UMaine Publishes Pest Management Guide for Home Gardeners

ORONO, ME—University of Maine Cooperative Extension has published a vegetable pest management guide for home gardeners, Pest Management for the Home Vegetable Garden in Maine (bulletin #2188). Based on research conducted at UMaine’s Highmoor Farm in Monmouth, a Maine Agricultural and Forest Experiment Station, the booklet covers pests and associated management practices specific to vegetable gardens in Maine and New England. Developed by Associate Extension Professor Mark Hutton and Extension Professor David Handley, the 20-page publication includes a crop grouping rotation chart and organizes descriptions of pests, diseases, and deficiencies by garden crop, with color photos. It is available for $6.90 from extension.umaine.edu (“publications”) or by calling 207-581-3792.

Extended periods of wet weather such as Maine has been experiencing tend to set up favorable conditions for pest and disease infection, so home gardeners may need to be especially vigilant in monitoring their plants this year. Pest Management for the Home Vegetable Garden in Maine explains how to recognize plant deficiencies and diseases and suggests management practices based on Integrated Pest Management (IPM), which relies on integrating a variety of control approaches with minimal pesticide use.

Our unusually heavy June rains have taken their toll on area garden beds. Hutton advises that gardeners may benefit from simply starting over in some beds. “It’s not too late to think about July and August sowing for fall harvest,” he said. “Carrots, cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower and kale can be planted in July, and spinach, lettuce and beets can be planted in August.”

Hutton and Handley work closely with regional growers to conduct variety trials and to test pest management, soil improvement, and crop rotation strategies.

Home Energy Improvements Can Garner Tax Credits

ORONO, ME— Many Maine homeowners may benefit from investing in home energy efficiency, according to Donna Coffin of University of Maine Cooperative Extension. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009 includes tax credits for making home energy-efficiency improvements such as added insulation, replacement windows and doors, and upgrading heating or cooling systems.

The ARRA improves upon 2006 tax credits that allowed homeowners claim 10 percent of the cost of improvements, up to $500. This new program increases the credit to 30 percent of the cost of improvements, up to $1,500.

Eligible improvements include insulation materials designed to reduce the home’s heat loss or gain, exterior doors and windows, and metal or asphalt roofs with appropriate design. Installation or labor costs can not be included. Generally the manufacturer will certify that their product meets the design criteria to qualify for the tax credit.

Heating, cooling and water-heating equipment is also eligible, including electric heat-pump water heaters; electric heat pumps; central air conditioners; natural gas, propane or oil water heaters; natural-gas, propane or oil furnaces; hot-water boilers; advanced main air circulating fans; and biomass stoves that use “plant-derived fuel available on a renewable or recurring basis, including agricultural crops and trees, wood and wood waste and residues (including wood pellets), plants (including aquatic plants), grasses, residues and fibers.” The installation costs of this equipment can be included in the tax credit. These improvements need to go into service in 2009 and 2010.

To qualify for the tax credit, the improvements need to meet guidelines under the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) ENERGY STAR program. Go to www.EnergyStar.gov for details.
The $1,500 cap applies to both 2009 and 2010. If you use the $1,500 worth of energy efficiency tax credits in 2009, you can not qualify for an additional $1,500 in 2010. However, the cap does not apply to alternative energy systems such as geothermal heat pumps, solar water heaters, wind, or photovoltaic systems. These systems fall under the Residential Renewable Energy Tax Credit program, which allows 30 percent of the cost of the system, with no cap. For more information on federal and state rebates, credits and incentives go to the U.S. DOE’s Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency at www.dsireusa.org.

Coffin advises homeowners to do everything possible to conserve energy in the home before going to the big-ticket items in alternative energy systems. This includes weatherizing doors and windows, adding insulation to the attic, and updating heating and cooling systems. Once conservation measures are in place, then you can consider alternative energy systems to enhance energy savings and reduce energy consumption. For more ideas on saving energy, visit UMaine Extension at extension.umaine.edu.

SNAP BEANS AND CUCUMBERS: MAINE FOOD FOR JUNE

ORONO, ME—University of Maine Cooperative Extension publishes information to help you find, grow, use and store in-season fruits and vegetables in Maine. Visit extension.umaine.edu to order or download bulletins to fit the season, including July favorites such as Let’s Preserve Snap Beans, Let’s Preserve: Pickles, and Vegetables and Fruits for Health: Cucumbers, Green Beans and Wax Beans.

Extension Educator Kathy Savoie from UMaine Extension Cumberland County cautions that you should get up-to-date information if you are planning on canning food. Over the years there have been changes in scientific expertise as well as canning equipment, so there is new information on the best methods, canners, jars, and seals to use to ensure a safe result. Updated recommendations are as close as your local UMaine Extension office. Visit extension.umaine.edu or call 800-287-0274 to find an office and local food preservation workshops near you.

Freezing green beans in season and making your own homemade pickles are simple and easy ways to increase your access to a year-round supply of local foods and to reduce your grocery bill. UMaine Extension programs are open and accessible to all in accordance with program goals.