Question: I understand that the wet summer and heavy rains are causing root-rot in the white pines. We have lots of them sitting in marine clay. The clay is oozing up around several in our backyard. I assume the roots are rotting and the tree is at risk of toppling? I guess the trees are […]
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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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Question: For three years something has been causing the leaves on my ape trees to turn brown and fall off. This begins about the first of August. By late September some of the trees are leafless. It starts on the lower branches and works its way up. It also affects plum and pear trees. Would […]
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In This Issue: January Is the Month to . . . Cultivating Community and Connection at Sweethaven Farm in Seal Cove Invasive Plant Regulations Cardoon Beef Tagine Recipe Backyard Bird – Pine Siskin The Northeast Native Plant Primer: 235 Plants for an Earth-Friendly Garden by Uli Lorimer. Timber Press, 2022. Maine Weather and Climate Overview […]
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Question: Can you suggest any white annuals that will grow in part shade that slugs don’t touch? Answer: Jonathan Foster, Home Horticulture Outreach Professional Slugs can be quite a headache in the garden, as you no doubt already know! Good growing practices to mitigate the pest’s impact include removing bricks, flat board, old flower pots, etc., that […]
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Question: I am interested in native shrubs or small trees that would provide berries/fruit for birds in winter. What would you suggest? Answer: Jonathan Foster, Home Horticulture Outreach Professional Thank you for reaching out to the UMaine Cooperative Extension with your question.Furthermore, thank you for thinking of our native birds during winter and the ways in […]
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Question: I live on an island and would like to plant a dogwood. I have read that they hold up well to wind. Would one suffer from the southwest breeze/wind that we get off the ocean? If it would be okay in that spot, is there a problem in this area with the Pagoda being […]
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In This Issue: Confusing Fall Berries! Send Holiday Cheer, Not Pests: Follow Out-Of-State Plant Health Regulations Celebrating Collaboration and a Bright Future: The Journey of the Joyce Hedlund Community Garden at Eastern Maine Community College Backyard Bird of the Month – American Robin Gifts for the Gardener Maine Weather and Climate Overview (December) Special Thanks! […]
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Question: I had a quite a lot of moss growing in my raised beds. I’m sure the heavy rain didn’t help. I am going to get the soil tested. What is the best course of action for the moss—remove it or dig it under? Answer: Jonathan Foster, Home Horticulture Outreach Professional You’re absolutely right that […]
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Question: I have been using landscape cloth to reduce the weeds in my garden. I have been reading that this material is not good and that there are better alternatives but I haven’t seen what the alternatives are. Are there better alternatives and if so, what do you recommend? Answer: Jonathan Foster, Home Horticulture Outreach […]
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