Question: We have an unheated hoop house that I’m wondering if it’s too soon to be planting radishes in now? I know they are a cool weather crop, but is this too soon? Answer: Jonathan Foster, Home Horticulture Outreach Professional It does depend a bit on your hoop house set up, but if you can […]
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Question: I am looking for a plot of land in Maine that is suitable for a lavender farm. Do you know where the best land/soil would be for that? And do you have any other tips on what to look for? Answer: Jonathan Foster, Home Horticulture Outreach Professional Generally, our team works to advise home […]
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Question: Recent storms have severely damaged two spruce at our camp. We are at ocean’s edge on granite. The soil is two feet at best in depth. The site increasingly is hit with salt water several times a year. Spruce bud worm has infected the trees that are presently there. Can you recommend another species […]
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Question: My questions is about transplanting suckers from a Summer Sweet Clethra shrub. I have a source of suckers from an established shrub that needs to be pruned in the spring because it is taking over the bed. It does not leaf out until June. I wonder if I could separate and dig up some […]
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In This Issue: February Is the Month to . . . Growing Microgreens Licensing Requirements for Arborists in Maine Help Track Forest Pests This Winter Backyard Bird: Golden-crowned Kinglet Ash Protection Collaboration Across Wabanakik (APCAW) Book Review: A Northern Gardener’s Guide to Native Plants and Pollinators Maine Weather and Climate Overview (February 2024) Winter Interest […]
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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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