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 […]
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Question: Our camp is on Schoodic Lake. I want to grow a vegetable garden, but we aren’t there every day. Sometimes we are gone a few days, sometimes a week back home. I am looking for ideas for watering while we are away. Is there some kind of small pump I can use to water […]
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Question: I want to start a rose garden. What do I need to get started (soil, drainage, etc.)? Answer: Tori Lee Jackson, Extension Professor of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Maine Cooperative Extension Androscoggin and Sagadahoc Counties As with many plants, your new rose garden will need well-drained soil and lots of sun. Your […]
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Question: We’re in the process of building our new net zero home and we have a rooftop garden that will be roughly 14×13 and about 6-8 inches of soil mixed with some raised beds. We were wondering what kind of options we might have for plants that would do well in a well drained, part […]
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Question: I am interested in making Wattle fencing/hurdles around my backyard and am hoping for any insight as to what trees/plants from Maine would be best to use. I have read that in England they use Hazel and Willow and am wondering what would be the closest to those that exist naturally here. It is […]
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Question: I want to challenge myself and my sons, together with their families, to grow popcorn this spring. Any suggestions on the type that will grow best in Southern Maine? Also, what would the best variety to grow in a container on a deck? We don’t have large garden spaces so are limited in that […]
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Question: I’m taking the “Boots 2 Bushels” course and I am loving it! I do have a question about slopes. We live on one acre of land, which is “not ideal for farming” (we are learning how to address this) and also very sloped. Do you have any tips or tricks to help with planning […]
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Question: I have used raised beds to make the most of my limited space in South Portland, to reduce soil disruption to protect soil health, etc. However, I am tiring of replacing the pine boards. They last me years but would love a permanent edge so all energy can go to gardening. I see folks […]
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Question: We live in Gorham and have several raised garden beds that receive full sun most of the day, at least six to eight hours of direct light even in the winter. We would like to extend the growing season by creating a hoop tunnel over the beds using plastic sheeting. However, we have a […]
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Q. I am looking at planting some Amelanchier. Is it salt tolerant? Your web page on plants of Maine lists Amelanchier canadensis in the “Trees that Tolerate High Soil Salt Levels” category but then lower on the same page lists “Amelanchier species (some N) Shadbush” as “Trees that Are Intolerant of Elevated Soil Salts.” Is […]
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