Question: I have an old apple tree that is a family landmark. It is very overgrown and produces tiny apples. I would like to rejuvenate it. Are there any resources about pruning and care? Answer: Jonathan Foster, Community Education Assistant You’ll find all the answer you need for pruning your apple trees in our UMaine […]
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Question: I grow King of the North bell peppers each year and for the last several years, some of them have spots. The spots start from the inside of the peppers and eventually are on the outside skin and form dark rotted spots. There is no insect damage that I can see, no holes or […]
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Question: I want to best prepare my beds for next spring. I think I’ve missed the boat on cover crop. Should I mulch my raised beds? I have ample access to leaves and pine needles. I also have garlic overwintering in one bed. Answer: Jonathan Foster, Community Education Assistant It is a bit too late […]
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Question: Is it too late to plant roses? Should I not cut back my Brown Eyed Susans to leave the seeds for the birds? Answer: Jonathan Foster, Community Education Assistant We recommend planting roses early in the year rather than late in order to give them ideal conditions to root in–there are some varieties that […]
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Question: A groundhog has taken up residence in a foundation rock wall. What can I do to get rid of it permanently? Answer: Donna R. Coffin, Extension Professor Woodchucks or groundhogs can cause significant damage to a home garden, so you will want to either have this one removed or plan to use an electric […]
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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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