Hello, may I get your help identifying the following plants? The first one is a clipping from a honeysuckle vine, or so I thought . It’s about 3 years old but has never flowered. It’s in a place of full sun. The second photo is just for fun. I see these gorgeous flowering trees around Baltimore and don’t know their name. The final photo is a mystery bush / shrub that appeared in my garden. It sprouted maybe 3 weeks ago and is about 18” at the moment. Thank you!

Hello, I manage multiple vineyard sites and am having some issues with herbicide efficacy/ weed death not occuring like it does at other sites. Some of these sites of concern are near grass fields and/ or get seeded more frequently. I am looking to find a reputable company that will do herbicide resistant testing that I can connect with. Any information on this matter is greatly appreciated.

I read that Dahlias can be planted in late April as long as we don't get a hard freeze. The ground where they are going to go is no longer frozen and easy to work. Is it too early still? Should I wait until mid-May to plant them along with my annuals? Thanks for the help

Hi there! We have a beloved groundhog living under our shed. I need to replace the shed ramp. Do you know the best time of year to do this? I don't want to bother Fatty (that's her name) or her offspring. Thanks for any advice! Hope you're having a good week.

Hello, Do you still provide field trips for students. We are an elementary school with students that have never really been on a farm or had the opportunity to see animals. We would love to come to the Growing With Grains exhibit.

I want to test the soil for my lawn and I'm not sure where to start. I have all shade in the front yard, and all sun in the back yard.

Hello, We have a healthy ash tree at our house that we are looking to get treated to prevent disease from emerald ash borers. Does the UMN Extension do treatment of trees? If not, do you have recommendations for companies? Thank you, Emma Bollig

I completed soil tests on my yard and found that I have PH of 6.5 and depleted nitrogen around my acid loving plants. I have read many articles on the internet with various answers. Would you tell me how to correct those numbers naturally as well as what fertilizers I need to purchase. I did purchase some chicken manure which I have not put out yet.

I have planted a mix of orchard grass and perennial rye grass as 18 foot wide rows between mulched rows of apple trees.  Both of these grasses are I believe "bunch" grasses and not turf grasses.  They appear to be healthy and are about 5 years old and much denser planting than if in a pasture.  I mow them about a half dozen times a year using a tractor and flail mower.  I have some concern about compaction from the tractor and mowing.  My question is about the benefits, or harm perhaps, from running a plug aerator down the grass rows.

I assume spring would be the correct timing, but not being turf grass I was wondering if I might cause more harm than good with plug aeration.

Thanks, John 

We planted this plum tree over 5 years .. it looks healthy but had never produced any fruits. Is there something we can do to encourage fruit production ??