mmichaud, Author at Cooperative Extension: Garden and Yard

Author: mmichaud

What should I do now to improve my soil for next summer?

Question: I live in South Portland. Every summer for about 10 years I’ve had a vegetable garden on the same 50 x 25 ft plot. This year I won’t have time for a garden. What should I do this spring, summer and fall to improve the soil for next summer? Answer: Tori Lee Jackson, Extension […]

How do I attract and provide homes for bees?

Question: I want to make some bee hotels for my yard in Old Town. However, I don’t know which species are best for gardens and their nesting preferences. I want to ensure that I am attracting/homing the right bees. Answer: Tori Lee Jackson, Extension Professor of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Maine Cooperative Extension […]

What should I add to the soil to be sure plants will have enough nutrients?

Question: I planted a new flower garden last summer (2020). I dug up and removed the old sandy soil and put about 5″ of a soil and compost mixture down. I planted all new plants in this area. The plants thrived last summer and fall season. I am wondering what I need to add to […]

Will my raised-bed gardens do okay located 200 feet from the ocean with prevailing winds from the north?

Question: We recently purchased a home in North Lubec and are eager to create two large raised beds for vegetables and herbs for this June-September growing season. We have 8+ hours of south and southwest sun, which is where the beds will be located. We noticed that many vegetable gardens are not anywhere as close […]

Is it acceptable to plant butterfly bushes in Maine if they are sterile?

Question: Is it acceptable to plant butterfly bushes in Maine if they are sterile? Answer: Lynne Holland, Community Education Assistant (Home Horticulture), Androscoggin and Sagadahoc Counties That is a great question and it also brings up a problem we often face-the use of common names for items that have both invasive and non-invasive members in […]

Will beneficial overwintering insects be okay if raked materials are set aside and not burned?

Question: I saw advice not to clear old plants from gardens too early because beneficial bugs like bees and butterflies overwinter in them. I shared this and my gardening friend, who said she has to clear earlier because she grows fragile daffodils. Will the good bugs be okay if she sets the raked materials aside […]

What should I do to establish a field of wildflowers?

Question: I own six acres on Islesboro, approximately two acres of which I would like to turn into a field of wildflowers with a few assorted apple trees and the existing birch and ash trees. I have included an image of the property with a key showing the main “environments.” This property was historically a […]

What best practices should I suggest to Annual Plant Sale donors?

Question: I am working on an Annual Plant Sale and am seeking guidance about best practices to share with our plant donors — some of whom will be digging from their gardens — to reduce the likelihood of transferring crazy worms, invasive moths, or other general hangers-on. We always require that plants be potted in […]

Where do I find screening conifers for purchase?

Question: We live in Lyman with about 14 acres. We are interested in planting screening conifers (spruce, hemlock) in our woods to block a nearby house. Also, interested in native shrubs and ground cover for naturalizing in the woods and along the field, and several fruit trees. I’ve looked at your amazing lists of native […]

Will fall-planted winter rye be sufficient or is another nitrogen source needed?

Question: Per our garden soil sample results, we are to apply a nitrogen source this spring. We will be digging in the fall-planted winter rye as soon as able. Will that suffice or is another nitrogen source needed? If so is there a preference? Answer: Lynne M. Holland, Community Education Assistant, Androscoggin-Sagadahoc Counties Although cover […]

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