Question: I have 24 high bush blueberry bushes purchased about 20 yrs. ago (from a reputable garden store). This is the first year their production is considerably lower than in all past years. Should I be concerned that these plants are near the end of their productive years? Answer: Jonathan Foster, Home Horticulture Outreach Professional […]
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Question: My Granny Smith Apple tree has been losing leaves leaving the bottom half of the tree leafless. The leaves have brown spots on them and I can see them dropping off when a squirrel jumps on a branch or a breeze blows through. It has been many years without getting pruned, but has born […]
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Question: I have had a peach tree for six or seven years. This year we seem to have a bumper crop of peaches growing on our tree. However, the majority of them have some grayish spots on the surface which seems to be only on one side of the peach. I have attached three pictures. […]
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Question: We have two apple trees that seem unhappy. They are five years old and this is the first time we’ve seen this issue. What is wrong with them? Answer: Jonathan Foster, Home Horticulture Outreach Professional There are potentially a couple of things going on here. The circular spots on the leaves in your first […]
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In This Issue: September Is the Month to . . . Help Protect Maine’s Trees: Join the Fight Against Invasive Species A Tale of Three Training Programs Full (Super!) Moon Lore Planting Trees Successfully in the Fall Backyard Bird of the Month: Sharp-shinned Hawk Mainely Dish: Homemade Salsa Maine Weather and Climate Overview (September 2024) […]
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Question: What do you recommend to treat brown rot on peaches? All of our seven-year-old tree’s fruit has fallen to the ground, half rotten, or rotted when picked to ripen indoors. In late June, many green fruits had tiny extrusions that looked like airplane glue–clear–as well as early signs of rot. Could this have anything […]
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Question: I live on property that is mostly ledge with a slim overcoat of orange “duff-type soil”. I have rooted out most of the native “junk” that has grown here, but am leaving and encouraging the bayberry bushes. However, I have no berries and have never seen a blossom. Is there a way to tell […]
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Question: I just identified Chameleon plant in my small garden bed. I noticed it a couple of years ago and tried to stay on top of it, but this last year, it has completely taken over and is choking out the perennials. I wondered if you had suggestions for eradication? I am wondering if it […]
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Question: I have a pear tree in my yard that I keep meaning to treat for fungus. Its branches hang over blueberry bushes and an herb garden. This always makes me hesitant, wondering whether treating the pear tree will hurt the other plants. What advice do you have about that? I assume that I missed […]
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Question: I’m wondering if my tomato patch can be saved? I have been vigilant about pruning my plants from the bottom, and trimming what I thought was blight. But whatever this is, it keeps spreading. A few weeks ago it was a small branch or two, now it seems to be spreading by the hour […]
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