Question: I have just purchased a home and it already has four small raised beds in the front yard. I am new to home gardening, but I would love to get these ready for next planting/growing season. Is there anything special that I should be doing now in order to prepare for the spring (which […]
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Question: Hello, I am looking for an expert to come to my house and tell me what is wrong with both my raised beds and flower gardens. I’ve been trying to have raised beds for six years and am at my whits end. I’ve built a hügelkultur, pulled it all out, added new soil, kept […]
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Question: I created an elevated vegetable planter in a metal trough on legs. I lined it with black landscape cloth. The bottom of the trough has many circular punched out holes for drainage. I put in a mixture of purchased Coast of Maine container (2 parts) and Coast of Maine lobster compost (1 part). I […]
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Question: I’m looking for guidance on space management. We have a threadleaf falsecypress, planted in 2017, which is now 7-8′ tall and 6-7′ wide. It’s crowding two tom thumb cotoneasters, three false indigos and a viburnum that were all planted at the same time. Can the falsecypress be pruned? If so, how best is that […]
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Question: Can you help me explain why native plants from a nursery are better than native plants from box stores? The buy local topic is already understandable. I’m thinking more of quality of plants or other possible factors. Answer: Rebecca Long, Sustainable Agriculture and Horticulture Professional We want to encourage people to use whatever is […]
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Question: We are working to transform our yard to a native plant meadow. Several large patches of hawkweed are growing well. My reading says these are not native and invasive. Are they beneficial to pollinators? Do the benefits outweigh any harm? Answer: Rebecca Long, Sustainable Agriculture and Horticulture Professional Sounds like a wonderful project! There […]
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Question: I want to ask if the cold weather we’ve been having could be impacting the reemergence of my tulips and early spring bulbs. Last year it was bursting with color – tulips, daffodils, etc. this year there is very little. I have not done anything differently. Could it be the weather? Is there still […]
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Question: We have a new puppy who is digging in our perennial garden. What can we do to deter her from digging in garden and lawn? Answer: Abi Griffith, Horticulture Community Education Assistant Puppies! Good thing they are so cute because they are a lot of work! I’m including an article about creating pet safe gardens and some […]
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Question: I’ve been thinking about growing a hedgerow similar to those in England. I’m looking for shrubs and trees that would work well in our climate and some direction in planting. Answer: Abi Griffith, Horticulture Community Education Assistant Great idea! First you will have to consider the site conditions (sun/shade, soil drainage and quality, space […]
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Question: We have a piece of land that we are just beginning to make plans for– we want to plant as many native species as possible. I am wondering if a Master Gardener Volunteer would be able to come out to our land to help us walk the site, answer questions, and help us make […]
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