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Remain Calm, It’s just a Cicada Killer Wasp!

Cicada killing wasps are back for the summer of 2020! They are big and fast, but they’re not going to hurt you. Learn how to live comfortably with them or discourage them from taking up residence in your landscape.

Bagworms On the Loose

Bagworms have hatched in Douglas County! Know what to look for and how to safely and effectively treat your trees so they can remain evergreen not turn ever-brown.

Bugging out with Your Camera Phone

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Repairing White Grub Turf Damage

In September, annual white grubs can cause major injury to lawns. How do you know if you have them or have the damage?

After Seeding Care of Lawns

The lawn seed is in the ground, tiny grass plants are growing, it’s being watered, now what? Good question.

The three biggest follow up actions to take to facilitate the development of a successful stand at this point are:
1. Keeping the soil moist, not soggy or dry.
2. Applying starter fertilizer to encourage rooting and eventual shoot growth
3. Weed control

Prioritize, then Water Efficiently

In the past few weeks, Mother Nature has not brought much in the way of natural rainfall to many parts of Nebraska.

Tall Fescue is Not Perfect

It seems like many landowners are jumping on the turf type tall fescue bandwagon, switching from perennial ryegrass and Kentucky bluegrass. It’s understandable – the number of problems that these species have caused many homeowners to look for other options. The truth is no turf species is perfect, with resistance to all diseases, insects and…

Lawn Renovation – First Steps

We’ve been dealing with the “Dog Days of Summer” for a couple of weeks now. One of the things that go with this time of year are bad looking lawns, many of which need lawn renovation. Mid-August is the time for step 1 of that process. Steps 2 to 8 should take place in late…

Don’t Plant This at Home

The common phrase – “Don’t try this at home” refers to all sorts of actions from pro wrestling to theatre and even television shows such as America’s Got Talent. The common thread to all of these is an element of danger, or at least something more exciting than common sense and safety. Don’t try…

Leaf Scorch

The hot, dry days of July are more than a discomfort to many shade trees. Leaf scorch, which is a non-infectious disease is evident throughout the Midwest. Leaf scorch is first noticed as a yellowing or bronzing of the tissue between the veins or along the margins of leaves. Trees are more susceptible if…

Deadheading

No, this is not an article on the trials, exhilarations and tribulations of The Grateful Dead. It’s about dead flowers. Dead flowers should be removed from annuals, perennials, bulbs and shrubs as soon as possible to prevent seeds from forming. As far as the plant is concerned aka if the plant had a mind with…

Freeze Damage to Spruce

Many spruce trees in the area are looking rough. Beyond the usual injury from spruce spider mites and Rhizosphaera needle cast, spruce trees have serious dieback, not only individual branches but in some cases, the top has died. Drooping clusters of brown needles and streaks of white sap on branches and trunk indicate freeze injury….

Surface Roots Under Trees

Trees are great – they produce shade, create framing for a house or building, provide shelter for songbirds, slow down the wind and snow and so many other benefits…but they can create a few problems, one of which is surface roots. Surface roots are not to be taken lightly – they create a tripping…