In order to be productive, fruit trees need to be pruned each year…yes, every year. In fact, one of the most common problems that we encounter is homeowners with trees that have been unpruned for a year, or two, or three and as a result the tree is a tangled mess of branches here and…
Author: johnfech
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.
Snap, Crackle, Pop
Though this phrase might conjure up images of a certain breakfast cereal, it should also communicate thoughts of a durable, widely adaptable flower for the landscape – the snapdragon. It might also bring back fond memories of gardening with your grandparents; snapdragons have been around forever and are popular across the generations. This worthy species…
Bark Bummers
Bark Bummers This time of year is good and challenging for Midwesterners. The challenging? The weather. Nuff said. The good? It’s a great time to notice potential problems in trees and shrubs in the landscape. At this point in the season, there aren’t any leaves, fruit or flowers (except for a couple species) to…
Using a Lawn Service…after Snow Removal?
Here in the dead of winter, a valuable service to hire to maintain a residential property is a snow removal company. No more aching back, slipping and falling and shivering in the cold. Of course all of that comes at a price, so you have to determine if it’s worth it. As well, as their…
Is This Plant Dead?
You hear these terms – “the dead of winter” and “dead to the world”, but what do they really mean? In most cases, they’re exaggerations or synonyms for other situations; in this case, really cold weather with no end in sight and really, really tired. In the plant world, the question of “is this plant…
Put That Gift Card to Good Use
*Take an inventory of what you have in the garden tool and supplies room. Chances are that you have some fertilizer leftover, but just how much? And what kind? How about essentials such as hand pruners, hoses and fertilizer spreaders? Take a close look – are they in good shape or are there missing/broken parts….
Roses – Prepping For Winter
Everyone loves a rose, whether it’s a gift for a birthday or an accent plant in the landscape. Here in eastern Nebraska, roses need a little care getting them ready to endure a typical winter…whatever may come our way. Each type of rose has its own set of prepping steps: Hybrid Tea Roses – Usually…
Evergreen Shrub Protection in Winter
This is winter in Nebraska. Winter in Nebraska is by definition “variable”. Long term residents seemingly are always telling newcomers that it’s colder this year or wetter this year or dryer this year or more up and down this year. To sum, this is winter in Nebraska…variable. As a result of variable conditions, especially…
Poinsettias on Your Desktop
There is no plant more associated with Christmas than the poinsettia. The good news is that the number of cultivars keeps expanding each year. Colors and shapes are available to fit any situation or décor. Big ones are great for church or bank lobbies…but small ones make a big difference in the enjoyment of the…
New Turf in Late Fall
After the scourges of summer, many of us replanted or renovated the turf around homes and throughout the landscape. As the winter sets in, there are a few steps to take to increase the odds of survival and regrowth next spring. Perhaps the most important “to do” is to keep the soil moist…not soggy…