Question: I am an avid backyard gardener and am familiar with the big three nutrients, Nitrogen, Potassium and Phosphorous, the differences between full, partial shade, etc. I also know the importance soil testing and proper pH. What I don’t know is when to fertilize? I generally buy Neptune’s Harvest and Espoma products as well as use […]
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Question: I’m looking to see if I can plant some berry bushes in my back yard. It stays pretty wet and has good soil. Any suggestions? Answer: Abi Griffith, Horticulture Community Education Assistant So, sight selection and prep can be a little involved when considering small fruits like highbush blueberries or brambles like raspberries/blackberries and […]
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Question: Is there any recommended strategy for battling bishop’s weed? We have maybe 50m^3. And I’ve been weeding by hand but it’s slow going. Answer: Katherine Garland, Horticulturist I’m sorry to hear you’re dealing with bishop’s weed (also known as goutweed or Aegopodium podagraria). Repeated pulling of bishop’s weed can be effective, but it can take a lot […]
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Question: I need help keeping cats out of my gardens. My neighbor’s cat uses my front door gardens as his litter-box. I want to plant herbs in these beds as the sun is right. Help! Answer: Katherine Garland, Horticulturist I’m sorry to hear of your feline troubles. Keeping cats out of the garden is not […]
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Question: I’d like to grow more wildflowers that are helpful for pollinators and/or native to Maine and are just nice to have. I was wondering if there are general mixed seed packages that can be bought to just sprinkle around for the above purposes. Any thoughts, tips, suggestions? Answer: Rebecca Long, Sustainable Agriculture and Horticulture […]
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Question: I want to plant raised bed for vegetables. Is there a correct soil composition or soil test kit you would recommend? Answer: Abi Griffith, Horticulture Community Education Assistant Generally we recommend 75% loam (the mineral component of soil) and about 25% organic matter (finished compost) mixed together well. Depending on how much you need, […]
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Question: I want to ask if the cold weather we’ve been having could be impacting the reemergence of my tulips and early spring bulbs. Last year it was bursting with color – tulips, daffodils, etc. this year there is very little. I have not done anything differently. Could it be the weather? Is there still […]
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Question: Is it possible to grow willow plants in Maine that will be harvested for sticks and used in making fences and garden structures? Answer: Lynne M. Holland, Horticulture and Social Media Professional Willow is a great wattle material and is definitely hardy to your area. The trick to wattle is to choose a willow variety […]
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Question: Lavender! I have an established plant in my yard and the leaves are all silvery still, with some tiny green growth sporadically at the tips. I see in all literature online that you are looking for growth at the base so you can know where to prune on the length of the stem in […]
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In This Issue: For Cindy… May Is the Month to . . . Rewild Your Connection With Nature Consider your Bird Feeder: Risk Management for Bird Flu, Spring 2022 Quince, The Forgotten Royal Fruit Maine Public Gardens: Asticou Azalea Garden, Northeast Harbor, Maine Ruby-throated Hummingbird Tick Wise Lyme Disease in Maine For Cindy . . […]
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