Question: I’m looking for help on how to best prune a lilac tree/bush that has grown out of control. Answer: Liz Stanley, Horticulture Community Education Assistant For older common lilac stands (Syringa vulgaris) that need renovation, early spring is an excellent time of year to prune. Pruning when they’re still dormant means that you can […]
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Question: I recently purchased two shadblow bushes (Amelanchier canadensis). We have very heavy marine clay on our property. I often amend with lots of compost/rich soil, but recently I am hearing more and more about how too much compost can create conditions where the roots just stay in the soil-rich area. Approximately how much compost/rich […]
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In This Issue: April Is the Month to . . . Invasive Plant Removal at the Wells Reserve at Laudholm The Tree That Broke My Heart The Maine Invasives Plants Field Guide can help you identify and control invasive plants in your backyards and gardens! Knotweed Recipes Backyard Bird of the Month: Pine Warbler Tick […]
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Question: I am trying to grow strawberries in a raised bed. Everything worked well last year until the berries started to ripen – then critters ate every last berry. My question is – if I buy a screen to cover the raised beds – how will the flowers get pollinated? When I have grown strawberries in […]
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Question: Every year my great hollyhocks are practically destroyed by RUST. They enjoy full sun and super air circulation. I trim, sanitize my tools constantly and use fungicides to no avail. Wondering if you have any advice? I am thinking of digging and destroying them as it’s way too time consuming at this point. Answer: […]
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Question: I have experienced an invasion of grasshoppers that have devastated my flower gardens for the last two years. I’ve read NOLO bait is a good product to kill grasshopper eggs but this will not be available to purchase. Can you offer a recommendation? I would also like advice to deal with Japanese beetles. Answer: […]
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Question: How do you get rid of voles and moles in the garden? Online, I have seen that many of the usual methods, scent, and castor oil really don’t work. Can you suggest an effective method? Answer: Jonathan Foster, Special Project Assistant Voles and moles can be quite a headache for gardeners and homeowners. I […]
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Question: Is seaweed good to put in/on your vegetable garden? Should it be rinsed, dried, or otherwise treated to reduce the salt on it before putting it in the vegetable bed? Answer: Jonathan Foster, Special Project Assistant I will refer you to an article written by my UMaine colleague, Liz Stanley, for the Maine Home Garden News […]
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Question: When the fruit of a vine plant, e.g., pumpkin or tomato, are forming, but are not yet ripe, does it help to trim “excess” vine or leaves, thinking that more energy will then flow to the fruit? I have done this with pumpkins, but am not sure I have noticed a benefit. Does the […]
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Question: Can I have someone or can you recommend someone who can give me some on-site apple pruning advice? I have three semi-dwarf trees that aren’t neglected, but just amateurly pruned every year. I have a lot of what I think is excess growth on these 15 year old trees. Answer: Lynne M. Holland, Horticulture […]
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