Cooperative Extension: Garden and Yard

Question: What would be a good ground cover companion for lilac? Our lilacs are on the west side of the house so there is only partial sun. Right now the area is beset by Dame’s rocket, goutweed, and sunchokes. I’m trying to weed them out and will need to replace them. What might be best? […]

Question: I have a newly constructed house that’s surrounded by bulldozed land with a 15% – 20% grade that is mostly gravel and clay. I want to plant a cover crop to enrich the soil and prevent erosion while I plan what to do with the property. I’m thinking of buckwheat which will die back […]

Question: Is it safe to grow milkweed over a septic drain field? Answer: Jonathan Foster, Home Horticulture Outreach Professional As much as we love milkweed (Asclepias syriaca) for its attractiveness to pollinators (not to mention monarch butterflies), I believe I would hold off on growing it over your leach field. As you probably know from your question, […]

Question: I’m considering planting some trees or shrubs as a privacy screen at the edge of my property. I’m concerned about root systems and encroachment upon our septic system which is on that side of the house. Do you have any general recommendations about how far apart any trees that we plant need to be […]

Question: Should a new Shadbush be pruned to a single trunk or how many branches should be encouraged? Answer: Jonathan Foster, Home Horticulture Outreach Professional Pruning needs depend on what type you have–some species can be trained into a tree shape by pruning to a single trunk, if that’s the look you are shooting for, […]

Question: Will plants in a gravel garden thrive in my hardiness zone – 6a? I love the idea of a gravel garden but want to make sure its suitable for Maine natives plants. If yes, can you suggest some Maine native plants that would thrive in a gravel garden? Answer: Jonathan Foster, Home Horticulture Outreach […]

Question: I’d like to plant something native that might give some color by that is a privacy barrier and will thrive with little care. What do you suggest? Also while much of my yard can be quite soggy this area seems to drain fairly well. Answer: Jonathan Foster, Home Horticulture Outreach Professional So, the parameters […]

Question: I have a camp with the eastern edge bordering the lake. I would like to maintain the inland section as a more natural area, but may need to install a septic system leach field which imposes some constraints. I am also completely lacking in knowledge about what options I have, pitfalls, opportunities, etc. Can […]