Cooperative Extension: Garden and Yard

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

Question: We are battling rugosa rose in our yard.  We cut back and covered a 20 x 20 section with black plastic for two years.  Now, we are not sure the best way to cover that area and prevent the rose, which is still nearby, from taking over again. We do not want to use […]

Question: I’d like to know if there are small flowers that can be grown in the lawn for spring blooming that will be either done blooming or low enough when my husband mows the lawn that they don’t get cut? Answer: Lynne M. Holland, Horticulture and Social Media Professional Which low-blooming flowers will work for […]

Question:  I want to plant a privacy hedge with evergreen shrubs that grow no higher than 10 feet.  What would you recommend?  Answer: Lynne M. Holland, Horticulture and Social Media Professional Privacy hedges, like fences, can make good neighbors.  What that hedge is made of is impacted by the “look” of the garden. To make […]

Question: The septic tank and leach field were just installed at my new home (there is nothing growing on it at all, just dirt). The slope off the back side of the leach field is steeper than what I’m comfortable mowing. I read an article here titled “establishment of vegetable gardens on septic system disposal […]

Question: I am looking into putting American Holly in my yard, specifically Blue Princess and Prince. I’ve read online that it can grow 10 feet tall but other local sources say 4-6 feet tall. Do plants in Maine not grow as tall as they say online because the growing season here is shorter? Answer: Jonathan […]