Question: I am growing peach trees here in Wiscasset, Maine. I have never grown them and I am learning the hard way. Is there a guide book or publication of what to do and when? Answer: They can be a challenge, but many home orchardists find the effort worthwhile. We have a good amount of […]
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In this edition of Victory Garden for ME, learn about how much and when you need to water your garden, techniques and best practices, drip irrigation and more! Resources: Watering the Vegetable Garden, UMN Extension Drip Irrigation for Home Gardens, CSU Extension Well Water Safety Rain barrels, Rutgers: for ornamental plants, avoid use on vegetables […]
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Question: Our corn crop was disappointing. We could feel that ears weren’t filling out very well, so we waited a little longer than usual. When we picked them, they were starchy and not very sweet. The few ears that were sweet were about 3/4 filled out. What might have caused this? (Spring/Summer 2020) Answer: There […]
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Question: I have been reading a lot about aerated compost teas and how they can be used on the foliage to help protect against things like fungus and insects. Do you agree with these type of statements? If so, could application on my tomato plants help with leaf spot? Answer: The short answer to your […]
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In this edition of Victory Garden for ME, learn about the importance of managing weeds in your garden, how to prevent and manage weeds, the stale seedbed method, and much more! Resources: Weed Identification: UMass Extension Weed Herbarium Weed Identification, Virginia Cooperative Extension Newcomb’s Wildflower Guide (Google Books) Weeds of the Northeast (Google Books) Cover […]
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In This Issue: June Is the Month to . . . Gardener Profile: Herb Crosby Bees of Maine: Family Halictidae Doug Tallamy Invites Gardeners to Create a Homegrown National Park Growing Vegetables and Herbs in Part Sun NEW monthly features: What Is It? Ask the Expert Did You Know? June Is the Month to . […]
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Question: I am building on a three-acre piece of land that is covered in poison ivy. The land is surrounded by forest but is basically an open field. What would be my best approach to eradicating it from the field areas, keeping in mind that children and animals will be playing there? Answer: The first […]
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In this edition of Victory Garden for ME, learn about different ways to organize your garden, square foot gardening, companion planting, direct seed vs. transplants, proper planting techniques and more! Resources: Crop Rotation for Home Gardeners, Maine Home Garden News Article Planting Chart for the Home Vegetable Garden An Introduction to Seed Saving for the […]
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Question: How do I prep my strawberry bed for winter? Answer: Much depends on whether you have June bearing strawberries or day neutral strawberries, and how old the planting is. Generally speaking, mulch should be applied over strawberries in the late fall between Thanksgiving and Christmas to protect the plants from extreme winter cold and […]
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Question: Do you recommend adding rock dust to organic home gardens? Over the years I have occasionally added Greensand. How does Greensand differ from Azomite? Do you recommend either or both? This question pertains to my garden in Jackson, NH, and my son’s in Freeport, ME. Answer: I recommend that you and your son submit […]
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