Seed Starting and Propagation

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 […]

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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 […]

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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!

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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, […]

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How do you save seeds from squash to later plant?

Question: How do I save seeds from fresh squash to use for planting later without them rotting? Answer: Lynne M. Holland, Horticulture and Social Media Professional Seed saving is both an art and a science.  We have a bulletin on the topic Seed Saving for Home Gardeners  that explains the general process. Some things to consider when […]

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Can you recommend frost dates for gardening?

Question: I live in Belgrade. I’m trying to figure out what frost dates to use but every search seems to give me a different answer. It seems to be anywhere from 4/27-5/27 for Spring and 9/17-10/9 for Fall. Can you please recommend a date to use?  Answer: Abi Griffith, Horticulture Community Education Assistant Because we […]

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How do I keep seeds started indoors in seed trays alive?

Question: I’ve started seeds indoors in seed trays with plastic covers. I rotate them every other day so that they each get enough light. Many of my seedlings die, I think because the soil is either too wet, or, if I take the covers off, too dry.  How do I keep them alive? Answer: Abi […]

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