My lake front water is choked with weeds. Can I rake up some of this waste growing matter and use it to cover my container planters and my in ground garden to preserve the soil? Must I dry it first? Would I discard it into the compost in spring or work it into the growing medium? Would it add too much nitrogen or phosphorus to the soil?

Hello, I am working on an ecology unit for middle school students and would like to feature a storyline, lessons about the Pacific Lamprey and conservation efforts in the region. I saw that you used to have a program for grades 4-6 but the survey has expired or the program is no longer active. Do you currently have a different program or curriculum that I could access for my students? Thanks for your help! Lindsay Laing <personal data hidden> Whitford Middle School STEM Instructional Coach

When powdery mildew shows up on peonies, when do you intervene, what do you use, and if extreme cases, when do you cut back and remove infected stems?

I have a two acre yard in Genesee County in Atlas Township that was seeded 16 years ago when we built the house. Most of the soil base of the yard is clay. We had a large amount of black dirt brought in for the front yard and part of the back yard prior to seeding. We have selected large areas in the backyard that either no longer have any grass or the grass is very thin. This is primarily in shaded areas. One area sees no sun due to three large trees close by. I've tried different seeds, top soil and fertilizer (14-14-14 earlier this year) in this area and also added an in-ground sprinkler to the area. I had grass come up last year but most of it died this year despite a wet summer from June to August. There are a number of areas along the back yard that are near pine trees (but not under the trees) that are bare now despite having grass for a number of years. I am looking for a recommendation on the type of dirt to purchase, fertilizer and seed (brand and type) to use and if a soil test is warranted. Should I explore treating for fungus in these areas? I anticipate I would need 10 yards or more of top soil of some type to cover these bare or thin areas. Thank you for your help.

when is it too late to divide and replant wild blue flag irises in Minnesota? (Brainard area)

Now that we have cut so many ash trees from our property, I feel the volunteer oak seedlings that used to be a nuisance are possibly a sustainable and free way to re-forest our land. With all the moisture we have had this summer there is a number of new healthy seedlings growing in my gardens. How old do they need to be, or at the other end of the spectrum how old can they be, to safely transplant and when is the best time to do so? Can it be successfully done?

How can you safely dehydrate eggs?

I just noticed these brown spots all over our winterberry Holly.

We had an addition put on our cottage, on Lake Huron, maybe 8 years ago. New log siding was used. The siding was sealed and then stained. On the east and a bit on the south side of the cottage, ledges of growth-maybe a lichen(?) has been growing this year. Upon breaking a few pieces off, it looks like part of the wood/log is breaking off with it. On the south side of the cottage there small pieces growing (full sun). The east side has multiple larger pieces (morning sun and near a corner) but in the same corner the wall facing south, also newer wood, it's ok.. The old wood, from the 1930's, was stained or painted with some concoction of stain, oil? and creosol, I believe. The old log siding is uninfected. Please, what is this and how do we prevent and/or kill it?

In southern Hillsborough county, something is causing leaves of established lilacs to turn brown, then gray, and fall off. What causes this? Is there anything to be done? Will the plants revive in the spring?