NE Itasca county; Balsam area; mostly sandy soil. We have wild blackberry plants throughout our 40 acres, along trails, etc. They do not seem to produce berries. I have experimented; thinned the plants, pruned back the tops, transplanted to sunny areas, etc. What, if any, type of fertilizer can I apply to try to get these plants to produce? If you have a sugesstion, also recommend when I should apply the fertilizer. Thanks, Roy

We just bought a home with 2 huge older apple trees, McIntosh I think. The birds and insects eat all the apples the poor trees grow and so many branches don't produce any. We need information on how to prune, how to fertilize, and protect the apples without using dangerous pesticides.

What is the best way to slowly convert our Kentucky blue glass lawn to a more drought-tolerant lawn, such as turf-type tall fescue? I was told it was best to aerate our existing lawn and spread turf-type tall fescue seed afterwards. If aerating/seeding every spring and fall, I'm told the conversion should take place in approximately 5 years. Is this accurate information? If so, at what rate should we spread the seed? Also, we have already aerated our lawn this season but don't plan to start our sprinkler system for another month. Since I know we need to keep the seed moist for germination, should we wait to seed until the sprinklers are running? And if so, do you think we would need to re-aerate at that time?

Thank you so much for your advice.

I live in Southern Maryland and moved into a new house about two years ago and cant seems to grow a healthy lawn. I have aerated and over seeded twice in the fall and yet my lawn still very patchy and bare in most spots. A company told me that I need to spread compost and topsoil and then seed again this month and that I will have better results as my lawn is lacking nutrients and is heavy clay. Should I go ahead and do this renovation in spring or is it best to wait until Fall again and try this then? If i wait to seed should i just dethatch now and apply some preemergent for weeds ?

Hello- I have two pears trees approximately 5 years old each. I have tried to organically treat the pears with Neem Oil and other methods (putting baggies around the fruit) but each year the fruit either gets black or has bugs and the majority is inedible. The trees are two varieties to cross pollinate. Whom can I call and or how can I successfully produce edible pears?

I keep hearing about grating Irish Spring soap into your garden to keep away deer. Does this work? And, does it also keep away pollinators? Does it hurt the plants?

We have a large silver maple with exposed roots. Concerned about lawn mower cutting roots. Please advise which is a better, mulching or planting ground cover. Thank you

We first noticed them in our kitchen, seemed like hundreds of them but all but a few only on the floor under the kitchen counter. They are very big, but slow and almost lethargic. The first infestation was the worst, but they loved the Terro Liquid Ant Baits we put out. By the next morning there were 6-8 in or around the 2 baits, but the rest were gone. They have not returned to our kitchen floor except for the occasional straggler. This morning I found a giant on in our office (down the hall from the kitchen). Now there are many (not the swarm) in our carpeted basement and the hard surface bathroom has appeared to be the destination for many. I did see a few in our garage, but not many, and no direction to their movement. They no longer will even consider the bait but remain slow and lethargic. I have begun to find some with wings in the basement (I think about 1/2 dozen so far). My question is what to do? Can we manage them without professional help? If so, how should we do it? Do we need to worry about what they may be eating?

See photos. A yellowing has appeared on my newly planted plants within a week. Prior to planting I tested the soil. Very alkaline. 8-7 pH. I mixed in peat moss, compost, top soil, soil Acidifier, chicken manure and coffee grounds to help w acidity. Now this. Any suggestions?

I live in rural Clinton County and am interested in starting a small orchard (just for personal use). Wondering if there are resources available on how best to plan, install and maintain fruit trees like apple, peach and cherry. Thanks!