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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Question: I am unsure if I have a disease problem, an appropriate care problem, a pruning issue, or some other issue. Obviously the two vines are dormant now, but I would appreciate some preseason advice. Answer: Lynne M. Holland, Horticulture and Social Media Professional It is really difficult to diagnose that there is a problem […]
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Question: I am doing some seed starting indoors with some seed starting mix, a heat mat, and a humidity dome. If a seed has started germination by breaking out of the seed with its root but hasn’t sprouted up out of the soil, is it ok to remove the bottom heat or will this hinder […]
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Question: When is the best time to plant a cherry tree? Can a single tree be planted or does there need to be two trees planted relatively close to one another? Answer: Jonathan Foster, Community Education Assistant Early spring is the time to plant cherry trees, once the ground is thawed but after the highest […]
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In This Issue: March Is the Month to . . . Food for thought: How a Thomaston teacher and a Master Gardener Volunteer created a community garden for 8th graders Farm City: The Education of an Urban Farmer by Novella Carpenter (2009 pp. 269) Taming the Seed Madness Backyard Bird of the Month: Carolina Wren […]
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Question: A pot of tulip bulbs kept in a dark cold cellar are sprouting. Should I bring it into the light and at what temperature? Answer: Jonathan Foster, Community Education Assistant Prematurely sprouting tulips is not an unheard of problem for gardeners overwintering bulbs, despite our best efforts at keeping things cold and dark You’re […]
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Question: Can I I buy cattail seed from somewhere in Maine? I have a low boggy yard edge where it would be perfect. Answer: Jonathan Foster, Community Education Assistant I’m sorry to say I am not aware of any local Maine resellers who carry cattail seed. There are several online sources from big box stores, […]
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