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December 8, 2023

Chestertown Spy

Nonpartisan and Education-based News for Chestertown

Local Life Food and Garden Notes

Adkins Mystery Monday: Can You Guess this Plant?

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Happy Mystery Monday!  Can you guess what is pictured in photo #1?
The answer to last week’s mystery is rough green snake, Opheodrys aestivus, pictured in photo #2.
The beautiful rough green snake is a gentle snake with a pleasant disposition. Called “rough” because their scales stand out at a slight angle, these snakes are agile and skilled climbers.
Rough green snakes are excellent swimmers, often using the water to escape predators.
They lay four to twelve very elongated, sticky eggs under a flat stone or log. The babies hatch in early fall, and look like miniature adults, but their color is less vividly green.
Rough green snakes are gentle when handled and non-venomous. They spend the majority of their time hunting for insects, spiders, and other invertebrates in vegetation well above the ground.
Adkins Mystery Monday is sponsored by the Spy and Adkins Arboretum. For more information go here.

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

Adkins Mystery Monday: Can You Guess What This Is?

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Happy Mystery Monday!  Can you guess what is pictured in photo #1?

The answer to last week’s mystery is blue false indigo, Baptisia australis, pictured in photo #2.
Blue false indigo is a native herbaceous perennial plant in the bean family. It prefers to grow in full sun to light shade in forests or woodland borders.
Foot-long, lupine-like spires of blue, pea-like flowers are produced in mid to late spring. The tall blooms add vertical interest while the attractive and relatively pest-free foliage is a good backdrop for summer garden.
Historically, blue false indigo was used as a dye by the First Americans, and the seed pods were rattles for their babies.
The fat seed pods turn black when ripe and have ornamental interest. Stems with
seed pods are often used in dried flower arrangements.
Mystery Monday is sponsored by the Spy Newspapers and Adkins Arboretum.

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

Adkins Mystery Monday: Can You Guess What This Is?

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Happy Mystery Monday!  Can you guess what is pictured in photo #1?
The answer to last week’s mystery is Eastern red cedar, Juniperus virginiana, pictured in photo #2.

While technically not a true cedar, Eastern red cedar is a juniper, and gets its name from its reddish heartwood.
The red, aromatic wood is used for chests, closets, interior finish, posts, pencils, and other objects. An oil from the resin is used for ointments, soaps, and to flavor gin.
Eastern red cedars are a favorite traditional Christmas tree in many homes.
Compared to other edible berries, Eastern red cedar berries take 3 years to mature. They’re considered ready to pick when they’re a darker blue. They do have a waxy white, protective coating, which can rub off to reveal a deeper color underneath.
Seeds that have traveled through the digestive tract of waxwings and other birds have a higher germination rate than those that have not.
Adkins Mystery Monday is sponsored by the Spy and Adkins Arboretum. For more information go here.

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

Adkins Mystery Monday! Can you Guess What this Is?

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Happy Mystery Monday! Can you guess what is pictured in photo #1?
The answer to last week’s mystery is sassafras, Sassafras albidum, pictured in photo #2.
Sassafras is a thicket-forming tree native to much of the eastern US, and can have three types of leaves: ovate, mitten-shaped and three-lobed.
Because of its aromatic qualities, sassafras was one of the first trees exported from North America to Europe and commanded premium prices. Ground sassafras leaves have a lemonade-like aroma that some people liken to Fruit Loops, but with hints of camphor and old wood, while sassafras roots are the original source flavor in root beer.
Sassafras leaves are traditionally ground into a spice called filé powder which is a mainstay thickener and flavor of Creole cuisine including gumbo.
Adkins Mystery Monday is sponsored by the Spy and Adkins Arboretum. For more information go here.

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

Adkins Mystery Monday: Perhaps Connected to a Local River?

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Happy Mystery Monday!  Can you guess what is pictured in this photo?
The answer to last week’s mystery is Northern sea oats, Chasmanthium latifolium, pictured in photo #2.
Northern sea oats most often occur in rich woods or rocky slopes along streams and on moist bluffs. Sea oats naturalize by reseeding and spread by rhizomes. They make a good habitat for some species of birds, offering food in the form of seeds, as well as cover.
Flat, green “flowers” develop on the arching stem tips from July through September. The flower heads are alluring and a slightest breeze will send flower heads fluttering on their stems. In fall, they become tan before the foliage turns to a copper color in early winter.
Snow adds eye-catching appeal to sea oats. The flowers gradually shatter ito make way for new spring growth, providing almost a full year of interest.

Adkins Mystery Monday is sponsored by the Spy and Adkins Arboretum. For more information go here.

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

Adkins Mystery Monday: What Kind of Special Oats are These?

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Happy Mystery Monday!  Can you guess what is pictured in photo #1?
The answer to last week’s mystery is the Eastern kingsnake, Lampropeltis getula, pictured in photo #2.
The Eastern kingsnake is a powerful constrictor, but is harmless to humans. They are non-venomous, but will feed on venomous snakes, like copperheads and rattlesnakes. This makes them a great snake to have in the yard.
Eastern kingsnakes are shiny, black, smooth-scaled snakes with white or yellow chain-link bands that cross the back and connect along the sides. Because of this pattern this species is also referred to as the chain kingsnake.
Correction: Last week we incorrectly identified Cirsium discolor as the non-native Cirsium vulgare. The photo we shared was indeed the native Cirsium discolor.
Adkins Mystery Monday is sponsored by the Spy and Adkins Arboretum. For more information go here.

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

Take The Maryland Native Plant Coalition Survey on Invasive Plants

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The Maryland Native Plant Coalition has created a short survey to learn more about invasive plants across the state of Maryland.  We’d love to have as many people complete it as possible.  It only takes a few minutes to complete and includes a link to the Mid-Atlantic Invaders Tool for more information so you can be more confident with species identification.   Survey. Please try to complete it by November 3rd.

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

Happy Mystery Monday! Can You Guess the Plant?

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The answer to last week’s mystery is the winged sumac, Rhus copallinum, pictured in photo #2.

winged sumac

The winged sumac is also known as shining sumac, flame leaf sumac, and dwarf sumac. Because of its size (up to 10-15’ high), some consider it to be a shrub while others consider it to be a tree.

Shrub or tree, the winged sumac is colorful! Its flowers can be white, yellow/gold, or green. The leaves start as green but change to burgundy or red. Also, red fruits emerge in the fall and continue into winter.
The winged sumac has great value to bees, butterflies, moths (e.g., the Luna moth), songbirds, white-tailed deer, wild turkeys, and quail.
Mystery Monday is sponsored by the Spy Newspapers and Adkins Arboretum.

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

Upper Shore Master Gardener Programs to hold Basic Training

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As we patiently await crisp fall days, the Upper Shore Master Gardener Programs are preparing for their annual basic training course, which starts on Wednesday, February 07, 2024. 

This program is intended to train volunteer representatives as Master Gardeners for the University of Maryland Extension to extend our services and programs to the public. Classes will be held virtually on Wednesdays from 6 to 9 p.m. and will run through May 8, 2024. In-person classes will be held in person every other Friday at Eastern Shore Higher Education Center on the Chesapeake College Campus in Queenstown, MD and are held in conjunction with the University of Maryland Extension in Dorchester, Talbot, and Queen Anne’s Counties. 

This well-rounded 40+ hour course includes classes on: ecology, botany, soils, plant diseases, insects – both pests and beneficial, weeds, and much more. This program emphasizes community involvement and outreach as well as environmental stewardship. A $185 fee is charged to cover all costs including the Maryland Master Gardener Handbook. All Master Gardener interns are required to undergo a University of Maryland background check (+$15) prior to taking the class. The deadline for registration is December 1, 2023. If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in any event or activity, please contact your local University of Maryland Extension Office by November 17, 2023.

The University of Maryland Master Gardener vision is a healthier world through environmental stewardship.  In keeping with this vision, University of Maryland Extension Master Gardeners volunteers work on a variety of projects in cooperation with local schools, help maintain various public gardens, volunteer at local Senior Centers and Assisted Living facilities working with therapeutic gardens and hands-on gardening programs, provide community education through free workshops and classes open to local residents, visit home and public gardens as part of our Bay-Wise certification program…and much more.  

For more information about the program, please visit https://www.facebook.com/talbotcountymastergardeners
We are looking forward to working with a new, energetic class of horticulture enthusiasts! 

For Talbot County: Mikaela Boley, Master Gardener Coordinator (410) 822-1244 or by email at [email protected]

For Queen Anne’s County contact: Rachel J. Rhodes, Master Gardener Coordinator at (410) 758-0166 or by email at [email protected].

For Dorchester County: Emily Zobel, Master Gardener Coordinator (410) 228-8800 or by email at [email protected] 

University programs, activities, and facilities are available to all without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, age, national origin, political affiliation, physical or mental disability, religion, protected veteran status, genetic information, personal appearance, or any other legally protected class.

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

Adkins Arboretum’s Enchanted Fairyfest is Oct. 7

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Bring your wands, wings and magical costumes for a day of fantasy at Adkins Arboretum! Celebrating fancy and fun in the forest, Fairyfest returns to the Arboretum on Sat., Oct. 7 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

This year’s Fairyfest offers more outdoor magic than ever. Mix potions in a cauldron, visit a dragon’s nest and follow a trail of fairy houses along the Arboretum’s enchanted forest paths. Feel the wind in your wings on the Neverland pirate ship and sword fight with a scoundrel in the meadow. Kick up your feet in the maypole dance, try your hand at magical games and take a break for a spellbinding craft. The beloved event also includes live entertainment by Mid Shore Dance Academy, Allegra! and Ampersand.

Unicorn rides with Snapdragon Stables, delicious offerings from Beltway Bistro and Blue Monkey Street Tacos food trucks and treats from Lucky Heart Bakery and Scottish Highland Creamery will be available for sale. Don’t forget your camera for photos with the Fairy Court!

Leading up to this exciting day, all are invited to build their own fairy dwellings for The Great Fairy House Challenge. Entries will be displayed on the forest paths in the week before Fairyfest and will be eligible for awards and prizes in the categories of Golden Fairy, Most Magical, Simply Spellbinding and Enchanted Excellence. An entry form and guidelines are available at adkinsarboretum.org.

Fairyfest is $10 per person for ages 3 and up and free for children ages 2 and under. Admission is capped at 400, so early registration is highly recommended at adkinsarboretum.org or by calling 410-634-2847, ext. 0. In case of rain, Fairyfest will be rescheduled for Sun., Oct. 8 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Fairyfest is generously sponsored in part by Chesapeake Blooms and Caroline County Council of Arts. For more information, visit adkinsarboretum.org or call 410-634-2847, ext. 100.

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.