Category: Landscaping

Lawn-Less Front or Back Yard

Do you love your green grass, but wish you had less to maintain or something additional in the landscape to enjoy? Many homeowners have this feeling but are stuck in the rut of the traditional landscape that is dominated by turf. The good news is that you can have your cake and eat it too by being intentional about where the turf is and where something else could or should be.

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.

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.

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.

Pruning Broadleaf Shrubs

The month of March and throughout the rest of spring is a good time of year to prune shrubs in the landscape.

2025 Gardening Resolutions

Since January in the Midwest is usually not all that favorable for outdoor activities, we can grab the trowel by the handle and think ahead and backwards. Asking the question, “what didn’t go so well last year?” is a good one to springboard forward, or to borrow from the world of personal finance or fitness, to make new gardening resolutions.

Fall Color in the Landscape

As you drive around the highways and byways, or even just the various neighborhoods, some of the most enjoyable views out the window glass are heavily influenced by the fall colors of trees and shrubs in the landscape. The reds, oranges and yellows of fall show off Mother Nature’s pageantry in its finest form.

Fall Tree and Shrub Care

Most of our area experienced a spring season which was a little on the moist side. Summer and early fall have turned the spigot off, resulting in a dry root zone for many trees and shrubs. But, how do you know if your tree(s) are part of the many or part of the moist? Ya gotta check.