Author: John Fech

John Fech is a horticulturist with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and certified arborist with the International Society of Arboriculture. The author of 2 books and over 200 popular and trade journal articles, he focuses his time on teaching effective landscape maintenance techniques, water conservation, diagnosing turf and ornamental problems and encouraging effective bilingual communication in the green industry. He works extensively with the media to extend the message of landscape sustainability, making over 100 television and radio appearances each year.

Must Have’s – 5 Tools No Gardener Should Be Without

If you didn’t receive everything on your Christmas list, you may want to consider being your own Santa. After all, there are some “gotta have ‘em” in all facets of life. If you want to smoke a pork butt, you need an off-set smoker and some apple wood. If you’re going to garden, there are 5 essential tools:

Winter Protection for Landscape Plants

Winter can be a harsh time for a Nebraska landscape plant. Cold temperatures, winter winds and fluctuations in conditions and cause many of them to be damaged. Fortunately, there are a few steps that can be taken to limit the injury. The specific actions depend largely on the plant involved.

Houseplant Survival Guide for Winter

It can be cold and dreary in Nebraska in winter and most people want some green around to fight off the winter blues.  November brings on a whole new set of growing conditions for our tropical houseplants indoors, both for ones that have been brought indoors after a summer outside as well as those that are year-round fixtures inside.  For winter success, consider these 5 factors.

Fall is for Planting…So Plant Something!

Our friends at The Nursery Council say, “Fall is for Planting” – Trees, Shrubs, Bulbs, Lawns and Flowers. Really? You bet. Fall is one of the best times to plant, if not the best. Why? Many reasons.

Houseplant Transitions

Moving indoor/outdoor plants back indoors is in full swing in early September.  Many gardeners have a full patio of container plants at this point in the season, some of which are well-suited to bring back indoors for winter enjoyment.  The key to success is doing it gradually.

FAQ For August

Keep your garden going strong with answers to these frequently asked questions.

Summer Pruning of Fruit Trees

There are 2 windows of time that are best for pruning fruit trees. Most fruit tree growers are well aware of the first timeframe, which is late winter. The benefits of pruning at this time include the ease of seeing the flaws without the leaves in the way and close proximity to the point in the season when a healthy tree will naturally close the wounds made when branches are removed.

Groundcovers Are Great!

There are lots of locations in a landscape where turf and large trees just won’t grow well – too much shade, steep slopes and narrow spaces are just a few. Installing groundcovers might be the solution to some of these challenges. Of course, they’re not maintenance free, but considering the various options of better adapted plants can improve the appearance and function of the site.

Got an Ugly Landscape Feature?  Half Hide It!

When you think about it, there are quite a few items that landscapes commonly have that – well…a homeowner would rather not be all that visible to visitors or themselves. They include cable boxes, electrical pad mounted transformers, dog runs and water hydrants.

Pre and Post Emergence Herbicides – A Key Lawn Maintenance Tool

The best weed control in a lawn is to create a thick, dense turf that naturally outcompetes and prevents weed invasion. There are many steps involved, including proper fertilization, irrigation, species selection, mowing and cultivation. Another useful tool is the use of herbicides.