Cheshire County UNH Cooperative Extension

04/06/2026

04/06/2026

Found a tick on yourself, a loved one, or a pet? Consider getting it tested.

UNH Extension offers tick testing to identify the species and check for disease-causing pathogens. Results can help you better understand your risk and decide on next steps to take after a bite.

Order a test online, mail your tick sample with the provided code, and receive results within a few days.

Know your risk. Take informed action.

Learn more or order a test at the link in the comments.

03/27/2026

To prune or not to prune? ✂️🌱

Early spring is a good time to start thinking about pruning in your yard and garden.

For fruit-bearing plants, March and April are often the ideal time to prune. By this point the deepest cold has passed, but plants like apples, pears, blueberries, and raspberries are still dormant. Pruning during this window helps regulate growth, increase yields, improve fruit size and quality, prevent disease, and maintain plant health and vigor.

If pruning feels intimidating, start with the basics. Gardeners and arborists often refer to the “three D’s” of pruning: remove anything that is dead, damaged, or diseased.

Clearing out these branches improves plant health and structure. You can also look for branches that cross and rub against each other and remove those as well.

“We often say, ‘The worst pruning cuts are the ones we don’t make,’ meaning that regular, annual pruning is critical to maintaining healthy, productive plants,” says Jeremy DeLisle, fruit and vegetable production specialist with UNH Extension.

This time of year, UNH Extension also offers in-person pruning demonstrations around the state, where gardeners can learn the science behind pruning and apply those techniques at home.

Check the 2026 pruning workshops: https://extension.unh.edu/resource/pruning-trees-shrubs

UNH Extension Food & Ag

03/20/2026

Selling and Producing Firewood for Farmers, Landowners and Homesteaders
March 27, 2026 | 9:30am - 3:00pm
Society for the Protection of NH Forests
Concord, NH

This workshop covers everything from understanding cost of production to the laws, rules, and regulations for selling firewood. Designed for farmers, landowners, and homesteaders, this is a great opportunity to investigate adding an enterprise to your farm.
More information:

This two-part workshop covers everything from understanding cost of production to the laws, rules, and regulations for selling firewood. Designed for farmers, landowners, and homesteaders.

03/17/2026

📣 Curious About the Grit to Grow Summit? Join Our Online Overview!

On Wednesday, March 18 from 6:00–7:00 p.m., Kate Korbas and Pam Shore will host a free online overview session to introduce the new NH 4-H Grit to Grow Summit.

Because this is our first year, we want teens and families to feel informed and excited about what’s ahead. During this session, you’ll get a closer look at what the Summit experience is all about.

The Grit to Grow Summit is a one- or two-day experience (you choose!) for New Hampshire youth, rising sophomores through recent 2026 graduates. Teens will explore career and education pathways while building confidence, real-world skills, and meaningful connections.

During the overview, you can:
✔️ Learn what the Summit experience looks like
✔️ Hear about workshops, speakers, and the overnight option
✔️ Understand how parents and caregivers are involved
✔️ Ask questions and get all the details

The Summit brings together teens, families, educators, and industry leaders in a supportive, fun environment focused on helping young people prepare for life beyond high school.

✨ We hope you’ll join us online to learn more about this exciting new event!

Register here: https://4h.zsuite.org/external-event-registration/45130?fbclid=IwY2xjawQT6Q1leHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFEWjhrUmJaZE5IelZBd3Nwc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHvvSbCoA7sOTN7zYiwmLfwxYKq5R0pyKK1FuH5f-o8ft8V_8IDve2-YPEfXw_aem_kqgfhnhEnDbpTg2zsK0oWA

03/16/2026

As we start to welcome spring weather (hopefully!), it’s a great time to begin preparing your garden. 🌷☀️

Here are a few March gardening tips to get started.

Clean plant containers – Before starting seeds indoors, disinfect old pots by soaking them in a solution of one part bleach to nine parts water for 10 minutes. Rinse well and allow it to dry.

Prune woody plants – Late winter is a good time to prune many trees and shrubs. Make sure tools are sharp and clean, and wait to prune spring-blooming shrubs until after they flower.

Start seeds – Late March is a good time to start some annual flowers and vegetables indoors. Cold-tolerant crops can be planted 2–4 weeks before the last frost.

Limit foot traffic on lawns – Wet spring soils compact easily. Try to stay off lawns when the ground is saturated to avoid damage.

Remove viburnum leaf beetle eggs – Look for rows of small brown or black bumps on viburnum twigs. Prune and dispose of infested twigs before eggs hatch in spring.

UNH Extension Yard & Garden

03/12/2026

Living Well with Diabetes
Wednesdays, 1-3:30pm
March 25 and April 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29
If you or someone you care for has diabetes this workshop is for you! Learn techniques to deal with the symptoms of diabetes, such as fatigue, pain, hyper- and hypoglycemia, stress, and emotional problems such as depression, anger, fear, and frustration.
https://extension.unh.edu/event/2026/03/living-well-diabetes-march-25-100-pm-330-pm

03/05/2026

2026 Spring Garden Symposium
Saturday, March 21, 2026, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Southern New Hampshire University - Dining Center, 2500 North River Road, Manchester

All Gardeners are Welcome!

The annual Spring Garden Symposium, sponsored by the UNH Extension Master Gardeners offers workshops, speakers, a book sale, silent auction and networking with other gardeners.

Cost includes access to workshops, 3 main speakers, vendors, refreshments, networking and auction.

Learn more about the Spring Garden Symposium:

Annual collection of presentation and edicational sessions about gardening.

02/23/2026

We still have some open camp sessions! Please visit the website for full session details, dates, cost and to register! Please reach out with any questions: 4hcamps@unh.edu.
Website: https://extension.unh.edu/new-hampshire-4-h/barry-conservation-camp

02/19/2026

Maple Sugaring with 4-H and Great Brook Farm
March 7, 2026 | 10:00am - 12:00pm
Great Brook Farm Sugar House, Walpole , NH

Come learn all about maple sugaring at Great Brook Farm! We will take a tour of the farm, explore some hands-on maple sugaring activities, and end our adventure with some maple treats. Registration required.
https://extension.unh.edu/event/2026/03/maple-sugaring-4-h-great-brook-farm

02/17/2026

Tree and Shrub Winter Identification Workshop
March 9, 2026 | 10:00am - 12:00pm
Alstead NH
Identifying trees during the winter can be a challenge. Join UNH Cooperative Extension Foresters Dode Gladders and Steve Roberge to learn some of our cold-weather “ID Tips and Tricks.” We will focus on bark, buds, and branching, and we will go over some of our favorite books and smartphone apps as well.

Identifying trees during the winter can be a challenge. Join UNH Cooperative Extension Foresters Dode Gladders and Steve Roberge to learn some of our cold-weather “ID Tips and Tricks.”

12/10/2025

Learn how nature can be used as a tool to help alleviate some of the mental and physical symptoms associated with changing seasons.

Winter’s shorter daylight hours can negatively affect mental health, with many experiencing fatigue, mood changes, and in some cases, Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), a more severe depressive condition. Reduced sunlight impacts serotonin levels and disrupts circadian rhythms, but spending time o...