Joanna Woodward recently joined UConn Extension as the Master Gardener Coordinator for Tolland County. Prior to joining Extension, she spent 30 years in corporate IT working in training and help desk services, project management, library and information services, and then technology adoption and education. Joanna emigrated from the United Kingdom almost 20 years ago and earned her bachelor in science in Technical Management.
What is your area of interest?
Since retiring and completing the Master Gardeners program, I have an interest in native plants and landscape design with a view to supporting wildlife in our gardens. I maintain my interest in technology adoption and education which began in the early 90’s training secretaries how to use word processors. I was lucky to be around at a time when technology was being introduced into the workplace for the first time.
What excites you the most about working with UConn Extension?
I’m looking forward to engaging with each of the Tolland County Master Gardeners, with the team of Master Gardener Coordinators and looking to collaboration opportunities with other Extension programs. The 2024 program will be online in Tolland so I’m excited to use my previous experience as a technology educator to engage with the new interns.
What is one thing you hope people will learn from you and your work?
I hope the new Master Gardeners enjoy their gardening learning experience and become even more curious about the natural world through the program.
What is your favorite thing to do in Connecticut?
I enjoy walking with my dog in the Connecticut state parks.
What are some of your hobbies and other interests?
I am a Master Gardener volunteer at the Connecticut Audubon Society Roger Tory Peterson Estuary Center in Old Lyme and at Camp Harkness in Waterford. I belong to the local garden club and manage their website. I have recently purchased a Cannon DSLR camera and am learning about nature photography. I am a member of two book clubs, one in the U.S. and one in the U.K. and listen to audio books and subscribe to gardening podcasts. I love watching British TV programs (Gardeners World included of course) which keep me connected to my family back at home. My family here consists of my husband, three grown up children, two moggy cats and a cockerpoo.
Do you enjoy horticulture and want to expand your knowledge and also help others? Apply for the 2024 UConn Extension Master Gardener program. Applications are due October 13, 2023 and classes begin on January 8, 2024. Class locations for 2024 are Stamford, Norwich, Torrington, New Haven, and online.
Students enrolled in this program receive training in an extensive range of horticultural and environmental topics, including botany, plant pathology, entomology, integrated pest management (IPM), herbaceous and woody ornamentals, fruits, vegetables, turfgrass, invasive plants, and diagnostic techniques for the home gardener.
“I have to say that the quality of the instruction was exceptional. Many of the topics brought me back to my time at UConn as a plant science major, classes that took a semester condensed to a single class,” said Althea Langer, a program graduate. “My outlook on my own garden and those of others has definitely been impacted by this course. I’m much more aware of nature and that we need to be guardians of it by how we all treat our own small spaces.”
UConn Extension Master Gardeners are willing to share their knowledge, passion and enthusiasm with their communities, providing research-based information to homeowners, students, gardening communities and others. They receive horticultural training from UConn, and then share that knowledge with the public through community volunteering and educational outreach efforts. UConn Master Gardeners help with community and museum gardens, school gardens, backyard projects, houseplant questions and more.
“The program provides the opportunity for beginner, intermediate or experienced gardeners to increase their personal knowledge of the practice of gardening … The program allows you to meet with like-minded people over a common interest – growing plants,” said Ken Sherrick, an Advanced Master Gardener.
The program fee is $495.00 and includes all needed course materials. Partial scholarships may be available, based on demonstrated financial need.
Full UConn Extension Master Gardener program course details and information and the application is available at s.uconn.edu/apply.
It’s the final day of UConn Gives! Yesterday was a great day as we reached the halfway mark towards our $20,000 goal. So many of you stepped up and donated to the Master Gardener program – Thank you to all who have donated thus far!
But now it’s the home stretch and we’re hoping to finish as the group with the most donors. If we do, the Master Gardener program receives an additional $5,000 from the UConn Foundation AND an additional $500 from our college’s dean, Indrajeet Chaubey.
We finished yesterday in first place, but keeping the top spot is not guaranteed.
If you have already donated, thank you! If you haven’t, please consider a modest donation that will add to our donor tally. Your $5 or $10 donation could be the one that puts an additional $5,500 in our account. Generous folks like you who understand the good that Master Gardeners do in our communities can make the difference in this campaign.
Your gift will support the program by providing financial resources, meaning we can concentrate on what we do best – gardening and teaching. As a primarily self-funded program, any amount is appreciated – and, whether it’s $5, $25 or $100, your donation gets us closer to the $5,500 bonus!
Friends’ Garden Team weeding and mulching one of the 20 native Acer rubrum and Nyssa sylvatica they planted along the East Beach. Photo: Michele Sorenson
APPLY TO BECOME A UCONN EXTENSION MASTER GARDENER – 2023 classes will include hybrid and virtual options
The hot, hazy summer days are a great time to plan for next year’s gardening activities! Apply now for the 2023 UConn Extension Master Gardener Program. Classes will be held in Farmington, Brooklyn, Haddam, and Stamford along with an entirely online option. The deadline for applications is Friday, October 14, 2022.
“The program provides the opportunity for beginner, intermediate or experienced gardeners to increase their personal knowledge of the practice of gardening … The program allows you to meet with like-minded people over a common interest – growing plants,” says Advanced Master Gardener Ken Sherrick of Middletown.
UConn Extension Master Gardeners have an interest in plants, gardening, people and the environment. Specifically, they are willing to share their knowledge, passion and enthusiasm with their communities, providing research-based information to homeowners, students, gardening communities and others. They receive horticultural training from UConn, and then share that knowledge with the public through community volunteering and educational outreach efforts. UConn Master Gardeners help with community and museum gardens, school gardens, backyard projects, houseplant questions and more.
Four of the program cohorts will be in a hybrid class format, with three to four hours of online work before each of 16 weekly in-person classes, running from 9 AM to 1 PM. There will be one entirely online cohort, on Thursday mornings hosted by the Fairfield County Extension Center.
Classes begin the week of January 9, 2023. Subject matter includes basic botany, plant pathology, soils, entomology and other aspects of gardening such as plant categories, native plants, and pest management. After the classroom portion, students complete 60 hours of outreach experience during the summer, along with a plant identification project.
“The Master Gardener program gave me an understanding the role of plants and insects within the ecosystem, which fostered a passion for removing invasive plants,” says Advanced Master Gardener Karen Berger of Canton, who now volunteers on a project to remove invasives, replacing them with native plants that benefit the local environment.
The program fee is $475.00, and includes all needed course materials. Partial scholarships may be available, based on demonstrated financial need.
More information and the application are available at the UConn Extension Master Gardener website at www.mastergardener.uconn.edu .
Volunteers are the heart of UConn Extension Master Gardener Program, UConn CLIR program, and our UConn 4-H program. We were honored to recognize a few of them for their contributions at an event on June 16, 2022. In total, our volunteers donated 156,597 hours (the equivalent of 6,524 days) to our programs in 2021. Thank you all for being a vital part of our Extension work! More information about our volunteer programs is available on our website. The following individuals were recognized for their contributions.
2022 UConn Master Gardener Acorn to Oak Award
Marlene Mayes
Marlene Mayes has been a constant at the Foodshare Garden at Auerfarm for the last two decades. She and the garden both began their Master Gardener relationship in 2004 when then-intern Marlene was one of the initial volunteers who dug, planted and nurtured the first rows of vegetables in a former hayfield at the Bloomfield farm. From those humble beginnings Marlene dreamed, encouraged, cajoled, taught and inspired literally hundreds of volunteers – both Master Gardeners and others – to help build the 50+ bed garden that exists today.
Throughout the years, Marlene has introduced countless would-be gardeners to the skills and satisfaction of growing healthy food, both for themselves and for those in need. The garden has yielded over one ton of food annually for Foodshare in several recent years, and volunteers from all walks of life have discovered the pleasures and the satisfaction of providing for those in need in our communities.
This year, as the garden undergoes a major renovation and upgrade, it is only fitting to honor the person who has been the constant, the rock, the teacher and the inspiration with the Extension Master Gardener Acorn to Oak Award.
2022 UConn Master Gardener Project Pollinator Award
Katherine Kosiba
Look carefully at almost any public garden project in the Colchester area and you will find that Katherine Kosiba was there at the beginning. A Master Gardener since 2007, Katherine has shared her passion for gardening and the environment with anyone and everyone who has shown an interest. Both as president of the Colchester Club and as a Colchester resident, her enthusiasm and inclusive attitude is on display throughout the area. Town parks, senior centers public road medians and the library are all beautified and ecologically healthier sites with diverse gardens and plantings spearheaded by Katherine.
Master Gardeners interns in the Haddam office are also the beneficiaries of Katherine’s energy and generosity as she guides many of them through their first outreach projects, demonstrating not only the nitty-gritty gardening details, but also the organizational and planning skills that are crucial to a successful endeavor. Additionally, she has provided many a nervous Master Gardener with a welcoming venue for their first public talk!
For her tireless efforts developing so many projects and moving from one to the next, and the next, we are delighted to present Katherine Kosiba with the Extension Master Gardener Project Pollinator Award.
2022 CLIR (Center for Learning in Retirement) Outstanding Lifetime Volunteer Award
Compton Rees
Compton passed away on March 14 shortly after being told of his recognition for his longtime service to CLIR. Compton is a charter member of CLIR joining immediately after his retirement as a UConn English professor. Over almost 30 years as a member of CLIR, he has presented many classes on Shakespeare’s works and served for years as a member of the CLIR Executive Council including as vice-president several times.
Howard Raphaelson
Howard has been a CLIR member for 25 years, serving on the CLIR Executive Council as Treasurer for several terms where he worked tirelessly to coordinate CLIR’s bookkeeping with UConn and State of Connecticut accounting practices.
Erika Kares
Erika has been a CLIR member for 24 years with more than a decade of service on the CLIR Executive Council.
2020 UConn 4-H Rising Star Award
Stephanie Bicknell
As a 4-H member Stephanie participated in many of the local, state and regional activities which support the 4-H dairy project. She became a volunteer shortly after aging out as a member and has taken on major leadership with her club “Herds ‘R Us” and serves as the organizational leader. She also continues to work with the Middlesex & New Haven 4-H Fair and serves as a Fair Program Advisor – one of the key volunteers working with the 4-H Fair Association and the Extension 4-H Staff. She supports all of the tenets of the 4-H program and epitomizes what the experience in the 4-H program provides for a young person.
Stephen Gustafson
Steve helped create and is the leader of the Paca Pals 4-H club. The Paca Pals are an alpaca club. Steve found a place for the youth to learn and grow in the Tolland Agricultural Center (TAC) 4-H Children’s Garden. The garden was established in 2002 and has been maintained by the 4-H club program for many years. A neighbor of the TAC property is the Creative Living Community of Connecticut (CLCC) greenhouse and vocational program. The work of CLCC is to create opportunities for people with and without disabilities to work and learn together. Steve has been instrumental in fostering a partnership between the 4-H club and CLCC. Working with CLCC the 4-H club members learn vocational skills and working with diverse populations. Steve is able to weave science, healthy living and civic engagement into all aspects of the 4- H program through his dedication and hard work.
Megan Hatt
Megan has been a leader of the Happy Hoofbeats 4-H club since 2015. She is passionate about 4-H and horses. She is a positive influence on both the county horse program as well as the public speaking program. Megan is always ready to put teams together and arrange practice for the state horse contests and has served as the coach for 4-H teams participating in the Eastern National 4-H Horse Roundup. She is very involved in the New London County 4-H Fair and has helped to create a Horse Exhibition at the fair which includes clinics and games and leadership opportunities for the youth involved. She is generous with her own horses, time and equipment and believes that 4-H helped her become a successful adult and wants to help others find these benefits as they grow.
2021 UConn 4-H Rising Star Award
Margaret Hall
Peg Hall has been an incredibly active, supportive and positive presence in Litchfield County 4-H since she established the Diggity Dogs 4-H Club 8 years ago. She has also helped to establish and is serving as a co-leader for a new club, the Grow Getters 4-H club. This new club, the first horticulture based club in Litchfield County drew over 20 new members to its first meeting. They exist because of Peg’s hard work and determination to help a local garden center owner who is new to 4-H get this club established. Peg also serves as a Litchfield County 4-H Fair Association director. Her involvement includes helping to plan and implement the fair as well as cleaning up the fairgrounds. Peg has also been instrumental in the success of the Operation Community Impact dairy distribution program which provides milk to over 1400 food insecure familes in Litchfield County.
Lauren Manuck
Lauren is an alum of the Hartford County 4-H Program. She is currently serving as a club leader of the 4-H Clovers. She has also jumped into action on the county level as well serving as a Hartford County 4-H Advisory Committee member and as a 4-H Fair advisor since 2013. Within Advisory, Lauren eagerly steps up and takes the lead on projects, ensuring that youth thougout UConn 4-H have numerous opportunities to participate in activities beyond the club level. She has been instrumental in the success of the Nutrition and Food Show, Hartford County Teen and Volunteer Banquet and Awards Night to name a few. She was a recipient of the 2020 Winding Brook Community Service Award for her efforts in assisting with the Operation Community Impact milk and ice cream distribution in Hartford County. She continues to see opportunities to provide nutrition education and work with youth.
2020 UConn 4-H Hall of Fame Award
Colleen Augur
Colleen is the organizational leader of one of New Haven County’s largest and most active 4-H clubs. Colleen works with 4-5 registered 4-H volunteers conducting 4-H meetings and teaching the youth how to care and manage their animals which are primarily dairy and beef. The member’s involvement does not stop at the club level. Yearly, they have 100 percent participation in the 4-H fair ad campaign, showing at the 4-H fair and other county activities. Her teen members become managers, superintendents and officers in the 4-H fair on a regular basis. Colleen often provides project animals from her own herd for members without animals of their own, helping the members transport their project animals to and from the fair. Colleen shares her love of farming, agriculture and 4-H with youth and the general public. She is a great example of what youth can learn and achieve with hard work and responsibility.
Stephen and Nancy Hayes
Some people choose to join 4-H, other, such as the Hayes family, are born into it. Stephen and Nancy Hayes have made a lifelong commitment to 4-H. Both are guiding forces for the Granby 4-H club and have been instrumental in many other aspects of the Hartford County 4-H Program. Nancy has served the goat program in Hartford County and UConn 4-H extensively. For 15 years Nancy has been instrumental in the very successful UConn 4-H Goat Day. In 2017 a robotics team was formed as part of Granby 4-H. Stephen became involved as a mentor to members, sharing his programming knowledge. Shortly after that Nancy became involved. Both Stephen and Nancy spend hundreds of hours meeting several times a week with the youth members. They are both skilled in empowering the youth to make decisions, allowing them to safely ask questions without hesitation, make mistakes, master their skills, then celebrate the successes as a team and individuals.
2021 UConn 4-H Hall of Fame Award
Wendy Kennedy
For over 35 years Wendy has been an active part of the success of the Litchfield County 4-H Program. She grew up in Litchfield County 4-H and has been the co-leader of the Busy Farmers 4-H Dairy Club for over 20 years. As a club leader Wendy makes sure her members hold regular meetings, participate in county and state-wide activities and that members are learning something while having fun. She has served as a director on the county 4-H Fair Association for many years. She serves on the Board of Directors for the Litchfield County 4-H foundation and has held many leadership positions on the foundation board. She has volunteered to chaperon many county and state-wide 4-H trips and was also involved in the Operation Community Impact dairy distribution project providing over 1400 food insecure families with dairy products. Wendy embodies the true spirit of 4-H in everything that she does.
Patricia Miele Bianchi
Pat grew up in a home where 4-H was a significant component of daily life and she was an active and enthusiastic 4-Her. She served as a club leader for 18 years and helped foster an interest in 4-H in many youth including her own children. Pat served as a Hartford County 4-H Camp Trustee holding numerous officer positions and participating on many committees. In addition to her work with 4-H camp, Pat is involved as a Director within the Hartford County 4-H Fair Association. Pat’s county-wide contributions include judging for the Nutrition and Food show, the Fashion Review as well as for the County and State Public Speaking Contests. Her experience with Toastmasters has contributed to the learning of public speaking contestants. On a broader level, Pat was active in the College’s Strategic Visioning process. She uses her first-hand experiences as a 4-H’er and volunteer to champion the positive impact that 4-H has on the lives of young people.
2020 4-H Salute to Excellence – Volunteer of the Year Regional Winner
Stephen Gustafson
Steve helped create and is the leader of the Paca Pals 4-H club. The Paca Pals are an alpaca club. Steve found a place for the youth to learn and grow in the Tolland Agricultural Center (TAC) 4-H Children’s Garden. The garden was established in 2002 and has been maintained by the 4-H club program for many years. A neighbor of the TAC property is the Creative Living Community of Connecticut (CLCC) greenhouse and vocational program. The work of CLCC is to create opportunities for people with and without disabilities to work and learn together. Steve has been instrumental in fostering a partnership between the 4-H club and CLCC. Working with CLCC the 4-H club members learn vocational skills and working with diverse populations. Steve is able to weave science, healthy living and civic engagement into all aspects of the 4- H program through his dedication and hard work.
2021 4-H Salute to Excellence – Lifetime Volunteer Regional Winner
June Zoppa
June is a positive and integral part of the 4-H community in Hartford County. She is the only volunteer who serves or has served simultaneously on the Hartford County 4-H Advisory Board, Hartford County 4-H Fair Association and the Hartford County 4-H Camp, Inc. Board of Trustees along with being a club leader. Within her 4-H club, June works patiently with club members as they learn to master sewing projects. Many judges have rewarded the projects submitted by June’s club with ribbons, special honors, and awards. In addition, a major component of June’s 4-H experience is built upon community service and leadership development. June’s involvement as Fair Advisor includes helping the Fundraising Committee plan and execute an ambitious fundraising drive. She supports the youth in assessing decisions required to promote, design and print the premium book, roll out the sponsorship campaign and additional fundraisers. Her work ethic and compassion for youth has been demonstrated since her initial days in 4-H and has been evident in the relationships she has formed with members, parent, volunteers and mentees.
2021 4-H Salute to Excellence – Volunteer of Year Regional Winner
Rachael Manzer
Rachael Manzer exemplifies science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) in 4-H. She understands the importance and need for STEM and Agricultural Literacy, and she has increased opportunities for STEM learning by establishing the only 4-H Vex Robotics program in New England. This robotics program has its own “Cinderella” story – big dreams, few resources and the amazing efforts of many to make it a success. Out of approximately 12,500 teams across the world, about 500 earn a spot to compete in the World Championship. At VEX World Championship, the largest robot competition in the world, teams from around the world compete. Rachael’s robotics program acheieved this honor three times. Rachael is also a very accomplished educator, astronaut and STEM teacher. She uses these experiences, knowledge, skills and networks to enhance the experiences and opportunities for her 4-H club members.
2022 – 4-H Salute to Excellence – Volunteer of the Year State Winner
Margaret Hall
Peg Hall has been an incredibly active, supportive and positive presence in Litchfield County 4-H since she established the Diggity Dogs 4-H Club 8 years ago. She has also helped to establish and is serving as a co-leader for a new club, the Grow Getters 4-H club. This new club, the first horticulture based club in Litchfield County drew over 20 new members to its first meeting. They exist because of Peg’s hard work and determination to help a local garden center owner who is new to 4-H get this club established. Peg also serves as a Litchfield County 4-H Fair Association director. Her involvement includes helping to plan and implement the fair as well as cleaning up the fairgrounds. Peg has also been instrumental in the success of the Operation Community Impact dairy distribution program which provides milk to over 1400 food insecure familes in Litchfield County.
Carol’s 52 year 4-H volunteer career began in 1970 when she wanted to expand upon her early 4-H experiences. She has established three 4-H clubs, including Snoopy’s Pals 4-H Club, serving youth from Connecticut and Massachusetts and she served in numerous other county, state and regional roles. Members of Carol’s club have earned showmanship championships, AKC certifications, record book awards, leadership medals and county fair fundraising awards. Club members have served in county Fair Association roles and as delegates for various award trips. With Carol’s careful guidance and commitment to positive youth development, club members and mentees demonstrate the traits of independence, confidence, leadership and perseverance. Carol’s leadership on the New England 4-H Dog Committee, and her pioneering partnership with the Eastern States Exposition (The Big E), has ensured a three-day, two night 4-H dog program during The Big E. Carol has been a tireless 4-H volunteer who leads by example. Her compassion for youth has been demonstrated since her initial days in 4-H.
We are frequently asked if coffee grounds can be used in a garden. The short answer is yes, coffee grounds can be used in garden soil!
Coffee grounds contain some major nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium) as well as some micronutrients, so put them to work in your garden. Allow them to dry and then spread them around the base of plants.
Apply no more than one-half inch of coffee grounds when putting fresh coffee grounds directly to the ground as mulch. Because coffee grounds are finely textured and easily compacted, thick layers of coffee grounds as mulch can act as a barrier to moisture and air movement in soils.
So if you are using coffee grounds as a “dressing” for specific plants or trees, apply the grounds in a thin layer or work into the top layer of the soil.
Written by Colleen Amster and Arianna Ege, UConn Extension Master Gardener Volunteers
Photo: Michelle Winkler
September is a good time for Connecticut gardeners to begin the fall cleanup and assessment process. It is also a good time to shop for trees, shrubs, and bulbs, and prepare for next year’s growing season. Here is a helpful list to get you started:
Annual and herbaceous perennials
Take note of which annuals did well in your garden this year and decide what plants you would like to add to your beds next spring, and where. It is helpful to take photos of the bare spots that you would like to fill.
Remove and compost spent annuals. Some annuals like geraniums can be dug up and placed in a cool place to overwinter in containers.
Some annuals are cold hardy, like pansies, calendula, sweet pea and ornamental kale, and can be planted now.
Begin to harvest and dry (in paper bags) seeds for herbaceous perennial plants that are ready to be collected by late September like hibiscus syriacus (Rose of Sharon), echinacea (coneflower), rudbeckias (black-eyed susans), baptisia (false indigo) and some helianthus (sunflowers), just to name a few. Store seeds, once they are dry, in containers or bags in a cool dry location. Some coneflower seed heads, like echinacea, will need to be shaken in a container to separate the seeds from the chaff. Seeds can be started outdoors later in the fall or, for better results, inside in potting medium in the spring. Some will need to be refrigerated and stratified.
As herbaceous perennials turn brown, begin cutting back plants from 4-8” from the ground, depending on the plant. Some fibrous herbaceous perennials do best when they are divided every few years, including echinacea, hostas, and peonies.
Take note of any perennials that have been impacted by powdery mildew or fungal diseases. Look for fungal problems on leaves and remove and dispose of any diseased plant parts. This is a good time to research and implement treatments for plants that have been impacted by botrytis, or root rot, or other diseases over the last growing season.
It is also a great time to buy discounted plants that transplant well in fall. Many local plant trusts have sales in September and some will sell grouping of pollinator plants. Planting in fall allows root systems extra time to develop.
Bulbs, tubers, rhizomes, and corms
Decide what bulbs you would like to add to your garden beds and buy from a reputable source.
Before purchasing bulbs, check for disease or damage, such as rot, cuts, or bruises and do not buy bulbs that are soft or moldy. Make sure bulbs are firm and have a protective papery skin. Purchase hardy bulbs in August-September and plant the bulbs as soon as possible. Plant from mid-September to mid-October so the bulbs can grow roots before the ground freezes.
Store bulbs in a dry place away from direct sunlight until you are ready to plant them.
A special note about garlic: Garlic is especially beneficial in the garden. It is nutritious, easy to grow, repels pests and wildlife, and is a good pollinator plant if some is allowed to bloom. It comes in three varieties, hardenck, softneck, and elephant. If you are planting garlic next month, cloves should be purchased from a reputable supplier or local garden center. Garlic bulbs sold in the grocery store are mainly grown in China and California and may have diseases, nematodes, or viruses that can impact your soil.
Vegetable and herbs
Photo: Michelle Winkler
Maintain good sanitation in your vegetable gardens, pruning and removing diseased leaves, weeds, and any plants that are no longer producing viable fruit to reduce insect and disease issues, and staking plants like tomatoes to keep them off the ground.
Make room for cool weather greens like spinach, lettuces, radishes, collard greens, swiss chard, kale, cabbage, kohlrabi, and mustard. Brussel sprouts can still be started now, as well as carrots and rutabagas. Check out this planting calendar for best dates to plant in your zip code: https://www.almanac.com/gardening/planting-calendar/zipcode/06070/date.
Harvest veggies as they ripen. Harvest and dry herbs that are beginning to get leggy or that have begun to flower or bolt.
It is a good time to save heirloom seeds for next season, including tomatoes. Fun fact: any tomatoes that haven’t ripened on the vine by the first forecasted frost can be harvested green and stored indoors until they begin to ripen! See this article for details: https://news.extension.uconn.edu/2014/10/27/is-your-garden-bursting-with-fall-tomatoes/.
You can take herb cuttings at this time to start herbs like mint and oregano indoors in a sunny window.
Protecting your fall vegetables and flowers with row covers will give you extra growing time in the season and protect tender plants from sudden temperature changes.
Trees and shrubs
Focus on removing deadwood and deadheading flowers after they bloom. Don’t prune too heavily, because new growth will not have time to harden off before winter and will be more susceptible to frost damage.
It is a good time to plant trees and shrubs, many of which are on sale this time of year!
Continue harvesting seasonal fruits.
Sanitize the area around each plant by removing fallen fruit and plant debris to prevent the spread of disease and pests.
Never add a heavy application of fertilizer to perennials or trees in the late fall as it will encourage new growth and plants can be injured by an early frost.
Lawns
Mow grass below 3” now that temperatures are dropping to reduce matting and fungal issues.
If your lawn is compacted, consider de-thatching and aerating.
Remove weeds and dead grass to expose soil and apply fertilizer. Now is the best time of year to plant grass seed and fill those bare patches in your lawn!
Soil and pests
Make plans to add mulch around plants that will need extra protection during the winter months and order a delivery of mulch if that is more economical than buying it in bags. Evergreens and other perennials will need a protective layer of mulch before the first frost. Remember to ask your supplier if they sell certified compost and mulch–and heat their products to at least 104 degrees to kill invasive earthworm cocoons and other pests.
All plants should be quarantined and observed before planting and some invasive pest research groups are recommending that all new plants be thoroughly rinsed and planted with bare roots.
Prepare your leaf collection bin and compost bin for cool weather.
Check for insect pests including the spotted lanternfly (and report any you find) and invasive earthworms.
Apply deer repellent or plan for netting trees and perennials that deer tend to browse, including arborvitaes and yews.
Continue to weed garden beds and maintain good sanitation.
Many Connecticut gardeners are reporting infestations of the invasive Asian jumping or snake worm. Wood ash is always a beneficial fall amendment but has the added benefit of repelling these worms; diatomaceous earth or biochar may also be used to combat them.
Last, collect soil samples to be tested while the soil is still easily workable so you can plan soil amendments accordingly: https://soiltest.uconn.edu/sampling.php
2022 classes will include hybrid and virtual options
Fall is a great time to plan for next year’s gardening activities! Apply now for the 2022 UConn Extension Master Gardener Program. Classes will be held in New Haven, Norwich, Tolland, Torrington, and Stamford. The deadline for applications is Friday, October 18, 2021.
“The program provides the opportunity for beginner, intermediate or experienced gardeners to increase their personal knowledge of the practice of gardening … The program allows you to meet with like-minded people over a common interest – growing plants,” says Advanced Master Gardener Ken Sherrick of Middletown.
UConn Extension Master Gardeners have an interest in plants, gardening, people and the environment. Specifically, they are willing to share their knowledge, passion and enthusiasm with their communities, providing research-based information to homeowners, students, gardening communities and others. They receive horticultural training from UConn, and then share that knowledge with the public through community volunteering and educational outreach efforts. UConn Master Gardeners help with community and museum gardens, school gardens, backyard projects, houseplant questions and more.
Four of the program cohorts will be in a hybrid class format, with three to four hours of online work before each of 16 weekly in-person classes, running from 9 AM to 1 PM. There will be one entirely online evening cohort, on Thursdays from 5:30 – 9:30 PM, hosted by the New Haven office.
Classes begin the week of January 10, 2022. Subject matter includes basic botany, plant pathology, soils, entomology and other aspects of gardening such as plant categories, native plants, and pest management. After the classroom portion, students complete 60 hours of outreach experience during the summer, along with a plant identification project.
“The Master Gardener program gave me an understanding the role of plants and insects within the ecosystem, which fostered a passion for removing invasive plants,” says Advanced Master Gardener Karen Berger of Canton, who now volunteers on a project to remove invasives, replacing them with native plants that benefit the local environment.
The program fee is $450.00, and includes all needed course materials. Partial scholarships may be available, based on demonstrated financial need.
For more information, visit the UConn Extension Master Gardener website at mastergardener.uconn.edu , where both the on-line and paper application are located.
Interested in how plants grow? Do you want a healthy, productive, and sustainable landscape for your home? UConn Extension now offers the Fundamentals of Home Gardening, an asynchronous online series of classes covering a wide variety of gardening topics. These classes explore the foundation of good gardening practices, and help explain the “why” of successful gardens. Taught by UConn Extension educators and specialists, and drawing on the Extension Master Gardener curriculum, this four-part, online series can be taken at your own pace, at times that work for you. Choose just the segments you’re interested in or complete all four components and earn a certificate of completion in the Fundamentals of Home Gardening.
The four modules cover Core Fundamentals, Environmental Factors, Ornamental Plants and Growing Your Own Foods. Each module is independent and does not require any prerequisites. All modules will be available by the end of April, and a registrant will have six weeks to complete the three or four classes contained per module.
Joanna Woodward recently joined UConn Extension as the Master Gardener Coordinator for Tolland County. Prior to joining Extension, she spent 30 years in corporate IT working in training and help desk services, project management, library and information services, and then technology adoption and education. Joanna emigrated from the United Kingdom almost 20 years ago and earned her bachelor in science in Technical Management.
