University of Maryland Extension Anne Arundel County

University of Maryland Extension Anne Arundel County Master Gardener, 4-H, Nutrient Management, Agriculture & Food Systems, and Family & Consumer Sciences. This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

University of Maryland Extension is a statewide, informal educational system, sponsored jointly by the University of Maryland College Park and the University of Maryland Eastern Shore and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. University of Maryland Extension is administered through the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (AGNR) in College Park. We have access to many of the University of Maryland resources as well as campuses within the system.

06/25/2026

🌧️ The Rain Dance worked! 🌱

Happy to report that we received a good soaking here at the Anne Arundel Urban Farm Research Clinic. The much-needed rain was a welcome sight for our crops and the farm as a whole.

Before getting started on mowing, Dave took a walk around the farm to check on conditions and enjoy the fresh, rain-soaked landscape. Everything is looking greener and happier after the rainfall!

Yesterday, Dave at the Anne Arundel Urban Farm Research Clinic, along with many farmers across the area, was hoping the ...
06/23/2026

Yesterday, Dave at the Anne Arundel Urban Farm Research Clinic, along with many farmers across the area, was hoping the forecasted rain wouldn't miss us completely.

Dave spent time farming in Mongolia and introduced the office staff to an Oovoo tradition—a ritual used to honor local spirits, worship the sky, and pray for safe travels. In our case, Dave's wish was simple: rain for the fields.

We each placed a rock on a stone pile and circled it together. After picking the first blackberries of our pints, Dave had us each take one berry and toss it into the air as an offering.

Most of us were pretty skeptical, but by the end of the day the rain arrived, the crops got some much-needed water, and we all enjoyed fresh blackberries.

Coincidence? Maybe. But rain and blackberries sound like a win to us. 🌧️🫐

🌱 July Gardening Events with Anne Arundel County Master Gardeners 🌱Join us this July for gardening education, composting...
06/23/2026

🌱 July Gardening Events with Anne Arundel County Master Gardeners 🌱

Join us this July for gardening education, composting tips, and answers to your plant questions.

♻️ Composting Demonstration
📅 Saturday, July 18 • 10:00 AM
📍 Quiet Waters Park, Annapolis

Learn how to turn yard and kitchen waste into nutrient-rich compost for a healthier garden and environment.

🌿 Ask a Master Gardener Clinics
Bring your gardening questions, plant samples, or photos.

📍 Anne Arundel Farmers Market (Annapolis)
Saturdays, 8:00 AM–12:00 PM

📍 Crofton Public Library
Saturdays, 10:00 AM–1:00 PM

📍 Severna Park Farmers Market
Saturdays, 8:00 AM–12:00 PM

🌎 Bay-Wise Program
Interested in creating a more sustainable landscape? Schedule a Bay-Wise site visit and receive personalized recommendations for improving your property's environmental impact.

Request a visit: go.umd.edu/aaume-baywise

We hope to see you at one of our events this month! 🌻

06/20/2026

🌞 Welcome, Summer! 🌱

A quick peek around the farm as the season gets underway. Our crops are growing strong, the fields are filling in, and the farm is full of activity as we head into the heart of the growing season.

We're also shining a light on a few crops that haven't made it into the spotlight this past week but are looking great as the season rolls on.

We're looking forward to a season of learning, growing, and sharing what we discover along the way.

🌽🥬🍅🍅

🍑🌳 Peach Orchard Update 🌳🍑The peaches at the Anne Arundel Urban Farm are looking great! We're continuing to thin the fru...
06/20/2026

🍑🌳 Peach Orchard Update 🌳🍑

The peaches at the Anne Arundel Urban Farm are looking great! We're continuing to thin the fruit as needed to help the trees focus their energy on producing healthy, high-quality peaches.

One of the most exciting signs of the season is starting to appear—some of the peaches are beginning to develop a beautiful orange color as they ripen on the tree.

Dave is optimistic that we'll be harvesting peaches in the next 2–3 weeks if the weather continues to cooperate. After months of pruning, monitoring, and caring for the orchard, it's always rewarding to see the fruit nearing harvest.

Stay tuned for more updates as peach season approaches!

🍑☀️🌱

🎃🌱 Pumpkin & Gourd Update 🌱🎃We're happy to report that our replanted pumpkins and gourds are growing well! While they're...
06/19/2026

🎃🌱 Pumpkin & Gourd Update 🌱🎃

We're happy to report that our replanted pumpkins and gourds are growing well! While they're about two weeks behind the plants in our other growing areas, they're making great progress and showing strong growth.

Even better, they have managed to avoid becoming a buffet for the local deer and groundhogs. The combination of additional electric fencing and scarecrows appears to be doing the trick.

One of our favorite low-cost deterrents is Dave's simple farm scarecrow: a wooden stake with a plastic mulch bag duct-taped to the top. As the wind catches the bag, the movement and rustling noise help discourage wildlife from venturing too close to the crops.

Farming is often about trying different solutions, observing what works, and making adjustments along the way. So far, this combination is helping protect our pumpkins and gourds, and we're excited to watch them continue to grow.

🌳🍎 Fire Blight Update from the Anne Arundel Urban Farm Research Clinic 🍎🌳One of the ongoing challenges of fruit producti...
06/18/2026

🌳🍎 Fire Blight Update from the Anne Arundel Urban Farm Research Clinic 🍎🌳

One of the ongoing challenges of fruit production is staying ahead of diseases like fire blight. We've been carefully monitoring our apple trees throughout the season, removing infected branches as soon as symptoms appear in an effort to slow the spread.

Despite our best efforts, we've already lost one apple tree and may lose another. Farming is a constant balance of observation, management, and adaptation, and sometimes nature reminds us that not every battle can be won.

These experiences are an important part of our research and educational mission, helping us learn more about disease management while sharing real-world challenges faced by growers.

We'll continue monitoring the orchard and doing everything we can to protect the remaining trees. 🍏🌱

The blackberry bushes are producing! 🍇 This week, Teagan Flaherty , our summer intern, teamed up with a Master Gardener...
06/17/2026

The blackberry bushes are producing! 🍇 This week, Teagan Flaherty , our summer intern, teamed up with a Master Gardener volunteer to harvest the first blackberries of the season at the Anne Arundel Urban Farm Research Clinic. A sweet sign that summer is officially here.

🍇🌱☀️

Careers Summit for Teens: Animal, Human, and Environmental Health Date: Tuesday, June 30, 2026, 9:30am-3:00pm Audience: ...
06/17/2026

Careers Summit for Teens: Animal, Human, and Environmental Health

Date: Tuesday, June 30, 2026, 9:30am-3:00pm

Audience: Youth ages 13+ {as of Jan 1) with a spark in animal sciences, environmental sciences, healthy living, and interested in learning about One Health careers.

Participation Fee: S5.00 per youth Registration: Limited, closes June 24, 2026

Location: Maryland 4·H Center, 8020 Greenmead Drive College Park, MD 20740

Register at: http://go.umd.edu/2026CareersSummitforTeens

Check out this post from our Summer Intern Teagan Flaherty! Can you identify the beneficial pests?
06/16/2026

Check out this post from our Summer Intern Teagan Flaherty! Can you identify the beneficial pests?

Address

97 Dairy Lane
Gambrills, MD
21054

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Wednesday 8am - 4:30pm
Thursday 8am - 4:30pm
Friday 8am - 4:30pm

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