Ask a Grower

After the last frost, usually the last week of May. Watch the forecast — cover tender plants if a late frost is coming.

No — annuals live one season. Some, like cosmos, may reseed on their own.

Check daily in summer. Pots dry out fast; water when the top inch of soil is dry.

Impatiens, begonias, coleus, torenia and fuchsia all do well in shade.

A yearly award from the Perennial Plant Association for a perennial that grows well across many climates, needs little care and looks good for months.

Members of the Perennial Plant Association — growers, retailers, designers and educators — vote each year.

Big bluestem 'Blackhawks', a native grass with purple-red stems in fall.

Most are hardy to zone 4 or colder. Check the zone on each plant's page.

No — garden soil packs down in containers. Use a potting mix made for containers.

A 4 × 8 foot bed 10 inches deep holds about 27 cubic feet — roughly 14 bags of 2 cubic feet. For bigger beds, bulk soil is cheaper.

Refresh pots each spring by replacing the top third with fresh mix, and start over every few years.

Plant at least two different varieties for better pollination and bigger crops.

Yes, acidic soil (pH 4.5 to 5.5). Add peat and an acidifying fertilizer if your soil is neutral.

Most blueberries ripen in July; everbearing raspberries crop in July and again in September.

No — deer and birds both like berries. Netting protects the crop.

One cubic yard covers about 100 square feet at 3 inches deep, or 160 square feet at 2 inches. Try the mulch calculator.

Late spring, after the soil warms, and again in late fall to protect new plantings over winter.

Bark mulch is fine around shrubs and perennials. For vegetables, many gardeners prefer straw or compost.

One cubic yard covers about 100 square feet at 3 inches deep. Use the mulch calculator for your exact area.

Loam is screened topsoil for leveling and building up beds and lawns. Planting mix blends loam with compost for richer soil in new gardens and raised beds.

A full-size pick-up holds about a yard of soil. Smaller trucks should take less.

A plant caterpillars eat. Monarch caterpillars eat only milkweeds, including butterfly weed.

They sip from damp soil or sand — a shallow muddy dish helps.

Host plants get nibbled, which is the point; they recover.

July through September.

Measure your ceiling and leave room for the stand and the topper — for an 8-foot ceiling, a 6 to 7 foot tree fits well.

Drilling fits the tree to a pin-style stand, so it goes straight in and stands up straight without fiddling with screws.

Yes — we carry it out and tie it to your roof for free, at both stores.

Four to five weeks with a fresh cut and daily water. Fraser fir usually holds its needles a little longer than balsam.

Our Westbrook store at 610 Bridgton Road, about 20 minutes through Gorham.

Yes, Christmas baskets filled with fresh greens and holiday trim.

Yes, we tie every tree down securely, free.

Yes, small and large balsam kissing balls.

About 10 minutes — our South Portland store at 1640 Broadway, up Route 77.

A fresh balsam wreath on the most sheltered door; mist it on mild days to keep it green.

Yes, Balsam and Fraser fir up to 9 to 10 feet; bring your ceiling height.

Yes, we tie trees of any size we sell to your roof, free.

About 20 minutes to our Westbrook store at 610 Bridgton Road.

Yes — 36 inch balsam wreaths suit barns, garages and large windows.

Fraser fir has stiffer branches for heavy ornaments.

Measure the railings and add about half again if you want it to swag between hooks.

Westbrook is about 15 minutes from most of Falmouth; South Portland is about 20, and handy from the Foreside.

Yes, balsam wreaths up to 36 inches, plus decorated wreaths.

Yes, both carry Balsam and Fraser fir, tabletop and live potted trees.

Yes, by the bundle — they keep window boxes green until spring.

About 15 minutes — our Westbrook store at 610 Bridgton Road (Route 302).

Yes, 2 to 3 foot tabletop trees and small wreaths.

Yes, garland is sold by the foot, or in 25 and 50 foot rolls.

Yes, live potted trees for planting in spring.

At our Westbrook store at 610 Bridgton Road, about 20 minutes from Gray.

In Gray's cold, a fresh balsam wreath often stays green into January.

Yes, 2 to 3 foot tabletop trees at both stores.

Keep it in a sheltered, unheated spot with mulch around the pot and plant it in spring.

Our South Portland store at 1640 Broadway, about 20 minutes north on Route 1.

A tabletop tree or a 4 to 6 foot fir fits most cottages and condos.

Yes — they hang from a hook in the porch ceiling where a wreath has no door to go on.

Yes, a live potted tree can be planted in spring; ask us how to keep it until then.

Our South Portland store is about 10 minutes from the peninsula over the Casco Bay Bridge; Westbrook is about 15 minutes from Deering via Route 302.

South Portland — over the Casco Bay Bridge and along Broadway.

Most apartments take a 5 to 6 foot tree; a tabletop tree works for small rooms and offices.

Yes — we tie trees straight to the roof, free.

About 25 minutes down Route 302 to our Westbrook store.

Yes — the cold keeps fresh balsam wreaths green for weeks.

Yes, fir boughs by the bundle and winterberry by the bunch.

Yes, we tie it down securely for the drive up Route 302, free.

About 25 minutes to our South Portland store at 1640 Broadway.

Yes — we tie it down securely before you leave, free.

Yes, both stores carry all of them from late November.

Yes, live potted trees that can go in the ground in spring.

At our South Portland store at 1640 Broadway, about 15 minutes from most of Scarborough.

Yes, by the foot or in 25 and 50 foot rolls. Measure your railings first.

Yes — cut winterberry keeps its red berries for weeks in window boxes and planters.

Yes, we load trucks too, free.

At our store at 1640 Broadway. Trees, wreaths and greenery are set up outside from late November.

Fraser fir usually holds its needles a little longer; Balsam has the stronger scent. Both last through the holidays with daily water.

Balsam wreaths last well outside; on salty, windy doors near the water, a light mist on mild days keeps them green longer.

Yes, 2 to 3 foot tabletop trees — handy for apartments and offices around Mill Creek and the Maine Mall area.

About 20 minutes — our Westbrook store at 610 Bridgton Road (Route 302).

Fresh balsam wreaths, garland and fir boughs handle the cold lake wind well.

Yes, fir boughs by the bundle, plus winterberry for color.

Yes — keep it indoors 7 to 10 days, then plant it or shelter it until spring.

At our store at 610 Bridgton Road on Route 302. Trees, wreaths and greenery arrive in late November.

Balsam fir — it's the classic Maine Christmas smell. Fraser fir is milder but holds heavy ornaments better.

Yes — both Balsam and Fraser fir in several heights, plus tabletop and live potted trees.

Yes, we tie trees to roof rails or straight to the roof, free.

Our Westbrook store at 610 Bridgton Road, about 10 minutes down Route 302.

Yes, Balsam and Fraser fir up to 9 to 10 feet.

Yes, red winterberry by the bunch, plus fir boughs.

Yes — it's a straight run down Route 302, and we tie the tree down before you leave.

At our Westbrook store at 610 Bridgton Road, about 25 minutes from Yarmouth.

A 20 or 24 inch balsam wreath fits most front doors.

Yes — fir boughs by the bundle, with winterberry stems for red.

Pick the door that gets the least wind and afternoon sun; the cold does the rest.

Trees, wreaths and garland arrive in late November. Call either store to check what's in that week.

Yes. The fresh cut, drilling, carrying the tree out and tying it to your roof are free at both stores.

Yes — South Portland and Westbrook both carry trees, wreaths, kissing balls, baskets and greenery.

Yes, we carry live potted trees you can bring inside for a week or so and plant in the yard afterwards.

Work 2 to 3 inches of compost into the top 6 to 8 inches of soil before planting, and top-dress an inch each year.

Yes — a thin layer of compost on top of beds feeds the soil, though it doesn't stop weeds the way bark mulch does.

Compost is the best fix for heavy clay. Add it every year; avoid adding sand alone, which can make clay harder.

Compost is decomposed organic matter for improving soil you already have. Planting mix is loam blended with compost, made to fill new beds and raised beds.

One yard covers about 160 square feet at 2 inches deep — about right for a year's top-dressing on a large garden.

Not on its own — mix it into soil. For a bed that starts from nothing, order planting mix instead.

Our bagged composts (Coast of Maine and others) are handy for small jobs; bulk is cheaper by the yard for big ones.

Recut the stems, use clean water with flower food, and keep the vase away from heat and fruit.

Call South Portland or Westbrook to ask about arrangements.

Peonies, coneflowers, yarrow, phlox and black-eyed Susans all last well in a vase.

Seasonal flowers and plants change through the year — call to ask what's in.

Set it in water within a few hours of a fresh cut and check the water daily. Keep it away from heat vents and fireplaces.

They can upset a pet's stomach if chewed, but are far less toxic than their reputation. Keep them out of reach.

Less light and dry indoor air. Move them closer to a window, water less often and group plants together for humidity.

Use cut evergreen boughs to mulch perennials, check stored bulbs for rot, and plan next season.

Yes — petunias and impatiens are deer favorites. Plant them close to the house or in hanging baskets.

Yes. Their strong scent keeps deer and rabbits away, which is why they're often planted around vegetable gardens.

Yes, alongside deer-resistant plants. Rotate repellent brands so deer don't get used to one smell.

Wax begonias, polka-dot plants and edging lobelia handle part shade.

Pachysandra, barrenwort and dead nettle all handle shade and are rarely eaten by deer.

Creeping thyme tolerates light foot traffic between stepping stones.

Most fill in within two to three seasons.

Yes, in areas without heavy foot traffic, especially shade and slopes.

No. A hungry deer will try almost anything, especially young plants in early spring. These plants are rarely eaten when other food is around.

Tender, smooth-leaved plants like hostas, daylilies, tulips and arborvitae are deer favorites.

No — most are tough, drought-tolerant perennials that do best in sun and well-drained soil.

Fencing at least 8 feet tall is the only sure fix. Repellents and netting help in smaller areas.

Yes — arborvitae and yews are among the plants deer eat most in winter.

Spruce, juniper and boxwood are rarely browsed; arborvitae, yew and hemlock are often eaten.

Late winter and early spring, when other food is scarce.

Our shrub and tree selection changes with the season — call South Portland or Westbrook to ask what's in.

Yes, bulk deliveries have a 2 yard minimum. One truck carries up to 6 yards.

Yes, larger plants and trees can be delivered. Ask when you buy.

Delivered bulk prices are listed on the bulk soil and bulk mulch pages. Call for plant delivery.

Usually one full growing season of regular watering.

Most prefer well-drained soil and rot in heavy, wet clay.

Generally yes — they need little water or fertilizer once established.

Yarrow, lavender, Russian sage and hyssop are both.

Blue star flower, bergenia and some cranesbills turn bright colors in fall.

Yes — burning bush is banned for sale in Maine. Blueberry and fothergilla are native alternatives.

Asters, mums, sedum, Japanese anemone and turtlehead.

Usually late September through mid-October in southern Maine.

Once in spring as growth starts is enough for most perennials. Too much fertilizer gives leaves instead of flowers.

Organic fertilizers feed slowly and build soil life; synthetic ones act faster. Both work — follow the label.

Early spring and early fall are the two most important feedings for cool-season Maine lawns.

From late September until the ground freezes, usually through October and into early November.

Daffodils, alliums, snowdrops and fritillaria are rarely bothered.

Spring bulbs stay in the ground. Tender summer bulbs like dahlias and gladiolus should be dug up after frost and stored indoors.

Mix bulb food or bone meal into the planting hole in fall.

Peonies, phlox and lily of the valley are among the most fragrant.

Many with aromatic leaves are, like lavender and catmint. Lilies are not.

Most do, but fragrance varies by variety.

Lily of the valley, sweet woodruff and some hostas.

Most apples, pears and sweet cherries need a different variety nearby for pollination. Sour cherries and some plums are self-fruitful.

Dwarf trees often fruit in 2 to 4 years; standard trees can take 5 or more.

Late winter, while trees are dormant — usually March in Maine.

Many apples, plums and sour cherries are reliable in zone 4 and 5. Ask our staff which varieties suit your yard.

Six or more hours of direct sun a day.

Coreopsis, catmint, salvia and coneflower bloom for many weeks.

Water weekly the first season; after that most handle dry spells.

Sedum, yarrow, blanket flower and lavender handle heat and reflected sun.

Most of our plants are at both South Portland and Westbrook, but what's on the benches changes daily. Call the store before you drive over for something specific.

Call the South Portland store — staff can tell you what's in and how holds work.

We deliver bulk soil, mulch and larger plants. See delivery or ask at the store.

Yes — bring a photo of the spot or a leaf from a struggling plant and our growers will help you figure it out.

Yes, gift cards are good at both stores. See gift cards.

Most of our plants are at both South Portland and Westbrook, but what's on the benches changes daily. Call the store before you drive over for something specific.

Call the Westbrook store — staff can tell you what's in and how holds work.

We deliver bulk soil, mulch and larger plants. See delivery or ask at the store.

Yes — bring a photo of the spot or a leaf from a struggling plant and our growers will help you figure it out.

Yes, gift cards are good at both stores. See gift cards.

About 10 minutes — our South Portland store at 1640 Broadway, up Route 77.

Yes — bulk mulch, loam, compost and planting mix are delivered to Cape Elizabeth from our South Portland store.

Bayberry, rugosa rose, juniper, catmint, sea holly and many ornamental grasses tolerate salt near the shore.

Catmint, salvia, lavender, yarrow and ornamental onion are rarely eaten — see our Deer-Resistant Perennials guide.

About 20 minutes to our Westbrook store at 610 Bridgton Road.

Cumberland isn't on our bulk delivery list; pick up at our Westbrook store or call to ask about your address.

Ferns, astilbe, coral bells, Siberian bugloss and other shade perennials — see our Shade Perennials guide.

Boxwood, spirea, potentilla and juniper are rarely eaten — see our Deer-Resistant Shrubs and Trees guide.

Westbrook is about 15 minutes from most of Falmouth; South Portland is about 20 and handy from the Foreside.

Falmouth isn't on our bulk delivery list; pick up at either store or call to ask about your address.

Bayberry, rugosa rose, juniper and ornamental grasses tolerate salt and wind near the water.

Catmint, salvia, yarrow, ornamental onion and false indigo — see our Deer-Resistant Perennials guide.

About 15 minutes — our Westbrook store at 610 Bridgton Road (Route 302).

Yes — bulk mulch, loam, compost and planting mix are delivered to Gorham from our Westbrook store.

Our planting mix is made for new beds and raised beds; a 4 by 8 foot bed 10 inches deep takes about a yard.

Most are hardy to zone 4 or 5; each plant page lists its hardiness zone.

Our South Portland store is about 10 minutes from the peninsula over the Casco Bay Bridge; Westbrook is about 15 minutes from Deering via Route 302.

Yes — Portland deliveries come from our South Portland store, and North Portland deliveries come from Westbrook. Call to schedule.

A 4 by 8 foot bed 10 inches deep takes about a yard; use the mulch calculator for other sizes.

Yes — our Houseplants page lists every houseplant we carry, filterable by light.

At our South Portland store at 1640 Broadway, about 15 minutes from most of Scarborough.

Yes — bulk loam, mulch, compost and planting mix are delivered to Scarborough from our South Portland store, 2 yard minimum.

For 4 inches over 1,000 square feet you need about 12 yards — two truckloads at up to 6 yards each; the mulch calculator works for loam too.

For damp, salty spots choose salt-tolerant plants such as bayberry, rugosa rose and switchgrass; for wet soil away from the salt, see our Plants for Wet Soil guide.

Our store is at 1640 Broadway, with perennials, shrubs, trees, annuals, houseplants and soil.

Yes — bulk mulch, loam, compost and planting mix are delivered from our South Portland store, with a 2 yard minimum.

Salt-tolerant plants such as rugosa rose, bayberry, catmint and many ornamental grasses handle the salt spray near Willard Beach and the harbor.

Yes, bagged potting soil, compost and mulch are in stock to take home.

On Bridgton Road (Route 302) — 610 Bridgton Rd, with perennials, shrubs, trees, houseplants and soil.

Yes — bulk mulch, loam, compost and planting mix are delivered from our Westbrook store, 2 yard minimum.

Both carry perennials, shrubs, trees, annuals, houseplants and soil; call either store for what's in this week.

Work 2 to 3 inches of compost into the top 6 to 8 inches every year; it loosens clay over time.

Our Westbrook store at 610 Bridgton Road, about 10 minutes down Route 302.

Yes — bulk mulch, loam, compost and planting mix are delivered to Windham from our Westbrook store.

Work compost into the top 6 to 8 inches and keep 2 to 3 inches of bark mulch on top to hold moisture.

Look for zone 4 on the plant page — our Plant Finder can filter by zone.

At our Westbrook store at 610 Bridgton Road, about 25 minutes from Yarmouth.

Yarmouth isn't on our bulk delivery list; pick up bags at Westbrook or call to ask.

Salt-tolerant shrubs and perennials such as bayberry, rugosa rose and catmint handle the wind and salt.

Ferns, hostas in protected spots, astilbe and coral bells — see our Shade Perennials guide.

South Portland at 1640 Broadway and Westbrook at 610 Bridgton Road (Route 302).

From South Portland: Portland, South Portland, Cape Elizabeth and Scarborough. From Westbrook: Westbrook, Windham, Gorham and North Portland. Elsewhere, call either store.

Yes, 2 yards, and one truck carries up to 6 yards.

Both carry perennials, shrubs, trees, annuals, houseplants and soil; call either store for what's in this week.

Measure the length you're covering and add about 50% if you want it to swag between hooks.

Push fir boughs into the old soil, add a few winterberry stems for color and a couple of pine cones. It stays green until spring.

Yes — winterberry is a Maine native shrub. You need a male plant nearby for berries; ask us in spring.

About two weeks indoors; keep it away from heat and mist it now and then.

No — Broadway Gardens gift cards never expire.

Yes, at South Portland and Westbrook.

Yes, at either store, any day we're open.

Most go 12 to 18 inches apart. Closer spacing fills in faster; wider spacing costs less but takes another season or two.

Once they knit together they shade out most weeds. Mulch between plants and weed by hand until they fill in.

Pachysandra, lamium, creeping thyme and many sedums are rarely eaten. See our deer-resistant groundcovers guide.

Yes — groundcovers are one of the best ways to hold soil on a slope. Mulch well and water until they root in.

Daily in hot weather, sometimes twice. Water until it runs out the bottom.

Trim back long stems by a third in midsummer and keep feeding; it will flush out with new flowers.

Most basket plants are annuals. A few, like fuchsia and geranium, can overwinter in a cool bright room.

Call South Portland or Westbrook to ask about planting your own containers.

Most hardy ferns are rarely eaten by deer, which makes them one of the best choices for shady yards that get deer pressure.

A few, like ostrich and hay-scented ferns, tolerate more sun if the soil stays moist. Most ferns do best with shade or morning sun only.

Spring through early fall. Keep new ferns well watered their first season while the roots establish.

Some do. Ostrich and hay-scented ferns spread by runners and fill large areas; painted and lady ferns stay in clumps.

When the top inch of soil is dry. Most houseplants are killed by too much water, not too little.

Spider plant, calathea, Boston fern and many palms are non-toxic to cats and dogs. See our pet-safe plants guide.

Snake plant and ZZ plant tolerate low light and missed waterings.

Feed lightly in spring and summer; skip fertilizer in winter when growth slows.

Two to three inches for beds. Deeper mulch can smother roots; thinner mulch won't stop weeds.

A cubic yard is 27 cubic feet — about 13 to 14 bags of 2 cubic feet.

Round up. Beds are rarely perfect rectangles, and soil settles.

In July and August, usually every day, sometimes twice for baskets in full sun and wind.

No — it doesn't improve drainage. Use a good potting mix and a pot with a drainage hole instead.

Morning. Evening watering leaves foliage wet overnight, which can lead to disease.

Yes. Regular watering washes nutrients out, so feed every one to two weeks in summer.

Red is the strongest draw, but they visit pink, orange and purple tubular flowers too.

Usually early to mid May, and they leave in September.

Flowers are better food; a feeder helps in early spring and late summer.

Columbine, cardinal flower and foxglove handle part shade.

Bigleaf hydrangeas bloom on last year's stems; a hard winter or fall pruning removes the buds. Reblooming varieties and panicle types are more reliable here.

Prune panicle and smooth hydrangeas in early spring. Only remove dead wood from bigleaf types.

Bigleaf hydrangeas turn blue in acidic soil. Add soil acidifier in spring; results take a season.

Panicle hydrangeas handle full sun; bigleaf and smooth types prefer morning sun and afternoon shade.

Yes — loam is the topsoil used for lawns and grading, ready to spread and seed.

Yes — rake it smooth, roll it lightly, seed, and keep it moist until the grass is up.

Up to 6 yards per truck, with a 2 yard minimum.

Planting mix — it has compost blended in, which raised beds need.

Catmint and coreopsis bloom for months when sheared back mid-season.

Yes — removing spent flowers stops seed production and pushes new blooms.

Combine long bloomers with early (bleeding heart) and late (asters, sedum) perennials.

A light spring feeding is enough; too much gives leaves instead of flowers.

Daylilies and sedum are hard to kill in sun.

Little or none — compost in spring is plenty.

Plant closely and mulch two to three inches deep.

Hostas, coral bells, ferns and barrenwort.

They're adapted to Maine's climate and soils, need less watering once established, and support native pollinators and birds.

Once established in the right spot, most need little care. Water them through their first season.

Cultivars (named varieties) of natives are close relatives and still feed many pollinators, though straight species usually support the most insects.

Yes. The plants marked native in our catalog are listed here; call South Portland or Westbrook to ask about natives in other sections.

Butterfly weed for dry, sunny spots; swamp milkweed for moist soil; common milkweed for meadows where it can spread.

Give it time — monarchs find new plants in a season or two. Groups of plants in full sun get found faster.

Milkweed is toxic to pets and livestock if eaten, so plant it away from animals that chew plants.

Yes, it spreads by underground runners. Butterfly weed and swamp milkweed stay in clumps.

Late spring, once the soil has warmed, and again in fall to protect roots through winter.

No — keep it an inch or two away from stems and tree trunks so bark doesn't stay wet and rot.

Two to three inches on beds. Thicker layers can keep water and air from reaching roots.

We dump the load where you ask — on the driveway or a tarp, clear of overhead wires. Ask the store if you need help with spreading.

Garden mums planted in the ground by mid-September have the best chance. Leave the stems on over winter and mulch the base.

Mums bought in bud usually bloom 4 to 6 weeks, depending on the weather.

A light frost is fine. Cover them on nights below 28°F to extend the show.

Ornamental kale, asters, pansies and ornamental grasses.

After the ground starts to freeze. Mulching too early invites mice and keeps the soil from cooling.

Yes, as long as you can dig. Bulbs planted late often bloom a little later the first spring.

Yes. Evergreens keep losing water all winter, so water them deeply until the ground freezes.

Put up a burlap screen on the road side and rinse leaves after heavy salt spray when temperatures allow.

Not in southern Maine. Plant by mid-October so roots have a few weeks to settle, and water until the ground freezes.

From late September until the ground freezes, usually through October and into early November.

Cut back diseased foliage, like powdery peony and bee balm leaves. Leave sturdy stems and seed heads for birds and winter interest.

Before nights fall below about 50°F. Check them for pests first and rinse the leaves.

Leave them standing over winter for interest and bird cover, then cut them back to a few inches in early spring before new growth starts.

Yes — deer rarely eat ornamental grasses, which is one reason they work so well in Maine yards.

Water weekly the first season. After that most grasses are drought tolerant and need watering only in long dry spells.

Japanese forest grass (Hakonechloa) and many sedges (Carex) do well in part shade.

Spring after the soil can be worked and early fall (late August through September) are best. Fall planting gives roots time to settle before winter, as long as you water until the ground freezes.

Most perennials take about three seasons: they sleep the first year, creep the second and leap the third. Water them weekly the first summer.

Not always. Leaving seed heads and stems feeds birds and protects the crowns over winter. Cut back anything diseased, and tidy the rest in spring.

Plants with fuzzy, scented or bitter leaves, like catmint, yarrow, lavender and Russian sage, are rarely eaten. See our deer-resistant perennials guide for the full list.

No. A hungry deer will try almost anything, especially in late winter and early spring. These plants are rarely eaten when other food is around.

Most have strong scents, fuzzy or leathery leaves, or bitter, toxic sap.

On new plantings, yes — young growth is the most tempting. Once established, most of these need no protection.

Hostas, daylilies, tulips and phlox are deer favorites. Plant them near the house or protect them.

Early morning, when it's cool and stems are hydrated.

Recut stems, change the water every two days and keep vases out of sun.

Yarrow, lavender and statice keep their color when dried.

No — it often encourages more blooms.

Lilies (Lilium and Hemerocallis) can cause kidney failure in cats, even from pollen.

They're listed as non-toxic, but large amounts can still cause stomach upset.

Spider plant, Boston fern, calathea and many palms.

The ASPCA keeps a searchable list of toxic and non-toxic plants; your vet can help too.

Yes — it's the easiest start for vegetable beds. Top-dress with 1 to 2 inches of compost each spring after the first year.

For large planters and half barrels, yes. For pots under about 12 inches, a bagged potting soil drains better.

Loam is plain topsoil for lawns and grading; planting mix has compost blended in for growing flowers and vegetables.

Not the first season for most plants; feed heavy feeders like tomatoes lightly midsummer.

A quality potting mix — garden soil packs down and drains poorly.

In Maine, move them to an unheated garage or plant them in the ground in fall.

Bigger pots dry out more slowly — 14 inches or wider for a mixed planter.

Every one to two weeks with a water-soluble fertilizer.

A shallow planted basin that catches runoff and lets it soak in, usually within a day or two.

Astilbe, turtlehead, Joe Pye weed and ligularia handle heavy wet soil.

Most handle wet soil and brief flooding, not permanent standing water. Marsh marigold handles the wettest spots.

Yes — Joe Pye weed and turtlehead are favorites of bees and butterflies.

Most of southern Maine is zone 5. Inland and northern areas are zone 4 or colder.

Sometimes, in sheltered spots with good snow cover, but zone 4 plants are safer.

Freeze-thaw cycles, wet soil and cold without snow cover.

Mulch new plantings after the ground freezes to keep them from heaving.

Not necessarily — many are garden favorites. Plant them where children and pets won't chew them.

Call your vet or an animal poison control line right away.

Most are only harmful if eaten; spurge and hellebore sap can irritate skin.

Toxic plants are bitter, which is why many are also deer resistant.

Bee balm, hyssop, catmint, lavender and asters are among the best.

Natives support the most native bees and butterflies, but many non-native perennials feed bees well too.

Early spring and late fall, when few plants are blooming.

They attract many insects, but bees and wasps are busy feeding and rarely bother people.

Yes — without a hole, water collects at the bottom and rots the roots.

Clay and ceramic pots can crack when wet soil freezes. Empty them and store them dry, or choose frost-proof planters.

Go one to two inches wider than the current pot for houseplants; bigger pots dry out more slowly outdoors.

Catmint, salvia, lavender, yarrow, ornamental onion, peony, false indigo and Russian sage are rarely touched.

Often, because both avoid fuzzy, scented and bitter leaves — but not always. Rabbits eat some plants deer skip, like young lupines.

Circle them with chicken wire 18 inches tall for the first few weeks, until the leaves harden off.

Yes, rabbits nibble young hosta shoots in spring, so hostas aren't on this list.

Most handle standing water for a day or two after a storm. A rain garden should drain within 48 hours.

Yes — turtlehead, cardinal flower, royal fern and ostrich fern grow in part shade.

No. Water drains in a day or two, well before mosquitoes can hatch.

A common rule is about a fifth to a third of the roof area that drains into it, and 4 to 8 inches deep.

A wet-soil bed stays damp all the time. A rain garden floods after storms and dries out between them, so its plants need both.

Gritty, fast-draining soil. Mix in gravel or coarse sand.

Water until established; after that most handle dry spells.

Yes — sedums, hens and chicks and thyme grow well in cracks.

Many are, including sedum, thyme and pinks.

Shrub roses and rugosa roses survive our winters with little protection.

In early spring when the forsythia blooms — cut out dead wood and shape the plant.

Hardy shrub roses don't. Mound soil or mulch over the base of hybrid teas after the ground freezes.

Choose disease-resistant varieties, water at the base, and clean up fallen leaves.

Daylilies, yarrow, sea thrift, ornamental grasses and rugosa roses handle road salt well.

Blanket flower, sea thrift, yarrow and sedum thrive in sand.

Water them through dry spells; salt damage is worse in drought.

They handle salt spray, but very exposed sites need wind protection too.

Most vegetables and annuals are started 6 to 8 weeks before the last frost — late March to mid April in southern Maine.

Late August through mid September is best for cool-season grass in Maine; spring is second best.

Peas, beans, carrots, radishes, lettuce, squash and many annual flowers grow well from direct sowing.

Hostas, ferns, Lenten roses, lungwort and foamflower handle deep shade.

Yes, if you add compost and water through dry spells. Barrenwort and Lenten rose handle dry shade best.

Ferns, Lenten rose, lungwort, bleeding heart and astilbe are rarely eaten. Hostas are a deer favorite.

Many do — astilbe, bleeding heart, foamflower and Lenten rose all bloom in shade.

Spring and early fall are best. Water weekly until the ground freezes.

Prune spring bloomers like lilac and forsythia right after they flower; prune summer bloomers in early spring.

Water well before freeze-up, mulch the roots, and wrap evergreens in burlap if they face wind or road salt.

Arborvitae, upright yews and viburnum make good screens. Ask about deer pressure before choosing.

Spring and early fall, when it's cool and rain is more regular. Summer sod works with daily watering.

Loosen the soil, add an inch or two of loam, rake it level and water before laying. Lay sod the day you get it.

Water daily for the first two weeks so the soil underneath stays damp, then taper off as roots take hold.

Spring and fall. Fall planting from September to mid-October is ideal because cooler air and warm soil help roots grow.

About 10 gallons a week through the first two growing seasons, more in hot, dry spells.

Only if it's in a windy spot or won't stand straight. Remove stakes after one year.

Ask about delivery when you call South Portland or Westbrook.

Once nights stay above 50°F, usually the first week of June in southern Maine.

Yes — tomatoes, peppers, herbs and greens all grow well in large pots with good potting mix.

Chives, thyme, oregano, mint and sage are perennial in Maine. Basil, dill and cilantro are annuals.

A mix of loam and compost works well. Ask us about bagged and bulk options at either store.

Climbing hydrangea and some honeysuckles handle part shade.

Clinging vines can work into old mortar and siding. Grow them on a trellis set a few inches off the wall.

It depends on the group. Spring bloomers right after flowering; summer bloomers in early spring.

Trumpet vine and trumpet honeysuckle are hummingbird favorites.

Not the ones on this list. Leave them for winter structure and birds, and cut back in early spring.

Feather reed grass and switchgrass stay upright through most Maine winters; maiden grass can flop under heavy wet snow.

Hellebores, bergenia, Christmas fern, creeping thyme and some coral bells keep their leaves.

Yes — goldfinches, juncos and chickadees feed on coneflower, black-eyed Susan and grass seed.

Outdoors in Maine's cold, a balsam wreath stays green through the holidays and often into January. Indoors it dries out in two to three weeks.

Yes, but the space between doors gets warm in the sun, so the wreath dries faster. A cool, shaded door keeps it fresh longest.

Most front doors take a 20 or 24 inch wreath; double doors, garage doors and barns take 36 inches.

No, but a light mist on mild days keeps the greens fresh longer.