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Cooperative Extension: Garden and Yard

Seed Starting and Propagation

Is it too cold to plant lettuce when the temperatures have been in the low 30s at night?

Question: I live in the midcoast region. I would like to start planting lettuces, but the temps have been low…30’s at night and 40’s-50’s during the day. Is it still too early/cold or can I plant the seeds? What other cold weather vegetables can I plant now? I will be adding compost and 5-10-5 to […]

Will tomato plants produce fruit if the flowers have stayed at the same stage for weeks?

Question: We have raised beefsteak tomato plants from the seeds of a plant that we purchased last year. The plants are doing great, but the flowers are at the same stage for the last three weeks and they have not developed at all. Are they going to be able to produce fruit? Answer: Donna Coffin, […]

When should you remove the bottom heat when starting seeds indoors?

Question: I am doing some seed starting indoors with some seed starting mix, a heat mat, and a humidity dome. If a seed has started germination by breaking out of the seed with its root but hasn’t sprouted up out of the soil, is it ok to remove the bottom heat or will this hinder […]

Should I plant wildflower seeds prior to winter or in the spring?

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 […]

How do I get the Hostas that I started from seed to grow faster?

Question: I picked pods from a Hosta plant last fall. I planted the seeds in early February. I have been taking care of them indoors but also have some outdoors in a container that are equally as small. I wanted to know – why are these plants still so small? Is there something I can […]

When is the best time to plant seeds for a fall crop of snow peas?

Question: When is the best time to plant seeds for a fall crop of snow peas? Answer: Liz Stanley, Horticulture Community Education Assistant Here’s an article about growing peas in Maine Home Garden News. All peas are cool season crops and are best planted in Maine in the early spring (as soon as the ground is workable) for […]

Should pepper blossoms be pinched off before transplanting into the garden?

Question: If pepper seedlings have blossoms, should the blossoms be pinched off before transplanting into the garden? Answer: Pamela Hargest, Horticulture Professional Yes, pepper blossoms can be picked off before or when you transplant your pepper seedlings into your garden. This will help redirect the plant’s energy to developing healthy roots!

What advice do you have for growing sunflowers to be ready for an event?

Question: We would like to grow a variety of sunflowers, from the tall ones like Burpee Mammoth to shorter ones like Santa Lucia as well as smaller multi-stemmed which we can put in vases at an event. We’d like the flowers at the stage where their yellow ray petals are in best appearance (i.e., ornamental […]

Will planting non-heirloom seeds near heirlooms affect them?

Question: If I am planting a few seeds that are heirloom and also planting some that are not heirloom, will this affect the heirloom seeds? I am not planning on planting the the same species of plants. Answer: Abi Griffith, Horticulture Community Education Assistant If you are planning on saving seeds from these heirloom plants, […]

Are there native wildflower seed packages that can be sprinkled to plant that are helpful for pollinators?

Question: I’d like to grow more wildflowers that are helpful for pollinators and/or native to Maine and are just nice to have. I was wondering if there are general mixed seed packages that can be bought to just sprinkle around for the above purposes. Any thoughts, tips, suggestions? Answer: Rebecca Long, Sustainable Agriculture and Horticulture […]

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