I came across a dwarf dogwood ground cover and am intrigued. The seeds require cold stratification so I'm thinking they should be planted now. Thoughts?

How can I remove 2 acres of moderately infested former farmland containing Bull Thistle? I have an organic Permaculture farm on 1/4 acre, 3 3/4 acres are being turned into a pollinator bird insect animal friendly ecosystem. I’m cutting up all the seed heads and stems and throwing them away. My concern is in the spring they’ll regrow, I’ve been told to cut them to the ground when they flower, that will take energy out of the plant. Is there anything that will outcompete this noxious weed?

This smoke tree was damaged by deer or raccoon last year. Some branches were broken. I am wondering if the branch that is about 2 feet taller than the others can be pruned. In one of your 10 minute university presentations it said that topping a tree is not wise. So does that apply to a smoke tree? I hope the photo is clear enough to see the tall branch. If it is okay to prune it what time of year is best? Thank you.

I've had this Christmas cactus plant for several years. About a month ago, shoots started popping up--whatever this is has taken over the cactus--it is dead. Wondering what it is & how is grew, since I never added potting soil, etc. Thanks for the help! Jane

On March 8, 2023 there was a class offered in Jackson County titled "Resilient Pastures: Pasture Management in Drought Conditions." I'd like to get any topic notes that may be available from that class. FYI, I did participate in the class via Zoom.

This fall my back yard developed numerous areas a dead grass The sections roots are completely gone and the areas can be pulled up like carpet. The underside has a brownish mold and there are no bugs or pests is the soil.

Hello, I didn't put a pre-emergent down this fall because I over seeded my lawn. But now I have a lot of weeds that have popped up. There are to many to hand pick out. Unfortunately, I haven't been able to identify what they are using the pictures here: https://extension.umd.edu/resource/common-home-lawn-weeds-maryland/ Can you help me identify what they are? Also, when would it be best to treat them with a herbicide? My lawn has really slowed down growing so I wasn't sure if spraying them now with herbicide would work if the weeds are not growing either (tho they seem to be growing more than my grass). Thanks! Eddie

Hi I've moved some plants inside for the winter. I now discovered that they have mealybugs. I would really not like to have to toss them. I know of the alcohol and qtip method of killing them. Are there any other methods? I feel like I may need a multipronged approach. Thanks for your help!

Hello, I am trying to seek out more information on the legal hoops required to begin a mushroom growing business. I am planning on growing gourmet mushrooms as well as some limited medicinal varieties. Currently I am trying to plan for selling them, locally online, potentially some sort of subscription/delivery type model, although I'm not sure if that makes a difference. In short though my plan is not to have the buyers come to my farm because to start it will be at my home, which is in the suburbs. And honestly I don't really like people in my space, and would be much more comfortable with bringing my products to them or something similar. Then with enough capital the plan would be to expand out of the home to a local warehouse. Also I am not planning on any sort of processing at this time other than dehydrating. I am planning on also creating an actual business with this too and am familiar with that process. What kinds of rules and regulations/licensing etc is there for this type of thing? What restrictions would I face on trying to sell my produce, if any? I want to make sure I know what needs to be done so that I can better plan for it!

Hello, I have a small lime tree. I think it is a Persian Lime. I bought at Gerten's. I've had it for 2-3 years and got a ton of fruit this year, but all the fruit was dried out and rock hard. I bring the plant in during winter season (Sept-May) then bring it outside into full sun for the summer. I do my best to water, but it usually is watered by the rain. It is in a 15" wide x 12" tall pot with well-draining soil. I fertilize a couple times of year with citrus fertilizer. What am I doing wrong!? Thanks in advance!