In This Issue: August Is the Month to . . . What Can Devoted Gardeners Do When We Just Cannot Garden Anymore Like We Want To? Collecting Ash Seed in Maine Featured Tool: Say Hello to the Homi The Best Salts for Canning & Pickling Backyard Bird of the Month: Scarlet Tanager Maine Weather and […]
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Question: I have wildflower gardens that wraps around my house. In one section, I am battling what I believe to be Canada thistle. Initially, I was cutting off the stems at the base and spraying the remains with 30% vinegar. However, because I have such a large patch of it I found that to be […]
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Question: How do you deal with June bugs/asiatic beetles? They’re targeting our basil, and any fresh transplants in our garden. We have made light and soapy water traps, but curious if there are any organic methods for getting them at the larval stage so they don’t emerge and cause damage? Answer: Jonathan Foster, Home Horticulture […]
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Question: Some branches of leaves are turning brown on my Sunburst Locust tree. There are no webs so I’ve kind of ruled out the webworm. What could be causing the problem? Answer: Jonathan Foster, Home Horticulture Outreach Professional There are a number of reasons why tree leaves can brown, both biotic (e.g., pests and pathogens) […]
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Question: I had a tomato plant that I pulled with strongly suspected fusarium wilt (yellowing leaves on one side and when I cut open the stem it showed the brown striping along the outer ring). I have a couple of questions: – is fruit from fusarium infected plants safe to eat? Most of what I […]
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Question: I planted asparagus about six weeks ago, in trenches 8-10″ deep, following directions. The directions also said to cover up new growth when it came, but it came almost overnight, with stalks several inches high, which seemed uncoverable. I haven’t done anything, and now they are feathery and plentiful…should I cut them off and […]
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Question: I have a grape pruning question. I planted three new grape plants in late May. I have since learned that I should have pruned them down to 1-2 primary stalks after planting, but I didn’t do that. I am wondering if I should do this now or wait until their dormant period, Jan-Mar next […]
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Question: We have noticed that the pine trees have had an unusual amount of tags falling especially in the last three weeks. We are looking for a remedy or if he needs to remove a tree. Answer: Jonathan Foster, Home Horticulture Outreach Professional Unfortunately, this is something of a known issue at the moment. There […]
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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 […]
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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: […]
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