Ask the Expert

How do you get rid of aphids covering a Dappled Willow?

Question: We have a beautiful Dappled Willow Tree in our yard that is in full flower mode. It is about eight-feet tall with a width of about the same. It is full of aphids. How do we get rid of such pests on a bush so large?  Answer: Jonathan Foster, Home Horticulture Outreach Professional Lovely […]

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Is alfalfa meal recommended for application on flower beds and vegetable gardens?

Question: I’ve recently heard alfalfa meal is recommended for general application on flower beds and vegetable gardens. I need more information about using this amendment. Answer: Jonathan Foster, Home Horticulture Outreach Professional Alfalfa meal is a common organic soil amendment derived from alfalfa (Medicago sativa) crops, and it offers a low NPK (nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium… in the 3-1-2 range) […]

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Is there an effective, natural way to get rid of ants in my lawn?

Question: Is there an effective, natural way to get rid of ants in my lawn? Answer: Jonathan Foster, Home Horticulture Outreach Professional The short answer to your question is, unfortunately, “not really.” The typical “natural” approaches are things like boiling water, horticultural vinegar, etc.–none of them will kill enough of the ants to make a […]

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Should I plant wildflowers to attract and support bees?

Question: I have a property with some woods on it, which I think was logged back in the day. I’ve seen a few bees around and was wondering if it was wise to spread some native wildflowers around the area or would that be disruptive and give them an unfair advantage? Additionally, how far away […]

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When should central Maine Zone 4 start winter sowing?

Question: When should central Maine Zone 4 start winter sowing? Answer: Jonathan Foster, Home Horticulture Outreach Professional The answer ultimately depends on what you’re sowing, but realistically you can do most of it now. As it happens, I just wrote an article for the Maine Home Garden News on winter sowing, so I’ll include the relevant portion […]

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How can I identify the apple variety in my orchard?

Question: I live on land that was once an apple orchard. There is only one tree left and it produces great apples for pies and sauce. Its days are numbered and I would like to identify the tree so that I can plant more trees of this variety. I have tried to match the apples […]

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