It’s fall, which means the calendar says September, October and November, but in a gardening sense it also means falling leaves.
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.
Colorful Trees and Shrubs in Fall
Sugar maple and red oak are some of the most handsome trees in fall, exhibiting great displays of yellow and red color, adding great aesthetic value. There are some others as well, not as well known or widely planted that can add diversity of genetics, color, shape, pest resistance and form to the landscape.
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…