Question: I am starting a garden in a new area. All we have done is bush hogged the area. My question is what is my next step? Should I get it harrowed? I want to be able to dump rabbit manure on the area over the winter to help build up the soil. Answer: Lynne […]
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Question: When should I start picking Bartlett pears? Moonglow pears? I know they ripen off the tree. Answer: Jonathan Foster, Special Projects Assistant As you noted, pears do complete their ripening process off the tree–in fact, because they ripen from the inside out, if they are left on the tree they can often have quite […]
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Question: I just bought a Proven Winners Summerific Perfect Storm hibiscus. It is potted and has been outside all summer. Should I plant it outside now, or should I keep it inside? If outside, how late can I transplant it, and do I water it in? If inside, what do I do to keep it […]
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Question: My hazelnuts are only the size of a pea. I’m not sure what the variety is but I got the seedlings 5-6 years ago. Answer: Jonathan Foster, Special Projects Assistant There are several reasons why your hazelnut harvest is small (meaning small individually, not volume harvested). Hazelnuts do take several years to establish before […]
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Question: Earwigs have devoured multiple flower gardens, window boxes, vegetables. There are too many to use rolled up newspaper, hose, cans of oil, etc. I use Neem once/week on zinnias, etc. What about diatomaceous soil? Do I cover my whole two acres of plants and grass and if I do, what is the best way […]
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Question: My lawn and raised bed garden have been infested with the Amynthas jumping worm that I first noticed in 2021. I’ve read that applications of tea seed meal will eradicate these worms. I realize that Tea Seed Meal will also kill the good worms are there any other downsides? Answer: Jonathan Foster, Special Projects […]
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Question: Do ultrasonic deer repellants work? We have a string of arborvitaes which the deer love to munch on in the wintertime. Is fencing the only other alternative? We have tried sprays and clip on deterrents but nothing like that works. Answer: Jonathan Foster, Special Projects Assistant The short answer, in my experience, is that […]
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Question: What does recent research recommend as alternative, low-maintenance, ecologically sound replacements for lawns. Is there recommended ground covers for shady areas or extra dry areas that can be planted to reduce lawn area? Answer: Jonathan Foster, Special Projects Assistant Some common groundcover alternatives to turfgrass include creeping thyme (Thymus serpyllum), creeping juniper (Juniperus horizontalis), creeping phlox (Phlox […]
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Question: I have had a bumper crop of sweet and delicious muskmelons and charantais melons this summer, but I am noticing that some of the later ripening melons have some parts of the flesh that have a bitter taste. This is the first year I have encountered this. There isn’t anything in the look of […]
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Question: Can I plant Forget-Me-Not seeds now for next year’s blooms? Will they survive the winter? Answer: Jonathan Foster, Special Projects Assistant Forget-me-not (Myosotis sylvatica) is technically a winter hardy biennial, but is often grown as an annual. However, because it is such a prodigious self-sower, once planted it often continues on in successive generations […]
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