Houseplant Health

At this point in the year, the less-than-supportive indoor conditions tend to take their toll on our houseplants. Put another way, many are developing “Houseplant-itis”. The low humidity, reduced sunlight and cool temperatures next to the window glass often cause them to become lackluster. Fortunately, there are a few ways to encourage healthy growth between now and when they can be safely moved outdoors in May.

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.

FAQ For August

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

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.

January Gardening Tips & Techniques

January is a month filled with reflections of the previous year and notions of looking ahead. These are great fodder for coffee time with friends where you share notes and observations and also make intentional plans for modifications and improvements.