A few days ago I asked where I could get soil from my raised beds tested. You did send me a link to a lab, but they are charging around $50 for their test. This is well beyond my budget. Can you send me link(s) to a more affordable option? I am in North Portland. Thanks!

I’ve registered as MSU guest but, I’m not sure where to sign up for Cottage Food Law course. Please advise.

Hello, I am an avid home vegetable gardener but have notice my production in the past couple of years has been lower than in previous ones. I suspect we've drained a number of the nutrients out of the soil but do not know the best way to go about testing the soil and making amendments if necessary. Any help you could provide about how to sample the soil, where to send it for testing, and how to go about interpreting those test results would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

I planted Semicrisp and Bosc Pear, Fiesta Gem and Red Haven peach, June Princess nectarines, Bartlett and Asian pear, a dozen total trees this fall. Do I need to do any winter pesticide control or oil?

Is it too late in the season now (mid November) in Sandy Spring, MD to transplant strawberries from an overcrowded established bed to a new bed?

Does home extension have ideas or help on getting rid of voles?

the greenhouse is all plastic with vents a mandoor and roll up sides. We plan on raising garden veggies and flowers from seed. I am currently giving thought to propane (vented) or near infrared. the greenhouse is not well insulated except that the roof has 2 layers of plastic with spacers in between. Yoder Produce says I need 30,000 btu vented propane. I have no idea how to size infrared. Greenhouse is 12'X12' with 6'sidewalls and an arched cieling. Would like to know your recomendations and the pros and cons of each. Will be running water drain and electir lines soon and need to know if infrared is an option in order to bury the right size wire. Radiant heat could also be an option but I am not sure it can heat up fast enough.

We removed a diseased cherry tree and adjacent old corkscrew willow in our side yard. I want to kill the stump and roots, then grind them out for replanting another cherry tree plus something yet to be chosen. What are the best options to kill the stump and roots, and shooting for the shortest time to replant? The tree remover uses Tordon (?), and I have also read epsom salts can also be used to dry up the stump and roots. I plan to replant a cherry in the vicinity of the willow, to avoid any possible infection from the old cherry as well.

My railings that are painted white, on outdoor decks and balconies, are full of mold and need cleaning, however, I don’t want to use any products that will damage the landscape. A stream runs along my property that leads directly to the Potomac . Can you guide me to recommended safe cleaning products for wooden decks etc that won’t damage fragile ecosystems ?

I'm not sure of how i can revive this plant.