Question: We have two ducks and to keep them happy and healthy, this winter I dug out a small pond for them. The pond is approximately 10′ by 18′ with varying depths of 12 to 30+ inches. It’s in a naturally low lying area that tends to be wet for a good part of the […]
Read more
Question: Can unbleached coffee/tea filters and paper bags, such as LunchSkins, be placed in a home compost pile? I attended a lecture that said these items may contain PFAS. Answer: Jonathan Foster, Home Horticulture Outreach Professional I asked my colleague, Nick Rowley, who is our in-house expert on compost, and I’ll provide his response in […]
Read more
Question: Alleghany Viburnam dropped leaves which turned brown and curled up. I don’t know if this is an insect or fungus problem or something else. How can I fix? Answer: Jonathan Foster, Home Horticulture Outreach Professional I’m not sure from the wording of your question if the leaves browned and curled before or after dropping. […]
Read more
Question: When is the the last spring frost in Hancock County and first fall frost? Answer: Jonathan Foster, Home Horticulture Outreach Professional The short answer is somewhere in the neighborhood of May 6th for last and October 2nd for first. Longer answer: as you no doubt know, frost dates are always an informed guess kind […]
Read more
Question: I am looking to turn an open area in my backyard into a new vegetable/cut flower garden. It is currently grass and blueberries that haven’t produced fruit in years and have been being mowed back a few time a year most years. I know I need to do a soil test (and am planning […]
Read more
Question: We are looking for a native vine that will grow on a trellis and be attractive to hummingbirds and pollinators. Most of the native vines we have seen have white flowers and therefore won’t help the hummingbirds. Early season bloom when food is scarce is ideal but any suggestions for anything suitable that would […]
Read more
Question: I recently discovered this growth/cocoon on a young beach plum. It is only about 5/8″ long and at first assumed it to be some kind of cocoon given the perfectly round opening, only it appears to the be the same woody material as growing on the beach plum (or perhaps very well camouflaged). Any […]
Read more
Question: We have an unheated hoop house that I’m wondering if it’s too soon to be planting radishes in now? I know they are a cool weather crop, but is this too soon? Answer: Jonathan Foster, Home Horticulture Outreach Professional It does depend a bit on your hoop house set up, but if you can […]
Read more
Question: I am looking for a plot of land in Maine that is suitable for a lavender farm. Do you know where the best land/soil would be for that? And do you have any other tips on what to look for? Answer: Jonathan Foster, Home Horticulture Outreach Professional Generally, our team works to advise home […]
Read more
Question: Recent storms have severely damaged two spruce at our camp. We are at ocean’s edge on granite. The soil is two feet at best in depth. The site increasingly is hit with salt water several times a year. Spruce bud worm has infected the trees that are presently there. Can you recommend another species […]
Read more