I’m interested in planting my lawn to something other than standard lawn grass. I’ve heard a lot about vague benefits of alternative ground cover plants such as reduced mowing, less soil erosion, support for pollenating insects, better habitat for small critters, the list goes on. I’ve also heard a lot of conflicting information about what plants to use to attain these benefits. I’ve got low to medium light and plenty of moisture with a thriving Japanese stiltgrass infestation. I’ve also got an oddball dog that likes to eat random plants for some reason, so whatever I plant can’t be toxic when eaten. Can the experts offer any advice on finding a plant or plant mix that will survive and be good for the ecosystem?

I just expanded my deer-fence area, currently used for my vineyard, and now have an additional strip of land approximately 12’ x 130’ that is now available for planting. I have been thinking it would be nice to add some fruit trees, maybe some nut trees too, but I’m a bit concerned because the soil is mostly clay. It has worked out fairly well for grape vines but would it work with fruit and nut trees? Would I have to dig a large hole and fill with compost and good soil in which to plant each tree? If so, how big would the hole have to be? Are there particular varieties that would do well in this situation? Thank you.

Hello, the Tina crab I planted last year has had the bark eaten by rabbits up about a foot from the ground and all the way around. Is there anything I can do to save it? Thank you.

Hello. I have a small -medium organic garden in Frederick country. Last year it was overtaken by leafhoppers. I used freshly prepared mels mix with 6+ varieties of organic compost to prepare it. In the winter I took some of the soil home to start my seedlings inside and found a lot of leafhoppers appearing and damaging my seedlings. Can you recommend a way to eliminate them from my garden before I start transplanting the seedlings. I have a vertical garden so it's not directly in the ground and I have covers for my planters. I am trying to bypass any harsh pesticide to remain organic. Can I spray the soil before planting to eradicate whats in the soil and top it off with an inch or 2 or fresh compost? Thank you

This Spring I will be removing, and probably burning this tree and any other Jack Pine that appear to be infected the gall. Also, I would like to follow-up on some previous questions that I have had. To summarize, I have White Pine Weevil, Zimmerman Pine Moth andCooley Spruce Gall Adelgid infections, each to varying extents. For the past two years I have been treating for the weevil only using pyrethrum and insecticidal soap. This seems to have been fairly effective but given the “new” pests, I think that I need to use a “stronger “ control and hopefully effective on all of the pests. I am considering the following products: MICROBIAL: Spinosad Monterey garden insect spray (0.5% A&D) Bt None specific for these pests Pyrethrin: Pyganic: listed for weevils and moths Blends: Monterey garden insect spray RTU (K salts of FA’s .94%, spinosad A&D .005%) (listed for weevils, moths and adelgids) * will probably combine with an insecticidal soap. Do you know of anyone else who has used these products to control these pests and do you have any suggestions as to which may be the most safe and effective? Thank you for your time and consideration.

Hello, I have a north facing backyard at my town home with a large pine tree in blocking the light from the east and the town houses blocking the light from the west. It appears that it is also on a lower slope and has water coming towards it. I would like to start a moss and lichen garden but there are not many resources on how to encourage the growth of these plants. Should I encourage these to grown on concrete structures, how to I ensure good growth and how do I make sure I purchase from an ethical sources and I've heard some of these plants are poached out of national and state land areas?

Had a piece of property harvested, species and sizes not in contract

We have some raised gardens that are 4' by 8'. We have had some excellent luck and some not so good luck with our yields over the past few years. We grow mostly tomatoes, beets, green beans, carrots, cucumbers, pumpkins, peas, lettuce and radish. A friend mentioned some of our not so good luck may be due to what crop we plant within the same raised garden. Of the above mentioned crops, which would be best to plant within the same raised gardens, and which should we avoid raising within the same raised garden?

Good afternoon, I read this article (https://marylandgrows.umd.edu/2023/01/20/fruit-in-your-future-start-with-small-fruits-not-tree-fruits/), and I'm interested in planting a couple of hardy pomegranates in my yard, I understand these plants are self-pollinating, but I have also read that having multiple plants can increase fruit production. I would like to know if I can achieve this using two plants from the same cultivar, or if these need to be from different cultivars. If the case is the latter, are you able to recommend two cultivars of hardy pomegranate that I can use? Additionally, can you confirm that I should not expect much deer pressure for these pomegranates?

I just ordered a couple. They will arrive mid-winter. Can I keep them indoors until it is warm enough to plant them outdoors (May). Anything I should be concerned about in doing that?