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Cooperative Extension: Garden and Yard

Soils and Composting

Will a soil test determine why my seeds did not germinate?

Question: I have just moved into a condo and was so lucky to find a garden there. Unfortunately, the maintenance workers, while mulching our shrubs, covered the vegetable garden with mulch. I was assured by the property management that it was not toxic. However, in my many years of gardening, I have never planted seeds […]

Does University of Maine Cooperative Extension test plants for lead?

Question: The UVM Extension services appeared to indicate that I might be able to get plant materials tested (for a fee of course) through the Maine Extension services. I have plants growing where there is known to be lead. I would like to test parts of the plants to see if lead is showing up […]

Do you test soil for toxoplasmosis?

Question: Do you test soil or vegetables for toxoplasmosis? My cat has been using a part of the garden as a litter box so I’m a bit freaked out about eating the produce from it. I’m hoping that you can test for it? Answer: Jonathan Foster, Home Horticulture Outreach Professional Unfortunately, toxoplasmosis is not something […]

What are some general recommendations for fertilizing in a limited space for growing vegetables?

Question: I haven’t found any recommendations on this website for fertilizing specific varieties of vegetables. I do get recommendations with a soil report but I grow my vegetables in a limited space and rotate them as best as I can from year-to-year. Are there some general recommendations you can provide, as well as timing? Answer: […]

Will adding compost adversely affect the soil I’m growing vegetables in?

Question: I grow vegetables in a field via direct seeding or transplants. I have noticed that when I try to plant I have a lot of clumps. When I squeeze the clumps, they break down easily into small granules. I need to add additional soil to to my growing area. My choices are loam, compost […]

Should I rotate my vegetables in raised beds even if I am taking out about half or more of the soil each year and adding new?

Question: Should I rotate my vegetables in raised beds even if I am taking out about half or more of the soil each year and adding new? Answer: Jonathan Foster, Home Horticulture Outreach Professional When possible, crop rotation is always a best practice recommendation to prevent the potential build up of pathogens, though the realities […]

Does paper products like coffee filters in a home compost pile increase the risk of PFAS?

Question: Can unbleached coffee/tea filters and paper bags, such as LunchSkins, be placed in a home compost pile? I attended a lecture that said these items may contain PFAS. Answer: Jonathan Foster, Home Horticulture Outreach Professional I asked my colleague, Nick Rowley, who is our in-house expert on compost, and I’ll provide his response in […]

How can I turn my backyard into a new vegetable garden?

Question: I am looking to turn an open area in my backyard into a new vegetable/cut flower garden. It is currently grass and blueberries that haven’t produced fruit in years and have been being mowed back a few time a year most years. I know I need to do a soil test (and am planning […]

What is the best soil for growing Lavender?

Question: I am looking for a plot of land in Maine that is suitable for a lavender farm. Do you know where the best land/soil would be for that? And do you have any other tips on what to look for? Answer: Jonathan Foster, Home Horticulture Outreach Professional Generally, our team works to advise home […]

What form of sulfur should we add to our vegetable garden to decrease the pH level?

Question: Our vegetable garden shows too high levels of pH (7.3-7.5) in all the beds and rows according to soil samples processed by UMaine Extension. We began to establish the garden nearly 50 years ago on a glacial moraine. The soil type us predominantly Naumberg Sand and Gravel. The advice from UMaine Extension was to […]

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