Question: Is it too late to plant roses? Should I not cut back my Brown Eyed Susans to leave the seeds for the birds? Answer: Jonathan Foster, Community Education Assistant We recommend planting roses early in the year rather than late in order to give them ideal conditions to root in–there are some varieties that […]
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Question: A groundhog has taken up residence in a foundation rock wall. What can I do to get rid of it permanently? Answer: Donna R. Coffin, Extension Professor Woodchucks or groundhogs can cause significant damage to a home garden, so you will want to either have this one removed or plan to use an electric […]
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Question: Could you please advise as to the appropriate method of pruning the long lower limbs of my tamarack (aka larch) tree? They are hitting the house. Do I prune them all the way to the trunk or is it healthier for the tree to prune them back halfway or so? Answer: Jonathan Foster, Community […]
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Question: Are there Leopard Slugs (Limax Maximus) in Maine? Answer: Jonathan Foster, Community Education Assistant The leopard slug (also known as the giant or spotted slug) is indeed a frequent inhabitant of our area–typically found along the coast, it is now moving inland as environmental conditions change. This particular garden denizen is less common than the […]
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Question: I have a wildflower meadow and would like to plant more flowers. I have harvested quite a bit of Black-eyed Susan seed, as well as Mexican Hat and Coneflower seed from the meadow this summer. When should I plant the seed…prior to winter or in the spring? I have looked online and found both […]
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Question: I would like to surprise my daughter with a few perennial bushes (also deer resistant) for her yard and would like to know which ones are suitable for eastern Maine weather. Answer: Jonathan Foster, Community Education Assistant You can find excellent information on native plants for various needs (including deer resistance) on our Plants for […]
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Question: I have several perennial herbs in five separate gallon containers that I can’t bring into my house for the winter. What is the best way to prepare these plants to winter over outside? I do have a baker roof attached to my garage that I could store them under. Should I cut them back? […]
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Question: I have three swallowtail fennel plants in pots. They are about 2 1/2 feet high. Can I put them in an unheated garage? Do I cut them back? Do I water them? Answer: Jonathan Foster, Community Education Assistant While there are some varieties of fennel that are hardier than others and fennel can be […]
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In This Issue: October Is the Month to . . . Facts About Leaf Color in Maine From School Garden to Outdoor Classroom-Part 1 Game Review: Trellis (publisher: Breaking Games) by Teale Fristoe House Sparrow October Is the Month to . . . By Kate Garland, Horticulture Professional, UMaine Extension Penobscot County Live in harmony […]
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Question: I’m trying to determine if my smoke bushes are infected with something or just going into dormancy in an unfamiliar way. 1/4 of the leaves on one of my bushes is affected. I’ve since pruned them off with clean sheers. I think this happened in just a few days. The spots are becoming but […]
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