Question: What is the latest time in the summer that one should plant grass seed? Answer: Donna R. Coffin, Extension Professor Our factsheet on establishing home lawns suggests “spring (May) or late summer (August 15 to September 15)” is the best time. If you live in Aroostook County, I would suggest early September as a last date […]
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Question: What is a responsible way to get rid of invasive ferns in your lawn? Answer: Rebecca Long, Sustainable Agriculture and Horticulture Professional I suspect the reason you have ferns and Canada-mayflower, Maianthemum canadense (which is actually native to Maine and therefore beneficial for pollinators and wildlife!) encroaching on your lawn is a combination of things; the […]
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Question: Description of the area: A gradual slope down to the lake the area is barren now with hard soil and plenty of tree roots. It’s shaded because there’s some pine and oak trees on this space. We are looking for a walkable ground cover. The area needs to be accessible from the basement and […]
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Question: We are working with a landscaper to grade our yard and address the overall health of the lawn. We haven’t done anything to the lawn since we moved in six years ago and it has grown many mossy spots. The landscaper is recommending: lime, grass seeding and grub treatment. I try to be very […]
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Question: I have an odd question that may not fall under your wheelhouse. I live in Atkinson right by the Center. My old deck was taken down so… I. Have. Dirt. The digging hound is elated but is there a grass seed I can toss out with some hope for growth at this point? Answer: […]
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Question: I’m getting wild plantain infestation after amending and reseeding my 1,500-square-foot lawn this past spring. I’d like to topdress with compost and new grass seed at the end of this season. Can you recommend the “safest” selective herbicide to control this? Or would you recommend I start new with “safest” broad spectrum herbicide and […]
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Question: I have allowed my front yard to become a meadow this year. It is a small front yard in Portland, with two large maple trees along the street. (Plus a third one just on the neighbor’s side of our driveway). Should I mow the meadow this fall, in order to accommodate raking the substantial […]
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Question: I’m a new gardener living in York, Maine. I have a very large yard, but was hoping to “rewild” an area of lawn. My goal would be to create a native wild flower pasture, perhaps with native shrubs and trees. However, I have no idea where to start. Is there anyone or any resources […]
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Question: I am reaching out on behalf of our community radio control airplane club. Over the last 6-12 months, our beautiful grass runway has been damaged by some critters that dig holes. The holes range from approx 1.5″ to 5″ in diameter and are now ripping the wheels off our aircraft! We have not seen […]
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Question: I would like to know the best time in spring to use a lawn fertilizer with a pre-emergent herbicide? Answer: Dave Fuller, Agriculture and Non-timber Forest Products Professional Pre-emergent lawn herbicides need to he applied before the soil temperatures reach a point where the weed seeds begin germinating. A great indicator for timing is […]
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