Question: Last summer, I planted two raised gardens with green beans and flowers. Some type of animal burrowed into the ground and up into my beds, and disrupted several plants, and even moved some dirt out under and onto the lawn. What can I do to prevent this from happening again? Answer: Kate Garland, Horticultural […]
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Question: I would like to know the best time in spring to use a lawn fertilizer with a pre-emergent herbicide? Answer: Dave Fuller, Agriculture and Non-timber Forest Products Professional Pre-emergent lawn herbicides need to he applied before the soil temperatures reach a point where the weed seeds begin germinating. A great indicator for timing is […]
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Question: We live in York, near the Harbor. We’ve been here four years from southern California. We are still learning about zone 6 plants and actual seasons. Our blue spruce, in the front yard looks like the lower branches, especially on the north side, are dying. Is this just the natural progression of the tree […]
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Question: I left the leaves and remains of plants last fall to help overwinter the pollinators. I’m wondering when is the right time to remove them now? Answer: Marjorie Peronto, Extension Educator Great question. I am making the same decision in my own gardens! The longer you can leave the plant materials in place, the […]
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Question: We have a camp in Livermore that is poorly supported and needs a foundation. Our problem is we have several mature pine trees squeezed between the camp and the pond that we do not want to endanger. If we put a foundation over the area where the tree roots extend, are we going to […]
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Question: What can I plant over a leach field? There is a small hill ( about eight steps up) to the septic tank. There is also a slight dip downhill from the other side of the leach field. What is safe and okay to plant in these areas? Answer: Katherine Garland, Horticultural Professional This is […]
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In This Issue: April Is the Month for . . . Tips for Purchasing Healthy Plants and Seeds, and Preventing the Spread of Invasive Species Ask the Expert Plant Rotation in the Garden Based on Plant Families You Can Grow Sweet Potatoes in Maine Plant Monster: Creeping Bellflower (Campanula rapunculoides) A Review of A Year […]
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Question: I noticed something is chewing small branches from tall trees like the poplars, and stripping foliage off euonymus in our fenced-in backyard. Answer: Tori Lee Jackson, Extension Professor of Agriculture and Natural Resources I know you said you have a fence, but this sounds like deer damage to me. Deer fencing needs to be […]
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Question: My Ashmead’s Kernel apple didn’t do well last year. It looks like it didn’t overwinter well. I was doing some spring clean up and noticed some rot-like damage. Do you have any idea what is going on or how I can help? Answer: Tori Lee Jackson, Extension Professor of Agriculture and Natural Resources It’s […]
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Question: I have raised beds. What is the best green manure to put on the soil for the spring and then the fall? Clover? Rye? Answer: Tori Lee Jackson, Extension Professor of Agriculture and Natural Resources The cover crops and green manures you choose to improve your raised bed garden soil (and potentially break some […]
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