Growing Good

Earth Day 2024 with Maine Conservation Alliance

Spring has arrived! And with spring, comes one of our favorite celebrations: Earth Day!
Please join us for an Earth Day Beach Cleanup at Old Orchard Beach on Saturday, April 20 from 10 AM - 12 PM. The first 50 participants to arrive will receive FREE “Earth Day” reusable tote bags and Stonington Blend Organic Plant Food courtesy of Coast of Maine. Maine Conservation Alliance (MCA) is excited to partner with Blue Ocean Society for Marine Conservation again and to welcome our friends from the Maine Audubon Coastal Birds Project to feature a short presentation on endangered Piping Plovers. The morning will even include a raffle with gear provided by Patagonia. We're proud to stand alongside many community-minded organizations for this year’s Beach Clean Up: Bristol Seafood, Dirigo Solar, Lee Auto, and Luke’s Lobster. And, a shout out to The Holy Donut and Trader Joe’s for providing treats for all the volunteers at the beach. We are looking forward to cleaning a stretch of Old Orchard Beach and learning more about coastal Piping Plover habitat with you by our side.
See you on the beach!

Creating a Pollinator with Diane St John

Diane St John of Natureworks Garden Center in Northford, CT started her pollinator garden by taking a 100' X 140' section of her lawn and letting it grow into a meadow. When she cut a path through the meadow, it became a learning playground for her children and their friends. Each year, she has seeded additional native and non-invasive species creating a pollinator paradise. Join our podcast and learn how you can build your own pollinator garden, creating a beautiful space for yourself and a habitat for pollinators.

Vegetable Gardening Made Easy with Resh Gala

Her gardening journey started about 6 years ago when she purchased 2 tomato plants from a big-box retailer and miserably failed to grow anything. Thankfully, she didn't give up, and here she is today, trying her best to inspire others to garden and grow their own food. In this insightful episode, Cameron and Resh discuss designing and planning your garden, where you start, and how you decide what you grow. If you need gardening inspiration, you will find it here. www.instagram.com/reshgala/ www.reshgala.com www.youtube.com/@reshgala

Simple Steps to Successful Seed Startings

Farmer Steph tells us simple steps to successful seed starting. Be patient. Set your frost date. Create airflow. Avoid damping off. Don't start too soon. Plant what you enjoy. Be inspired.

Organic Food is the Essence of Life with Nancy Dubrule

Nancy Dubrule of Natureworks Garden Center has taught her customers how to grow organically for over 40-years. Her specific passion is growing organic vegetables. She loves demystifying the process and encouraging customers to grow food organically because it is the essence of life and one of the most important things we can do for ourselves and our planet.

Dahlia Tubers Maintenace with Farmer Steph

Digging, cleaning, saving and labeling your beautiful dahlia tubers! The kids can help! This is about the last time they can go crazy in the garden and get their hands dirty.

Benefits of Flower Drying and Companion Planting with Garlic and Tulips with Farmer Steph

Farmer Steph teaches us to enjoy our gardens and as we are putting our gardens away, we can find all kinds of creative inspiration. Think about saving money on holiday decorations! Harvest your seeds for next spring. Then get your garlic planted and if plant garlic with your tulip bulbs the deer will stay away! Be like Farner Steph and share your garden flower bounty to make someone's day!

Growing Good Soil Donation Interview with Glen Widmer

Glen D Widmer, EdD, Principal of Ames and Weymouth Schools in RSU #71 Belfast, ME explains how working with Foodcorp, he and his staff were able to present the idea of founding an Educational Technician position for the school gardens in RSU 3 (Unity, Me.). After a lengthy discussion, the board decided to make the position a full-time teaching position! He is hoping to do the same in RSU71, providing the students additional educational opportunities, summer programs and community meals that create a deeper sense of trust and open additional learning pathways.

Perennial Care with Farmer Steph

Farmer Steph teaches us about cutting back perennials, bring in the tender perennials, dahlia tuber extraction and- raking your leaves to protect your lawn while creating leave mulch for your perennial beds.
This is also the time of year to visit your local nursery/garden center and take advantage of their late season tree and shrubs discounts! Of course, you'll also get to learn from passionate employees!

Transplanting Herbs and Succulents with Farmer Steph

Farmer Steph tells us what plants to transplant and bring inside and what she is harvesting. Make the most of your herbs and succulents! Bring them in and transplants into Bar Harbor Potting Soil and Mount Desert Island Blend Organic Cactus & Succulent Mix! Did you know you can Bonsai a geranium?