Question: We have a lot of bracken fern in our large, wooded yard. I’m aware this is an invasive plant. Do you have any recommendations for getting rid of it? It is very tenacious! Answer: Jonathan Foster, Home Horticulture Outreach Professional While bracken fern (Pteridium aquilinum) isn’t currently designated as invasive in Maine (please see the invasive […]
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Question: I have a field of Canadian Bluejoint grass, which has been taken over by bittersweet and roses. I usually cut it all down each year, but I would like to return the field to more of the Canadian Bluejoint grass. I heard I can solarize it by covering it with black material. I would […]
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Question: I am planning a new home flower and vegetable garden and am wondering if it would be better to use rainwater rather than city water? Answer: Jonathan Foster, Home Horticulture Outreach Professional Neither is bad, but the answer depends on which plants you want to grow, what your budget/available workload is, and your perspective. […]
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Question: It is now mid-October. Is it too late to transplant perennials or plant shrubs or trees? Answer: Jonathan Foster, Home Horticulture Outreach Professional At this point, it’s probably better to wait until spring. Transplants typically need about 4-6 weeks to reestablish their root systems, and if that doesn’t happen before the ground freezes the […]
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Question: When is the best time to prune beach roses? We have a row of one and two-year-old bushes which have put out a lot of suckers and tall new growth. We are hoping for a wild-looking hedge. Also, the hips all turn black a short time after turning red. Answer: Jonathan Foster, Home Horticulture […]
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Question: I am looking to start a flower garden and wanting advice on size, seed and what to plant. Answer: Jonathan Foster, Home Horticulture Outreach Professional The UNH Extension has a great resource for homeowners on controlling crabgrass, including a nice summation of the corn gluten situation: Now that our growing season is winding down, this […]
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Question: I have just moved into a condo and was so lucky to find a garden there. Unfortunately, the maintenance workers, while mulching our shrubs, covered the vegetable garden with mulch. I was assured by the property management that it was not toxic. However, in my many years of gardening, I have never planted seeds […]
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Question: I just identified Chameleon plant in my small garden bed. I noticed it a couple of years ago and tried to stay on top of it, but this last year, it has completely taken over and is choking out the perennials. I wondered if you had suggestions for eradication? I am wondering if it […]
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Question: I’ve planted flowers and left my yard unmown for several years for a pollinator garden. Some of my neighbors think I should mow it this year. Should I? If yes, how short? Answer: Jonathan Foster, Home Horticulture Outreach Professional I’m assuming the issue is whether mowing is beneficial to the pollinator garden, and not […]
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Question: We planted asparagus four years ago, harvesting for the first time last year. We had a long and abundant harvest last year. This year we have experienced next to no shoots. Should we be concerned? Is there something we should do to encourage growth again next year? Are the good years and bad years […]
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