I am looking for a local lumber mill for a source of rough cut pine lumber.

https://njaes.rutgers.edu/deer-resistant-plants/?search=holly&submit=Search I found this site on the internet, is this site from Rutgers University good for judging here in Maryland?

How to read a vegestable soil test. And get a recomdation for what fertilizer to bring the soil up to par. Can I fax soil test to you?

Hello, I am hoping you are able to help with an ongoing issue. Cecil county is mowing down our native plants without regard to the 'best practices' outlined by the state. They mowed in August, probably the worst possible time, and again in November. By mowing like this, they are interrupting and destroying the life cycle of our native pollinators, bees and butterflies. The state planted perennial sunflowers in an area after doing construction work that would have supported both pollinators and birds, but Cecil County mowed them to the ground. Fair Hill Nature Center is arguably where we should have wild spaces and meadows. Instead they mow down the milkweed there as well and we have useless grass fields that are not being utilized. At the covered bridge they have a neatly groomed patch of invasive Japanese hops. I am sure someone thought they looked good and that they were supposed to be there without realizing they are invasive. Cecil is being consumed by invasive plants. We used to have beautiful Black eyed Susans, Virginia rose, Trumpet vine, New York Iron weed, Asters and other native flowers beautifying our roadsides but they have destroyed them. This has an economical toll as well. Cecil county gets a lot of tourism from birders. Of course birds require a ton of insects to feed their young, and with our insect decline, our birds are declining as well. I am hoping that this is something you would be able to correct. The title of 'Master Gardener' conveys an air of knowledge and authority and they may accept guidance from you more so than some random citizen. Best mowing practices are clearly outlined by the State and by those, they should only be mowing in early Spring after the insects have emerged but before the new cycle. I don't think they have any idea about what's invasive to the county and they certainly aren't addressing it. I look forward to your response and hope you are able to address the issue. Thanks so much for your time. Sincerely, Julie Shiel

Hi, I was hoping someone could help with identifying one of the mice that was caught in our house. Its body is 2-2 1/2” long, not including the tail. So far our cats have caught six of them in just over 24 hr. I found a hole they likely came in but also wondered if it’s likely they came in together or were maybe born in the house, the hole was plugged about 6 hours after the first one was caught. We haven’t had any in the house for a couple of years since I plugged another hole that they were using. I’m just trying to figure out if it’s likely that I have the house sealed up now and can hopefully get back to a mouse free house sooner than later. Thank you for any assistance,

Hi, I'd like to know when the Maryland Beginner Farmer Livestock Manual was published. I'd like to post a link to the manual on my new (not yet active) Facebook page. I loved reading through it and the information is comprehensive and the resource listings are so helpful to new Livestock farmers. https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=<personal data hidden>388 Also, if you'd like to provide any suggestions about the needs of this community such as hard to find equipment dealers or machinery, vets, services, supplies, etc. I would appreciate it. Thanks so much and I love the U of Md Extensions program! I never knew it existed until I was searching for information. Christine

Had wonderful 4-5' high healthy plants, 20 x 30' fenced=in area, 4-7 years established, in previous years obtained 3-5 quarts during summer months. This past year (2024), only 6-8 individual rasberries picked. Heavy infestation of Asian beetles, which, for the most part, were promptly removed. Fertilized in fall of prior year with granular 10-10-10 and wood ash from fireplace. Sunlight is moderate, not great, but should be adequate. Why no raspberries this past summer? Simply perplexed! Thank you.

Please help identify the 2 to 3 mm tiny insects in the attached photographs. We have many house plants and have found some of them in the watering cans, but not on the leaves or in the flower pots. How can I get rid of them?

Can I plant container grown hardy shrubs and vines into the winter as long as there’s no freeze in the forecast? And if I do, should I cover with a frost blanket if overnight temps are expected to dip below freezing? The soil in my Portland garden is very workable right now. Thanks!

in reviewing Native Plants for Michigan Landscape MSU document, it is recommended to be successful to know your site conditions: soil texture, pH, fertility, moisture conditions, weed problems and history of use. What soil test can I submit to MSU to assist in determine the soil texture, pH, fertility?