{"id":27964,"date":"2026-05-01T11:04:43","date_gmt":"2026-05-01T15:04:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/?p=27964"},"modified":"2026-05-05T09:43:26","modified_gmt":"2026-05-05T13:43:26","slug":"maine-home-garden-newsletter-may","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/2026\/05\/01\/maine-home-garden-newsletter-may\/","title":{"rendered":"Maine Home Garden Newsletter &#8211; May"},"content":{"rendered":"<h3>In This Issue:<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"#month\">Five Things Every Maine Gardener Should Be Doing in May<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#article-1\">Seasonal Sightings<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#article-2\">Big Yields on Small Plots: Trellises<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#article-3\">Eat the Pansies: How to Elevate Garden-to-Table Meals with Edible Flowers<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#article-4\">Seeing Seeds Differently (Part 2)<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#article-5\">Applying Soil Amendments<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#article-6\">Lyme Disease Awareness Month<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#article-7\">Featured Resource<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#article-8\">Ask the Expert<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#article-9\">Maine Weather and Climate Overview<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr \/>\n<h3><a id=\"month\"><\/a>Five Things Every Maine Gardener Should Be Doing in May<\/h3>\n<p><em>By Sandra Mitchell, Master Gardener Volunteer, Maine Master Naturalist and Maine Master Food Preserver<\/em><\/p>\n<p>At least for me, a particular kind of optimism arrives in May along with the moderating temperatures. After months of restraint \u2014 of seed catalogs (ok, perhaps the 8 inch deep stack here doesn\u2019t scream restraint!), careful planning, and watching snow recede seemingly inch by inch \u2014 the garden finally begins to open up. The light stretches longer into the evening, the soil softens (oh so very slowly), and every warm afternoon feels like an invitation.<\/p>\n<p>But May, especially around Bangor, is a study in restraint as much as action. It invites you forward \u2014 and then reminds you, sometimes sharply, that it&#8217;s still Maine.<\/p>\n<p>For experienced gardeners, this is the month where judgment matters more than enthusiasm. Here are five things worth focusing on now to set the tone for the entire growing season.<\/p>\n<h4>Work the Soil \u2014 But Only When It&#8217;s Ready<\/h4>\n<p>It&#8217;s tempting to get into the beds the moment the snow disappears. But Maine soils,\u00a0 especially heavier loams and anything with clay, hold moisture longer than they appear to. That deceptively dry surface can hide a saturated layer just an inch below.<\/p>\n<p>Working soil too early is one of the few mistakes that can quietly set you back for the entire season. Wet soil compacts easily under foot and tool, destroying the structure and pore space that roots depend on; and that damage lingers long after spring has moved on.<\/p>\n<p>Instead, take a moment to first examine the soil moisture level. Grab a handful and squeeze. If it forms a tight, sticky ball that holds its shape, give it a few more days. If it breaks apart easily when you open your hand, you&#8217;re good to go.<\/p>\n<p>Once the soil is ready, loosen beds gently without over-tilling and top-dress with a light layer of compost if your beds need it. Think of this less as planting prep and more as building the root environment that everything else depends on for the next five months. And don\u2019t forget \u2013 it is never too late to have your soil tested!\u00a0 If you neglected to do it in the fall, this is a great time to drop off a sample to make sure your additives match the needs of your garden!<\/p>\n<h4>Direct Sow the Cold-Tolerant Crops<\/h4>\n<figure id=\"27995\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-27995 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/04\/Planting-300x286.jpg\" alt=\"Child's hands wearing bright pink gardening gloves with a picture of a bee on the glove. Hands are holding seeds just above some dry soil and appear to be about to be planted. Yellow string just below the gloves is pulled tight to show where the planting row will be.\u00a0\" width=\"300\" height=\"286\" srcset=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/04\/Planting-300x286.jpg 300w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/04\/Planting-105x100.jpg 105w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/04\/Planting-317x302.jpg 317w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/04\/Planting-423x403.jpg 423w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/04\/Planting.jpg 624w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/04\/Planting-32x32.jpg 32w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 320px) 85vw, (max-width: 768px) 67vw, (max-width: 1024px) 62vw,300px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Photo Credit: Christina Lannan<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>May is when the first real planting begins \u2014 but once again, with steady restraint. Early in the month, peas, spinach, arugula, radishes, and beets can go directly into the ground with confidence. These crops don&#8217;t just tolerate cool soil, they genuinely prefer it; delaying them too long risks bolting as days warm and lengthen in June. Carrots belong in this cool-season group too, but they&#8217;re worth waiting on until mid-May around Bangor. They germinate slowly in cold soil and reward a little patience with a much more reliable stand. Remember that they like a bit sandier soil than the other early crops.<\/p>\n<p>A rhythm that works well in our unpredictable climate is to plant in waves rather than all at once \u2014 a first sowing in early May, a second succession mid-month, and a final cool-crop round in late May before summer heat arrives. This staggered approach stretches your harvest window and hedges against the unpredictability of spring weather in a way that a single planting simply can&#8217;t. Of course, if you are like me and are overzealous, you soon wind up with so many radishes that your neighbors start to hide when they see you coming and duct tape their mailboxes shut to try and slow delivery!\u00a0 I blame it on the tiny size of the seeds as opposed to my enthusiasm!<\/p>\n<p>If you&#8217;ve ever lost a full row of seedlings to a sudden cold snap, or a week of cold, sideways rain, you already know why that hedge is worth building in. At least your next planting still has the chance to survive.<\/p>\n<h4>Manage Frost Risk As Much As Possible<\/h4>\n<p>If there&#8217;s one thing every Maine gardener eventually learns, it&#8217;s this: May is not frost-free. Even in the Bangor area, where the average last frost falls around May 15\u201318, a sharp cold night can arrive well into late May \u2014 and in low-lying areas or outlying spots, even later than that.<\/p>\n<p>That doesn&#8217;t mean you can&#8217;t begin moving warm-season crops like tomatoes, peppers, squash, and cucumbers toward the garden. It means you need a plan before you do.<\/p>\n<p>Harden off transplants gradually \u2014 10 days is the minimum, not a suggestion \u2014 and watch overnight forecasts closely. Clear, calm nights are the ones to watch; cloud cover and wind actually moderate temperature in ways that a still, open sky does not. Keep row cover or frost cloth within arm&#8217;s reach rather than in the back of the shed, and learn the microclimates of your own property: the south-facing wall that stays a few degrees warmer, the raised bed that drains and warms faster than the rest of the garden.<\/p>\n<p>That local knowledge, built over seasons, becomes one of your most reliable tools. More often than not, the gardener who waits one more week wins. Even venturing into the (somewhat expensive) world of water walls and other newer versions of plant protection may prove worthwhile against the sudden unexpected frost that has hit all of us at some point in time.\u00a0 Like that year when I planted all of the tomatoes before going away for Memorial Day weekend&#8230;<\/p>\n<h4>Divide, Thin, and Reset Perennials<\/h4>\n<figure id=\"27996\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-27996\" src=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/04\/nursery-pots-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"approximately 20 gallon sized nursery pots planted with newly divided rhubarb. Pots are tightly packed together on a leafy area beside a tree trunk.\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/04\/nursery-pots-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/04\/nursery-pots-105x140.jpg 105w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/04\/nursery-pots-317x423.jpg 317w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/04\/nursery-pots-423x564.jpg 423w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/04\/nursery-pots.jpg 624w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 320px) 85vw, (max-width: 768px) 67vw, (max-width: 1024px) 62vw,225px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Newly divided rhubarb plants.<br \/>Photo Credit: Kate Garland<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>By mid-May, your perennial beds are beginning to declare themselves. You&#8217;ll see what came through winter cleanly and what didn&#8217;t, which clumps have quietly outgrown their space, and which aggressive spreaders have been working on a takeover plan all winter.<\/p>\n<p>This is the ideal window to divide overcrowded hostas, daylilies, and bee balm \u2014 doing it now, while temperatures are still cool and soil moisture is relatively high, gives divisions time to re-establish before summer stress arrives. One timing note worth remembering: early-blooming perennials like bleeding heart and primrose are better divided after they flower rather than now. Let them finish their show first.<\/p>\n<p>While you&#8217;re in the beds, remove winter-damaged growth, thin anything that&#8217;s encroaching where it shouldn&#8217;t, and take the time to re-edge and redefine borders that have softened over winter. It&#8217;s also one of the most cost-free ways to expand your garden \u2014 or make a neighbor very happy \u2014 without buying a single new plant. Don\u2019t forget your \u201cbesties\u201d in the Maine Master Gardener world who would always be thrilled to adopt your extras, but be sure to remove all weeds and rinse as much soil from the roots as possible so you\u2019re not also sharing weeds and invasives such as jumping worms.<\/p>\n<p>There&#8217;s something deeply satisfying about taking a clump that&#8217;s been quietly thriving for years, splitting it apart, and giving it new room to grow, or a new home to explore. The plants seem to appreciate it as much as you do.<\/p>\n<h4>Stay Ahead of Weeds \u2014 This Is the Moment<\/h4>\n<p>If there&#8217;s a single window in the Maine gardening calendar where a modest amount of effort pays the highest possible return, this is it.<\/p>\n<p>Weeds in May are just germinating. They&#8217;re small, they&#8217;re shallow-rooted, and they come out with almost no effort. The same plants you can remove with a light sweep of a hand hoe today will require a serious reckoning in June.<\/p>\n<p>Light, frequent passes through the beds \u2014 even 10 or 15 minutes every few days \u2014 makes an enormous difference. Once the soil has warmed slightly, mulching beds is one of the most effective ways to suppress new germination before it starts.\u00a0 I tell myself this every single year.\u00a0 And I curse that I didn\u2019t take my own advice in June; and July; and August.<\/p>\n<p>One nuance worth knowing: you&#8217;ll sometimes hear advice to disturb the top layer of soil to interrupt weed seed germination, and it&#8217;s true that a light surface scratch can disrupt seedlings just emerging. But it also can bring dormant weed seeds up from below into the light they need to sprout. Many experienced gardeners find that minimal soil disturbance paired with a good layer of mulch is the more effective long-term strategy \u2014 less digging, fewer weeds. Try both approaches in different beds and see what your specific soil tells you.<\/p>\n<p>May also teaches you to read your garden in ways that pay off for years: where weeds emerge first, which areas stay damp longest, which beds warm fastest. That awareness becomes one of your most valuable tools over time \u2014 and it&#8217;s knowledge no seed catalog can sell you.<\/p>\n<h4>A Final Thought: May Is About Calibration<\/h4>\n<p>For all its activity, May isn&#8217;t really about speed, even though we feel like we are finally rocketing towards summer. It&#8217;s about calibration.<\/p>\n<p>You&#8217;re adjusting to soil conditions, light levels, temperature swings, and the subtle timing of your specific piece of ground. No two gardens \u2014 even a mile apart \u2014 move at exactly the same pace.<\/p>\n<p>The best gardeners here aren&#8217;t the ones who rush ahead. They&#8217;re the ones who watch closely, respond carefully, and make small, well-timed decisions. They&#8217;re the ones who know that what they do in May doesn&#8217;t just determine what gets planted. It shapes how everything grows.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3><a id=\"article-1\"><\/a>Seasonal Sightings<\/h3>\n<p><em>Article and photo by Maine Audubon Horticulture Assistant Jocelyn LaClair<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Different species of willow can be tricky to tell apart because the species tend to hybridize, and there is high variability in the shape and size of various features. Even Henry David Thoreau once said, \u201cThe more I study willows, the more I am confused!\u201d However, for a couple of weeks in early spring it becomes extremely easy to identify Pussy Willows: look for the iconic white to gray fuzzy catkins in late March and early April. Male catkins are much larger than female catkins, and as the season progresses, they extend stamens with yellow anthers. The tiny seeds that form have a tuft of fluff for wind dispersal. They don\u2019t last very long, oftentimes landing and germinating within a day. Ruby-throated hummingbirds will often gather fluff from the catkins to line their nests.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"28009\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-28009\" src=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/04\/Willow-flowers-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"Close-up of several bottlebrush-like willow flowers (inflorescences). Each bloom has soft white filaments tipped with mustard-yellow stamens, where pollen is produced. In the background, a few fuzzy buds remain tightly closed but are about to open.\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/04\/Willow-flowers-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/04\/Willow-flowers-105x140.jpg 105w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/04\/Willow-flowers-317x423.jpg 317w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/04\/Willow-flowers-423x564.jpg 423w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/04\/Willow-flowers-634x845.jpg 634w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/04\/Willow-flowers.jpg 720w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 320px) 85vw, (max-width: 768px) 67vw, (max-width: 1024px) 62vw,225px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Male catkins on a Pussy Willow.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>This tree is named after the cat paw look of the fluffy catkins. One legend provides a delightful story for how the tree got its fluffy catkins. One day, a cat and her litter of kittens were playing alongside a river when the kittens accidentally fell in. The mother cat meowed for help, and the riverside Pussy Willow trees drooped down and caught the kittens in their branches, lifting them to safety. The fluffy catkins that emerge each spring represent the kittens that the trees saved that day!<\/p>\n<p>Other May signs of wildlife to look for:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Listen for American Toads calling in the evening. Their call is a high musical trill held at the same pitch.<\/li>\n<li>Look down for Giant Leopard Moth larvae on the move! They\u2019re emerging from the leaves you didn\u2019t rake last winter, and will be flying around as adults next month.<\/li>\n<li>Bobolinks are now returning to Maine from their wintering grounds in South America, completing one of the longest migrations of any passerine in the Americas. These birds need expansive grassy fields to breed, and can benefit greatly from small changes to mowing schedules.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr \/>\n<h3><a id=\"article-2\"><\/a>Big Yields on Small Plots: Trellises<\/h3>\n<p><em>By Carrick Gambell, Urban Agriculture Professional, UMaine Cooperative Extension and Natural Resources Conservation<\/em><\/p>\n<figure id=\"28005\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-28005\" src=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/04\/Trellis-201x300.jpg\" alt=\"Six inch tall, two food wide and roughly 10' long zig-zag shaped raised bed with a metal and wood trellis running along the center of the bed. Traditional rectangular tall wooden raised bed and field in background. Peas growing up one end of the trellis.\" width=\"201\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/04\/Trellis-201x300.jpg 201w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/04\/Trellis-94x140.jpg 94w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/04\/Trellis-317x473.jpg 317w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/04\/Trellis-423x631.jpg 423w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/04\/Trellis.jpg 624w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 320px) 85vw, (max-width: 768px) 67vw, (max-width: 1024px) 62vw,201px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Trellis made from cattle panels.<br \/>Photo Credit: Kate Garland<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>One of the most important strategies for maximizing space on a small plot is to grow vertically. While this may sound daunting, vertical growing systems do not need to be complicated. Growers can take advantage of the natural vining and sprawling tendencies of many plants by building low technology, low budget trellises.<\/p>\n<p>Trellises offer a number of advantages to growers. Primarily, they allow for a more efficient use of space. When plants are encouraged to grow upward, they can be planted more densely, and the adjacent space where they might have sprawled is left available for additional plantings.<\/p>\n<p>Another important advantage of trellises is the reduction of pest and disease risk. Plants like tomatoes despise prolonged periods of wetness. When they are left to sprawl on the ground, they are more vulnerable to foliar (relating to leaves) diseases. Trellised plants enjoy improved airflow, which facilitates faster drying of leaves after rain, and reduced predation from ground-dwelling pests like slugs.<\/p>\n<p>A third benefit of trellising is the impact on harvest. Every gardener has likely experienced a sense of dismay when they check their plot at the height of summer and realize they missed a once-beautiful tomato that has fallen and cracked, or a hidden cucumber that has swollen to the size of a blimp. When these plants are vining along a trellis, the fruit is much more visible, presenting itself closer to eye level. Growers with joint pain or reduced mobility also don\u2019t need to spend as much time bending over or squatting to harvest.<\/p>\n<p>Finally, trellises can add a touch of beauty and intrigue to the garden. I\u2019m always captivated by homemade archways packed with flowering runner beans, or melons drooping from a sturdy netting. Trellises can make us smile when we visit the garden, which is undeniably valuable.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"28007\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-28007\" src=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/04\/Trellis-3-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"A pair of tall galvanized metal raised beds with a stone pathway in between. A simple archway was created between the two beds with a single sheet of metal cattle panel. Raised beds are filled with mixed vegetables and beans are growing up the trellis on either side. Red building in the background.\" width=\"284\" height=\"213\" srcset=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/04\/Trellis-3-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/04\/Trellis-3-105x79.jpg 105w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/04\/Trellis-3-317x238.jpg 317w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/04\/Trellis-3-423x317.jpg 423w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/04\/Trellis-3-500x375.jpg 500w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/04\/Trellis-3.jpg 624w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 320px) 85vw, (max-width: 768px) 67vw, (max-width: 1024px) 62vw,284px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Photo Credit: <br \/>Kate Garland<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"28006\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-28006 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/04\/Trellis-12-300x213.jpg\" alt=\"Midseason garden with rows of assorted vegetables planted in landscape fabric and walkways mulched with wood chips. Two rows have tall posts spaced along the row each topped with t-shaped PVC fittings in which a horizontal metal rod is threaded through. The horizontal rod is used as a sturdy anchor point for stings that are used to trellis tomatoes\" width=\"300\" height=\"213\" srcset=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/04\/Trellis-12-300x213.jpg 300w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/04\/Trellis-12-105x74.jpg 105w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/04\/Trellis-12-317x225.jpg 317w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/04\/Trellis-12.jpg 358w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 320px) 85vw, (max-width: 768px) 67vw, (max-width: 1024px) 62vw,300px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Photo Credit: <br \/>Carrick Gambell<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Growers interested in trellising should begin by evaluating their current site layout. Is an existing fenceline available? Chain link fences provide sturdy trellises for peas, beans, and cucumbers. I\u2019ve even seen a cherry tomato woven between a chain link fence. For trellising lighter plants like peas and beans, growers can build a tower from scavenged or re-purposed materials like tree branches and wooden stakes. Growers interested in advancing their trellis systems could consider infrastructure like metal t-posts, twine, or netting. Sturdy posts and twine can be used to support tomatoes with the \u201cbasket weave\u201d method. Posts and netting are the foundation for supporting cucumbers and squash such as tromboncino. For growers interested in adding an aesthetic trellis centerpiece to their garden, cattle panel is a lovely option. This heavy duty steel material can be bent and turned into a lovely archway between garden plots. There are many options for creatively incorporating trellises into the garden. Growers will need to experiment to find the approach that works best for them, but need not be daunted by a lack of experience.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3><a id=\"article-3\"><\/a>Eat the Pansies: How to Elevate Garden-to-Table Meals with Edible Flowers<\/h3>\n<p><em>From the National Garden Bureau<\/em><\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s Tuesday night. Dinnertime. You\u2019re stumped. You\u2019re tired of bland salads, uninspired pasta, and lackluster frittatas. What\u2019s a hungry cook to do?<\/p>\n<p>Quick\u2014take a stroll through your flower garden. That\u2019s right. Sometimes, all you need for a burst of culinary creativity is a glimmer of floral inspiration. Whether you\u2019ve harvested homegrown lettuce or simply snipped open a salad bag from the grocery store, a few edible flowers plucked from the garden brighten a boring, blah, everyday meal, turning it into something Instagram-worthy.<\/p>\n<p>While you may think of edible flowers as simply a garnish to adorn an entr\u00e9e, you\u2019ll find these pretty blooms make delicious desserts, savory snacks, and even appealing appetizers. From freezing flowers in ice cube trays to level up a cocktail to sprinkling petals among pasta or stuffing blossoms with cheese, edible flowers may be the inspiration you need to turn daily dinners into tasty, creative escapes. But where to begin?<\/p>\n<blockquote style=\"padding-top: 0.5em;padding-bottom: 0.5em\"><p><b>Quick Garden Tip:<\/b> If you plan on using flowers in your favorite culinary adventures, grow them organically and avoid spraying pesticides. Always wash harvested flowers and gently pat them dry before consuming.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<h4>Annuals:<\/h4>\n<h5 style=\"clear: both\">Calendula<\/h5>\n<figure id=\"27991\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-27991 size-thumbnail\" src=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/04\/Calendula-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"Close up of four bright orange multi-petaled flowers growing in the garden. Lush green foliage in the background.\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" srcset=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/04\/Calendula-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/04\/Calendula-720x713.jpg 720w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/04\/Calendula-32x32.jpg 32w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Calendula<br \/>Photo by Kate Garland<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Who doesn\u2019t love a burst of sunshiny flowers in the garden, especially when they both feed pollinators and support the gardener\u2019s immune system? Used traditionally as a medicinal herb, the edible ray florets of calendula (which look like yellow or orange petals) burst with antioxidant compounds. Known as the \u201cpoor man\u2019s saffron,\u201d calendula provides warm flavor and bright color at a fraction of the price of saffron. Use it speckled in quiche, sprinkled in a frittata, or added to salads. For beautiful, easy-to-grow blooms, try Kablouna Mix calendula. Compact, mounding growth sports delightful anemone-type flowers in a soft cream hue with vibrant orange tips that look lovely both in the garden and on the plate.<\/p>\n<h4>Nasturtium<\/h4>\n<figure id=\"27992\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-27992 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/04\/Nasturtium-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"low-growing flowering plant with approximately two dozen quarter-sized vibrant orange spurred flowers topping distinctly round green foliage.\u00a0\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" srcset=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/04\/Nasturtium-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/04\/Nasturtium-105x70.jpg 105w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/04\/Nasturtium-317x212.jpg 317w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/04\/Nasturtium-423x283.jpg 423w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/04\/Nasturtium-634x424.jpg 634w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/04\/Nasturtium.jpg 720w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 320px) 85vw, (max-width: 768px) 67vw, (max-width: 1024px) 62vw,300px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Nasturtium <br \/>Photo Credit: Herb Crosby<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>If you want maximum value in an edible flower, you\u2019ll love growing nasturtium. Not only are the flowers gorgeous, but every part of the plant is edible: flowers, leaves, stems, and even the young seed pods, which are often pickled to make \u201cpoor man\u2019s capers.\u201d (Poor man\u2019s saffron, poor man\u2019s capers\u2026there\u2019s a theme here about the value of edible flowers!) While the flowers sport aromatic and floral flavors with a bit of spiciness, the leaves and stems bring the heat to dishes, similar to radishes. For vibrant colors and peppery flavor, try Arizona Mix nasturtium. Mixed colors include orange, red, and yellow flowers. Easy to grow, this highly ornamental plant produces abundant blooms and leaves, perfect for your favorite recipes.<\/p>\n<h5>Pansy<\/h5>\n<figure id=\"27993\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-27993 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/04\/Pansy-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"close up of a dozen small purple and yellow pansies growing in the garden. Soil in foreground appears\u00a0dry and has some small pieces of bark mulch on top.\u00a0\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/04\/Pansy-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/04\/Pansy-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/04\/Pansy-105x105.jpg 105w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/04\/Pansy-317x317.jpg 317w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/04\/Pansy-423x423.jpg 423w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/04\/Pansy-634x634.jpg 634w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/04\/Pansy-32x32.jpg 32w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/04\/Pansy.jpg 720w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 320px) 85vw, (max-width: 768px) 67vw, (max-width: 1024px) 62vw,300px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Pansy<br \/>Photo Credit: Kate Garland<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>If you\u2019re looking to add an aesthetically pleasing splash to your cakes, cookies, or cocktails, consider adding pansies to your list of favorite edible flowers. Not only are these cuties adorable in your favorite cuisine, but pansies provide pretty blooms during cooler days, when many other flowers are just emerging in spring\u2014or winding down for the season in fall. With charming faces and a mild flavor, pansies make a perfectly pretty addition to salads, desserts, and garnishing charcuterie boards. Freeze the flowers in ice cube trays to jazz up a basic glass of lemonade or press the blooms into soft cheese for a uniquely lovely appetizer. And sugared pansies make desserts look\u2014and taste\u2014extra-fancy.<\/p>\n<p>For a variety that looks lovely in hanging baskets and containers, try Top Wave\u2122 Marina Pansy. With the largest flowers of any spreading pansy series, these low-maintenance, vigorous, and long-lasting bi-colored blue and white blooms look gorgeous in the garden and in your recipes.<\/p>\n<h5>Squash Blossoms<\/h5>\n<figure id=\"27998\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-27998\" src=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/04\/squash-blossoms-240x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"209\" height=\"262\" srcset=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/04\/squash-blossoms-240x300.jpg 240w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/04\/squash-blossoms-105x131.jpg 105w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/04\/squash-blossoms-317x397.jpg 317w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/04\/squash-blossoms-423x529.jpg 423w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/04\/squash-blossoms-634x793.jpg 634w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/04\/squash-blossoms.jpg 720w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 320px) 85vw, (max-width: 768px) 67vw, (max-width: 1024px) 62vw,209px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Squash blossoms. Two female flowers towards the front and three male flowers (one open, two closed) towards the back. Photo Credit: Kate Garland<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>If you find yourself overwhelmed with zucchini each summer, sneaking excess onto the neighbor\u2019s porch, it may be time to cull the harvest a tad\u2014and savor squash blossoms in your summer dinners. A classic Italian delicacy, fiori di zucca fritti involves filling fresh squash blossoms with cheese\u2014then frying them into a delicious, decadent treat. But because of their neutral flavor, squash blossoms are a highly versatile edible flower. Slice the flowers and mix them in frittatas or omelets, top risotto, add to quesadillas, or use raw in salads.<\/p>\n<p>Just make sure to know the difference between male and female flowers so you don\u2019t accidentally deplete your entire squash harvest. (Hint: female flowers produce squash, and you\u2019ll find a fleshy ovary behind the flower where it attaches to the vine. Make sure to leave a few male flowers as well, so the pollinators can do their job and make baby squash.)<\/p>\n<p>For a high-yielding, spineless zucchini variety, add Noche to your garden. The plant produces dark green, easy-to-harvest zucchini due to its open habit. Plus, Noche resists Watermelon Mosaic Virus and Zucchini Yellow Mosaic Virus, helping keep the plant healthy and productive over the long term.<\/p>\n<blockquote style=\"padding-top: 0.5em;padding-bottom: 0.5em\"><p><b>Quick Garden Tip:<\/b> Harvest healthy, vibrant blooms early in the morning, once the dew dries but before the sun scorches. Edible flowers taste best when used the same day as harvested.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<h4>Perennials<\/h4>\n<figure id=\"27999\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-27999 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/04\/bee-balm-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"Scarlet flower close up in center of image with two more blurred in the background. The circuluar flower has a round purplish porous-looking center surrounded by a few dozen long, tubular shaped petals. Green foliage in background.\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" srcset=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/04\/bee-balm-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/04\/bee-balm-105x79.jpg 105w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/04\/bee-balm-317x238.jpg 317w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/04\/bee-balm-423x317.jpg 423w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/04\/bee-balm-634x476.jpg 634w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/04\/bee-balm-500x375.jpg 500w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/04\/bee-balm.jpg 720w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 320px) 85vw, (max-width: 768px) 67vw, (max-width: 1024px) 62vw,300px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Bee Balm <br \/>Photo Credit: Kate Garland<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h5>Bee Balm<\/h5>\n<p>Bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds aren\u2019t alone in their love of bee balm. A beauty in the landscape, these edible flowers add a perfect pop of color and flavor in the kitchen, too. Because bee balm (Monarda) is a member of the mint family, you\u2019ll note a minty flavor when you enjoy these edible flowers in your favorite treats. Add bee balm to salads, brew into tea, mix into compound butter, garnish savory dishes, and decorate desserts.<\/p>\n<p>For a cultivar that tastes great and looks lovely, try Red Velvet Bee Balm. Because it\u2019s taller than many varieties, it\u2019s an excellent plant for filling the middle of borders. Red Velvet produces large, cherry-red flowers. USDA Zones 4-8. Or try Jacob Cline Bee Balm, which earned its historical nickname, Oswego tea, from the Oswego Nation, who used the herb for fragrant teas long before early botanists documented it. The flavor is a refreshing combination of citrus and mint, making it a perfect edible addition to the garden. This variety is a top-tier red bee balm, boasting large, crimson flower crowns and an early bloom time starting in June. USDA Zones 4-9.<\/p>\n<h5>Dianthus<\/h5>\n<figure id=\"28000\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-28000 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/04\/dianthus-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"low growing plant with prolific bright pink flowers and grass-like foliage and stems growing in front of a plant with wide mottled green and white leaves in a mulched garden bed. Flowering shrubs can be seen in the far background.\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/04\/dianthus-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/04\/dianthus-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/04\/dianthus-105x105.jpg 105w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/04\/dianthus-317x317.jpg 317w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/04\/dianthus-423x423.jpg 423w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/04\/dianthus-634x634.jpg 634w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/04\/dianthus-32x32.jpg 32w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/04\/dianthus.jpg 720w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 320px) 85vw, (max-width: 768px) 67vw, (max-width: 1024px) 62vw,300px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Dianthus <br \/>Photo Credit: Kate Garland<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>With a hint of peppery flavor, dianthus not only adds prettiness to your recipes, but they also punch up garden-to-table goodies with nutmeg and clove notes. Add these beautiful blooms to wine. Create a syrup with them for cocktails. Or pour the syrup over plain vanilla ice cream to create an inspired dessert.<\/p>\n<p>For a gorgeous variety that looks lovely in bouquets as well as on the plate, try Bananaberry Fizz dianthus. A blend of magenta and yellow double flowers, the plants reach a height of 24 inches. One of the few scented varieties, it\u2019s ideal for creating a nectar-rich haven of fragrant flowers for bees and butterflies. USDA Zones 6-9.<\/p>\n<h5>Lavender<\/h5>\n<p>From sweet treats to savory dishes, lavender creates a unique and aromatic twist to your favorite recipes. The delicate floral notes pair beautifully with a variety of ingredients, adding sophisticated elegance to your meals and treats. Line a path with this gorgeous, highly aromatic herb and enjoy its sweet scent as you brush by it. Find more recipes for Cooking with Lavender, like a lavender simple syrup.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"28001\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-28001 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/04\/lavender-300x225.jpg\" alt=\" Garden bed featuring a short row of approximately 3 medium-sized mounding perennials with dense upright stems and foliage topped with grayish lavender flowers. Other low-growing plants in foreground include one with bright yellow flowers, one with red succulent foliage and one with pink variegated foliage. Low growing dwarf pine in background. \" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" srcset=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/04\/lavender-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/04\/lavender-105x79.jpg 105w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/04\/lavender-317x238.jpg 317w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/04\/lavender-423x317.jpg 423w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/04\/lavender-634x476.jpg 634w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/04\/lavender-500x375.jpg 500w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/04\/lavender.jpg 720w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 320px) 85vw, (max-width: 768px) 67vw, (max-width: 1024px) 62vw,300px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Lavender <br \/>Photo Credit: Kate Garland<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>From sweet treats to savory dishes, lavender creates a unique and aromatic twist to your favorite recipes. The delicate floral notes pair beautifully with a variety of ingredients, adding sophisticated elegance to your meals and treats. Line a path with this gorgeous, highly aromatic herb and enjoy its sweet scent as you brush by it. Find more recipes for cooking with lavender, like a lavender simple syrup.<\/p>\n<p>The pollinators will adore lavender, too. With a compact, dense habit and notable durability for sun, heat, and humidity, as well as cold tolerance, Sensational!\u2122 Lavender outshines many traditional lavender varieties. Silvery foliage is topped by large, dense purple flower spikes, perfect for harvesting the buds to use in your favorite culinary adventures. USDA Zones 5-9.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"28002\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-28002 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/04\/daylily-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"Close up of a single pink daylily flower showing the reproductive parts inside the flower. Garden out of focus in the background.\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/04\/daylily-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/04\/daylily-105x140.jpg 105w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/04\/daylily-317x423.jpg 317w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/04\/daylily-423x564.jpg 423w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/04\/daylily-634x845.jpg 634w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/04\/daylily.jpg 720w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 320px) 85vw, (max-width: 768px) 67vw, (max-width: 1024px) 62vw,225px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Daylily <br \/>Photo Credit: Kate Garland<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h5>Daylilies<\/h5>\n<p>If you\u2019re feeling adventurous, why not add a new ingredient to your culinary lineup? Not only are daylilies gorgeous, low-maintenance landscape plants, but the entire plant\u2014from tubers to shoots to buds and blooms\u2014is edible. Now, you\u2019re probably thinking, \u201cWhy would I eat daylily tubers when I love the look of the flowers in the garden?\u201d And you\u2019re right. But if you only harvest a portion of the tuber and replant the remaining segment, you\u2019ll enjoy an interesting ingredient in your recipes, while the flowers will keep growing for years.<\/p>\n<p>All portions of daylilies make excellent additions to your meal plans. Harvest young shoots for stir-fries and pasta. Pluck buds to steam, boil, or stir-fry. The flower buds taste like a cross between asparagus and green peas, perfect for sauteing with garlic and butter. Buds also taste great pickled. Boil the tubers like potatoes. Add fresh petals to salads. The versatility of daylilies creates interesting, beautiful dishes. For a gorgeous addition to your garden and recipes, look for the Skye\u2122 Series. With colors ranging from yellow to pink to orange, these reblooming daylilies add drama to the landscape, while tasting delicious in your culinary creations. USDA Zones 4-11.<\/p>\n<blockquote style=\"padding-top: 0.5em;padding-bottom: 0.5em\"><p><b>Quick Garden Tip:<\/b> Only harvest Hemerocallis (daylily) for use in meals. Other lilies, such as Asiatic, star, calla, peace lilies, and crinum, can be poisonous or cause irritation. Make sure to read plant tags carefully, and if you\u2019re unsure which lily is growing in the garden\u2014err on the side of caution and forgo harvesting for meals.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>If you\u2019re enamored with edible flowers, branch out! Stroll through your herb garden and harvest blooms from chamomile, chives, dill, oregano, sage, thyme, rosemary, and more\u2014these blooms also make delicious additions to your favorite recipes.<\/p>\n<p>And, to get you inspired, visit the <a href=\"https:\/\/ngb.org\/garden-to-table-edible-flowers\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">National Garden Bureau website<\/a> to find a few recipes to try.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3><a id=\"article-4\"><\/a>Seeing Seeds Differently (Part 2)<\/h3>\n<p><em>Introduction by Lynne Holland, Horticulture Professional; plant descriptions by Citlalli Constantino, Master Gardener Volunteer<\/em><\/p>\n<p>A Master Gardener Volunteer, a Master Food Preserver, and a Chef walk into a plant sale\u2026. No, this is not the start of a joke; they are all one person! Lali once again is sharing her perspective and experience about some plants that she finds to grow in her Maine garden.<\/p>\n<h4>Habanero Hot Pepper (Capsicum chinense)<\/h4>\n<p>Despite the classification \u201cCapsicum chinense\u201d given by Dutch scientists due to its wide use in Asian foods, the Habanero has its origins in South America. Although the indigenous cultures brought this spicy pearl to the Caribbean, its name was given by the Spanish, who traded it through the route between the Yucatan Peninsula and Cuba.<br \/>\nGrow this type of hot pepper pretty much the same as you would any hot pepper. Start them indoors at least 10 weeks before the last frost. It is very important to provide a soil temperature of 75-80\u2109 with a heat mat or on top of a fridge or a radiator (some source of constant warmth). Move them, once sprouted, but keep giving them a good source of light. Transplant in the garden after the danger of frost. Germination occurs between 10 and 14 days, and the fruits can be enjoyed in 90 days. Habaneros are usually very prolific and compact plants; they perform well in full sun with some afternoon shade given by other plants.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"28027\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-28027\" src=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/05\/Peppers-300x300.png\" alt=\"Over two dozen habanero\u00a0peppers in varying\u00a0shades of yellow and green scattered on a wooden table with white chipped paint.\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/05\/Peppers-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/05\/Peppers-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/05\/Peppers-105x105.png 105w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/05\/Peppers-317x317.png 317w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/05\/Peppers-423x423.png 423w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/05\/Peppers-32x32.png 32w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/05\/Peppers.png 624w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 320px) 85vw, (max-width: 768px) 67vw, (max-width: 1024px) 62vw,300px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Photo Credit:<br \/>Pinetree Garden Seeds<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>My family lives in the Yucatan Peninsula, where this hot pepper is the star in the daily meals. There\u2019s an array of ways to eat this pepper: just a straight bite, in colored salsas, and you can even find a \u201cblack habanero hot sauce\u201d which is made with deeply grilled peppers. Another way to eat this hot pepper is fresh and smashed in a mortar that we call \u201cmolcajete\u201d and drizzled with a sour orange and some salt. It is also used mixed with shredded cabbage, salt, and sour orange juice. A fun fact that I see now that I don\u2019t live in Mexico is that when you buy some local food \u201cto go,\u201d the street food business packs your meal and adds a couple of habaneros in the bag. There\u2019s also a local belief that green habaneros are less spicy and red habaneros are the most spicy. I have found all habanero colors very spicy but paired with the right food they can enhance flavors and you can enjoy their floral and citrusy hints. Some extra information is that consuming habaneros doesn\u2019t bother the stomach as does jalapenos; it&#8217;s a matter of their chemical components.<br \/>\nGoing to the local markets in Merida, Yucatan is a very colorful experience. Seasonal fruits beside bowls with all the habanero colors is a very tropical\/peninsular experience that makes anyone happy.<\/p>\n<p>Sources: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.veramexicana.com\/article\/the-habanero-chili\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Vera Mexicana: All About the Habanero Chili\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n<h4>Tomato \u2018Pruden\u2019s Purple\u2019 (Solanum lycopersicum)<\/h4>\n<p>How often are the tomato\u2019s origins mistaken as European? The fact is that the tomato was cultivated long before the colonization times in Mesoamerica. The tomato travelled from Mexico to gardens in Spain (some studies say that they arrived first in Sevilla) as an ornamental plant; landed onto the tables of the noble society; and then to dishes, that now are the staple of some notable countries, from margarita pizza and bruschettas in Italy to ratatouille in France. How could those dishes have been invented if it wasn\u2019t for the juicy flavor and beautiful color of tomatoes?<\/p>\n<p>Today we know (thanks to the research of botanists) that tomatoes are from the Solanaceae family and, for that reason, are a warm-season crop. Here in the Northeast, they recommend starting the seeds indoors at least 6 weeks in advance of planting outdoors, providing a temperature of 75-80\u2109 with the help of a heating mat or close to a radiator, and also close to a good light, such as a windowsill or special lights.\u00a0 The little plants must be hardened off before setting them in their final space in the garden when any danger of frost has passed. Our featured variety, \u2018Pruden\u2019s Purple,\u2019 is an indeterminate or vining type. To dig for a little more information about the difference between determinate and indeterminate tomatoes, I suggest reading this very important article about all things related to tomato growing in New England: Tomato, Outdoor: New England Vegetable Management Guide: UMass Amherst.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"28030\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-28030\" src=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/05\/Tomato-300x197.png\" alt=\"Three whole tomatoes and two sliced tomatoes on a wooden table with a few tomato leaves scattered around. Tomatoes are large and deep red with the whole tomatoes showing slight cracks around the top. Sliced pieces show that the type is very fleshy and dense.\" width=\"300\" height=\"197\" srcset=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/05\/Tomato-300x197.png 300w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/05\/Tomato-105x69.png 105w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/05\/Tomato-317x209.png 317w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/05\/Tomato-423x278.png 423w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/05\/Tomato.png 468w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 320px) 85vw, (max-width: 768px) 67vw, (max-width: 1024px) 62vw,300px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Photo Credit: Pinetree Garden Seeds<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>\u2018Pruden\u2019s Purple\u2019 is a slicing tomato, offering the opportunity to use it in sandwiches, summer grilled burgers, or as I was told some years ago (and has become my tradition as well): take a baguette and slice it, toast it, add a slice of cheese and top with a nice thick slice of tomato, a little drip of olive oil, some salt and fresh ground pepper\u2026all the summer flavor!! I use it as well in a fast, fresh salsa, chopped with some basil, a drop of balsamic vinegar, salt, and fresh ground pepper, as a base for bruschetta \u2013 a great option for those warm nights.<\/p>\n<p>Tomatoes have a huge importance in Mexican culture. I could say that we use tomatoes almost every day: I can see my mom\u2019s fridge always with a jar of tomato sauce that we use on top of fried eggs at breakfast time, then at lunch we use that sauce as a companion, or during supper on top of a good quesadilla. A lot of Mexican dishes use tomatoes, like tamales, tacos, soups. In every street food place you can find different kinds of salsas where tomatoes are present, and red or green tomatillos. That\u2019s why I try to grow as many plants as I can tuck in my beds, and \u201cPruden\u2019s Purple\u201d definitely has a spot. This early-producing dusky red tomato is an heirloom variety.<\/p>\n<p>Sources:<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/bookshop.org\/p\/books\/m-xico-en-la-mesa-diez-alimentos-que-conquistaron-el-mundo-mexico-at-the-table-ten-foods-that-conquered-the-world-guillermo-berm-dez\/2e7fc69e63af2582?ean=9786073859462&amp;next=t\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">M\u00e9xico en la mesa, Guillermo Berm\u00fadez, Martha Elena Garc\u00eda<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/nevegetable.org\/crops\/tomato-outdoor\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Tomato, Outdoor : New England Vegetable Management Guide : UMass Amherst<\/a><\/p>\n<h4>Lali\u2019s Bio<\/h4>\n<p>Mexican cook, with experience in different culinary areas, from restaurants, cafeterias, cruises, summer camps, college culinary art instructor, nowadays working at the school nutrition department in a cafeteria from an elementary school in Lewiston, I\u2019m a Master preserver which has gave me the opportunity to volunteer and learn from all those experiences, I\u2019ve also gave some classes at the Lewiston Adult education.<\/p>\n<p>I\u2019m passionate about gardening, horticulture, farming, bird watching and everything related to nature. I fell in love with Maine and a Mainer, a naturalist in spirit.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3><a id=\"article-5\"><\/a>Applying Soil Amendments<\/h3>\n<p><em><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">By Rebecca Long, Coordinator of Horticulture Training Programs<\/span><\/i><\/em><\/p>\n<p>Welcome back to the final article in our series on <a href=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/2026\/01\/27\/news-3\/#article-5\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">testing your soil<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/2026\/02\/26\/maine-home-garden-news-march-2026\/#article-4\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">adjusting pH<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/2026\/03\/30\/maine-home-garden-news-april\/#article-3\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">managing soil fertility<\/a>. We\u2019ve discussed the types of amendments you might use in your garden, including lime or sulfur for pH adjustment, as well as fertilizers, compost, and manure. Now we\u2019ll look more closely at how to apply them.<\/p>\n<p>When incorporating amendments, a rototiller may be the first tool that comes to mind, and it may be the most practical option for incorporating large amounts of amendments, especially when establishing a new garden. However, frequent tilling damages the natural soil structure and can lead to compaction over time, so consider alternative methods to incorporate amendments whenever possible.<\/p>\n<p>Fertilizer doesn\u2019t have to be applied across the entire garden. Targeting your fertilizer application around your plants is more efficient and avoids feeding unwanted weeds. For transplants, fertilizer can be mixed into the planting hole, taking care to prevent plant roots from coming into direct contact with concentrated fertilizer which can cause damage. Before seeding directly into the garden, fertilizer can be lightly scratched into the soil surface with a hand tool or garden rake.<\/p>\n<p>For perennial crops including lawns, and no-till gardens, fertilizer can be applied to the soil surface without incorporating it. Drop spreaders can help distribute amendments evenly over large areas. Mature trees and shrubs that appear healthy typically do not require supplemental fertilizer. If fertilizer is needed for established trees and shrubs, avoid application during drought conditions or late in the summer, when nitrogen can create a flush of growth that will be susceptible to frost damage. For trees, apply fertilizer over the entire root zone, which may extend up to one and a half times the width of the canopy. Keep fertilizer six inches away from plant stems to avoid burning.<\/p>\n<p>A soil test provides the most accurate fertilizer recommendations. It shows which nutrients in your soil are below optimum levels and would make sense to apply, and which are already sufficient or excessive, in which case additional fertilizer would waste money and potentially contribute to environmental issues. If you do not have a soil test, select a product labeled for your crop and follow the recommended application rates.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"28011\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-28011\" src=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/04\/Raised-bed-300x278.jpg\" alt=\"Single raised bed made from corrugated\u00a0metal and wood. Bed is not planted, but is filled with soil and topped with a thin layer of dark compost. Picture appears to be taken in early spring as the surrounding lawn and the taller forest edge in the background have yet to green up.\" width=\"300\" height=\"278\" srcset=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/04\/Raised-bed-300x278.jpg 300w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/04\/Raised-bed-105x97.jpg 105w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/04\/Raised-bed-317x294.jpg 317w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/04\/Raised-bed-423x392.jpg 423w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/04\/Raised-bed.jpg 473w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 320px) 85vw, (max-width: 768px) 67vw, (max-width: 1024px) 62vw,300px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Raised bed top-dressed with light layer of compost to start off the season.<br \/>Photo Credit: Kate Garland<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Because fertilizers contain different percentages of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, you may need to calculate how much of a specific product to apply based on your soil test recommendations and garden size. Refer to the article &#8220;Soil Fertility Basics&#8221; in the<a href=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/2026\/03\/30\/maine-home-garden-news-april\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> April Maine Home Garden News<\/a> for help with calculations.<\/p>\n<p>To simplify repeated applications of the same fertilizer, you can convert the application rate from weight to volume. Calculate how much fertilizer is needed for a standard area that makes sense to you, for example the size of one raised bed, measure that amount into a container, and mark the level for future use. This eliminates the need to weigh fertilizer each time.<\/p>\n<p>When applying compost, a little goes a long way. While you might make a heavier application when establishing a new garden, routine applications of small amounts of compost (\u00bc in.) can provide benefits while limiting the risks from overapplication.<\/p>\n<p>Manure application rates will depend on the type of manure and how much other material, like bedding, it contains. For food safety, manure is best applied in the fall before planting, ideally with a winter cover crop to retain nutrients. As with all soil amendments, carefully read product labels and wear appropriate protective equipment such as gloves, goggles, and a mask.<br \/>\nBy testing your soil, adjusting pH, managing fertility, and applying amendments thoughtfully, you now have the tools to build healthy soil and support a productive, sustainable garden for years to come.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3><a id=\"article-6\"><\/a>Lyme Disease Awareness Month<\/h3>\n<p>Courtesy of Maine Department of Health and Human Services<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">As Mainers head outdoors this spring, it is important to remember that ticks are active too. Make your life a tick-free zone by taking these simple steps every day:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Know when you are in tick habitat and take precautions in places where ticks may live.<\/li>\n<li>Wear light-colored long-sleeved shirts and pants. Tuck pants into socks.<\/li>\n<li>Use an EPA-approved repellent like DEET, picaridin, IR3535, or oil of lemon eucalyptus. Pre-treat clothing with permethrin.<\/li>\n<li>Shower when you come inside from outdoor activity. This can help remove crawling ticks. Put clothes in the dryer on high heat for 15 minutes before washing to kill ticks on clothes.<\/li>\n<li>Check your whole body for ticks after outdoor activities and at least once per day. Check family members and pets, too.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>If you start to feel sick after a tick bite, see a health care provider. For more information on tickborne diseases and tick bite prevention, visit <a href=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/ticks\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">UMaine tick lab\u2019s website<\/a> or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.maine.gov\/dhhs\/mecdc\/diseases-conditions\/insect-borne-diseases\/ticks\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention\u2019s website<\/a>.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3><a id=\"article-7\"><\/a>Featured Resource: Wild Seed Project, Where to Buy Native Plants Directory<\/h3>\n<figure id=\"28020\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-28020\" src=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/04\/Seedlings-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"Dozens of varying sized pots of a collection of roughly 8 different types of young plants tightly arranged on the ground. Many pots have white labels tucked into the side.\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" srcset=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/04\/Seedlings-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/04\/Seedlings-105x70.jpg 105w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/04\/Seedlings-317x211.jpg 317w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/04\/Seedlings-423x282.jpg 423w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/04\/Seedlings-634x423.jpg 634w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/04\/Seedlings.jpg 720w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 320px) 85vw, (max-width: 768px) 67vw, (max-width: 1024px) 62vw,300px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Photo Credit:<br \/>Pamela Hargest<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>If you haven\u2019t already explored the Maine-based Wild Seed Project website to learn about their important work and incredible resources, take a moment to do so. They\u2019re deeply knowledgeable and passionate about preserving the genetic diversity of native plants and enabling gardeners of all types to welcome native plants into managed landscapes.<\/p>\n<p>One of their resources is a curated list of <a href=\"https:\/\/wildseedproject.net\/blog\/where-to-buy-native-plants\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Where to Buy Native Plants<\/a>. It\u2019s organized by state and is a great starting point if you\u2019re in the shopping mode. Look out for your favorite native plant nursery and nudge them to opt in if you don\u2019t see them listed.<\/p>\n<p>While you\u2019re perusing the Wild Seed Project site, be sure to check out their list of <a href=\"https:\/\/wildseedproject.net\/blog\/where-to-buy-native-plants\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Native Plants by Bloom Time<\/a> to get inspiration on restocking your \u201cpollinator pantry\u201d to offer food resources for pollinators all season long!<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3><a id=\"article-8\"><\/a>Ask the Expert<\/h3>\n<figure id=\"28032\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-28032\" src=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/05\/Rhubarb-224x300.jpg\" alt=\"Newly emerged rhubarb foliage with brown burn-like symptoms in the regions between\u00a0the the leaf veins.\u00a0\" width=\"224\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/05\/Rhubarb-224x300.jpg 224w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/05\/Rhubarb-105x140.jpg 105w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/05\/Rhubarb.jpg 309w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 320px) 85vw, (max-width: 768px) 67vw, (max-width: 1024px) 62vw,224px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Photo Credit:\u00a0<br \/>Nancy Ouellette<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><em>Q. My rhubarb plant was coming in nice and healthy, but now it has brown patches and streaks across the leaves. Is this a disease or a pest problem?<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>Answer by Jonathan Foster, Horticulturist, University of Maine Cooperative Extension<\/em><\/p>\n<p>This looks like frost damage from when the leaf was forming, and it&#8217;s the third question on the topic this week, so it&#8217;s going around the rhubarb community! We&#8217;ve had several frosts around the state (especially on the 21st of April) and this is typically what it looks like on rhubarb. The new leaves should not have these issues, so if they come in nice and green, you can prune out the worst of the damaged parts (they won\u2019t typically recover) and go on about the season. If the stalks are damaged, they should be discarded, but if it\u2019s only the leaves and the stalks still look healthy, they can be harvested a couple of days after the freezing event (see more in this Iowa State Univ Extension Q&amp;A). If new leaves are showing symptoms, or if something else happens, reach out to the UMaine Cooperative Extension with additional photos and we can consider other options.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3><a id=\"article-9\"><\/a>Maine Weather and Climate Overview<\/h3>\n<p><em>By Sean Birkel, Assistant Extension Professor, Maine State Climatologist, Cooperative Extension, Climate Change Institute, University of Maine.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>April Recap &amp; Drought Update: Temperatures last month were near normal in comparison to the long-term average for April.\u00a0 However, there was a notable cold wave April 20\u201322, where some weather stations observed record daily minimum temperatures.\u00a0 For example, morning temperature at the Bangor International Airport dropped to 19\u00b0F on April 21 (the average minimum for that day is 33\u00b0F).\u00a0 In contrast, a warm wave developed April 26\u201327, where daytime temperatures reached into the high 60s and low 70s.<\/p>\n<p>April precipitation was near normal across northern Maine (generally, north of Millinocket), but below normal across central and southern areas.\u00a0 Precipitation was sufficient to see the removal of extreme drought from areas of southern Maine, and an overall contraction of severe drought elsewhere.\u00a0 Most of the state remains in at least moderate drought, and groundwater levels continue to be below normal at most monitoring sites.\u00a0 See the <a href=\"https:\/\/nedews.nrcc.cornell.edu\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Northeast Drought Early Warning System Dashboard<\/a> for more information.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"27981\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-27981\" src=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/04\/US-Drought-Monitor-Noretheast-DEWS-300x164.png\" alt=\"refer to caption for description\" width=\"683\" height=\"373\" srcset=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/04\/US-Drought-Monitor-Noretheast-DEWS-300x164.png 300w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/04\/US-Drought-Monitor-Noretheast-DEWS-768x420.png 768w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/04\/US-Drought-Monitor-Noretheast-DEWS-105x57.png 105w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/04\/US-Drought-Monitor-Noretheast-DEWS-317x173.png 317w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/04\/US-Drought-Monitor-Noretheast-DEWS-423x231.png 423w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/04\/US-Drought-Monitor-Noretheast-DEWS-634x346.png 634w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/04\/US-Drought-Monitor-Noretheast-DEWS-846x462.png 846w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/04\/US-Drought-Monitor-Noretheast-DEWS-951x520.png 951w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/04\/US-Drought-Monitor-Noretheast-DEWS.png 979w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 320px) 85vw, (max-width: 768px) 67vw, (max-width: 1024px) 62vw,683px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">\u201cU.S. Drought Monitor \u2013 Northeast DEWS\u201d dated April 21, 2026, showing drought conditions across the northeastern United States. Much of Maine and parts of New England are shaded light to dark orange, indicating moderate to severe drought, with some yellow areas marked as abnormally dry. Western New York appears mostly free of drought (gray). A legend on the right explains color categories from \u201cNone\u201d to \u201cExceptional Drought.\u201d<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Forecast &amp; Outlook: U.S. and European global forecast models show the first week in May being cooler than normal with potential for frost on some mornings.\u00a0 The weather pattern looks fairly active with potential for one or two storms systems that could produce beneficial rainfall.\u00a0 The 1-month outlook for May shows equal chances of above or below normal temperature and precipitation.<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov\/products\/analysis_monitoring\/enso_advisory\/ensodisc.shtml\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">This winter\u2019s La Ni\u00f1a has faded to neutral, and a potentially strong El Ni\u00f1o<\/a> is likely to emerge sometime this summer and persist through the end of the year. Warm ocean temperatures and subsequent heat and moisture released into the atmosphere during El Ni\u00f1o tend to produce more weather extremes than usual.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-28013\" src=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/04\/monthly-temperature-precipitation-outlook-300x106.png\" alt=\"Side-by-side U.S. maps showing May 2026 outlooks: temperatures likely above normal across much of the West, South, and East Coast, with equal chances in the Midwest\/Great Lakes; precipitation favors wetter conditions in the southern Plains\/Gulf Coast, drier in the Pacific Northwest, and equal chances elsewhere.\" width=\"683\" height=\"241\" srcset=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/04\/monthly-temperature-precipitation-outlook-300x106.png 300w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/04\/monthly-temperature-precipitation-outlook-1024x361.png 1024w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/04\/monthly-temperature-precipitation-outlook-768x271.png 768w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/04\/monthly-temperature-precipitation-outlook-105x37.png 105w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/04\/monthly-temperature-precipitation-outlook-317x112.png 317w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/04\/monthly-temperature-precipitation-outlook-423x149.png 423w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/04\/monthly-temperature-precipitation-outlook-634x224.png 634w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/04\/monthly-temperature-precipitation-outlook-846x298.png 846w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/04\/monthly-temperature-precipitation-outlook-951x335.png 951w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/04\/monthly-temperature-precipitation-outlook.png 1100w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 320px) 85vw, (max-width: 768px) 67vw, (max-width: 1024px) 62vw,683px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Maine Statewide 2026 Temperature &amp; Precipitation Rankings<br \/>\nFrom <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncei.noaa.gov\/access\/monitoring\/climate-at-a-glance\/statewide\/rankings\/17\/tavg\/202512\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">NCEI Climate at a Glance<\/a>:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Apr: Monthly summary net yet available<\/li>\n<li>Mar: 34th Warmest (above average), 58th Driest (near average)<\/li>\n<li>Winter (Dec\u2013Jan\u2013Feb): 60th Warmest (near average), 5th Driest (much below average)<\/li>\n<li>Feb: 52nd Warmest (near average), 2nd Driest (much below average)<\/li>\n<li>Jan: 54th Warmest (near average), 28th Driest (below average)<\/li>\n<li>Dec: 44th Coldest (below average), 59th Wettest (near average)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>For additional information, including historical temperature and precipitation data, weather forecasts, and seasonal climate outlooks, visit the <a href=\"https:\/\/mco.umaine.edu\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Maine Climate Office website<\/a>.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">University of Maine Cooperative Extension is an equal opportunity institution and provider committed to nondiscrimination.<br \/>\nFor more information, visit <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/nondiscrimination\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">extension.umaine.edu\/nondiscrimination<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">.<\/span><\/p>\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 to Maine Master Gardener <\/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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To receive e-mail notifications, click on the Subscribe button below.<\/p>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/eepurl.com\/gtJGR5\" style=\"text-transform:uppercase;\" ><span class=\"button\"> Subscribe to Maine Home Garden News <\/span><\/a>\n<hr \/>\n<p>University of Maine Cooperative Extension\u2019s <em><strong>Maine Home Garden News <\/strong><\/em>is designed to equip home gardeners with practical, timely information.<\/p>\n<p>For more information or questions, contact Kate Garland at <a href=\"mailto:katherine.garland@maine.edu\">katherine.garland@maine.edu<\/a> or\u00a01.800.287.1485 (in Maine).<\/p>\n<p><strong>Visit our MHGN Archives to see past issues.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><em><strong>Maine Home Garden News<\/strong><\/em> was created in response to a continued increase in requests for information on gardening and includes timely and seasonal tips, as well as research-based articles on all aspects of gardening. Articles are written by UMaine Extension specialists, educators, and horticulture professionals, as well as Master Gardener Volunteers from around Maine. The following staff and volunteer team take great care editing content, designing the web and email platforms, maintaining email lists, and getting hard copies mailed to those who don\u2019t have access to the internet: Abby Zelz*, Barbara Harrity*, Kate Garland, Mary Michaud, Michelle Snowden, Naomi Jacobs*, Phoebe Call*, and Wendy Robertson.<\/p>\n<p>*Master Gardener Volunteers<\/p>\n<p><em>Information in this publication is provided purely for educational purposes. No responsibility is assumed for any problems associated with the use of products or services mentioned. No endorsement of products or companies is intended, nor is criticism of unnamed products or companies implied.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>\u00a9 2023<\/p>\n<p>Call 800.287.0274 (in Maine), or 207.581.3188, for information on publications and program offerings from University of Maine Cooperative Extension, or visit <a href=\"http:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\">extension.umaine.edu<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>In This Issue: Five Things Every Maine Gardener Should Be Doing in May Seasonal Sightings Big Yields on Small Plots: Trellises Eat the Pansies: How to Elevate Garden-to-Table Meals with Edible Flowers Seeing Seeds Differently (Part 2) Applying Soil Amendments Lyme Disease Awareness Month Featured Resource Ask the Expert Maine Weather and Climate Overview Five [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":90,"featured_media":27997,"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":[1,43],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-27964","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-maine-home-garden-news","category-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 Newsletter - May - 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\/2026\/05\/01\/maine-home-garden-newsletter-may\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Maine Home Garden Newsletter - May - Cooperative Extension: Garden and Yard - University of Maine Cooperative Extension\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"In This Issue: Five Things Every Maine Gardener Should Be Doing in May Seasonal Sightings Big Yields on Small Plots: Trellises Eat the Pansies: How to Elevate Garden-to-Table Meals with Edible Flowers Seeing Seeds Differently (Part 2) Applying Soil Amendments Lyme Disease Awareness Month Featured Resource Ask the Expert Maine Weather and Climate Overview Five [&hellip;]\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/2026\/05\/01\/maine-home-garden-newsletter-may\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Cooperative Extension: Garden and Yard\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2026-05-01T15:04:43+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-05-05T13:43:26+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/04\/Stinking-Benjamin.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"624\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"468\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"wrobertson\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"wrobertson\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"36 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/2026\/05\/01\/maine-home-garden-newsletter-may\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/2026\/05\/01\/maine-home-garden-newsletter-may\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"wrobertson\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/#\/schema\/person\/562f4bf9c056f304568982721c990798\"},\"headline\":\"Maine Home Garden Newsletter &#8211; 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