Cooperative Extension: Garden and Yard

Question: I have been using landscape cloth to reduce the weeds in my garden. I have been reading that this material is not good and that there are better alternatives but I haven’t seen what the alternatives are. Are there better alternatives and if so, what do you recommend? Answer: Jonathan Foster, Home Horticulture Outreach […]

Question: What are the best native ornamental grasses to plant on a septic drainage field in zone 5a/4b? Answer: Jonathan Foster, Home Horticulture Outreach Professional As you may know, leach fields are specially engineered structures and care must be taken with anything planted on top of them, as deep root systems can clog, damage, or otherwise […]

Question:  I have 1,000′ of rocky shore and would like to plant flowering, ground-cover seeds on the spots with soil. Native plants would be best. There are birches and spruce growing in spots. Answer: Lynne Holland, Horticulture Professional Planting 1000 ft of shoreline is no small project and native plants are the best way to […]

Question: I have several nine bark shrubs planted beneath large pine trees. I usually rake up the pine needles around them in the fall, leaving compacted dirt. The dirt produces weeds throughout the summer. I was wondering if it would be okay to leave the pine needles as mulch around them, thus inhibiting weed growth. […]

Question: I am wondering if there is any information on greenhouse gardening in Maine specifically a planting schedule for later harvest. Answer: Jonathan Foster, Special Projects Assistant Greenhouse gardening in Maine is a broad topic, ranging from backyard cold frames to huge commercial operations. Because this is our home horticulture site, I’m assuming you are looking for information on […]

Question: I was wondering if you can tell me when and how to trim my hedge row of arborvitae?  I need to cut off about six to eight feet off the height of this hedge row. Answer: Jonathan Foster, Special Projects Assistant Arborvitae can be topped, but you do run the risk of leaving some […]

Question: The former owners of our home had planted many Rosa rugosa plants, which faces southeast and gets plenty of sun. I’d like to replace these with more interesting plants and would love your suggestions. Maybe SHORT height hydrangea, some evergreens, peonies? I’d like it to be attractive through all seasons, and low maintenance. Answer: […]