Question: I would like to plant a native wildflower meadow over my mounded septic leach field as well as in the areas surrounding it. I would also like to plant milkweed to support monarchs. I’m trying to find information about if this is safe with the septic or what types of plants I should use. […]
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Question: What can be used to effectively repel Japanese beetles from plants? Presently I use a trap & hand pick beetles several times a day. Answer: Katherine Garland, Horticulturist I’m sorry to hear you’re dealing with a heavy “crop” of Japanese beetles this year. Now is when the adults are most actively feeding and mating, […]
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Question: The tops of my Blue Spruce tree turned thin and curly, then brown and the needles have now fallen off. How do I heal this tree? Answer: Rebecca Long, Sustainable Agriculture and Horticulture Professional Unfortunately, your spruce has been attacked by White Pine Weevil. This Penn State publication also has good photos. The good news is that […]
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Question: I have highbush blueberries that I protect from birds and critters by netting. A couple of times in the past decade, a bird has gotten inside the netting and could not find its way out and died. Would hanging cds on the bushes work to protect the blueberries from the birds and critters? Answer: […]
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Question: I have a huge and beautiful, mature magnolia tree. For the first time, it’s covered with Magnolia scale and is dripping sticky liquid everywhere! I’m not sure how to get rid of it and hope you have a suggestion. Answer: Katherine Garland, Horticulturist I’m sorry to hear about your magnolia tree scale. Here’s a great […]
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Question: Why does my Yew Tree have brown needles? Answer: Katherine Garland, Horticulturist A number of issues can lead to browning needles. The University of Maine Cooperative Extension would be happy to take a look at a few pictures and learn more about what’s going on in order to hopefully diagnose the issue. Here’s a […]
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Question: I have a relatively new golden willow in my front yard that is being slowly girdled by sapsucker holes in the bark. How do I deter the bird, protect the tree, and what should I do to prevent disease and encourage continued growth? The tree has started to send out shoots along the trunk […]
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Question: For the last several years I have had massive amounts of weeds, that get worse every time I pull them! There are so many that my soil is solid full of roots from these weeds! How do I get my garden back? Answer: Rebecca Long, Sustainable Agriculture and Horticulture Professional I’m sorry to hear […]
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Question: I have a hardy apricot tree that flowers nicely each spring, then all fruitlets fall off or are severely damaged by insects. This spring I pruned it very hard so I can reach branches and better monitor for insects, tie on maggot barriers. All branches have sent out dozens of sprouts due to pruning, […]
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Question: Do we have Carpenter Ants in Maine and how do you get rid of them? Answer: Katherine Garland, Horticulturist Yes, we primarily have two species, the Eastern black carpenter ant and the red carpenter ant. If you suspect you have some, we always welcome you to send us a few clear pictures so we […]
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