Maine Home Garden News

How can I extend my gardening season using a hoop tunnel?

Question: We live in Gorham and have several raised garden beds that receive full sun most of the day, at least six to eight hours of direct light even in the winter. We would like to extend the growing season by creating a hoop tunnel over the beds using plastic sheeting. However, we have a […]

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Is Amelanchier canadensis salt tolerant?

Q. I am looking at planting some Amelanchier. Is it salt tolerant? Your web page on plants of Maine lists Amelanchier canadensis in the “Trees that Tolerate High Soil Salt Levels” category but then lower on the same page lists “Amelanchier species (some N) Shadbush” as “Trees that Are Intolerant of Elevated Soil Salts.” Is […]

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How should I amend the soil in my greenhouse?

Question: I have a 10 x 10 greenhouse with raised beds. I added soil and ProMix to it and have used fertilizer for the five years I’ve had it. I heard that the soil in a greenhouse may become degraded after a while due to the lack of being outdoors. Is it possible that my […]

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poinsettia

Maine Home Garden News — December 2020 Special Edition

In This Issue: Letter From the Editor Contributing Volunteers & Staff Thanks for Sharing Your Successes! Bonus Article: Keeping a Garden Record Letter From the Editor Dear Maine Home Garden News Readers, While the Maine Home Garden News normally runs from March to October, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on the bright […]

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autumn berries

Maine Home Garden News — October 2020

In This Issue: October Is the Month to . . . An Interview with Phil Gaven, Proprietor of The Honey Exchange Seaweed in the Home Garden Betty Lynn Carr Design Lessons from My Mistakes Leave the Leaves! Monthly features: What Is It? Ask the Expert Did You Know? October Is the Month to . . […]

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Can I use leaves for mulch in the gardens over winter?

Question: Can you use leaves for mulch in the gardens over winter? After this month’s snow, as I raked again, the undergrowth was green and flourishing. Answer: The answer is yes. They’re great for protecting the plants from desiccation, protecting the soil from erosion, and keeping the frost in the ground so plants don’t heave. […]

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butterfly on autumn blooms

Maine Home Garden News — September 2020

In This Issue: September Is the Month to . . . Cocktails in the Garden — Pandemic-style Gardener Profile: Lisa Colburn Farm City: The Education of an Urban Farmer Wild Seed Project Profile UMaine Extension Offers Pollinator-friendly Garden Certification Monthly features: What Is It? Ask the Expert Did You Know? September Is the Month to […]

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When is the best time to seed a lawn and what type of grass is best?

Question: My husband and I are building a new home in Kennebunkport (Cape Porpoise). We are finally getting close to completion and are wondering about seeding the lawn. Should we wait until spring? Or will the grass have time to grown and harden off before winter so that it will survive? Is there a specific […]

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