Cooperative Extension: Garden and Yard

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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? […]

Question: Why are oak trees dropping clusters of leaves recently? Is it due to drought? Answer: Jonathan Foster, Community Education Assistant As it happens, this is a timely question and you aren’t the only homeowner who has noticed the clusters of leaf litter–we’re getting it about oaks and pines, as well. The culprit is most likely […]

Question: I am trying to identify the type of mold on my garlic. Most of it looks like embellisia but I am concerned about the possibility of black mold.  If it is embellesia, we were planning to save some for seed garlic, is this a bad idea? Answer: Rebecca Long, Sustainable Agriculture and Horticulture Professional […]

Question: My question is about a Fox Valley Dwarf River Birch.   In 2021, we noticed bumps on the leaves. We went to nursery and it was suggested we use a systemic product which we did. Bumps remained but the tree continued to thrive. This year, the bumps came back immediately. We again asked from the […]

Question: The Japanese beetle population my large perennial beds has been increasing greatly every year despite hand-picking and using Captain Jack’s Deadbug Brew Spray (sparingly and in the evening, as I’m concerned about harming bees). Are there other methods that would be more effective and/or also reduce the population?  Answer: Jonathan Foster, Community Education Assistant […]