Search Results

How to clear and reset my flower beds efficiently and put in local plants #894567

Asked March 16, 2025, 3:48 PM EDT

Hi - I have these flower beds I would like to clear and reset. I am not sure what I want to plant instead, but likely plants and shrubs that are lower to the ground. I could use some advice on that, too. Do you have any suggestions on what I should do? There are like needles and rocks everywhere, and I would like to put mulch down. At a loss. Help, please! Thanks - Sabina



Hennepin County Minnesota

Buying mulch #893948

Asked March 09, 2025, 5:31 PM EDT

What started off as a simple intention to support the local Poolesville High School annual mulch sale turned into a Sunday research project into mulch in general and my mulching practice so far. The questions I have here are about buying mulch largely, although I do have a few questions about mulching in general. After reading a bunch online, including articles on your site, I am left more informed but still confused. I think my goals for mulching are weed control, moisture preservation, aesthetics, and eventual soil amendment. Now I am wondering if the shredded hardwood was a good choice or not. Should I be using bark? I have avoided colored mulch based on intuition - are iron oxides toxic to the soil or soil life? Have been hurting my trees along the mulch to touch the base (as your article cautions against without explanation). Is there particular criteria to mulching in Maryland that I should know? For example, should mulches be sourced locally? Is doesn't look like the extension has a recommendation mulch type in Maryland?

Montgomery County Maryland

Resource for backyard orchard #893730

Asked March 06, 2025, 9:35 AM EST

I stopped into an extension office asking for resources for my backyard orchard. She suggested I download the Michigan Fruit Management Guide. It wasn’t clear before I purchased it that it is for commercial growers. Are there resources for private orchards that include recommended treatments and schedules?

St. Joseph County Michigan

Advice on new hobby orchard #892741

Asked February 17, 2025, 4:58 PM EST

I'm a local person, just out in Williamston and would like to plant a small orchard with varied fruits. Apples, peaches, pears, apricots all seem pretty straight forward, two trees to pollinate that bud at the same time. I was also thinking Paw Paw and figs.  




Any advice on varieties of all of these for our region? For the apples I think honeycrisp and cortland (if I can find these).   




Do you think cherries are a good idea with our climate warming?  

Any advice on where to purchase locally or online for the best quality?  also dwarf vs others. I have about a quarter of an acre are Im looking at utilizing. and would like to hopefully start getting a harvest in several years. 

Ingham County Michigan

Fertilizer needs for home fruit production #889753

Asked November 12, 2024, 9:14 PM EST

Hi, Im looking for guidance with fertilization for the various fruits I have growing in my yard. I have a soil tester, but would also like to know if there are general recommendations for a home grower to do routinely to maintain plant health (I.e. give apple ___ pounds of nitrogen every spring). I currently am looking for info or fertilization charts for tart cherry, apple, pear, plum, strawberry, nectarine, peach. Thank you in advance. You were very helpful in answering my previous question about pests and disease control.

Sanilac County Michigan

King's Gold False Cypress problem #888896

Asked October 28, 2024, 12:45 PM EDT

I planted two King's Gold False Cypress about 10 years ago and both have been trouble free until this fall. Now one of them has begun to turn yellow (about half the plant). I read the problem could be over-watering or a nutrient deficiency. I rarely water them except in periods of long drought. I don't see any sign of rodent activity at the base, which I've experienced with another shrub. I'd appreciate your thoughts. Thanks.



Oakland County Michigan

Are Crimson King Maples recommended #879656

Asked July 31, 2024, 7:24 PM EDT

In our neighborhood in Lucas County we have Crimson King Maples along the road between the sidewalk and street. Are these trees recommended? If one dies should we recommend replacement with another Crimson King Maple or a different tree?

Lucas County Ohio

Pale green and spotty leaves on newly planted White Oak tree #877737

Asked July 18, 2024, 8:11 AM EDT

I received 2 trees from the Rochester Hills "Canopy" program. This is a White Oak. I planted it on April 26 and it has been growing pretty well but some of the leaves have some spots on them and the leaves look very "pale." It is planted within a somewhat wooded area but it does receive at least 5 hours of direct sun per day. I have been watering it every other day if it doesn't rain (I haven't had to manually water it very much this spring/summer!) I have been spraying it with BAYER ADVANCED 3-IN-1 INSECT, DISEASE & MITE CONTROL, READY-TO-USE SPRAY but new leaves still have the spots on them. Do I need to be concerned about the condition of the leaves? What should I treat this condition with? Does in need fertilizer?



Oakland County Michigan

Concord grapes #877098

Asked July 13, 2024, 2:32 PM EDT

Concord grape book

Franklin County Ohio

Does a 1-0-1 soil sample mean my soil is perfect? #872667

Asked June 11, 2024, 4:55 PM EDT

Hello, 3 of my 4 long needle trees look very thin while the fourth is looking pretty good. I has a soil sample test for Evergreen tree and it came back with a 1-0-1 recommendation. Does this mean I have perfect soil? Why do only some of my trees look like this?



Anoka County Minnesota