Question: I read the Cornell ‘Composting to Reduce the Waste Stream’ on your site. I do not like the idea it includes about using ‘pressure treated’ wood to construct compost containers in the yard. I wonder if you agree? Answer: Kate Garland, Horticultural Professional When the Cornell document was written (1991) pressure treated lumber was […]
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Question: I have arsenic in my well water. Is it safe to eat vegetables that were grown in that environment, watered with well water containing arsenic? Answer: Marjorie Peronto, Extension Educator I assume that you’ve had your water tested and know the concentration level of arsenic. As you will see in these two fact sheets, it is considered […]
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Question: If I wanted to use rainwater to water my garden, how do I get my water tested to know if it’s safe? Answer: Marjorie Peronto, Extension Educator If you wish to use rainwater on your garden, you should treat it as any other surface water – not safe to drink or to wash produce […]
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Question: I am interested in planting a shrub or two in my yard that will attract multiple kinds of birds. I would prefer the shrub to grow no taller than 8 feet in height. My yard has sunny and shady areas. Do you have any suggestions? Answer: Vina Lindley, Food Systems and Home Horticulture Professional […]
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Question: I would like to know the proper way to overwinter plants I’m propagating. I have one pot with five Cardinal Flowers (to divide for a Spring plant sale), two pots with ornamental shrubs (from cuttings made last Spring), and three pots with apple rootstock (less than a pencil width that were pulled and potted […]
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Question: Is it good to leave fallen leaves in the garden over the winter? Is it beneficial? When can they be raked up in the spring? Answer: Viña Lindley, Food Systems & Home Horticulture Professional Absolutely, leaves make a great mulch since they’re free, readily available, and full of nutrients that release slowly over time. […]
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Question: Should asparagus plants be cut back in the fall after they’ve turned yellow? I read that they should be cut just under the top of the soil, but wanted to confirm this information. Answer: Lynne M. Holland, Horticulture and Social Media Professional Once the asparagus tops have yellowed their work is done for the […]
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Question: We have a summer camp that is located on a salt water cove. This past year we have lost trees from all the storms/high winds we have had. Are there any shrubs/bushes/trees that we can plant that would help stabilize the banking these trees were on? Answer: Lynne M. Holland, Horticulture and Social Media […]
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Question: I live in Bar Harbor on a hill where it is very windy. I routinely have mulch blown off the garden beds, petals blown off my daylily flowers, etc., when storms blow through. I have several tree peonies that have been in my perennial garden for the last three winters. Each winter I have […]
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Question: I am looking for a small evergreen to go in front of the deck. There will be loam brought in. Answer: Lynne M. Holland, Horticulture and Social Media Professional First of all, I am going to send along a recommendation to consult this chapter from our manual for some in-depth information on the things […]
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