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Cooperative Extension: Garden and Yard

Garden Design and Maintenance

What is a late blooming flowering tree that would be good for our yard?

Question: What would be a good late blooming flowering tree for our yard? We currently have two apple trees and have never been able to eat the apples because of a fungus even after we’ve sprayed the tree. It’s time to cut those down and plant a flowering tree that blooms later in the season. […]

Are perennials able to be successful in pots instead of in the ground if given a large enough pot and drainage?

Question: Are perennials able to be successful in pots instead of in the ground if given a large enough pot and drainage? Answer: Kate Garland, Horticulturist Thanks for your great question, Erin. Perennial plants can do very well in containers under the parameters you mentioned earlier – with adequate space and drainage. You’ll want to […]

How can we save a lilac that has fungus growing on it?

Question: We have a dark purple lilac that had this fungus show up this spring on it, or at least that’s when we noticed it. It is well blossoming, plenty of leaves, etc. I am afraid this may be a death sentence for it but have learned not to necessarily rely on the internet. If […]

How do you prune nineback shrubs?

Question: I have five large ninebark shrubs. They are all close to six-feet tall with very thick growth. The branches on several of them have collapsed to the ground leaving the middle empty and unsightly. In the past this was apt to happen after a heavy rain and have always bounced back after a day […]

What is the best way to “accelerate” the decay of several hardwood tree stumps?

Question: What is the best way to “accelerate” the decay of several hardwood tree stumps in our heavily wooded yard? We plan to drill several deep holes to allow “quicker” water/oxygen/worm/bug penetration but are there any “safer” additives that won’t have untoward ecosystem downsides? Maybe honey, for example? Answer: Jonathan Foster, Special Project Assistant Unfortunately, […]

What native flowers should be added to a perennial bed?

Question: I want to add to our perennial beds at our lakefront property but want to plant native plants. In there now are a bunch of hydrangea and peony and sea pea and bee balm and bleeding heart. There is a big bush with a trumpet like purple/pink flower that the hummingbirds are loving. What […]

What vegetables and fruits will grow in an area that only gets three to five hours of sunlight a day?

Question: I have an area of approximately 120 square feet that only gets about 3-5 hours of full sunlight a day. Are there any veggies or fruits that will grow in this area? Answer: Jonathan Foster, Special Project Assistant Ah, the vegetable-loving shade gardener. I struggle with this particular issue in parts of my own […]

How do you dispose of multiflora rose branches that were cut?

Question: We have an invasion of wild roses, multi flora, which are making mowing difficult. We have cut back an huge amount of branches and want to know how to dispose of branches. Can I bring them somewhere so they can be burned? Answer: Jonathan Foster, Special Project Assistant I’m sorry to hear about your […]

Should I prune my Forsythia bush now or is it too late in the season?

Question: I have an overgrown Forsythia bush. It didn’t bloom this year because of the cold snap (I think) so it sort of fell off my radar for pruning. Now it is leafy, and huge, with new buds. I don’t want to miss another year of blooming so should I leave it overgrown or prune […]

How do you prune a lilac tree?

Question: I have a white lilac that is needing to be pruned/trimmed and don’t know who to call to do it. It is healthy and blooms all over but some of the branches are growing up into wires that go from corner of my house across street to pole. I would like to have it […]

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