{"id":6282,"date":"2016-03-01T08:00:50","date_gmt":"2016-03-01T13:00:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/?p=6282"},"modified":"2019-06-07T14:11:03","modified_gmt":"2019-06-07T18:11:03","slug":"maine-home-garden-news-march-2016","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/2016\/03\/01\/maine-home-garden-news-march-2016\/","title":{"rendered":"Maine Home Garden News &#8212; March 2016"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><a name=\"top\"><\/a><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"#month\">March Is the Month to . . .<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#article-1\">Prune Your Blueberries!<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#article-2\">Staff Favorites &#8212; Pussy Willow (<em>Salix discolor<\/em>)<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#article-3\">Two Years of One Tomato<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#article-4\">Food &amp; Nutrition: Make Mine REAL Maple Syrup!<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr \/>\n<p><a name=\"month\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"color: #3698d4\"><strong>March Is the Month to . . .<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><em>By Amy Witt, Home Horticulturist, UMaine Exyension Cumberland County<br \/>\n<\/em><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Prune fruit trees and certain woody landscape plants.<\/strong> Typically, shrubs that flower after June should be pruned in the late winter\/early spring. When pruning, keep in mind the rudimentary three \u201cDs\u201d: remove damaged, diseased, and dead branches. For more information, see <a href=\"http:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/publications\/2169e\/\">Pruning Woody Landscape Plants<\/a>, <a href=\"http:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/fruit\/growing-fruit-trees-in-maine\/pruning\/\">Growing Fruit Trees in Maine: Pruning<\/a>, and the Pruning Ornamental Trees video below.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"responsive-video\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Pruning Ornamental Trees\" width=\"1268\" height=\"713\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/azANIMQtIkY?wmode=transparent&amp;rel=0&amp;feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/div>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Examine fruit tree trunks and other woody plants for damage<\/strong> caused by mice or voles, porcupines, and browsing by deer.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Take care of the tunnels and mounds of dirt created by moles and voles.<\/strong> They should be leveled with a metal rake and packed firmly. The exposed soil can later be reseeded with grass seed.<\/li>\n<li><strong class=\"alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2016\/02\/birdhouse-sculpture.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright wp-image-6289 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2016\/02\/birdhouse-sculpture-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"birdhouse on a post in the garden\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" srcset=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2016\/02\/birdhouse-sculpture-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2016\/02\/birdhouse-sculpture-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2016\/02\/birdhouse-sculpture-105x79.jpg 105w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2016\/02\/birdhouse-sculpture-317x238.jpg 317w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2016\/02\/birdhouse-sculpture-423x317.jpg 423w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2016\/02\/birdhouse-sculpture-634x476.jpg 634w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2016\/02\/birdhouse-sculpture-846x635.jpg 846w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2016\/02\/birdhouse-sculpture-951x713.jpg 951w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2016\/02\/birdhouse-sculpture.jpg 1000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 320px) 85vw, (max-width: 768px) 67vw, (max-width: 1024px) 62vw,300px\" \/><\/a>Clean out and inspect birdhouses<\/strong> to make sure they&#8217;re firmly mounted. Create a pile of ready-for-the-taking nesting materials such as dryer lint, feathers, and yarn to make nest building easier.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Learn when to expect <a href=\"http:\/\/davesgarden.com\/guides\/freeze-frost-dates\/#b\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">your last frost date<\/a><\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Dig compost, manure, and other needed amendments into your garden soil <\/strong>as soon as conditions allow.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Check out UMaine Extension\u2019s seed starting resources:<\/strong> <a href=\"http:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/publications\/2751e\/\">Starting Seeds at Home<\/a> and our How to Build a Seedling Stand video below.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"responsive-video\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"How to Build a Seedling Light Stand\" width=\"1268\" height=\"713\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/WmqDBgcLihA?wmode=transparent&amp;rel=0&amp;feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/div>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Consider starting a garden journal <\/strong>this year by keeping track of your garden-related activities and items such as planting schedules and charts, vegetable yields, weather records, photos, plant lists, seed packets, pest and disease problems, wildlife sightings, monthly planning lists, etc.<\/li>\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2016\/02\/seedlings-in-flats.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright wp-image-6287 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2016\/02\/seedlings-in-flats-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"flats of seedlings\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" srcset=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2016\/02\/seedlings-in-flats-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2016\/02\/seedlings-in-flats-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2016\/02\/seedlings-in-flats-105x79.jpg 105w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2016\/02\/seedlings-in-flats-317x238.jpg 317w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2016\/02\/seedlings-in-flats-423x317.jpg 423w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2016\/02\/seedlings-in-flats-634x476.jpg 634w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2016\/02\/seedlings-in-flats-846x635.jpg 846w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2016\/02\/seedlings-in-flats-951x713.jpg 951w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2016\/02\/seedlings-in-flats.jpg 1000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 320px) 85vw, (max-width: 768px) 67vw, (max-width: 1024px) 62vw,300px\" \/><\/a><\/strong><strong>Don\u2019t forget<\/strong> to clean and sharpen tools; check hoses and drip lines for leaks and repair as necessary; wash empty plant pots with a 10 percent bleach to water solution; scrub your deck\/patio and hardscapes around your house and garden; and clean out gutters to prevent water from drowning the plants below.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Clean up perennial beds<\/strong> by removing debris from last season. Cut back perennials almost to ground level. Now is also a good time to dig and divide emerging perennials.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Add trellises and supports<\/strong> so plants can utilize them as they grow. Adding supports later can be problematic.<\/li>\n<li>\n<figure id=\"6288\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><a href=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2016\/02\/harvest-for-hunger-plot-and-sign.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-6288 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2016\/02\/harvest-for-hunger-plot-and-sign-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"buckets of fresh produce and the sign for UMaine Extension Maine Harvest for Hunger Norman Steele Plots\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" srcset=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2016\/02\/harvest-for-hunger-plot-and-sign-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2016\/02\/harvest-for-hunger-plot-and-sign-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2016\/02\/harvest-for-hunger-plot-and-sign-105x79.jpg 105w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2016\/02\/harvest-for-hunger-plot-and-sign-317x238.jpg 317w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2016\/02\/harvest-for-hunger-plot-and-sign-423x317.jpg 423w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2016\/02\/harvest-for-hunger-plot-and-sign-634x476.jpg 634w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2016\/02\/harvest-for-hunger-plot-and-sign-846x635.jpg 846w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2016\/02\/harvest-for-hunger-plot-and-sign-951x713.jpg 951w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2016\/02\/harvest-for-hunger-plot-and-sign.jpg 1000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 320px) 85vw, (max-width: 768px) 67vw, (max-width: 1024px) 62vw,300px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Norm Steele Maine Harvest for Hunger Plots. Photo by Amy Witt.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong>Connect with UMaine Extension\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/harvest-for-hunger\/\">Maine Harvest for Hunger program<\/a>.<\/strong> Ways to get involved include growing extra produce and donating it to a local food pantry or a neighbor in need; signing-up with your local UMaine Extension office as a volunteer to help glean produce from local farms and orchards; helping to establish a Maine Harvest for Hunger plot as part of your local community garden.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Attend your local <a href=\"http:\/\/www.mainemapleproducers.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Maine Maple Sunday<\/a> event<\/strong> &#8212; always the 4th Sunday in March!<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><em><a href=\"#top\">Back to top<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p><a name=\"article-1\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"color: #3698d4\"><strong>Prune Your Blueberries!<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><em>By David Handley, Vegetable and Small Fruit Specialist, UMaine Extension<br \/>\n<\/em><\/p>\n<figure id=\"6296\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\"><a href=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2016\/02\/pruning-highbush-blueberries-1.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-6296 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2016\/02\/pruning-highbush-blueberries-1-300x214.jpg\" alt=\"Budding highbush blueberry cane\" width=\"300\" height=\"214\" srcset=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2016\/02\/pruning-highbush-blueberries-1-300x214.jpg 300w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2016\/02\/pruning-highbush-blueberries-1-105x75.jpg 105w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2016\/02\/pruning-highbush-blueberries-1-317x226.jpg 317w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2016\/02\/pruning-highbush-blueberries-1-423x302.jpg 423w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2016\/02\/pruning-highbush-blueberries-1.jpg 552w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 320px) 85vw, (max-width: 768px) 67vw, (max-width: 1024px) 62vw,300px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">There are two types of buds on the blueberry shoot. The larger, tear-dropped shaped buds are flowers buds; each bud will produce a cluster of 6-8 flowers. The smaller pointed buds are vegetative buds, which will give rise to new shoots.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong>Why?<\/strong> Highbush blueberry bushes should be pruned every year to produce regular crops of good quality fruit. Good pruning opens up the bush to more light and air movement, which will reduce disease problems. It also improves berry flavor and size, and encourages earlier ripening.<\/p>\n<p><strong>When?<\/strong> Prune the plants when they are fully dormant, in late winter or early spring. Here in Monmouth, Maine, we usually prune in March, when the snow has receded enough to allow cutting canes back to the base of the plant.<\/p>\n<p><strong>How?<\/strong> For young bushes less than three years old, just cut out any dead branches and weak, spindly growth.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"6298\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><a href=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2016\/02\/pruning-highbush-blueberries-2.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-6298 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2016\/02\/pruning-highbush-blueberries-2-300x202.jpg\" alt=\"Highbush blueberry branches\" width=\"300\" height=\"202\" srcset=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2016\/02\/pruning-highbush-blueberries-2-300x202.jpg 300w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2016\/02\/pruning-highbush-blueberries-2-105x71.jpg 105w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2016\/02\/pruning-highbush-blueberries-2-317x213.jpg 317w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2016\/02\/pruning-highbush-blueberries-2-423x284.jpg 423w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2016\/02\/pruning-highbush-blueberries-2.jpg 552w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 320px) 85vw, (max-width: 768px) 67vw, (max-width: 1024px) 62vw,300px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">The green shoots are last summer\u2019s growth. The gray branches are older growth that are part of the cane. The longer, thicker shoots on the left of the photo (8-10\u201d) should be saved. The weaker shorter shoots on the right should be trimmed off.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Mature blueberry plants (4 years and older) should have six to ten healthy canes coming up from the base of the plant, ranging in age from one to six years old. The canes will vary in height from 4 to 6 feet, depending on variety. Each year prune the plants as follows:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Prune out any weak, low-growing or diseased canes.<\/li>\n<li>Prune out any canes that are more than six years old (these are usually the thickest canes, with gray, peeling bark). Older canes are less productive and should be pruned out in favor of younger, more vigorous canes. The most productive canes on a blueberry bush are three to five years old. Cut the old canes back to ground. Leave six to seven vigorous two- to five-year-old canes and two or three one-year-old canes per bush.<\/li>\n<li>Now move into the upper part of the plant and trim out any weak branches that have no vigorous new shoot growth on them, especially those in the center of the bush that are likely to be shaded. Then thin out the fruiting shoots on the remaining branches. These are the shoots that grew out last summer and are typically green or reddish in color and vary in length from two to ten inches. They have swollen teardrop-shaped fruit buds near the tip, and smaller, pointed vegetative buds towards the base. Each fruit bud will produce a cluster of about six flowers in the spring. Trim out the shorter, weaker shoots, especially those less than six inches in length.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<table width=\"80%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"6\" align=\"center\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"border-color: #ffffff;width: 50%;text-align: center;vertical-align: middle\" width=\"50%\"><a href=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2016\/02\/buds1.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-6300 size-medium\" style=\"border: 0px\" src=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2016\/02\/buds1-300x269.jpg\" alt=\"Figure 1. Fruit and vegetative buds on a blueberry shoot\" width=\"300\" height=\"269\" srcset=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2016\/02\/buds1-300x269.jpg 300w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2016\/02\/buds1-768x689.jpg 768w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2016\/02\/buds1-105x94.jpg 105w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2016\/02\/buds1-317x284.jpg 317w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2016\/02\/buds1-423x379.jpg 423w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2016\/02\/buds1-634x569.jpg 634w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2016\/02\/buds1-846x759.jpg 846w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2016\/02\/buds1-951x853.jpg 951w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2016\/02\/buds1.jpg 1000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 320px) 85vw, (max-width: 768px) 67vw, (max-width: 1024px) 62vw,300px\" \/><\/a><\/td>\n<td style=\"border-color: #ffffff;width: 50%;text-align: center;vertical-align: middle\" width=\"50%\"><a href=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2016\/02\/prune2.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-6301 size-medium\" style=\"border: 0px\" src=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2016\/02\/prune2-300x253.jpg\" alt=\"Illustration showing Figure 2. Dormant blueberry pruning, before and after. Weak shoots. strong shoots, and canes are identified. Weak shoots are removed in the After pruning illustration.\" width=\"300\" height=\"253\" srcset=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2016\/02\/prune2-300x253.jpg 300w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2016\/02\/prune2-768x647.jpg 768w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2016\/02\/prune2-105x88.jpg 105w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2016\/02\/prune2-317x267.jpg 317w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2016\/02\/prune2-423x356.jpg 423w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2016\/02\/prune2-634x534.jpg 634w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2016\/02\/prune2-846x712.jpg 846w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2016\/02\/prune2-951x801.jpg 951w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2016\/02\/prune2.jpg 1000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 320px) 85vw, (max-width: 768px) 67vw, (max-width: 1024px) 62vw,300px\" \/><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"border-color: #ffffff\" colspan=\"2\"><em>Remove any weak, or broken spindly canes, and canes older that six years. Leave 6-10 healthy, vigorous canes. Remove any weak branches on the remaining canes that show no vigorous one-year-old shoot growth. Thin the remaining one year shoots, leaving only the longest thickest shoots (6-10\u201d), with good fruit buds.<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>That\u2019s it! This should leave you with a bush with about ten canes, ranging in age from one to six years old, each with several branches that have strong fruiting shoots on them. Once you get the knack of it, it really shouldn\u2019t take more that about ten minutes to prune a bush; otherwise, you\u2019re thinking too hard.<\/p>\n<p><em><strong>Note:<\/strong><\/em> One of the myths of pruning is that it will increase yield. Quite the opposite is true. If you are doing a good job of pruning a blueberry bush about one-half of the potential crop will be removed. However, the payoff will be in the improved quality of the fruit, reduced disease problems, and more dependable crops.<\/p>\n<p><strong>For more information<\/strong>, see <a href=\"http:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/publications\/2253e\/\">Bulletin #2253, Growing Highbush Blueberries<\/a> or watch the video below.<\/p>\n<div class=\"responsive-video\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"How to Prune a Blueberry Bush\" width=\"1268\" height=\"713\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/fm6ZfpGy5oQ?wmode=transparent&amp;rel=0&amp;feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/div>\n<p><a href=\"#top\"><em>Back to top<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p><a name=\"article-2\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"color: #3698d4\"><strong>Staff Favorites &#8212; Pussy Willow (<em>Salix discolor<\/em>)<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><em>By Kate Garland,\u00a0Horticulturalist, UMaine Extension Penobscot County <\/em><\/p>\n<figure id=\"6367\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><a href=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2016\/02\/male-salix-inflorescence-Brian-Johnston.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-6367 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2016\/02\/male-salix-inflorescence-Brian-Johnston-200x300.jpg\" alt=\"salix inflorescence\" width=\"200\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2016\/02\/male-salix-inflorescence-Brian-Johnston-200x300.jpg 200w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2016\/02\/male-salix-inflorescence-Brian-Johnston-93x140.jpg 93w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2016\/02\/male-salix-inflorescence-Brian-Johnston-317x476.jpg 317w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2016\/02\/male-salix-inflorescence-Brian-Johnston-423x635.jpg 423w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2016\/02\/male-salix-inflorescence-Brian-Johnston.jpg 432w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 320px) 85vw, (max-width: 768px) 67vw, (max-width: 1024px) 62vw,200px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Male willow inflorescence. Photo by Brian Johnston.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>My sweet, innocent mother once attracted the attention of the local police on a sunny day in March years ago, when she was caught traveling down a bumpy, dead-end dirt road in pursuit of her favorite harbinger of spring: pussy willow (<i>Salix discolor<\/i>). The police officer checking on this shady wanderer was amused at her mission and let her go without trouble, but the story was cemented on our family record. Many Mainers share this deep fondness for pussy willow stems because the silken buds indicate longer days and warmer temperatures are on the way. However, people often are not aware of the fascinating biology that is behind the buds, its importance in pollinator habitat, and the role it can play in managed landscapes.<\/p>\n<h3><b>Biology and pollinator habitat<\/b><\/h3>\n<p>If you\u2019ve ever placed pussy willow cuttings in water, you know they\u2019ll eventually swell into a yellow or greenish\/yellow mass, sometimes leaving large amounts of golden dust behind. This is because water moves into the buds, allowing them to develop into a collection of flowers (inflorescence). What\u2019s especially interesting is that all flowers from a single plant will be the same gender. In other words, there are male pussy willow plants and female pussy willow plants. The botanical term for this is \u201cdioecous,\u201d from the Greek <i>dioecy<\/i>, meaning \u201ctwo houses.\u201d Male plants tend to develop larger, showier buds, but either gender plant will have the distinctive fuzziness.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"6394\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><a href=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2016\/02\/female-salix-inflorescence.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-6394 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2016\/02\/female-salix-inflorescence-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"Female willow inflorescence\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" srcset=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2016\/02\/female-salix-inflorescence-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2016\/02\/female-salix-inflorescence-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2016\/02\/female-salix-inflorescence-105x79.jpg 105w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2016\/02\/female-salix-inflorescence-317x238.jpg 317w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2016\/02\/female-salix-inflorescence-423x317.jpg 423w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2016\/02\/female-salix-inflorescence-634x476.jpg 634w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2016\/02\/female-salix-inflorescence-846x635.jpg 846w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2016\/02\/female-salix-inflorescence-951x713.jpg 951w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2016\/02\/female-salix-inflorescence.jpg 1000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 320px) 85vw, (max-width: 768px) 67vw, (max-width: 1024px) 62vw,300px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Female willow inflorescence. \u00a9 Arthur Haines, New England Wild Flower Society.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Wind and insects pollinate willow flowers, which are very important sources of nectar and pollen in the early season. Take a moment to observe a willow in bloom on a warm day this spring and you\u2019ll be amazed at the amount of activity and the diversity of insects supported by this species. It\u2019s another excellent example of the natural reciprocal partnership between our native plants and the native insect species they support.<\/p>\n<p>A number of different willow species co-exist in the wild and have a tendency to cross-pollinate promiscuously resulting in hybrid seeds. The best means to propagate willows is by hardwood cuttings taken in early spring. See <a href=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/publications\/2410e\/\">Plant Propagation in Maine<\/a> for more details.<\/p>\n<h3><b>Landscape use<\/b><\/h3>\n<p>As mentioned<i>, Salix discolor<\/i> is native to Maine. It thrives in medium to wet soils and full sun to part shade, but performs best in full sun and moist soil where it can grow up to 15&#8242; tall and spread about 12&#8242; wide. If this seems too large for your liking, it\u2019s possible to maintain the shrub at a smaller height through annual pruning. Other than that occasional intervention, this is a true low-maintenance plant with very few problems. It makes a great addition to a natural looking mixed hedge or rain garden.<\/p>\n<p>This plant deserves a spot in more home landscapes. We gifted mom her own pussy willow shrub for her birthday a few years ago, now planted in a moist sunny swale along their property line. Hopefully she won\u2019t find herself \u201cin trouble\u201d with the law again.<\/p>\n<p><em><a href=\"#top\"><em>Back to top<\/em><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p><a name=\"article-3\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h2><strong><span style=\"color: #3698d4\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright wp-image-6339 size-medium\" style=\"border: 0px\" src=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2016\/02\/one-tomato-300x132.jpg\" alt=\"One Tomato logo\" width=\"300\" height=\"132\" srcset=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2016\/02\/one-tomato-300x132.jpg 300w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2016\/02\/one-tomato-105x46.jpg 105w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2016\/02\/one-tomato-317x140.jpg 317w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2016\/02\/one-tomato-423x187.jpg 423w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2016\/02\/one-tomato.jpg 519w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 320px) 85vw, (max-width: 768px) 67vw, (max-width: 1024px) 62vw,300px\" \/>Two Years of One Tomato<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><em>By Donna Coffin, Extension Educator, UMaine Extension Piscataquis County<br \/>\n<\/em><\/p>\n<p>If you haven\u2019t grown a garden ever or it has been a long time since you had a garden, planting a garden seems intimidating and overwhelming to some folks. To try to encourage more people to grow their own vegetables, UMaine Extension Piscataquis County Executive Committee funded the One Tomato project.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2016\/02\/janet-and-karen-at-one-tomato.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright wp-image-6336 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2016\/02\/janet-and-karen-at-one-tomato-300x224.jpg\" alt=\"Janet and Karen at One Tomato\" width=\"300\" height=\"224\" srcset=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2016\/02\/janet-and-karen-at-one-tomato-300x224.jpg 300w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2016\/02\/janet-and-karen-at-one-tomato-768x574.jpg 768w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2016\/02\/janet-and-karen-at-one-tomato-105x79.jpg 105w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2016\/02\/janet-and-karen-at-one-tomato-317x237.jpg 317w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2016\/02\/janet-and-karen-at-one-tomato-423x316.jpg 423w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2016\/02\/janet-and-karen-at-one-tomato-634x474.jpg 634w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2016\/02\/janet-and-karen-at-one-tomato-846x633.jpg 846w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2016\/02\/janet-and-karen-at-one-tomato-951x711.jpg 951w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2016\/02\/janet-and-karen-at-one-tomato.jpg 1000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 320px) 85vw, (max-width: 768px) 67vw, (max-width: 1024px) 62vw,300px\" \/><\/a>In the past two years, one cherry tomato plant was given to 495 folks at food cupboards, a community event, and at the UMaine Extension office, to plant in a container or in a garden to take care of and harvest during the growing season. Participants were given fact sheets on container gardening and could sign up for a newsletter or view Facebook postings. Seventy-five plants were given to a prison garden that provides food for the food cupboards.<\/p>\n<p>Of the 495 people who completed the survey, 78 (16%) had never gardened and this was their first garden, 90 (18%) have only gardened 1 to 3 years. 167 (46%) signed up for the electronic newsletter. For 25% of the people, this was the first contact they had with UMaine Extension.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright wp-image-6337 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2016\/02\/one-red-cherry-tomato.jpg\" alt=\"One Cherry Tomato\" width=\"280\" height=\"291\" srcset=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2016\/02\/one-red-cherry-tomato.jpg 280w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2016\/02\/one-red-cherry-tomato-105x109.jpg 105w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 320px) 85vw, (max-width: 768px) 67vw, (max-width: 1024px) 62vw,280px\" \/>A mid-season (38 gardeners) and end-of-season (39 gardeners) oral interview was done to assess the progress of the plants. 23% of gardeners were male and 77% female. Plant health was rated at good (81%), bad (14%) or the plant died (5%). At the end of the season, 19% had no harvest, 38% harvested a handful of cherry tomatoes, 19% harvested a bowl full, and 25% said they harvested a bucket full of tomatoes. If the handful (cup) was valued at $1, the bowl full (pint) at $5, and the bucket full (gallon) at $20 then the estimated value of harvest of all plants distributed was over $3,100.<\/p>\n<p><em><a href=\"#top\"><em>Back to top<\/em><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p><a name=\"article-4\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h2><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2016\/02\/maple-syrup-products.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright wp-image-6381 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2016\/02\/maple-syrup-products-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"Maine maple syrup products for sale on shelves of sugar house\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" srcset=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2016\/02\/maple-syrup-products-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2016\/02\/maple-syrup-products-768x511.jpg 768w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2016\/02\/maple-syrup-products-105x70.jpg 105w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2016\/02\/maple-syrup-products-317x211.jpg 317w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2016\/02\/maple-syrup-products-423x281.jpg 423w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2016\/02\/maple-syrup-products-634x422.jpg 634w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2016\/02\/maple-syrup-products-846x563.jpg 846w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2016\/02\/maple-syrup-products-951x632.jpg 951w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2016\/02\/maple-syrup-products.jpg 1000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 320px) 85vw, (max-width: 768px) 67vw, (max-width: 1024px) 62vw,300px\" \/><\/a>Food &amp; Nutrition:<\/strong><\/h2>\n<h2><span style=\"color: #3698d4\"><strong>Make Mine REAL Maple Syrup!<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><em>By Kathy Savoie, MS, RD, Associate Extension Professor, UMaine Extension<\/em><\/p>\n<p>There is no better way to celebrate the arrival of spring than to enjoy the true New England flavor of real maple syrup. Having grown up in Vermont, I have a true affinity for real maple syrup and cannot be fooled by substitutes. The arrival of maple cream, maple sugar candy or maple syrup is cause for a moment of silence in my home. It is a burst of nature\u2019s wonder in my mouth that satisfies my soul.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2016\/02\/maple-syrup-sugar-house-2.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright wp-image-6390 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2016\/02\/maple-syrup-sugar-house-2-200x300.jpg\" alt=\"Maine maple syrup producer talks with Extension educator outside his sugar shack\" width=\"200\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2016\/02\/maple-syrup-sugar-house-2-200x300.jpg 200w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2016\/02\/maple-syrup-sugar-house-2-93x140.jpg 93w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2016\/02\/maple-syrup-sugar-house-2-317x476.jpg 317w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2016\/02\/maple-syrup-sugar-house-2-423x635.jpg 423w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2016\/02\/maple-syrup-sugar-house-2-634x952.jpg 634w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2016\/02\/maple-syrup-sugar-house-2.jpg 666w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 320px) 85vw, (max-width: 768px) 67vw, (max-width: 1024px) 62vw,200px\" \/><\/a>The bounty of maple-based products goes far beyond the traditional maple syrup on pancakes. Have you tried maple coated nuts, maple cream, maple butter, maple taffy, maple cotton candy, or maple sugar candy? Take an opportunity to explore the world of maple products and a sugar house on <strong>Maine Maple Sunday, celebrated across the state on March 27, 2016<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>Most people associate maple syrup with pancakes. Consider using the following Rolled Oats Convenience Mix to make your next batch of pancakes. Rolled oats are a source of whole grains and provide a boost of fiber beyond typical pancake recipes. Preparing and using your own homemade convenience mix is a way for busy folks to be prepared in advance for those early morning pancake breakfasts requests while saving money and having greater control over the nutritional value of foods for their family.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>Rolled Oats Convenience Mix<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><em>2 cups flour<\/em><br \/>\n<em>2 cups whole wheat flour<\/em><br \/>\n<em>4 cups quick-cooking oats (not instant)<\/em><br \/>\n<em>1 \u00bd cups nonfat dry milk<\/em><br \/>\n<em>\u00bc cup baking powder<\/em><br \/>\n<em>2\/3 cup canola oil<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Put all ingredients except oil in large bowl and stir until very well mixed. Pour in oil and with a fork or pastry blender stir until well blended. Cover and refrigerate; will keep 1 month.<\/p>\n<p><strong>NOTE: <\/strong>Store in airtight glass jars or canisters. To measure, spoon into cup, pack lightly and level off. Makes 10 cups<\/p>\n<h3><strong>Oat Pancakes<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><em>1 \u00bd cups Rolled Oats Convenience Mix<\/em><br \/>\n<em>1 cup water<\/em><br \/>\n<em>1 egg<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Stir all ingredients in a bowl with a spoon until blended. Cook on hot griddle or skillet until brown on both sides. Makes about 16, three-inch pancakes.<\/p>\n<p>If you are wondering how much maple syrup you should use in place of white sugar, it depends on whether that recipe is for baking or general cooking.<\/p>\n<p>In baking, replace 1 cup of white sugar with 3\/4 cup of maple syrup and reduce by 3 tablespoons the other liquid content in the recipe for every cup of maple syrup used. Because maple syrup is brown and granulated sugar is white, this replacement will darken your baked goods and cause them to brown quicker.<\/p>\n<p>To substitute maple syrup for sugar in other types of cooking, use three quarters of maple syrup as the sugar called for.<\/p>\n<p>Keep in mind that maple syrup is not as sweet as white sugar and therefore this substitution formula will likely yield a less sweet result than the original recipe.<\/p>\n<p>For more information and recipes on how to use convenience mixes as well as how to tap your own maple trees and make maple syrup, check out the University of Maine Cooperative Extension at <a href=\"http:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/\">extension.umaine.edu<\/a><\/p>\n<p><em><a href=\"#top\">Back to top<\/a><\/em><\/p>\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><strong>Let us know if you would like to be notified when new issues are posted. To receive e-mail notifications <a href=\"http:\/\/eepurl.com\/gtJGR5\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">fill out our online form<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>For more information or questions, contact <span class=\"gI\">Lynne Hazelton at <a href=\"mailto:lynne.b.hazelton@maine.edu\">lynne.b.hazelton@maine.edu<\/a><\/span> or 1.800.287.1471 (in Maine).<\/p>\n<p><strong>Visit our <a href=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/maine-home-garden-news\/archives\/\">Archives<\/a> 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, with Katherine Garland, UMaine Extension Horticulturalist in Penobscot County, serving as editor.<\/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 2016<\/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>March Is the Month to . . . Prune Your Blueberries! Staff Favorites &#8212; Pussy Willow (Salix discolor) Two Years of One Tomato Food &amp; Nutrition: Make Mine REAL Maple Syrup! March Is the Month to . . . By Amy Witt, Home Horticulturist, UMaine Exyension Cumberland County Prune fruit trees and certain woody landscape [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_kad_blocks_custom_css":"","_kad_blocks_head_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_body_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_footer_custom_js":"","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[28],"class_list":["post-6282","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-maine-home-garden-news","tag-maine-home-garden-news"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.2 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Maine Home Garden News - March 2016 - 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\/2016\/03\/01\/maine-home-garden-news-march-2016\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Maine Home Garden News - March 2016 - Cooperative Extension: Garden and Yard - University of Maine Cooperative Extension\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"March Is the Month to . . . Prune Your Blueberries! Staff Favorites &#8212; Pussy Willow (Salix discolor) Two Years of One Tomato Food &amp; Nutrition: Make Mine REAL Maple Syrup! March Is the Month to . . . 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