Question: Could you please advise as to the appropriate method of pruning the long lower limbs of my tamarack (aka larch) tree? They are hitting the house. Do I prune them all the way to the trunk or is it healthier for the tree to prune them back halfway or so? Answer: Jonathan Foster, Community […]
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Question: Are there Leopard Slugs (Limax Maximus) in Maine? Answer: Jonathan Foster, Community Education Assistant The leopard slug (also known as the giant or spotted slug) is indeed a frequent inhabitant of our area–typically found along the coast, it is now moving inland as environmental conditions change. This particular garden denizen is less common than the […]
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Question: I have a wildflower meadow and would like to plant more flowers. I have harvested quite a bit of Black-eyed Susan seed, as well as Mexican Hat and Coneflower seed from the meadow this summer. When should I plant the seed…prior to winter or in the spring? I have looked online and found both […]
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Question: I would like to surprise my daughter with a few perennial bushes (also deer resistant) for her yard and would like to know which ones are suitable for eastern Maine weather. Answer: Jonathan Foster, Community Education Assistant You can find excellent information on native plants for various needs (including deer resistance) on our Plants for […]
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Question: I have several perennial herbs in five separate gallon containers that I can’t bring into my house for the winter. What is the best way to prepare these plants to winter over outside? I do have a baker roof attached to my garage that I could store them under. Should I cut them back? […]
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Question: I have three swallowtail fennel plants in pots. They are about 2 1/2 feet high. Can I put them in an unheated garage? Do I cut them back? Do I water them? Answer: Jonathan Foster, Community Education Assistant While there are some varieties of fennel that are hardier than others and fennel can be […]
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Question: I’m trying to determine if my smoke bushes are infected with something or just going into dormancy in an unfamiliar way. 1/4 of the leaves on one of my bushes is affected. I’ve since pruned them off with clean sheers. I think this happened in just a few days. The spots are becoming but […]
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Question: I am wondering about backyard greenhouse placement. When south facing is recommended, does that mean the longer side of the greenhouse should face South or the door? Are there some things that can be started in a greenhouse without heat in the fall/winter? Answer: Jonathan Foster, Community Education Assistant When gardening sources recommend situating […]
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Question: Our newly planted Japanese Maples (Red Emperor) has signs of insect damage to its leaves. Do you know what could cause this and how best to treat it? Answer: Jonathan Foster, Community Education Assistant After bouncing the photos you sent along around among my colleagues to confirm first impressions, we are collectively of the […]
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Question: Is there something I can do to eliminate the squash bugs, yellow bodies with black stripe, from invading my squash and cucumbers? Should I dispose of the dead leaves of the plants in the compost? Is there a way to treat the soil now so in the spring they will not destroy the plants? […]
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