Question: I planted six high bush blueberries of different varieties three years ago. This year several of them are growing strangely. Some have a ton of berries, but minimal plant growth. Others had hardly any berries and others appear damaged or sick. Could you provide potential diagnosis and guidance as to how to help them? […]
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Question: Goldenrod (canadensis) has invaded flower beds, meadow, and woodland border. At first I didn’t mind, but the goldenrod is turning into a monoculture. I have read that part of its success is because it is allelopathic. What is the chemical(s) and is there a study or list of plants that are not affected? For […]
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Question: I have an old but productive Macintosh Apple tree. It is beginning to show sun scald and is putting out shoots 2-3 feet from the trunk. I would hate to lose this tree! Can the shoots be replanted and if so, how and when? It is a standard tree, not on a rootstock. Answer: […]
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Question: What is you advice regarding dealing with mugwort? We have a patch that has appeared this past year and is growing vigorously. It’s along the edge of a field, and camouflages some large spruce stumps, so not altogether objectionable. Should we try to get rid of it or leave it alone? Answer: Jonathan Foster, […]
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Question: How long can a fall crop of beets and carrots remain in the soil in Southern Maine? Answer: Jonathan Foster, Home Horticulture Outreach Professional Per MOFGA’s nice resource page on storing vegetables, both beets and carrots can remain in the garden late into the fall under a nice layer of mulch, but should be harvested […]
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Question: I have just purchased Redhead Fountain Grass. Is it an invasive? Answer: Jonathan Foster, Home Horticulture Outreach Professional Technically, the fountain grasses do not appear on the Maine Do Not Sell list, which is our database of officially recognized invasives. That said, it is considered invasive in a few other states, and just because a […]
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Question: We recently had a magnolia and lilac bush planted by a landscaper and there seems to be some critter that is coming and digging up these newly planted bushes. How do we deal with this situation? Answer: Jonathan Foster, Home Horticulture Outreach Professional Unfortunately, it’s often difficult to identify what’s working at those roots, […]
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Question: I was just given a field/garden that I hope to grow food on for both myself and perhaps to sell on the island in the future. I heard there might be grants available to help with funding a high tunnel so that I could grow year round. I’m hoping for some guidance with getting […]
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Question: I noticed spots on my pear tree leaves and a lot of the pear fruit was aborted this year. I’m not sure if it is pear scab or pear rust? Or are they the same? How can I treat this? I also have a plum and peach tree in the area, are they at […]
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Question: Two lilac trees on my property have some disease or pesticide infestation. Can you help me identify the problem and offer a solution? Answer: Jonathan Foster, Home Horticulture Outreach Professional Lilacs commonly suffer foliage fungal infestations, especially in hot, wet summers, and it definitely looks as though that’s what’s going on here. Typically, they […]
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