{"id":24874,"date":"2024-09-27T14:11:17","date_gmt":"2024-09-27T18:11:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/?p=24874"},"modified":"2024-10-01T08:36:15","modified_gmt":"2024-10-01T12:36:15","slug":"maine-home-garden-news-october-2024","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/2024\/09\/27\/maine-home-garden-news-october-2024\/","title":{"rendered":"Maine Home Garden News &#8211; October 2024"},"content":{"rendered":"<h3>In This Issue:<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"#month\">October Is the Month to . . .<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#article-1\">To Rake or Not to Rake<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#article-2\">Plants for the Winter Landscape<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#article-3\">Sacred Seeds<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#article-4\">Backyard Bird of the Month: Yellow-rumped Warbler<\/a><!--StartFragment --><!--EndFragment --><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#article-5\">Maine Weather and Climate Overview (October 2024)<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr \/>\n<h2><a id=\"month\"><\/a>October Is the Month to . . .<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"24879\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-24879\" src=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2024\/09\/Garlic-300x296.jpg\" alt=\"hand holding about a nine garlic cloves ready for planting\" width=\"200\" height=\"197\" srcset=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2024\/09\/Garlic-300x296.jpg 300w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2024\/09\/Garlic-105x104.jpg 105w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2024\/09\/Garlic-317x313.jpg 317w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2024\/09\/Garlic-423x417.jpg 423w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2024\/09\/Garlic-634x625.jpg 634w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2024\/09\/Garlic-32x32.jpg 32w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2024\/09\/Garlic.jpg 720w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 320px) 85vw, (max-width: 768px) 67vw, (max-width: 1024px) 62vw,200px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Photo by Kate Garland<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><em>By Kate Garland, Horticulture Professional, UMaine Cooperative Extension<\/em><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Plant garlic and ornamental bulbs.<\/strong> Be sure to wait until the soil has cooled &#8211; typically mid to late October for northern Maine gardens and early to mid November for those planting in southern Maine. Step-by-step instructions can be found in our bulletin <a href=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/publications\/2063e\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Growing Garlic in Maine<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/extension.umn.edu\/how\/planting-bulbs-tubers-and-rhizomes\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Planting Bulbs, Tubers and Rhizomes <\/a>from the University of Minnesota.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Drain hoses and shut off external water sources.<\/strong> Take a moment to secure the hoses with some twine or duct tape and don\u2019t wait until a hard freeze to take care of this task. Store coiled hoses horizontally to avoid cracking due to pooling of water. Your future self will be grateful for the tidy and relatively lightweight hoses that you\u2019ll encounter next spring.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Prepare to transition container gardens to a cheerful winter theme<\/strong> you\u2019ll enjoy for months to come. Frozen potting soil expands and can damage pots, so we recommend removing substrate from pots that are exposed to the elements. Instead, use materials such as bunched up chicken wire, hardware cloth of empty nursery pots to support the fun foliage and festive features you&#8217;ll be adding.\n<p><figure id=\"24880\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-24880\" src=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2024\/09\/Garden-Shed-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"small garden shed with tools hanging along outer wall.\u00a0\" width=\"200\" height=\"267\" srcset=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2024\/09\/Garden-Shed-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2024\/09\/Garden-Shed-105x140.jpg 105w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2024\/09\/Garden-Shed-317x423.jpg 317w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2024\/09\/Garden-Shed-423x564.jpg 423w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2024\/09\/Garden-Shed-634x845.jpg 634w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2024\/09\/Garden-Shed.jpg 720w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 320px) 85vw, (max-width: 768px) 67vw, (max-width: 1024px) 62vw,200px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Photo by Liz Stanley<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li>\n<li><strong>Tidy up the garden shed. <\/strong>Make sure sees and freeze-prone supplies are stored appropriately and your winter pruning supplies are easy to access. If you haven&#8217;t already, remove soil and debris from all tools and oil metal items thoroughly to prevent rust. Sand and refinish worn garden handles and sharpen metal blades.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Consider all the pros and cons of managing leaf litter and garden debris<\/strong>. <a href=\"#article-1\">Our article below<\/a> eloquently explains all sides of the very complex matter and may leave you with a little more time for other tasks and adventures instead of some of your traditional fall chores.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Find a spot to plant trees, shrubs and herbaceous perennials<\/strong> that you haven\u2019t gotten in the ground yet. You\u2019re in good company if your summertime hopes and dreams have resulted in a mini backyard nursery. Don\u2019t feel guilty and don\u2019t worry if you\u2019re not planting items in their forever home; just find a spot and pop them in! They\u2019ll have a much greater chance for success if their roots are below ground than to leave them in pots where they\u2019ll be more exposed to damaging freeze\/thaw cycles.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Cover cold-tolerant crops to extend the season.<\/strong> Simple, low cost materials such as row cover draped over wire hoops can keep fall crops such as carrots, cabbage, beets, Swiss chard, and spinach productive for weeks to come.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Dig, cure and store tender perennials<\/strong> such as tuberous begonias, dahlias, gladiolas and canna lilies. Learn more about the proper timing, curing process and storage conditions for various types of bulbs and bulblike structures in this resource from <a href=\"https:\/\/yardandgarden.extension.iastate.edu\/article\/2000\/9-15-2000\/winterper.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Iowa State University<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr \/>\n<h3><a id=\"article-1\"><\/a>To Rake or Not to Rake<\/h3>\n<p><em>By Rebecca Long, Coordinator of Horticulture Training Programs, UMaine Cooperative Extension <\/em><\/p>\n<p>While raking up the leaves from around my door last fall, I found numerous woolly bear caterpillars that had been happily sheltering in the leaves and preparing to ride out winter before they were so inconsiderately disturbed by me. I had spent all summer working to transform my yard into a pollinator- and wildlife-friendly habitat and I had just evicted the fruits (caterpillars) of my labor. Feeling very guilty, I returned them to the nearest undisturbed area of leaves I could find. It made me think about the number of insects that get raked up each fall and sent to the local transfer station in bags &#8211; insects that could have been next season\u2019s pollinators, food for our native birds, and part of our local ecosystem.<\/p>\n<p>Consider a natural forest ecosystem: leaves fall, decay where they land, and return organic matter and nutrients to the soil, benefiting the trees they fell from. Lots of other things benefit as well; leaves provide nesting materials for birds and squirrels, hiding places for mice and salamanders, and protection for seeds until they can germinate. Fallen leaves also provide food and shelter for essential microorganisms like bacteria, fungi, and tiny invertebrates who drive the cycle of breakdown and decay, returning nutrients to the soil.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"24884\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-24884 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2024\/09\/Leave-the-Leaves-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"Child lying down reading a book in the leaves with a sign that reads Leave the Leaves!\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" srcset=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2024\/09\/Leave-the-Leaves-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2024\/09\/Leave-the-Leaves-105x79.jpg 105w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2024\/09\/Leave-the-Leaves-317x238.jpg 317w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2024\/09\/Leave-the-Leaves-423x317.jpg 423w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2024\/09\/Leave-the-Leaves-500x375.jpg 500w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2024\/09\/Leave-the-Leaves.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>Interested in creating a pollinator-friendly habitat? Many bees and wasps build their nests in the ground, and our solitary native bees rely on leaf litter for insulation to hibernate over the winter. Leaving the leaves can also build the climate resilience of your yard. Leaf litter protects your soil, helping it retain moisture during dry times and providing protection during torrential storms, allowing that rain to gently soak in without eroding topsoil.<\/p>\n<p>On the other side of the figurative (and potentially literal) fence are some pro-raking arguments.<\/p>\n<p>A layer of leaves, so thick you can\u2019t see your lawn, can potentially smother grass. And removing leaves dropped by trees experiencing significant foliar fungal disease issues is important to remove the spores that could inoculate and infect next year\u2019s leaves. The aesthetic preference for a clean lawn, either your own or your neighbors\u2019 (especially if you live in an HOA community), may also dictate your fall cleanup.<\/p>\n<p>The last potential motivation for fall cleanup, a four-letter word in Maine: tick. It\u2019s a challenging conundrum: the practices that benefit insects we\u2019ve deemed \u201cgood\u201d also benefit other arthropods that can impact human health, like ticks. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sciencedaily.com\/releases\/2020\/03\/200318104411.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Studies have found<\/a> that areas rich with fallen leaves can create good habitat for the survival of immature ticks. The study found this to be particularly true on properties where people simply moved leaves to the edges of the property, letting them accumulate in the area where lawn and forest meet.<\/p>\n<p>With all those conflicting factors in mind, what are your options this fall?<\/p>\n<p>If ticks are an ongoing issue for you, and your top concern, complete removal of leaves (sending them to the local transfer station) could be the best option. But an all-or-nothing approach isn\u2019t your only option. To decrease the chance of tick encounters, and assuage neighborly guilt, you can remove leaves from high-traffic areas but leave them in perennial beds and under trees and shrubs. If you need to collect all of them, rather than sending them away, consider corralling them into piles to break down, or running over them with a lawnmower and adding them to your compost pile to retain some of the soil benefits.<\/p>\n<p>Another option for your lawn: mulch leaves by mowing over them and then leave them in place to speed their breakdown. This will reduce the suitable habitat for ticks (and pollinators) but will retain the benefit of building up your soil\u2019s organic matter. This is also a great motivation to start strategically decreasing the amount of lawn to just the areas you use for enjoyment and recreation. To learn more, check out <a href=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/ticks\/management\/landscape-management\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">the UMaine Cooperative Extension Tick Lab\u2019s list of recommended landscape practices<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Concerned about what neighbors will think of your new, laid-back approach to fall cleanup? One way to approach this is through education. Signs can be a great way to signal that you are doing something intentionally. In my yard I have opted for a compromise of gathering up leaves in areas most visible to my next-door neighbors, since those leaves are also the most likely to blow onto their immaculately raked lawns. Anything out of sight, or contained by fencing, gets a more laid-back approach that prioritizes returning carbon to the soil and preserving pollinator and wildlife habitat.<\/p>\n<p>Bottom line: a more laid-back approach to fall cleanup can benefit your soil, build climate resilience, and create habitat for pollinators and wildlife. But this might not be the right choice for every person or every situation. It is up to each individual to decide, based on their specific circumstances and priorities.<\/p>\n<p>Want to explore the leaf litter ecosystem this fall? Two fun resources for kids and adults:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.amnh.org\/content\/download\/35188\/518925\/file\/LifeInTheLeafLitter.pd\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Life in the Leaf Litter Pamphlet<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.naturekidsbc.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/Life-in-the-Leaf-Litter-ID-Card.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Life in the Leaf Litter ID Card<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr \/>\n<h3><a id=\"article-2\"><\/a>Plants for the Winter Landscape<\/h3>\n<figure id=\"24887\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-24887\" src=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2024\/09\/white-stonecrop-foliage-300x280.jpg\" alt=\"close up picture of a mat of deep red succulent leaves.\u00a0\" width=\"200\" height=\"187\" srcset=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2024\/09\/white-stonecrop-foliage-300x280.jpg 300w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2024\/09\/white-stonecrop-foliage-105x98.jpg 105w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2024\/09\/white-stonecrop-foliage-317x296.jpg 317w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2024\/09\/white-stonecrop-foliage.jpg 321w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 320px) 85vw, (max-width: 768px) 67vw, (max-width: 1024px) 62vw,200px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">The deep red fleshy foliage of white stonecrop continues to hold its color through May. Photo by Kate Garland.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><em>By <\/em><em>Dixie Turner, PhD, Penobscot County Master Gardener Volunteer<\/em><\/p>\n<p>When I think about winter in Maine, I think of sparkling white snow across the landscape\u00a0 and fresh evergreens lit up with lights during the holiday season. Although this sight is still a common one in Maine, over the last few years we have also had longer periods without snow, leaving our yards looking dry and barren. When planning your landscape, it is important to remember that there are many options beyond evergreens to brighten our homes and gardens during the \u201coff season\u201d. Here are some options that look beautiful with or without snow.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Groundcovers<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Groundcovers are a valuable part of the landscape in any season. They can help reduce the need for lawn care, reduce erosion, and help retain moisture in the ground. There are several varieties of groundcovers that can add interest during the winter months including:\u00a0 sedum (<em>Sedum spp.<\/em>), bearberry (<em>Arctostaphylos uva-ursi<\/em>), and bunchberry (<em>Chamaepericlymenum canadense<\/em>). One example is white stonecrop (<em>Sedum album<\/em>), a beautiful creeping groundcover that remains deep from October through May. The foliage turns green and is topped with white flowers during the warmer months. It thrives in rock gardens with no foot traffic.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Sturdy Grasses<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>There are many grasses that, while dormant, can also provide interest in winter by adding color and sound, and attract winter songbirds. Maiden grass (<em>Miscanthus sinensis &#8216;Gracillimus&#8217;<\/em>) and feather reed grass (<em>Calamagrostis x acutiflora \u2018Karl Forester\u2019<\/em>) wave beautifully in the wind and can also be used for mulch the following season.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Vibrant Stems<\/strong><\/p>\n<figure id=\"24888\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-24888\" src=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2024\/09\/Red-osier-dogwood-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"snow on red stems of the red-osier dogwood\" width=\"200\" height=\"150\" srcset=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2024\/09\/Red-osier-dogwood-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2024\/09\/Red-osier-dogwood-105x79.jpg 105w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2024\/09\/Red-osier-dogwood-317x238.jpg 317w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2024\/09\/Red-osier-dogwood-423x318.jpg 423w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2024\/09\/Red-osier-dogwood.jpg 462w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 320px) 85vw, (max-width: 768px) 67vw, (max-width: 1024px) 62vw,200px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Red-osier dogwood. Photo by Kate Garland.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>When we think of color we often think of flowers and leaves, but color can also come from stems. Some varieties of willows and dogwoods can add color through their stems when they are cut back properly, which allows colorful new growth to come through. Red-osier dogwood (<em>Cornus sericea<\/em>) is a wonderful addition that grows in the 3-9 foot range. It has clusters of white flowers, but is best known for its red stems that will grab attention from November through April.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Stunning Silhouettes<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Choosing to leave stems and seed heads in winter has become more popular because of its ecological and aesthetic value. Plants like bee balm and sunflowers can provide food for winter birds and also natural structure. The elegance of a distinctly branched woody plant such as a pagoda dogwood (<em>Cornus alternifolia<\/em>) or a well-pruned fruit tree is a treat, while uniquely shaped evergreens can add humor and whimsy.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Beautiful Berries<\/strong> (winterberry, certain crabapples, bayberry)<\/p>\n<figure id=\"24889\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-24889\" src=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2024\/09\/Female-bayberry-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"shrub\u00a0with bluish gray fruit\u00a0on bare stems with blue house in the background.\u00a0\" width=\"200\" height=\"150\" srcset=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2024\/09\/Female-bayberry-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2024\/09\/Female-bayberry-105x79.jpg 105w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2024\/09\/Female-bayberry-317x238.jpg 317w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2024\/09\/Female-bayberry-423x317.jpg 423w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2024\/09\/Female-bayberry-500x375.jpg 500w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2024\/09\/Female-bayberry.jpg 624w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 320px) 85vw, (max-width: 768px) 67vw, (max-width: 1024px) 62vw,200px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Female bayberry. Photo by Liz Stanley.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>In addition to adding bright color that pops in the snow, winter berries \u2013 such as certain crabapples, bayberry (<em>Morella caroliniensis<\/em>), and winterberry (<em>Ilex verticillata<\/em>) \u2013 also provide food for birds in colder temperatures. A popular choice, winterberry, is a deciduous shrub that can grow 3-15 feet tall. It has clusters of small white flowers in<\/p>\n<p>early to mid-summer and fruit that is yellow, orange, or red in autumn and early winter. Note that it can be poisonous to human and pets.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Very Late or Very Early Blooming Plants<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Plants that bloom very late or very early (e.g. witch hazel and willow) have the important purpose of serving \u00a0pollinators during the shoulder seasons. In addition to have excellent golden fall color, American witch hazel (<em>Hamamelis virginiana<\/em>) has a very unique flower that blooms into late October and early November and also has a spicy scent.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"24890\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-24890\" src=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2024\/09\/Witchhazel-flowers-300x198.jpg\" alt=\"yellow flowers with thin, strappy\u00a0petals.\" width=\"200\" height=\"132\" srcset=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2024\/09\/Witchhazel-flowers-300x198.jpg 300w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2024\/09\/Witchhazel-flowers-105x69.jpg 105w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2024\/09\/Witchhazel-flowers-317x209.jpg 317w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2024\/09\/Witchhazel-flowers-423x279.jpg 423w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2024\/09\/Witchhazel-flowers.jpg 436w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 320px) 85vw, (max-width: 768px) 67vw, (max-width: 1024px) 62vw,200px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Witch hazel flowers. Photo by Kate Garland.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong>Interesting Seed Heads<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Many species of flowers provide interesting seed heads that can add shape to your garden while also attracting and feeding birds during the winter. Examples include<em> Rudbeckia<\/em> and <em>Eryngium giganteum<\/em>. <em>Rudbeckia<\/em>, better known as a black-eyed Susan, are biennial and reseed themselves effectively.<\/p>\n<p>These are just a few examples of plants that can add color to a winter garden. There are undoubtedly many more great options.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3><a id=\"article-3\"><\/a>Sacred Seeds<\/h3>\n<p><em>By Lynne Holland, Horticulture Professional, UMaine Cooperative Extension<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Ahh, it is fall and a gardener\u2019s thoughts turn to, well, a lot of things, but this gardener is thinking a lot about seeds. In my former life, I coordinated seed sales for a large grocery chain and arranged for the placement of seed racks and seeds throughout northern New England. I remember being told at the time that I wasn\u2019t selling packets of seeds, I was selling packets of dreams, and the seeds themselves were incidental. I often aspired to seed saving (ask my family about the mystery bags and tins in the back of the refrigerator) and thought I knew a lot about seeds until I looked into this topic through an indigenous lens.<\/p>\n<p>We are very lucky to have seed companies that are based here in Maine and it is easy to take that for granted. In most of the rest of the country, the seeds that gardeners have to choose from are either from big box stores or catalogs that are from somewhere else.\u00a0 Some gardeners are <a href=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/publications\/2750e\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">savvy seed savers<\/a> who carefully consider plant characteristics and select seeds they expect to have certain desirable traits. This is where modern practices intersect with indigenous practices. The indigenous peoples of the Americas are seed sages and we could learn a lot from them.<\/p>\n<p>In indigenous traditions seeds are sacred. Seed saving is a responsibility for the community, not just an individual garden. Seeds don\u2019t just represent life, they are viewed as containing life. Seeds are essential for survival as their crops feed their people. Seed choice and use are not arbitrary, crops are grown for specific purposes.<\/p>\n<p>Many people have heard of the \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=0SyKclXdz-As\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Three Sisters<\/a>\u201d, but \u201cinterpretations\u201d of this practice from many sources frequently use non-native seeds and hybrid varieties. In its purest form, this planting system is a valuable intercropping method that has been used for thousands of years. There are cultural, scientific, as well as practical aspects to this method. According to the National Agricultural Library:<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe great majority of this research (on the three sisters) has been created by scholars who were not members of the Indigenous communities which originally developed and maintained this tradition. Thus, this <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nal.usda.gov\/collections\/stories\/three-sisters\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">short review<\/a> will strive to elevate Indigenous authors and practitioners whenever possible, while acknowledging the bulk of the available publications originate from work that did not center their voices.\u201d<\/p>\n<figure id=\"24901\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-24901\" src=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2024\/09\/winter-squash2-rotated.jpg\" alt=\"harvest crate with a dozen orange and green oblong winter squash.\u00a0\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2024\/09\/winter-squash2-rotated.jpg 225w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2024\/09\/winter-squash2-105x140.jpg 105w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 320px) 85vw, (max-width: 768px) 67vw, (max-width: 1024px) 62vw,225px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">&#8216;Penobscot&#8217; pumpkin. Photo by Christina Lannan.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>In some traditions, there are Seven Sisters, an expansion and interpretation of intercropping and a cultural foodway.\u00a0 A 2015 article from the <a href=\"https:\/\/vtgardens.org\/the-seven-sisters-of-abenaki-indigenous-agriculture\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Vermont Garden Network<\/a>, describes the seven sisters as:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Sister corn (skamon) is likely a flint corn or popcorn<\/li>\n<li>Sister bean (adebakwal) represents dry beans<\/li>\n<li>Sister squash (wassawa) is likely Hubbard squash or a variant<\/li>\n<li>Sister sunflower (gizos kogan), especially the one with white seeds<\/li>\n<li>Sister (jerusalem artichoke) (Hathipich) or helianthus sunchoke<\/li>\n<li>Sister ground cherry (kiiadebimen), a sweet, husked relative of the tomato<\/li>\n<li>Sister tobacco (odamo), a variety native to the Northeast Kingdom used for ceremonial purposes.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Indigenous seeds are also the <a href=\"https:\/\/indigenousnh.com\/2021\/04\/30\/abenaki-seed-packets\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">focus of a blog post<\/a> from the Indigenous Studies program at the University of New Hampshire. In that blog, they write that access (or lack of) to indigenous plants by Indigenous peoples has affected the overall health of the community. This suggests that not only are indigenous lands now in the hands of other people, but their traditional foods are also less accessible than they used to be.<\/p>\n<p>In the 1600\u2019s Western Europeans came to a land that had a fully formed, relatively nutritious, ancient food system based on the plants of the region. The Western Europeans may have recognized this but did not value it except that it saved them from starvation. In the end, they did not value it at all and actively sought to change it. We speak of \u201cdiscovering\u201d heirloom plants and saving seeds like it is a new idea when in fact it is an ancient idea that was never really lost. Seed saving has always been integral to sustainability which continues to this day with <a href=\"https:\/\/indigenouspeoples-sdg.org\/index.php\/english\/ttt\/1082-how-seed-saving-is-repairing-a-painful-past-for-native-americans\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">various seed saving programs<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>If knowing more about the indigenous food system interests you, consider taking a walk into the past by visiting an area where the land has been conserved and restored to better resemble what it was like four centuries ago. A list of places that might reflect some of that time can be found at the <a href=\"https:\/\/rrct.org\/nature-walks-historic-interpretation-guides-in-the-royal-river-watershed\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Royal River Conservation Trust.<\/a>\u00a0 The land for the most part has been irreparably changed but the spirit of what was there first can be glimpsed.\u00a0 And if you want some of this spirit even closer to home this recipe for \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.maine.edu\/thor\/cookbook-project\/arctic-education-alliance-cookbook-project-three-sisters-soup-recipe\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Three Sisters Soup<\/a>\u201d is perfect for a fall supper.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3><a id=\"article-4\"><\/a>Backyard Bird of the Month: Yellow-rumped Warbler<\/h3>\n<figure id=\"24905\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-24905\" src=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2024\/09\/Yellow-rumped-Warbler-300x214.jpg\" alt=\"small tan bird with yellow\" width=\"300\" height=\"214\" srcset=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2024\/09\/Yellow-rumped-Warbler-300x214.jpg 300w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2024\/09\/Yellow-rumped-Warbler-105x75.jpg 105w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2024\/09\/Yellow-rumped-Warbler-317x226.jpg 317w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2024\/09\/Yellow-rumped-Warbler-423x301.jpg 423w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2024\/09\/Yellow-rumped-Warbler-634x452.jpg 634w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2024\/09\/Yellow-rumped-Warbler.jpg 720w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 320px) 85vw, (max-width: 768px) 67vw, (max-width: 1024px) 62vw,300px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Photo by Jeff Schmoyer<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><em>\u00a0<i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">By Maine Audubon Field Naturalist Andy Kapinos<\/span><\/i><\/em><\/p>\n<p>Let\u2019s get the laugh out of the way first: yes, they are called Yellow-rumped Warblers, they do have yellow rumps, and sometimes we even call them \u201cbutter-butts.\u201d This unique feature, present in all sexes and plumages, makes this species one of the easiest warblers to identify. Even in the fall, when most warblers are relatively drab and difficult to distinguish, their yellow rump stands out. They are also one of the most abundant and latest warblers to migrate through Maine, and are most frequently seen during October. They nest throughout the state during the summer, concentrated in coniferous forest, especially in the White Mountains and North Woods, where they feast on the abundance of insects. In the fall, as they migrate, they begin to eat more fruit. They are one of the few birds that can digest the waxy fruits of bayberries and juniper, and even relish the fruits of poison ivy! Conveniently, fall is also the best time to plant these native fruit-bearing shrubs if they aren\u2019t already in your backyard, or to free them from the grasp of invasive species like Asiatic Bittersweet and Multiflora Rose, so they can continue to provide these benefits to birds and other wildlife.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3><a id=\"article-5\"><\/a>Maine Weather and Climate Overview (October 2024)<\/h3>\n<p><em>Dr. Sean Birkel, Assistant Extension Professor, Maine State Climatologist, Climate Change Institute, Cooperative Extension University of Maine<\/em><\/p>\n<p>NOAA statewide temperature and precipitation summaries for Maine rank August 2024 as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncei.noaa.gov\/access\/monitoring\/climate-at-a-glance\/statewide\/rankings\/17\/tavg\/202408\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">25th warmest (top 1\/3)<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncei.noaa.gov\/access\/monitoring\/climate-at-a-glance\/statewide\/rankings\/17\/pcp\/202408\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">34th wettest (top 1\/3)<\/a> for records beginning 1895. \u00a0The June\u2013August (JJA) climatological summer rankings are <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncei.noaa.gov\/access\/monitoring\/climate-at-a-glance\/statewide\/rankings\/17\/tavg\/202408\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">1st warmest<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncei.noaa.gov\/access\/monitoring\/climate-at-a-glance\/statewide\/rankings\/17\/pcp\/202408\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">20th wettest (top 1\/3)<\/a>.\u00a0 NOAA statewide summaries for September are not yet available, but average temperature ranks for the period September 1\u201325 from daily observations are 10th warmest (Bangor), 5th warmest (Caribou), and 11th warmest (Portland).\u00a0 Cumulative precipitation ranks for the same period are 1st driest for all three observation sites \u2013 however, rainfall statewide on September 26 could have considerable impact on rankings for the full month of September.\u00a0 The warm, dry weather this past month was associated with weather patterns that repeatedly brought high pressure across Maine and the broader Northeast.\u00a0 As a result, the <a href=\"https:\/\/nedews.nrcc.cornell.edu\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Northeast Drought Early Warning System Dashboard<\/a> shows large precipitation deficits for the past 30 days, soil moisture deficits, and the U.S. Drought Monitor registers abnormal dryness across a broad area of counties inland, and moderate drought along the coast.\u00a0 Seven-day streamflows are trending below or much below normal across the affected areas, whereas some gauges continue to register normal range. \u00a0Groundwater responds more slowly to recent precipitation deficits, and most measurement sites continue to show near normal.\u00a0 The rainfall on September 26 should prove beneficial to soil moisture and streamflows.<\/p>\n<p>The latest 10-day weather forecast (starting September 26th) and shows above normal temperatures and some potential for rainfall, which is consistent with the 6\u201310 day outlook from the NOAA Climate Prediction Center shown below.\u00a0 The October-November-December outlook shows above normal temperature and above normal precipitation.\u00a0 The latest weather forecast for your area is available from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.weather.gov\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">weather.gov<\/a>. For questions about climate and weather, please contact the <a href=\"https:\/\/mco.umaine.edu\/about\/contact\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Maine Climate Office<\/a>.<\/p>\n<div>\n<table id=\"table1\" style=\"border-collapse: collapse\" border=\"1\" cellspacing=\"6\" cellpadding=\"6\">\n<caption>\n<h4><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\/#day6-10\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Days 6-10<\/a>: Oct, 2-6 <\/strong>(issued Sep 26)<\/td>\n<td><span style=\"color: #ff0000\">Above Normal<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"color: #948a54\">Above Normal<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/mco.umaine.edu\/weather\/outlook_maps\/#day8-14\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Weeks 8-14<\/a>: Oct 4-10 <\/strong>(issued Sep 26)<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center\"><span style=\"color: #000000\"><span style=\"color: #ff0000\">Above Normal<\/span><\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"color: #948a54\">Near Normal<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/mco.umaine.edu\/weather\/outlook_maps\/#seasonal_lead05\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Seasonal<\/a>: Oct-Nov-Dec\u00a0 <\/strong>(issued Sep 19)<\/td>\n<td><span style=\"color: #ff0000\">Above Normal<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"color: #948a54\">Above Normal<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>\n<figure id=\"24910\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-24910 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2024\/09\/Temperature-Outlook.png\" alt=\"Child lying down reading a book in the leaves with a sign that reads Leave the Leaves!\" width=\"980\" height=\"345\" srcset=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2024\/09\/Temperature-Outlook.png 980w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2024\/09\/Temperature-Outlook-300x106.png 300w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2024\/09\/Temperature-Outlook-768x270.png 768w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2024\/09\/Temperature-Outlook-105x37.png 105w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2024\/09\/Temperature-Outlook-317x112.png 317w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2024\/09\/Temperature-Outlook-423x149.png 423w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2024\/09\/Temperature-Outlook-634x223.png 634w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2024\/09\/Temperature-Outlook-846x298.png 846w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2024\/09\/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\">The El Ni\u00f1o\/Southern Oscillation (ENSO) is currently neutral, but La Ni\u00f1a is forecast to develop between September and November, and is then expected to through January\u2013March 2025. After recent lull in August and early September, tropical activity has increased and, as of September 26, Hurricane Helene is impacting Florida and nearby states. Visit the National Hurricane Center for information on active storms. For additional climate and weather information, including historical temperature and precipitation data, visit the Maine Climate Office.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div>\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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