What is your view on the use of compost fabric for covering home compost bins? We have 3x5 (2) and I'm concerned they are not getting up to temperature and that they may not be moist enough. We are dedicated year-round composters and am aiming to make my composting more efficient. Thank you.

I have several questions about my home garden. I really enjoy gardening and am in my 40s, recently diagnosed with cancer and so safety has been in the forefront of my mind. My neighbor came over to my home, looked at my vegetable and berry garden, and said "I would never eat anything that comes out of this ground. Especially since you have cancer issues. It's in a runoff area." (My cancer started before I moved here). As you can see in the picture, my garden is located towards the bottom of a hill and would gather runoff from the yards above it with rains. My questions are several: 1) Is my garden unsafe given its location - "in a runoff zone" of my neighbor's yard? 2) We collect roof runoff rain water in a barrel and have been using it for a couple years to water the plants. Is this safe? I have seen conflicting data. I am less worried about bacteria and more worried about carcinogens. I believe we have asphalt shingles. 3) In regards to safety only (not garden vigor), is there a type of mulch that should be avoided? I want to avoid CCA based mulch? 4) Given all this, should I test the soil for heavy metals or pesticides and if so, what testing would you recommend and by whom? 5) I also have a couple fruit trees beside the garden. I guess the same questions would apply to them. Basically is it safe to eat food grown in my garden (fruit, berries, and vegetables)? We're trying to do everything right, but cancer is no joke and it seems impossible to do in this day and age. Thank you! Nathan Columbia, Howard County

I was given the name of Brianna Goede by MG program to contact about an heirloom tomato. Please ask her to email or phone me about a question I have regarding a Dwarf Tomato project variety. Thank you. Phone:<personal data hidden>.

We will be seeding our back yard lawn (south side lots of sun) in the next few days. We planted Kentucky blue grass too late (apparantly) last fall and not enough of the seed has germinated. We had laid down 3" of top soil prior. Our plan is to spread another inch or so and then seed and straw. Can you recommend a particular seed mixture and does our plan sound productive? Thank you! John

Reports of people and dogs in Vermont sickened by the blastomycosis fungus has us at The Garden at 485 Elm Inc. (collectively grown community garden, nonprofit, and USDA farm in Montpelier) wondering about the risk to gardeners and whether it makes sense to take mitigation measures. Apparently, masks aren't fully effective prevention. This may be a new health issue for Vermont, and we're hopeful that UVM Ext. MG can help research how much a consideration this is for gardeners, dealing with literal tons of leaf mulch as we do. Thank you!

Missed spraying fruit trees in dormant season. Already seeing leaf curl. What is safe to spray now, early April, to protect/prevent future pests/fungus?

What do I apply on my apple trees to prevent apple scab? How much and how often?

Hello, I got back my soil test results and I'm not sure what it means when it says the recommended fertilizer is 0-0-0. Also, everything came back as very high so I'm not sure if I need to lower anything. Thanks!

Is coffee grounds a good squirrel deterrent