Question: This year, we had a huge amount of little green caterpillars in the oak tree in our backyard. If you sat under the tree for any length of time, you would have caterpillars all over you, because they were dropping down on little silks. The caterpillars seem to be gone now, but they ate […]
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Question: I wanted to get a lawn weed killer that would be safe for the clover growing in my grass…any recommendations? Answer: Jonathan Foster, Special Project Assistant Unfortunately, there aren’t great chemical options for weed control in turfgrass that will leave clover unaffected. Most lawn pesticides are targeted at broad-leaved plants, while leaving grasses unaffected. […]
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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, […]
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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 […]
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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 […]
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Question: I have found five four-leaf clovers in my yard in the past week. Is there some sort of mutation that makes these more likely in my yard? Answer: Jonathan Foster, Special Project Assistant You have discovered a well-kept Extension secret. Once every generation, leprechauns from all over Maine hold their great conference in one […]
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Question: I planted cucumber seeds in a raised bed 1 in early May and they did not come up. I was given some well established cucumber plants that I placed in the same raised bed and they nearly died within a week. I transplanted them to another raised bed and they are looking better… they […]
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Question: My tomato plants are showing a variegated discoloration especially on lower leaves. Several varieties are affected. Answer: Jonathan Foster, Special Project Assistant I was concerned about the concentric circle lesions on a couple of leaves (typically a symptom of early blight), so I reached out to our plant pathologist, Dr Alicyn Smart, for her […]
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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 […]
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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 […]
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