Apple Pruning workshop set for March 12

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Register by March 4th for Apple Pruning Techniques hands-on workshop at Midcoast Conservancy’s Trout Brook Preserve in Alna

Knox-Lincoln Soil & Water Conservation District is pleased to collaborate with Midcoast Conservancy to offer a program on pruning techniques needed to keep your apple trees productive. on Saturday, March 12, from 9 a.m. – noon, at Midcoast Conservancy’s Trout Brook Preserve in Alna.

Cheryl Denz, owner and operator of Terra Optima Farm and Landscaping, in Appleton, will teach this popular class! Whether you have a small home orchard or one old tree that feeds the deer, this workshop will teach you the basic pruning techniques needed to keep your trees alive – and bearing fruit

Prior registration is required by Friday, March 4, for this class as space is limited. Dress appropriately for the weather and please bring any pruning tools you may have (pruners, loppers, handsaw). A limited number of additional tools will be available. In the event of inclement weather, the alternative date is March 19; they will contact registrants by 7 a.m. on March 12 should they need to postpone. Class fee is: $20/individual; $35/2 members of one household (plus $1 online payment processing fee).

To register, go to Knox-Lincoln SWCD’s website: https://www.knox-lincoln.org/events-workshops. For more information, please call 596-2040 or email info@knox-lincoln.org.

Annual plant sale fundraiser underway

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Knox-Lincoln Soil & Water Conservation District’s 2022 Spring Plant Sale Catalog is now available in print and online! Plants are available for pre-order, either online or by mail through Tuesday, April 19, 2022. This year we are offering curbside pick-up of your orders on Friday, May 13, and Saturday, May 14, and “Cash and Carry” on Saturday, May 14, at Union Fairgrounds. Quantities are limited so order early – and often – for the best selection!

This annual spring fundraiser provides more than 180 varieties to choose from: bareroot fruit trees and berries for the home orchard and garden; native conifers, deciduous trees, shrubs and vines for conservation, wildlife, and landscape enhancement; and native, organic, Maine-grown perennials and herbs in 1-gallon pots for pollinators. The plant list includes new varieties in all categories as well as tried and true favorites. As always, the print catalog offers descriptions of the plants and cultural requirements to aid in choosing the right plant for the right place. Plant care fact sheets and additional information, including plant images, may be found on our newly updated online store and website.

The proceeds of this fundraiser support the youth and adult conservation programs throughout the year.

They are dependent on volunteers to help pack orders and distribute to customers. Volunteers receive some perks as a thank you for helping with our largest annual fundraiser. If interested, please contact louisa@knox-lincoln.org.

Don’t wait to place your order: visit https://www.knox-lincoln.org/spring-plant-sale to download a catalog or to shop online; call 596-2040 or email julie@knox-lincoln.org to receive a catalog by USPS – and, think spring!

EVENTS: Pond construction and maintenance workshop on June 4

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Knox-Lincoln Soil & Water Conservation District, in partnership with the USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and Somerset County Soil & Water Conservation District (SWCD), is sponsoring a Pond Construction and Maintenance Workshop on Friday, June 4, from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., at the District office at 893 West Street in Rockport.

Constructed ponds can add value to a property – if properly built and maintained! We will review the basics of designing, planning, constructing and maintaining a private pond as well as information on water testing. Joe Dembeck, wildlife biologist and executive director of Somerset County Soil & Water Conservation District. will focus on pond biology and the wildlife associated with ponds in Maine. He will discuss pond habitat features for aquatic and terrestrial wildlife, fish considerations, and nuisance wildlife.

Fee for the workshop is $15 per person ($16 online), which covers the cost of provided materials. For more information or to register, check out our website at https://www.knox-lincoln.org/pond-construction-workshop or call the District office at 596-2040 or email info@knox-lincoln.org. If you already have a pond and would like to stock it with rainbow or brook trout this spring, visit the Trout Stocking Sale page on our website, https://www.knox-lincoln.org/trout-sale.

Pie sale planned in conjunction with awards ceremony

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Knox-Lincoln Soil & Water Conservation District is holding a pie sale and fundraising raffle in conjunction with their first virtual awards celebration on November 10. All are invited to pre-order a pie or purchase raffle tickets for great prizes, whether attending the awards celebration or not.

Raffle tickets are $1.50 each or $6 for five and must be purchased by Sunday, November 8. Local businesses and organizations have donated the following prizes:

ReVision Energy Gift Basket: Gift Basket includes $500 gift certificate toward a solar array from a local, employee-owned full-service solar company with in-house engineers, highly-qualified and experienced solar installers, and a dedicated support team with 24/7 emergency service. Retail value: $550

Hidden Valley Nature Center Overnight: Spring, summer, fall or winter – spend the night at one of HVNC’s wilderness yurts or lakeside cabins complete with woodstove, wood and outhouse. Bring sleeping bags, food and water to enjoy “getting away from it all” so close to home. Retail value: $60 – $80

Mystic Woodworks Cutting Boards: Beautiful and functional, these boards have been locally-made in Warren for 30 years. Mystic Woodworks has closed, so this is your last chance for one of these beauties. Each board is 7″ x 16″, not including the handle. Take your pick of maple/walnut or oak/walnut. Retail value: $62 each

Knox-Lincoln SWCD 2021 Plant Sale Gift Certificate: Choose from more than 200 varieties of fruit trees, berries, native trees & shrubs, and organically grown native perennials. Our 2021 sale will be pre-order only with scheduled curbside pick-up at Union Fairgrounds on May 8, 2021. Catalog and certificate will be mailed in January. Retail value: $50

Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens Family Membership: Membership for two adults & children/grandchildren in the same household includes one year admission to CMBG and other botanical gardens, member discounts to events, programs and the Garden Shop, and lots more: Retail value: $100
Sasanoa Brewing Gift Basket: Sasanoa is a rustic, coastal brewery and one of the few certified organic breweries in the US. The beers & ales are made with certified OG fruit, herbs, nuts, NE sourced grains & hops, as well as wild foraged ingredients.

Nine varieties of freshly baked, homemade pie will be available from D-Zerts by Daphne, of Westport Island. Your choice of Apple, Apple-Cran-Raisin, Blueberry, Four-Berry, Peach-Blackberry, Peach-Blueberry, Peach-Raspberry, Pecan and Tollhouse. Pies are $17 each and must be pre-ordered by Tuesday, November 3, for pickup on Monday, November 9, in either Rockport or Edgecomb.

All prices for tickets and pies include tax and processing fees. For more information and to purchase raffle tickets and place pie orders, visit our website at www.knox-lincoln.org/pie-raffle-tickets, call 596-2040 or email julie@knox-lincoln.org.