So. In a perfect world, I would have just dropped a big old black tarp on them in late April, when they were new, tender little bebbies. But. Here\u2019s the catch: I had a ton of stuff I actually didn\u2019t want to smother in that garden. The Plant Conservation Alliance\u2019s recommendation is to cut all the plants once they\u2019ve fully leafed out, using a mower, scythe, or string trimmer, then cover the area with plastic. That would theoretically give me time to recover the plants I want to save.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Then Came the Reality Check<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Since the bishop\u2019s weed blooms in June, that meant I had a month to dig out anything I wanted to save from The Smothering. Seems easy enough, right? Yeah, no. Because most other plants grow so much more slowly than the bishops\u2019 weed, I ended up weeding my way through it like the Tasmanian Devil to get to the plant I wanted to save, only to find that it was completely dead.<\/p>\n<p>The competition was just too much for them. By mid-May, I realized I would have to give up on pretty much everything else in order to attempt to get rid of the bishop\u2019s weed. Sigh. Fortunately, I have awesome friends who have offered me replacements.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Implementing \u2018The Smothering\u2019<\/strong><\/p>\n<figure id=\"24229\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-24229\" src=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2024\/06\/Newly-covered-garden-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"terraced garden area along the edge of a house with a deck is covered with black plastic anchored down with rocks and bricks.\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" srcset=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2024\/06\/Newly-covered-garden-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2024\/06\/Newly-covered-garden-105x79.jpg 105w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2024\/06\/Newly-covered-garden-317x238.jpg 317w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2024\/06\/Newly-covered-garden-423x317.jpg 423w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2024\/06\/Newly-covered-garden-500x375.jpg 500w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2024\/06\/Newly-covered-garden.jpg 624w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 320px) 85vw, (max-width: 768px) 67vw, (max-width: 1024px) 62vw,300px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">The author&#8217;s newly covered garden. Photo credit Tricia Griffith.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>I considered my options for covering the garden, because microplastics are always a concern. But, since I\u2019m going to want to cover the area for a year or longer, it needs to be something that will hold up. Cardboard or leaves won\u2019t do that, particularly with how much wind I get in this area, though they may work fine in smaller gardens.<\/p>\n<p>I managed to find a great deal on a hundred feet of black and white poly film (did I mention it\u2019s a BIG bed?). Since the garden is on a slope, there is a retaining wall of loosely stacked bricks across the middle. In order to effectively cover the whole bed, I would need to remove the bricks. I could repurpose them to hold the poly in place.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Fingers Crossed<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>So yeah, that\u2019s my plan. After one more string trimming of the entire area, the tarp went on in mid-June and will stay there until next June, when I will peek to see what things look like under there. I\u2019m fully prepared to leave it there all of next year, since I wouldn\u2019t be able to plant too much that late in the season anyway. It might be overkill, but that\u2019s kinda the idea, isn\u2019t it?<\/p>\n<p><strong>Lessons\/Tips:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><u>Every<\/u>\u00a0<u>single<\/u>\u00a0<u>plant<\/u>\u00a0you want to save will need to have its roots washed nekkid to prevent those rhizomes from spreading.<\/li>\n<li>If you prefer to dig instead of smother, loosen the soil with a garden fork to access as much of the root system as possible and get to it early, ideally before it flowers and DEFINITELY before it goes to seed. But keep in mind that even a tiny piece of root left in the ground can start your problem all over again.<\/li>\n<li>If you toss bishop\u2019s weed into your compost pile or onto your lawn, you risk spreading it. I\u2019m using a combination of black contractor trash bags and just letting it dry out in piles in the garden since it hasn\u2019t gone to seed yet.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>If you too, have a bishop\u2019s weed problem, know you\u2019re not alone. Good luck and remember, \u201cThere are no gardening mistakes, only experiments.\u201d ~ Janet Kilburn Phillips<\/p>\n<p>Additional resources:<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/2022\/05\/10\/removing-bishops-weed\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">University of Maine Cooperative Extension Ask the Expert<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.maine.gov\/dacf\/mnap\/features\/invasive_plants\/aegopodium.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Maine Natural Areas Program<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/extension.unh.edu\/resource\/methods-disposing-non-native-invasive-plants\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Methods for Disposing Non-Native Invasive Plants<\/a><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3><a id=\"article-2\"><\/a>Maine Summer Events Celebrating People, Places and Food<\/h3>\n<p><em>By Lynn Holland, Horticulture Professional, University of Maine Cooperative Extension<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Maine\u2019s fabulous summer weather brings July and August visitors to Vacationland and to our guest rooms!\u00a0 There\u2019s no shortage of activities to keep your visitors engaged and amused. Here are just a few to consider.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Food, Glorious Food<\/strong><\/p>\n<figure id=\"24232\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-24232\" src=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2024\/06\/Potato-blossom-300x144.jpg\" alt=\"8-10 light purple flower with yellow centers with green foliage in the background\" width=\"300\" height=\"144\" srcset=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2024\/06\/Potato-blossom-300x144.jpg 300w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2024\/06\/Potato-blossom-105x50.jpg 105w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2024\/06\/Potato-blossom-317x152.jpg 317w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2024\/06\/Potato-blossom-423x203.jpg 423w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2024\/06\/Potato-blossom.jpg 624w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 320px) 85vw, (max-width: 768px) 67vw, (max-width: 1024px) 62vw,300px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Potato blossom.<br \/>Photo by Kate Garland<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The<a href=\"https:\/\/www.unionfair.org\/blueberry-festival\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\u00a0Wild Blueberry Festival<\/a> at Union Fairgrounds is July 10-14.\u00a0 There are also local festivals in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.machiasblueberry.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Machias<\/a> (August 16-18), <a href=\"https:\/\/www.graymaine.org\/blueberry-festival-committee\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Gray<\/a> (August 10), and <a href=\"https:\/\/pickyourown.org\/BlueberryFestivals-Maine.php\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">many other towns<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.clamfestival.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Yarmouth Clam Festival<\/a>, a Maine tradition since 1965, welcomes over 100,000 people each year.\u00a0 This year\u2019s dates are July 19-21.<\/p>\n<p>Fort Fairfield hosts the <a href=\"https:\/\/mainepotatoblossomfestival.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Maine Potato Blossom Festival<\/a>, July 13-21. This nine-day multi-event festival is Aroostook County\u2019s premier summer event.<\/p>\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/kneadingconference.com\/bread-fair\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Maine Artisan Bread Fair<\/a> at the Skowhegan State Fairgrounds\u00a0 \u201cis a fair dedicated solely to real bread and everything associated with this most ancient and central staple.\u201d\u00a0 July 27 is this year\u2019s date.<\/p>\n<p>Rockland celebrates the <a href=\"https:\/\/mainelobsterfestival.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Maine Lobster Festival<\/a> July 31-August 4. Established in 1947, the festival welcomes over 30,000 people and likely as many or more lobsters.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Cultural Celebrations<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.abbemuseum.org\/events\/2024\/4\/19\/dawnland-festival-of-arts-amp-ideas-july-12-14-2024\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">DAWNLAND Festival of Arts &amp; Ideas<\/a> (July 12-14, 2024) will be held at the College of the Atlantic on Mount Desert Island. This artisan event and marketplace is presented by the Abbe Museum in Bar Harbor.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.penobscotnation.org\/departments\/cultural-historic-preservation\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Penobscot Nation Community Days<\/a> is usually the first weekend in August, but information for 2024 is not yet available.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitlubecmaine.com\/region\/festival-calendar.php\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">The Sipayik calendar<\/a> is full of Downeast events, including <a href=\"https:\/\/wabanaki.com\/sipayik_indian_days-2\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Passamaquoddy Days<\/a> to celebrate Tribal dancing, drumming and crafts. This event is held the second weekend in August.<\/p>\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/micmac-nsn.gov\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Mi\u2019kmaq Nation<\/a> in Aroostook County hosts a <a href=\"https:\/\/micmac-nsn.gov\/community-cultural-celebration\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Mawiomi<\/a>, August 16-18 at Spruce Haven in Caribou. All are welcome to join this gathering of the tribes, \u201cintended to showcase the beauty, strength, spirit and endurance of the Mi&#8217;kmaq culture and tradition.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><strong>Indoor and Online Exhibits for Rainy Days<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.portlandmuseum.org\/woven\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Portland Museum of Art<\/a> \u201cAs the first-ever major retrospective of a Wabanaki artist in a fine art museum in the United States, Jeremy Frey: Woven is a groundbreaking exhibition in contemporary and Indigenous art.\u201d\u00a0 More than fifty baskets are on display until September 15.<\/p>\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.abbemuseum.org\/two-locations\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Abbe Museum<\/a> in Bar Harbor is dedicated to exploring the history and culture of the Wabanaki people.\u00a0 This is the only Smithsonian affiliated museum in Maine. The main location at 26 Mt. Desert Street is open 10-5 Monday through Friday.<\/p>\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/hudsonmuseum\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Hudson Museum<\/a> on the University of Maine Campus in Orono is FREE and open to the public Monday through Friday: 9:00 am until 4:00 pm. It is closed on weekends and holidays. This ethnographic and archeological museum hosts a large collection of Pre-Columbian art as well as fascinating artifacts from many North American indigenous cultures. The <a href=\"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/hudsonmuseum\/penobscot-nation-cultural-tourism-program\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Penobscot Nation Cultural Tourism Program<\/a> is also housed here.<\/p>\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.davistownmuseum.org\/TDMNativeTrails.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Davistown Museum in Liberty<\/a> focuses on Native American topics including traditional tools and items related to the major canoe routes followed in Maine.<\/p>\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/mainestatemuseum.org\/exhibit\/regional-struggle\/first-peoples\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Maine State Museum<\/a> is currently closed for substantial repairs, but their online exhibit \u201cFirst Peoples\u201d is a good primer on the history of the interaction between the people of the Dawn and the Europeans.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kitetails.org\/story\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">The Children\u2019s Museum and Theatre of Maine<\/a>, located in Portland, has a new interactive outdoor exhibit titled &#8220;Ckuwaponahkiyik Atkuhkakonol: <em>Wabanaki Storytelling Through Art and Traditions<\/em>\u201d which translates to \u201cPeople of the Dawn\u2019s Stories\u201d.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Historic Hikes and Paddles<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Those interested in Wabanaki history may want to check out two shell middens on either side of the Damariscotta river.\u00a0 The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.coastalrivers.org\/trail\/whaleback-shell-midden-state-historic-site\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Whaleback Shell Midden State Historic Site<\/a> is just outside of downtown Damariscotta. This 11 acre property is owned by the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.maine.gov\/dacf\/parks\/discover_history_explore_nature\/history\/whaleback\/index.shtml\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands<\/a> and operated cooperatively with Coastal Rivers Conservation Trust. It is adjacent to two other conservation areas with hiking trails and picnic areas.<\/p>\n<p>The Glidden Midden on the north side of the river can be reached via the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.outdoors.org\/resources\/amc-outdoors\/destinations-travel\/8-hikes-on-american-indian-footpaths\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Salt Bay Heritage Trail<\/a>, Newcastle, Maine.\u00a0 \u201cThis loop hike traces the shore of a peninsula between Great Salt Bay and the Damariscotta River, where the Abenaki once hunted and fished. From the parking area on Mills Road, follow the trail east along the shore then take a left on a side trail, about 1.5 miles into the hike. You can\u2019t miss the Glidden midden, a 30-foot-high heap of oyster shells, on the riverbank. Estimated at around 2,400 years old, the pile marks a once-popular feasting spot. Return to the main trail to complete the loop. Because the Damariscotta is tidal, plan to hike this route at low tide for best visibility.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mainetrailfinder.com\/trails\/trail\/thoreau-wabanaki-trail-east-branch-of-the-penobscot-river\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Thoreau-Wabanaki Canoe Trail<\/a>\u00a0 \u201cFollow the route taken by Thoreau and his Penobscot guide in 1857, as they traveled down the East Branch of the Penobscot River. Paddle through an area rich in history, scenery, and wildlife, including native brook trout and landlocked and sea-run salmon.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.elliotsvillefoundation.org\/tekakapimek\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Tek\u03b1k\u03b1pim\u0259k Contact Station<\/a>, the new welcome center at Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument, is slated to open August 17. It will offer interpretive displays of Wabanaki culture and a gorgeous view of Mount Katahdin. The contact station is your gateway to 50 miles of hiking and biking trails.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3><a id=\"article-3\"><\/a>Book Review: Lawns Into Meadows<\/h3>\n<p><em>By Owen Wormser (Stone Pier Press 2020), <\/em><em>Illustrated by Kristen Thompson. 157 pp.\u00a0 Second edition, 2022.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Book review by Clara Ross MGV, Penobscot County<\/p>\n<p>I have a hunch most of you have heard of the term &#8220;no mow May&#8221;, but how about &#8220;no mo(re) mow?\u201d<\/p>\n<p>In <em>Lawns into Meadows,<\/em> Owen Wormser taught me how those newish concepts may impact all of us.<\/p>\n<p>From the history of lawn-making and the development of lawn mowers to a description of the enormous amount of carbon released into the atmosphere as a result of these practices, Wormser has written an interesting, easy to read book on how to make a beautiful eco-friendly meadow full of pollinators. Seriously, I sat down and read it right through and I rarely do that with non-fiction!<\/p>\n<p>Wormser, originally a Mainiac, now lives in Massachusetts. Growing up off-grid in the North Woods, he learned to value the environment and wanted to spend his life working outside.\u00a0 After college, he started a landscape design business, which segued into the use of plants in more natural landscapes. During the 1990&#8217;s, when he became interested in developing meadows for their sustainability, he couldn&#8217;t find examples, so he taught himself.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"24238\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-24238\" src=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2024\/06\/Tall-grass-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"tall grasses with tall purple flowering plants in the background\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" srcset=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2024\/06\/Tall-grass-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2024\/06\/Tall-grass-105x79.jpg 105w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2024\/06\/Tall-grass-317x238.jpg 317w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2024\/06\/Tall-grass-423x317.jpg 423w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2024\/06\/Tall-grass-634x476.jpg 634w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2024\/06\/Tall-grass-500x375.jpg 500w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2024\/06\/Tall-grass.jpg 720w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 320px) 85vw, (max-width: 768px) 67vw, (max-width: 1024px) 62vw,300px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Photo by Kate Garland<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>If you choose to give the book a go, you will find solid reasons for removing some or all of your lawn and replacing it with a meadow, which can actually remove and store carbon from the atmosphere. Wormser explains how to prepare for planting a meadow, how to design for your wants\/needs, how to deal with pests (rodents!) and how to maintain the planting. He provides pros and cons for using plugs or seeds, reviews tools which may be of help, and describes 21 plants that can work well.<\/p>\n<p>While describing actual meadows he has created, Wormser recounts how he successfully advocated for meadow development near municipal buildings, on college campuses, and in a lawn-ridden neighborhood. He admits mistakes he made and how he found solutions.<\/p>\n<p>We&#8217;ve all heard about the nasty outcomes from the usage of pesticides, herbicides, and insecticides on our lawns and around our plants. I didn&#8217;t realize how a beautifully sculpted fresh-looking bright green lawn can be an unhealthy mess below the surface. I learned that &#8220;most perennial plant nurseries regularly use pesticides, including neonicotinoids&#8221;, and consequently, &#8220;when the treated plants flower, they attract\u2013and then poison\u2013local pollinators.&#8221;\u00a0 I also didn&#8217;t know about the many groups advocating for the development of meadows to support our pollinators. I appreciated that Wormser provided an addendum of &#8220;Notes\u201d to support his factual assertions.<\/p>\n<p>My home landscape in Bangor has no lawn and is planted mostly with native shrubs, trees, and perennials. Now, with the help of Wormser\u2019s information, I&#8217;ve decided to develop a small meadow of about 20 x 40 feet. Let&#8217;s see how it goes.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<blockquote>\n<h2><a id=\"ask\"><\/a>Ask the Expert &#8211; Planting Strategies for Erosion Control<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Answers by Jonathan Foster, Home Horticulture Outreach Professional<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><i>What are the best plants to prevent and stop erosion on a steep river bank?<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Erosion is a major environmental, structural, and ornamental problem, and we salute your efforts to mitigate it on your riverbank!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">In general, you\u2019re seeking two things in preventing erosion: 1) canopy cover to prevent rainfall from directly striking sloped soil, and 2) a strong plant root system to bind the soil. Generally speaking, a horizontally spreading network of fibrous roots works better than plants with deep taproots. If you\u2019re interested in how water erosion occurs and how various root structures interact with it, you can spend a rainy afternoon consulting the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/extension.okstate.edu\/fact-sheets\/using-vegetation-for-erosion-control-on-construction-sites.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Oklahoma State University resources for Using Vegetation for Erosion Control<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">. A slightly more lay-friendly resource from <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.udel.edu\/academics\/colleges\/canr\/cooperative-extension\/fact-sheets\/preventing-erosion\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">University of Delaware Extension<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> discusses the phenomenon, as well as suggesting other mitigation strategies for controlling erosion.<\/span><\/p>\n<figure id=\"24240\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-24240\" src=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2024\/06\/Red-foliage-shrubs-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"forest understory along the edge of a pond. red foliage shrubs in foreground with pond in background on a sunny fall day.\u00a0\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" srcset=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2024\/06\/Red-foliage-shrubs-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2024\/06\/Red-foliage-shrubs-105x79.jpg 105w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2024\/06\/Red-foliage-shrubs-317x238.jpg 317w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2024\/06\/Red-foliage-shrubs-423x317.jpg 423w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2024\/06\/Red-foliage-shrubs-500x375.jpg 500w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2024\/06\/Red-foliage-shrubs.jpg 624w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 320px) 85vw, (max-width: 768px) 67vw, (max-width: 1024px) 62vw,300px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Photo by Kate Garland<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Your site conditions (sun, soil condition, soil wetness) will dictate to a large extent what plants will thrive there, but for a riverbank, you\u2019re probably looking for quick, inexpensive, and effective over an ornamental investment\u2013another reason for low, spreading covers as opposed to larger trees and shrubs. So you want something like a grass or fern, which will spread and create a dense mat of roots near the surface. The <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.maine.gov\/dep\/land\/watershed\/buffplantlist.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Maine DEP Buffer Handbook Plant List<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> was developed in conjunction with the UMaine Cooperative Extension and has a wealth of information on sturdy, low maintenance, mostly native species for planting in buffer zones (including embankments). The groundcover section begins on page 29 and will give detailed information on selected plant environmental needs, as well as their general growth habit and utility in the landscape. If you would like to invest in more showy plants, there are plenty of options for that as well.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><i>Where can I learn more about ways to prevent topsoil from washing away during storms? <\/i><\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The two sources we primarily recommend for plants in erosion-prone areas are the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.northeastoceancouncil.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/Attachment-E2-Maine-Coastal-Planting-Guide-November-2017-For-Booklet-Printing-Release-Version-1.1.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Coastal Planning Guide<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> from the Cumberland County Soil and Water Conservation District and the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.maine.gov\/dep\/land\/watershed\/buffer_plant_list.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Buffer Handbook Plant List<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> from the State of Maine. We also recommend reaching out to the local <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.maine.gov\/dacf\/about\/commissioners\/soil_water\/index.shtml\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Maine Soil and Water Conservation District<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> office.<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<hr \/>\n<h3><a id=\"article-4\"><\/a>Fresh From the Garden: How to Enjoy Green Beans<\/h3>\n<p><em>By Kate Yerxa, Extension Educator, University of Maine Cooperative Extension<br \/>\nKate Garland, Horticulturist, University of Maine Cooperative Extension<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Green and yellow snap beans are a common garden crop in Maine. Both bush and pole types are fairly easy to grow for new home gardeners, but it can be overwhelming if your entire crop reaches maturity over a short period. I asked Kate Garland, Horticulturist, what she recommends for a more manageable harvest. Below are her tips to make the most of your beans:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Try planting small batches of beans every two or three weeks to avoid having too many ripening all at once. This way your harvest will be spread out through the season.<\/li>\n<li>Be ready to pick every day or so when they begin to ripen. Beans are likely to get tough and go to waste if not harvested frequently.<\/li>\n<li>To keep your garden as productive as possible, pull out the bean plants when their production slows, and plant a short-season crop like radishes, lettuce, or other greens in their place.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Pick your beans when they are straight and slender\u00a0. They should snap easily when bent. If you see the seeds (beans) bulging in the pods, they are overripe.\u00a0\u00a0 Beans are best when used right after harvest but can be kept in the refrigerator for three to five days before use. If you are interested in freezing or canning, review University of Maine Cooperative Extension\u2019s <a href=\"http:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/publications\/4046e\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Let\u2019s Preserve Snap Beans<\/a> publication for more information.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"24243\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-24243\" src=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2024\/06\/Green-Beans-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"lose up image of a collection of freshly harvested green, yellow and purple beans\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2024\/06\/Green-Beans-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2024\/06\/Green-Beans-105x140.jpg 105w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2024\/06\/Green-Beans.jpg 313w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 320px) 85vw, (max-width: 768px) 67vw, (max-width: 1024px) 62vw,225px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Photo by Kate Garland<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>If you are not going to freeze or can your beans, there are several ways to prepare them. Before cooking, rinse them thoroughly in clear, cool water to remove dirt and debris. Pinch or cut off the stem end and remove any tough strings. Snap beans can be cooked whole, cut into bite-sized pieces, sliced lengthwise, (French style), or cut diagonally. Try the following methods:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Boiling, steaming, or microwaving are all good options. Boiling takes about 10 minutes, steaming takes 3 to 5 minutes, and microwaving takes 5 to 8 minutes.<\/li>\n<li>Stir-frying or saut\u00e9ing beans with a little oil or broth is a tasty way to cook them. This method also helps preserve nutrients and takes about 2 to 5 minutes.<\/li>\n<li>Toss your beans with a drizzle of oil or cooking spray, add some seasoning or salt and pepper, and roast in the oven at 400 degrees for 10-15 minutes. This gives the beans a crispy texture and sweet flavor.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>A few of my favorite recipes include <a href=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/food-health\/recipes\/green-bean-salad\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Green Bean Salad<\/a>, a nice twist on the typical potato salad. It is great to bring to summer cook-outs to show off your snap bean and new potato harvest. Another delicious side dish is <a href=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/food-health\/recipes\/green-beans-with-garlic\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Green Beans with Garlic<\/a>. You can make this with fresh or frozen beans so it is a great year-round recipe.<\/p>\n<p>Resources<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>University of Maine Cooperative Extension Bulletin #4255 <a href=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/publications\/4255e\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Vegetables and Fruits for Health: Green Beans and Wax Beans<\/a><\/li>\n<li>University of Maine Cooperative Extension Bulletin #4046 <a href=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/publications\/4046e\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Let\u2019s Preserve Snap Beans<\/a><\/li>\n<li>University of Maine Mainely Dish <a href=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/food-health\/recipes\/green-bean-salad\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Green Bean Salad<\/a><\/li>\n<li>University of Maine Mainely Dish <a href=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/food-health\/recipes\/green-beans-with-garlic\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Green Beans with Garlic<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr \/>\n<h3><a id=\"article-5\"><\/a>Backyard Bird of the Month &#8211; Song Sparrow<\/h3>\n<p><em>By Maine Audubon Field Naturalist Andy Kapinos<\/em><\/p>\n<figure id=\"24250\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-24250\" src=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2024\/06\/Song-Sparrow-300x213.jpg\" alt=\"close up of small brown and white bird standing in the grass\" width=\"300\" height=\"213\" srcset=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2024\/06\/Song-Sparrow-300x213.jpg 300w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2024\/06\/Song-Sparrow-105x75.jpg 105w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2024\/06\/Song-Sparrow-317x225.jpg 317w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2024\/06\/Song-Sparrow-423x300.jpg 423w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2024\/06\/Song-Sparrow-634x450.jpg 634w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2024\/06\/Song-Sparrow.jpg 720w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 320px) 85vw, (max-width: 768px) 67vw, (max-width: 1024px) 62vw,300px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Photo by Nick Lund<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The song of the male Song Sparrow is one of the most frequently-heard vocalizations across the continent. The exact song varies by region and individual, and individuals will often sing multiple distinct songs, but they always follow a discernable pattern: two to four introductory notes, followed by a trill, and then a jumble of quick notes and\/or trills. The Song Sparrow singing outside my window as I write this is mostly singing a song with three introductory notes, a clear, long trill, and a couple of notes to finish. They can be found singing this song throughout the year in Maine, though they are mostly concentrated along coastal and central Maine during the winter. They will nest in nearly any shrubby habitat, often at the edges of fields or meadows, where the female builds an open cup nest in dense cover. Watch for them foraging on the ground for a variety of insects, fruits, and seeds. Like most songbirds, they feed their young mainly insects, and often return to their nests with a mouthful of caterpillars. Even in July, they could still be nesting in your backyard: they regularly raise a second brood and sometimes even a third in one season. There is even a record of two experienced Song Sparrows in British Columbia raising four broods in 1981! By leaving leaves, tall grass, and \u201cweeds\u201d in your yard, you can create habitat for Song Sparrows to forage in and feed their own young.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3><a id=\"article-6\"><\/a>Maine Weather and Climate Overview (July 2024)<\/h3>\n<p><em>By Dr. Sean Birkel, Assistant Extension Professor, Maine State Climatologist, Climate Change Institute, Cooperative Extension University of Maine<\/em><\/p>\n<p>June 2024 brought near-normal precipitation and was among the warmest Junes on record statewide.\u00a0 Mean temperature ranks for June 1\u201326 for observations in Bangor, Caribou, and Portland are 6th (66.5\u00b0F), 1st (66.5\u00b0F), and 5th (66.1\u00b0F) warmest, respectively.\u00a0 These rankings were boosted by an early-season heatwave in the third week of the month, where temperatures reached into mid to high 90s across much of the state on the 19th and 20th.\u00a0 Some locations with long-term observations set or tied high temperature records for either daytime high or overnight low.\u00a0 For example, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.weather.gov\/car\/RecordHighsJune19\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Caribou reached a high of 96\u00b0F<\/a> on the 19th, tying the previous record for that day in 2020; this temperature is the all-time record high for the station (also set in June 1944 and May 1977).\u00a0 The airmass associated with the heat wave had tropical humidity, and the overnight low temperature of 71\u00b0F on the 19th tied as record maximum low temperature set on several previous occasions.\u00a0 Portland reached a daytime high of 94\u00b0F on the 20th, breaking the previous record of 93\u00b0F for that day in 1964 (the all-time record high is 103\u00b0F, set in July 1911 and August 1975).<\/p>\n<p>The drying effect of this early-season heat wave was offset by abundant precipitation that soon followed statewide.\u00a0 However, the <a href=\"https:\/\/nedews.nrcc.cornell.edu\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Northeast Drought Early Warning System<\/a> continues to show some streamflow and groundwater sites measuring below normal due to two-month precipitation deficits.\u00a0 Soil moisture is generally near normal for this time of year statewide.\u00a0 The latest 10-day weather forecast (starting June 27th) and the 6\u201310 day outlook products from the NOAA Climate Prediction Center indicate that the first part of July will see near normal temperature and a lean toward above normal precipitation.\u00a0 The July and July\u2013August\u2013September outlooks both show above normal temperature, but have a weaker signal for precipitation and range from equal chance to a lean toward above normal.\u00a0 The latest weather forecast for your area is available at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.weather.gov\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">weather.gov.<\/a><\/p>\n<div>\n<table id=\"table1\" style=\"border-collapse: collapse\" border=\"1\" cellspacing=\"6\" cellpadding=\"6\">\n<caption>\n<h4 style=\"text-align: center\"><strong>NOAA <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Climate Prediction Center<\/a> Outlooks<\/strong><\/h4>\n<\/caption>\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th>Product<\/th>\n<th>Temperature<\/th>\n<th>Precipitation<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/mco.umaine.edu\/weather\/outlook_maps\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Days 6-10<\/a>: July 2\u20136 <\/strong>(issued June 26)<\/td>\n<td><span style=\"color: #ff0000\"><strong>near normal<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"color: #339966\"><strong>lean above normal<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/mco.umaine.edu\/weather\/outlook_maps\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Weeks 3-4<\/a>: July 6\u201319 <\/strong>(issued June 21)<\/td>\n<td><strong><span style=\"color: #ff0000\">above normal<\/span><\/strong><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"color: #339966\"><strong>equal chance<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/mco.umaine.edu\/weather\/outlook_maps\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Seasonal<\/a>: Jul-Aug-Sep <\/strong>(issued June 20)<\/td>\n<td><span style=\"color: #ff0000\"><strong>above normal<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"color: #339966\"><strong>lean above normal<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div>\n<figure id=\"24258\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-24258 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2024\/05\/Temperature-Outlook.png\" alt=\"see caption for full descriptive text\" width=\"980\" height=\"345\" srcset=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2024\/05\/Temperature-Outlook.png 980w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2024\/05\/Temperature-Outlook-300x106.png 300w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2024\/05\/Temperature-Outlook-768x270.png 768w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2024\/05\/Temperature-Outlook-105x37.png 105w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2024\/05\/Temperature-Outlook-317x112.png 317w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2024\/05\/Temperature-Outlook-423x149.png 423w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2024\/05\/Temperature-Outlook-634x223.png 634w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2024\/05\/Temperature-Outlook-846x298.png 846w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2024\/05\/Temperature-Outlook-951x335.png 951w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 320px) 85vw, (max-width: 768px) 67vw, (max-width: 1024px) 62vw,980px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">La Ni\u00f1a, which is the cool phase of the El Ni\u00f1o-Southern Oscillation, is <a href=\"https:\/\/www.climate.gov\/news-features\/blogs\/enso\/june-2024-update-la-nina-likely-late-summer\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">forecast to develop by late summer.<\/a>\u00a0 This development of La Ni\u00f1a will moderate global mean temperatures somewhat, but the North Atlantic Ocean continues to be unusually warm, including over the hurricane main development region between 10\u00ad\u00b0N\u201320\u00b0N.\u00a0 Atlantic warmth combined with reduced wind shear expected from Ni\u00f1a are expected to produce a <a href=\"https:\/\/yaleclimateconnections.org\/2024\/04\/forecasters-predict-an-extremely-active-2024-atlantic-hurricane-season\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">very active 2024 Atlantic hurricane season<\/a> (June\u2013November), which for us on the East Coast translates to increased risk of tropical storm or hurricane impacts.\u00a0 For additional climate and weather information, including historical temperature and precipitation data, visit the <a href=\"https:\/\/mco.umaine.edu\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Maine Climate Office<\/a> website.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<hr \/>\n<h3>Do you appreciate the work we are doing?<\/h3>\n<p><strong>Consider making a contribution to the Maine Master Gardener Development Fund.<\/strong> Your dollars will support and expand Master Gardener Volunteer community outreach across Maine.<\/p>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/securelb.imodules.com\/s\/300\/13-ORONO\/foundation\/index-social.aspx?sid=300&amp;gid=13&amp;pgid=748&amp;cid=1912&amp;dids=194.1885&amp;sort=1&amp;bledit=1&amp;appealcode=O5454\" style=\"text-transform:uppercase;\" ><span class=\"button\"> Donate <\/span><\/a>\n<hr \/>\n<h3>Your feedback is important to us!<\/h3>\n<p>We appreciate your feedback and ideas for future <em>Maine Home Garden News<\/em> topics. 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My Battle With Bishop&#8217;s Weed Maine Summer Events Celebrating People, Places and Food Book Review: Lawns Into Meadows Ask the Expert: Planting Strategies for Erosion Control Fresh From the Garden: How to Enjoy Green Beans Backyard Bird of the Month &#8211; Song Sparrow Maine [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":90,"featured_media":24219,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","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":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-24143","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-maine-home-garden-news"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.2 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Maine Home Garden News - July 2024 - Cooperative Extension: Garden and Yard - 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\/gardening\/2024\/06\/28\/maine-home-garden-news-july-2024\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Maine Home Garden News - July 2024 - Cooperative Extension: Garden and Yard - University of Maine Cooperative Extension\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"In This Issue: July Is the Month to . . . 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