Maine Home Garden News

Is alfalfa meal recommended for application on flower beds and vegetable gardens?

Question: I’ve recently heard alfalfa meal is recommended for general application on flower beds and vegetable gardens. I need more information about using this amendment. Answer: Jonathan Foster, Home Horticulture Outreach Professional Alfalfa meal is a common organic soil amendment derived from alfalfa (Medicago sativa) crops, and it offers a low NPK (nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium… in the 3-1-2 range) […]

close up look at tiny bright red wild strawberries growing alongside a dandelion and other low growing plants.

Maine Home Garden News June

In This Issue: June Is the Month to . . . Hero Hover Flies Pollinator Ponderings: Let’s Talk Pollinator-Friendly Annuals Chelsea Chop for Native Plants Invasive Plant Educational Workshops At-Home courses for Maine Gardeners Bird of the Month: Eastern Phoebe Maine Weather and Climate Overview Ten Things to Know About Emerald Ash Borer in Maine […]

Is there an effective, natural way to get rid of ants in my lawn?

Question: Is there an effective, natural way to get rid of ants in my lawn? Answer: Jonathan Foster, Home Horticulture Outreach Professional The short answer to your question is, unfortunately, “not really.” The typical “natural” approaches are things like boiling water, horticultural vinegar, etc.–none of them will kill enough of the ants to make a […]

Could you answer questions about garden pollination for an article I am writing?

Question: I am writing an article on garden pollination. 1) What are the (20 or 30) most common vegetables grown in Maine home vegetable gardens? 2) Are there any bats in Maine that pollinate? Bats are often included in native pollinator lists, but I’ve learned most of the species that pollinate are tropical. 3) Aside […]

delicate white flowers on a tree in the woods.

Maine Home Garden News May 2025

In This Issue: May Is the Month to . . . Embracing Herbivory Backyard Bird of the Month: Barn Swallow Help Us Grow Communities and Gardens Across Maine Gardening in a Rental Book Review: Peony: The Best Varieties for Your Garden by David C. Michener and Carol A. Adelman (Timber Press, 2017, 247 pp.) Maine […]

close up image of a purple flower growing up through fallen leaves.

Maine Home Garden News April 2025

In This Issue: April Is the Month to . . . A How-To Guide for Creating Sustainable Staking in Your Garden Soil Erosion in the Home Landscape Backyard Bird of the Month: Brown Creeper Keystone Plants: Giants of the Pollinator-Friendly Garden Maine’s Community Garden Map Ask an Expert: Can Meadows and Orchards Mix? Maine Weather […]

What are some things to consider when planting native shrubs and flowers?

Question: I have a patch of open woods along the road that that has nothing except trees in it. A microburst blew down a lot of trees in this space a number of years ago. Could someone please give me advice about how to “landscape” it? Where should I plant native shrubs and flowers that […]

Can you grow tomatoes in a heated greenhouse during the Maine winter without issues?

Question: I am writing to inquire about growing tomatoes in a heated greenhouse during the winter in Maine. The greenhouse can be heated to optimal growing temperature, but I was wondering if there would be enough sunlight to have fruiting plants without supplemental lights. Would the shortened daylight just increase the amount of time needed […]

Should I plant wildflowers to attract and support bees?

Question: I have a property with some woods on it, which I think was logged back in the day. I’ve seen a few bees around and was wondering if it was wise to spread some native wildflowers around the area or would that be disruptive and give them an unfair advantage? Additionally, how far away […]

Seed packets in colorful pots lined up waiting to be planted on a potting bench.

Maine Home Garden News – March 2025

In This Issue: March Is the Month to . . . An Ode to Snags Backyard Bird of the Month Gardening Podcasts Pollinator Ponderings: My Journey to Loving Native Plants Book Review: The Serviceberry Invasive Species Awareness Week in Maine Spring Gardening Webinars: Gardening for the Future Maine Weather and Climate Overview March Is the […]

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