Cows are remarkable creatures, capable of turning something as simple as grass into high-quality, nutritious protein that sustains millions of people. They also play a role in sustainable farming systems, cycling nutrients back into the soil through manure, which acts as a natural fertilizer. Beyond their productivity, cows are gentle, social animals. Here’s four reasons
By Caleb P. Goossen, Ph.D., MOFGA’s Crop Specialist Climate impacts are already impacting your garden — whether that’s temperature fluctuations, or periods of drought, or severe or prolonged precipitation. Here I will discuss what impacts have already been observed, and what to expect moving forward. Though I have an interest in matters of weather and
By Roberta Bailey Winter came and winter went, leaving us in the spring mud. This, too, will pass. Meanwhile the strawberries are blooming. In one month from the time they bloom, the berries will begin to turn red. Spinach, lettuce, asparagus, and now strawberries, the harvest basket is bulking out. The gardening season is fully
By Jonathan Mitschele I have grown basil for many years. It’s fragrance and taste mean summer is finally here! Two years ago, I happened upon a recipe for “Classic Marinara Sauce” that I have modified so that the flavor of basil is unmistakable. I have since ramped up my basil production accordingly so that I
By Jack Kertesz, MOFGA’s Landscape Coordinator I am excited about using hoop structures to extend the growing season as I think they are overlooked and underrated for their practical, economically sound, and user/builder-friendly attributes. DIY Structures Made from EMT Quick Hoopsentered the market garden scene around 2009, advocated for by Eliot Coleman and marketed by
By Holli Cederholm Making miso is “actually a simple process,” said Nicholas Repenning, while stirring a spoonful of red-brown paste into a mug of warm water. Repenning encouraged a dozen or so students — gathered around stainless steel tables laden with metal mixing bowls, potato mashers, and books on mold-based fermentation — to grab a
By Will Bonsall When most folks think of growing peas in the garden, they’re assuming fresh peas like shell, snow, or snap peas. Rightly so, I suppose, since those are expensive to buy and require less space. However, few people grow dry peas, also known as field or soup peas, even though they can add a lot more protein
By Patti Genest When mid-April comes to Maine, the urge to be surrounded by growing seedlings can no longer be ignored. With snow still on the ground, visions of sitting on a summer garden bench, surrounded by gigantic sunflower leaves whispering in the wind, is motivation enough for me to start planting. With four months
By Jennifer Wilhelm There is no single “right” way to practice no-till growing. As the name suggests, the core principle is straightforward: do not turn the soil over. Beyond that, the specifics of how to succeed within a no-till system are left to the discretion of individual growers. While people have employed no-till methods for
By Caleb P. Goossen, Ph.D., MOFGA’s Crop Specialist I have been getting more and more photos sent to me from tomato growers showing symptoms of a foliar disease that never used to be present in Maine. Though the disease was only formally confirmed to be Stemphylium gray leaf spot in the 2024 growing season, I
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