Cooperative Extension in Washington County

University of Maine Cooperative Extension has a new publication in response to a common issue — how to manage woodchucks (Marmota monax) on lawns and in gardens in Maine. “Managing Woodchucks on Your Maine Property” includes recommendations to help protect vegetable gardens and prevent destructive tunneling, as well as techniques to avoid based on the biology […]

Hay and forage producers in Maine have experienced some major swings in weather over the past two years. Excessive rain delayed harvests last season, reducing quality, and this year excessively dry conditions in some parts of the state are reducing yields for second and third cuttings. University of Maine Cooperative Extension hosts a hay and […]

August yields some favorite fruits and vegetables for preserving. Learn how to savor summer flavors all year with four new live University of Maine Cooperative Extension food preservation webinars.  Freezing fruit is the topic 2–2:45 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 4. Topics at the same time on subsequent Tuesdays in August include steam canning, freezing tomatoes and […]

University of Maine Cooperative Extension will host a free, five-part livestock nutrition webinar series beginning 6–8 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 6. The series continues Thursdays through Sept. 3. Topics include basic nutrition needs of beef cattle, small ruminants, pigs and poultry, as well as processing expectations. Colt Knight, UMaine Extension assistant professor and state livestock specialist, […]

University of Maine Cooperative Extension is offering a new training resource for the maple syrup industry as part of the International Maple Syrup Institute Maple Grading School.  The Handbook for Maple Grading and Judging Training is a series of nine videos and related resources designed to equip anyone with the knowledge and skills needed to […]

Gardening doesn’t have to stop when the traditional growing season ends in Maine. University of Maine Cooperative Extension will offer a webinar focused on how to build a movable greenhouse to extend the growing season noon–1 p.m. Aug. 3. “All Season Gardening,” led by UMaine Extension educators Frank Wertheim and Marjorie Peronto, will discuss how […]

University of Maine Cooperative Extension plant pathologist Alicyn Smart recently began receiving reports of Maine lawns turning black in certain areas during the recent drought. Smart determined the cause is a fungal disease commonly known as “black lawn,” which is caused by the pathogen Cladosporium sp. It occurs when grass becomes stressed, such as times […]

University of Maine Cooperative Extension is hosting weekly wild blueberry virtual field days 5–6:30 p.m. Thursdays from July 9 to July 30. Lily Calderwood, an assistant professor of horticulture with UMaine Extension, will begin by leading a session about weeds, mulch and fertilizers applied to leaves.  The sessions are free and require no registration. More […]