Question: I live on Vinalhaven island and we have been experiencing a lot of raccoon damage to lawns as they forage for something underground. I am told it is probably grubs, but I don’t know. My question is, can we do anything to control the grubs or whatever is the food source? I have tried […]
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Question: I saw advice not to clear old plants from gardens too early because beneficial bugs like bees and butterflies overwinter in them. I shared this and my gardening friend, who said she has to clear earlier because she grows fragile daffodils. Will the good bugs be okay if she sets the raked materials aside […]
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Question: I am working on an Annual Plant Sale and am seeking guidance about best practices to share with our plant donors — some of whom will be digging from their gardens — to reduce the likelihood of transferring crazy worms, invasive moths, or other general hangers-on. We always require that plants be potted in […]
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Question: I am writing with a question about gardening in cat poop. I have a neighbor whose cat (which I consider feral due to negligence both medical and otherwise) used my newly expanded garden as his litter box all last fall, and will likely this spring. I am concerned about parasites and toxoplasmosis as well. […]
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Question: I grow cucumbers and tomatoes indoors and can not feel if the surface is dry. The digital meter did not give a percentage and websites go from 10 to 80%. The problem is wilt and powdery mildew, both do better at 30-35% with treatments, but plants are slow growing at that level. Answer: Lynne […]
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Question: I have a few young apple and stone fruit trees. Which pests and diseases should I spray proactively and which should wait until I see activity or damage? Answer: Renae Moran, Fruit Tree Specialist, Highmoor Farm We have a website on spraying fruit trees. Insect Pests – Cooperative Extension: Tree Fruits Pests that are […]
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Question: My tomato plants all got early blight. Wondering if my soil will be safe to use again next spring? Answer: It’s a very common disease of tomatoes in Maine. Here’s an excerpt from our Early Blight of Tomato fact sheet that offers some next steps: Survival and Dispersal The fungus spends the winter in […]
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Question: I have read that beneficial nematodes may be helpful in controlling a Japanese beetle infestation that is attacking my vegetables, flowers, and shrubs. If so, what kind should I be looking for? Where can I get them? How are they applied? Answer: Here’s information from Maine’s YardScaping Program, including links to a nematode fact […]
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Question: I have been reading a lot about aerated compost teas and how they can be used on the foliage to help protect against things like fungus and insects. Do you agree with these type of statements? If so, could application on my tomato plants help with leaf spot? Answer: The short answer to your […]
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Question: My vegetable garden this year was taken over by Verdolaga (pigweed) to a point where I did not enjoy my garden. Is there anything I can do now to help me next year? I don’t mind weeding, but this year was awful, I just couldn’t keep up with this weed. Answer: At this point, […]
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