Question: I recently purchased a property that has a rather impressive expanse of Japanese Knotweed. I have more-or-less abandoned the idea of eradication. From the research I have done, it appears like a lost cause. Are there any tips the office can provide with containment? Specifically to Maine (does the short growing season and deep […]
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Question: Can coffee grounds be used to fertilize plants? Answer: Liz Stanley, Horticulture Community Education Assistant Thank you for your question about using coffee grounds as fertilizer. Yes, grounds contain some of the major plant nutrients and some important micronutrients, but in very small quantities. It’s probably best used as a soil conditioner in moderate […]
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Question: I have several overgrown garden beds where the plants need to be divided and replanted elsewhere. Included are: iris, daylily, lily, evening primrose, hosta, daisies, and some form of mint. I would like to tackle this now, but the recommendations are to wait until late summer/early fall or next spring. What is your advice? […]
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Question: I just planted basil seedlings in pots and something is eating them. What could be the culprit and what can I do to prevent it? Answer: Jonathan Foster, Special Projects Assistant Without knowing more about the damage or seeing photos, it’s tough to diagnose accurately. But I will point you to this excellent Clemson Univ […]
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Question: I have a beautiful raspberry garden, but a few years back I planted creeping clover plants in a section of my flower garden near it and the tall creeping clover is all thru my raspberry area. How to I get rid of it without harming my raspberry Answer: Jonathan Foster, Special Projects Assistant Because […]
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Question: I have a milkweed question. Some sites I’ve read say all parts of the plant are poisonous. Others say you can eat it. I don’t want to eat it but I have a bunch growing in our raspberry patch. Do I need to worry about milkweed pollen getting on the berries? Answer: Jonathan Foster, […]
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Question: A neighbor of mine in ‘mistake’ planted a Rosa Rugosa. Last year, they had the mother plant removed, but through either rhizomes or seed, MANY new plants developed this year. They again have a company coming in to remove any visible plants/rhizomes. I think they will need to be diligent in spraying an herbicide […]
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Question: I’ve discovered dodder in the coreopsis in my flower garden. I am trying to stay ahead of a takeover by daily removal and sequester of cuttings. How did it get in my garden? Answer: Lynne Holland, Horticulture and Social Media Professional Dodder is spread by a relatively heavy seed so it generally comes in […]
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Question: Are all parts of the bamboo (Japanese Knotweed) able to reroot? Do I need to remove every piece of the plant including the very old dead stalks? Answer: Kate Garland, Horticultural Professional Thank you for thoughtfully managing your Japanese knotweed issue. It’s wise to be cautious about how you dispose of any invasive species […]
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Question: I have several wild alternate-leaf dogwoods on my property that have died previously. They are all located in a similar section of the property. There are two others nearby that are alive but look terrible, with leaves only at the top of the plant. I have not seen a bug or insect on the […]
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